Grilled Pizza

Fridays nights around  here are usually grilled pizza night.  I think about it all day long at work. Then fight rush hour traffic desperately to get home to a relaxing night on the patio decompressing from a stressful week with a glass of wine in hand, good conversation, and a pizza crisping on the grill.

I love the smoked flavor these little canisters add to the crust.  I accidentally left one on and  grilled a pizza one night.  Greatest accidental discovery if there ever was one.

We switch up the crust and the toppings regularly. We do flat bread, Boboli, and lately I’ve had a serious addiction to bakery pizza dough that I pick up at our local Publix.  I have been wanting to make my own but haven’t gotten around to it yet.  It’s on the to do list.

I start out splitting the dough into two fairly equal parts and rolling it to about 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick.   Remember to generously dust your surface with flour so it doesn’t stick.

I also will dust my cutting board with a little flour so it doesn’t stick when I go to place it on the grill.  The trick of getting a really good brown crispy crust is to drizzle it with some olive oil and brush it over the dough.  I only do one side at a time.  You’ll see why in a moment.

Place oil side down on a hot grill then turn down to medium.  When you begin to see browning give it a 90 degree turn (turn half way on same side) to get those impressive diamond grill marks that we all long to have.

When it’s nice and brown remove it from the grill and drizzle the olive oil and brush the other side.  You will be putting the toppings on the side you just browned.

Assemble with your favorite toppings.  I will usually hit one of our pizzas with peppers and onions and do one with just pepperoni and cheese.

Place it back on the grill and watch it closely.  Again, check the bottom and when you notice it browning nicely give it another 90 degree turn.  Now you see why it gets so crispy! Grilling both sides definitely is the key to it’s crunchiness.

That first crunchy bite with the melted cheese and sauce says it all.  I’m ready to change it up to a barbecue chicken or buffalo and blue cheese pizza for our next Friday night meeting at the grill.  Until then, stay hungry!

Copycat J Alexander’s NYO (not your ordinary) Mac n’ Cheese

Have you ever ordered a dish at a restaurant took one bite and thought to yourself.. “I just gotta try making this at home.”? That’s how I felt about J. Alexander’s NYO Mac n Cheese.  NYO meaning Not.Your.Ordinary!  They should just cut to the chase and call it what it really is. Extraordinary.  It’s smooth, silky creamy texture pops in your mouth the minute it hits your taste buds. It’s just the right amount of richness with a hint of onion flavor. It has a crunchy topping of panko breadcrumbs that give it the perfect complement.  I personally would call this the best mac n cheese E.V.E.R!

I won’t usually order mac and cheese out because it’s always such a disappointment. Except when I go to J.Alexander’s…this is the only side dish I ever order.  I was making a meatloaf one afternoon and thought that mac n cheese would be a great comfort food side dish.  I started googling copycat J Alexander mac n cheese recipes and after what turned out an arduous task came up with this copycat recipe over at T’s Recipes which seemed to have the most responses of people who tried it that commented it was very close.

After making this a couple of times now, and adjusting just a few things from the other recipe, I think I have perfected my own personal copycat recipe of this magnificent mac n cheese dish.  Given I have a serious obsession with ramekins these days, I made individual portions just like they serve at the restaurant. By all means feel free to bake it in one dish.

