Making Homemade Pesto

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I just read this great post about using things you buy at farmers market to their best advantage. 

I just LOVE basil and pesto and this is a great recipe and there was also a cilantro version as well as recipes for simple tomato sauce, simple marinara sauce and how to dry herbs. Check it out!

Leftover Asian Stirfry

I just threw this together last night and it came out awesome!

Use any of these leftovers in your fridge:
Grilled Chicken or Pork
Thin slice or grate carrots
Celery
Snow Peas
Peppers (any color, rough chop)
White Wine

Pantry Stock
Sliced Water Chestnuts (always buy sliced. same price and no work)
Bamboo Shoots
Artichoke hearts (rough chop)
Chicken, Pork or Vegetable Stock
Tamari, Teriyaki, Peanut sauce, Kung Pao Sauce (pick your favorite or the one you have!)
Onions - (rough chop)
Garlic
Oriental Noodles of choice


Freezer Stock
Green Peas
Snow Peas
Edemame
Peppers (any color, rough chop)

Spices
Red Pepper Flakes

Garlic
5 Spice Powder

Boil water (put some salt in to speed the time) add noodles Cook to tender.

In the bottom of your wok or non-stick pan heat 1-2 tbsp Sesame Oil with 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 5 spice powder.  The spices will release their flavors into the oil.  add the onion and celery first and then any or all of the ingredients that you like from the lists above.  Stir.. Fry... add enough white wine or broth to keep de-glazing the pan.  Taste, add seasonings as required for your preference. Serve with Cooked noodles.

I also made potstickers from the recipe below.. Easy Cheesy... 30 minutes or less for my family of 4

Easy Cheesey Jack Mack & Cheese

Easy Cheesey Jack Mack & Cheese

I grew up in a German household so everything was heavy, white flour, lard, butter and bland... so I defatted and spiced up my Mama's recipe. Let me know what you think.

(If you have the Rachel Ray Pantry items in your cupboards, you should have everything you need other than the fresh dairy products.

• 2 cups whole grain pasta (I like bow ties, my kids like wheels but they take a little longer) cook it a little shy of al dente
• 16 ounces Cheddar cheese cubed or shredded (what ever is on sale)
  
• 8 ounces pepper jack cheese, cubed or shredded
  
• 1 small can green chilis
  
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 squirt of mustard -any kind
  
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (fresh makes all the difference!)
  
• 4 tablespoons lite sour cream
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup skim milk
  
• 4 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon EVOO
  
• 2-quart baking dish

Easy Cheesey Jack Mack and Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, toss together pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, buttermilk and skim milk.  Pour over the pasta and cover with shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-sized squares. In a skillet over medium heat add EVOO, add cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

I could eat nothing but Mexican Food for a year

Chimichanga at Don Ramon's

I think Mexican, although Italian is a close 2nd. I'm not sure what Italian Breakfasts look like, but I'm a huge fan of Breakfast Burrito's,

Spicy Crunchy Onion Strips

Spicy Crunchy Onion Strips

Onions are one of those vegetables that turns into a totally different flavor and texture when you cook it. I really do NOT care for raw onions at all in anything!! BUT cook them, add some heat and a few other ingredients and they are easily one of my all time favorites!

For this cooked onion treat start by slicing 2 onions into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick strips. Pat the onions dry and set aside.

Next make a batter using:

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce sauce

In another bowl mix ingredients below and place into a bowl or a large zip lock bag.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon red pepper
• Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place vegetable oil in a deep skillet until it comes about 1-inch up the side of the pan. Heat oil to 360 degrees F. Make sure the oil is hot enough or they will end up mushy! I HATE mushy food!

Dip the onion slices in the wet batter to coat them drop them into the bag with the flower mixture.

Add them to the hot oil in small batches so you don't lower the temperature of the oil.

Deep-fry onions until golden, about 2 minutes.
Fish out the onions and place on a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle immediately with salt or your favorite seasoned salt.

Add to the top of steaks, burgers, or just as a snack. Enjoy!!

What are some of your favorite things to do with onions? I am always looking for new ideas.

Spiral Pork Loin Roast

This year I've decided to make a pork roast that I sort of invented this summer and just fell in love with.

Spiral Pork Loin Roast

You start out with a large pork loin roast and you cut it in a spiral like you would a jelly roll.  I then took a package of mushrooms, an onion, 2 stalks of celery, 3 cloves of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme.  Rough chop everything  and then saute them  for just a few minutes in a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

You then layout the pork so it's a long rectangle rum some EVOO over it  and then slather the mushroom onion mixture over the top. (Your hands will be VERY messy!) put a few large toothpicks in and then brown the top and bottom carefully so as not to loose the stuffing.  (It's a little tricky and messy but it is SO worth it!)

Bake in a 350 oven until your meat thermometer reads PORK is Done!  remove from the over and let sit on a cutting board for 10 minutes.  Then slice.  The presentation is just gorgeous and the aroma is intoxicating.  Make a gravy using the yummy bits at the bottom of the roasting pan the traditional way.. using a bit of white wine if you need to..(I do whether I need to or not)  Serve with my garlic smashed potato's and a salad and your guests will be impressed.

Movie Night Pizza

Movie Night Pizza Recipe ~ a Chrissy Original

There seriously is NOTHING better than making pizza at home and watching the latest Red Box Flick in front of your own cozy fireplace!

Preheat Oven to 425′

1 pizza dough, store bought or from your favorite pizza shop
A palm full all-purpose flour or cornmeal
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary leaves, a couple of sprigs
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (you can substitute dry herbs if you don’t have fresh… I love the Italian Blends!)
Coarse salt

Crust:
If pizza dough is frozen, thaw for 5 hours, punch down and roll out and let rise once approx 1 hour.

On a round pizza stone or pan or on a rectangular baking sheet, using flour or cornmeal to dust the dough, spread out the dough to form your crust. If you are using a baking sheet, drizzle pan with extra-virgin olive oil then set crust in place. Poke the pizza dough in several areas with the tines of a fork. Drizzle the dough with extra-virgin olive oil then season it with finely chopped rosemary & basil and a little salt. Make sure the oven has come up to temp and then place in the oven for 8- 10 minutes.

Take Crust out and add your favorite pizza toppings or try one of my varieties and of course the cheese working all the way to the edges.

VARIATIONS: Sausage & Fresh Tomato

• 1 jar of Prego Heart Healthy Sauce
• 1 package or whole cooked Spicy Italian sausage sliced
• add 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (ONLY if you like spicy!)
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh basil
• 2 Fresh Roma tomatoes Thinly sliced
• 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
  

Cover pizza with sauce then sausage cover with cheese &
top with ribbons of basil and tomato slices.

* Omit the sausage for a Margaretta Pizza.

Return the pizza to the oven and bake until cheese is golden, another 8 to 12 minutes. Not Boring Veggie
Brown in EVOO..
1-2 chopped red peppers,
1 lb fresh mushrooms,
1 onion,
3 cloves garlic,
1 small can chopped jalapeno’s or green chili’s
1-2 tsp red pepper flakes

SAUCE

I use Prego jazzed up with some fresh onions & garlic browned in EVOO
1 teaspoon dried Italian Spices
1 package (2 cups) shredded mozzarella

* Optional 1/2 cup grated Cheese Blends (Romano, Parmesan) sprinkled on top.

Return the pizza to the oven and bake until cheese is golden, another 8 to 12 minutes.

I would love to hear from you if you added any of your own favorite ingredients or have any suggestions. I never make a pizza the same twice but they are ALL Crowd Pleasers