Copycat J Alexander’s NYO (not your ordinary) Mac n’ Cheese
Print
Recipe type: Side Dish
Author: The Kitchen Prescription
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Total time: 55 mins
Serves: 4
Copycat J. Alexander’s Not Your Ordinary Mac n Cheese
Ingredients
  • 6 Cups chicken Stock
  • 2 cubes chicken bouillon/base
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) Cavatappi (also called cellentani or double elbows, is macaroni formed in a spiral tube shape with ridges)
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter — divided plus extra for greasing pan
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1/2 small red onion — minced and sauteed in a bit of butter
  • 1/2 tsp of minced garlic sauteed with onion
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco (more if you prefer a spicy kick)
  • 2 1/4 cups fresh grated Gruyere cheese divided (I used regular gruyere and the other half a smoked gruyere to give it a smokey rustic flavor to it)
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper (this dish does not need salt as there is plenty in the chicken stock. bouillon and cheese)
  • 1/2c Panko
Instructions
  1. Bring 6 cups chicken stock and 1 1/1 cubes chicken base/bouillon to rolling boil in medium saucepan.
  2. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. (I like it to have a little hard bite bc you bake it in the oven.)
  3. Drain and put in large bowl, toss with Pomace Olive Oil and lemon juice.
  4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat.
  5. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, 3 minutes.
  6. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, half n half, and sour cream.
  7. Stir in sautéed onion and garlic mixture, , sugar and Tabasco.
  8. Simmer gently, stirring often, 15 minutes.
  9. Remain on low heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of gruyere and parmesan cheese.
  10. Season to taste with pepper.
  11. Stir in macaroni. Pour half of mixture into greased, deep 1 1/2-quart baking dish (or 3-4 ramekins) and sprinkle with 1/2 of remaining cheese mixture.
  12. Top with remaining macaroni and remaining cheese mixture.
  13. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 cube chicken base in small skillet over medium heat.
  14. Add panko and toss to coat. (don’t brown in pan)
  15. Sprinkle buttered panko and over top of macaroni.
  16. Bake at 350: F. until panko is lightly browned, about 25-30 minutes.
  17. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Have you every tried a copycat recipe of your own?

 

Chicken Pot Pie

I told you I’m a meat and potatoes girl. I wasn’t lying.  I’d be willing to bet when most of you think of chicken pot pie you’d probably think of a Banquet chicken pot pie that your Mother (or Father) popped in the oven for you back in the day. Not that there is anything wrong with that.  Heck, I loved many a Banquet chicken pot pies back in the day!  Before the microwave that is.

Is chicken pot pie supposed to be microwaveable? No. The answer is no!  Which would you rather eat?

Now that that debate is over. Let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this post.  Here’s what you will need.

Chicken Pot Pie
5.0 from 2 reviews
Print
Recipe type: Dinner
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription (dot) com
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 35 mins
Total time: 1 hour 5 mins
Serves: 4
Comfy and delicious
Ingredients
  • 3 large chicken boneless breasts
  • 1/2 bottle garlic and herb marinade
  • 3 large potatoes cut, peeled and cubed into small even pieces
  • 2 boxes Peppridge Farm Puff Pastry (found in your grocer’s freezer section w desserts)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh Rosemary (or dried)
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Thyme (depending on your taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered chicken bouillon
  • 2 cups low salt chicken broth/stock
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup white cooking wine
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • small chopped red onion
  • 2 small chopped celery stalks
  • 3 peeled and chopped carrots
  • 1/2 can super sweet corn (or whatever vegetables you prefer)
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 egg for brushing pastry dough
Instructions
  1. See picture tutorial below

Marinate your chicken breast in 1/2 bottle of garlic and herb dressing/marinade for at least a couple of hours.  Salt & pepper and grill on both sides but don’t cook all the way through.  Cube chicken same size as potatoes and carrots. This helps everything to cook evenly.  Set chicken cubes aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In large pot on stove mix together chicken stock, heavy whipping cream, white cooking wine, and chicken bouillon. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil briefly. Then turn back to medium heat.  Add flour and whisk, turn up heat and continue whisking until mixture thickens. If you think it needs more flour add a little at a time.  Remember you are adding starch from the potatoes and this will also thicken the mixture. Once mixture thickens add in onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, Rosemary, and Thyme and cook on medium heat until potatoes are almost done.  You should be able to spear them with a fork.  Now add chicken and turn down to low heat to keep warm.

I used individual Ramekins. I just love the rustic look and individual servings. Cut your puff pastry into even slices. I had enough for 4 pot pies but only made 3. I also like crust on the bottom and top of my pot pie.  Next time I make this I will bake my bottom crust for 10 minutes before putting in the filling.   Learn from my mistake and take my advice and precook your bottom crust for about 10-12 minutes or until it lightly browns.

Put a little flour on your counter and roll out your puff pastry.  If you are using puff pastry on the bottom of your pies, butter your Ramekins and then press in the puff pastry dough until it even coats the sides.

Before you fill them like I did, remember I said you might want to bake your bottom layer until lightly brown.  Then fill your Ramekins with the mixture.

Cut a small hole in center of top of puff pastry to vent heat. Then press around top of Ramekin. Trim off any excess pastry dough.  Then brush with whipped egg mixture.

Place on foil covered cookie sheet and bake on 425 until top of crust browns. 10 to 12 minutes.  Then lightly cover with foil and turn oven down to 400 degrees and cook additional 20-25 minutes.  Cool at least 10 minutes before serving. It will still be pipping hot. I promise.

So… do you still want the microwaveable version, or this hardly any work homemade version oozing with goodness and comfy mouth watering taste?

I thought so.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

I’m definitely a meat and potatoes girl. I eat a lot of mashed potatoes…and I mean a lot.  Another of my personal favorite potato recipes is scalloped potatoes. This is so easy to prepare. It really can’t get any easier. It’s a great compliment for steak or grilled pork chops.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Print
Recipe type: Side Dish
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription (dot) com
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 15 mins
Serves: 4
A great compliment to steak or grilled pork chops
Ingredients
  • 4 Large Idaho Potatoes
  • 1 can of Campbell’s cream of chicken soup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 can milk
  • 1/2 can water
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped red onion
  • salt & pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Mix milk, water, and soup in a medium baking dish and microwave on high for 4 minutes
  3. Whisk after it comes out of microwave to break up all soup clumps
  4. Add chopped onion
  5. Peel and slice potatoes 1/4 inch thick (slice evenly so they bake evenly)
  6. Salt & pepper to taste
  7. Bake for about an hour or until potatoes easily break apart with a fork.

Perfect Pan Meatloaf Recipe

Is meatloaf ever pretty? No, the answer is no. But it sure is tasty! To some, meatloaf is just a ginormous meatball slathered in a ketchup sauce.  I like to think of it as a variation of a meatball, but unique in it’s own rite.  Every chef, mom, or cook has their own variation of  a meatloaf.  It’s one of those comfort foods that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I pulled out the As Seen on TV Perfect Meatloaf Pan I received as a Christmas present and thought I would see if its name lived up to its infomercial reputation.

The answer is yes. Yes, it did. I love this pan. It’s so convenient for lifting the meatloaf out of the pan. No dealing with the meatloaf plopping off in the sauce while trying to lift it out with a two spatulas, therefore no scalding skin burns.

Start out with 1 pound of ground pork and 1 pound of ground beef (80/20) each.

Here are the other ingredients you will need. I don’t measure I just throw stuff in. That is what makes a meatloaf so rustic. Humor me. Just agree.

I didn’t use the Rosemary you see in the picture. I changed my mind at the last minute. Here is a complete list of ingredients I use. Worcestershire Sauce, Buttermilk, sour cream, 2 eggs, Ketchup, Large can of tomato sauce, dark brown sugar, panko break crumbs, Italian bread crumbs, Fresh grated parmesan cheese, Orange pepper, green pepper, purple onion, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper.

Start out with putting your pork and beef in a large bowl.  Dice your onion and peppers. Add to bowl. Add some parmesan cheese, oregano, Italian seasoning, cumin, clove, (just a smidgeon of cumin and clove. You don’t want to overpower it. Its that touch of spice that make people think hmmmm….this is good what’s her secret ingredient?) salt & pepper.

Time for all your wet ingredients. About 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, about 3 tablespoons of ketchup, about 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 eggs.

Add your panko and Italian bread crumbs. Be generous. Lastly, add your Buttermilk over top.

Mix well with clean hands.  If the mixture is still too wet, add more bread crumbs. Don’t forget to take your rings off. No one likes mushy meat mixture smeared on diamonds.

Split mixture into two equally sized portions. Roll out on wax paper then shape into a rectangle.  This makes it cook more evenly.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You can make your sauce mixture right in your pan. Mix one large can of tomato sauce, 3 tablespoons of dark brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and place your meatloaf in the sauce. Use a spoon and drizzle some of the sauce over the meatloaf and bake for about and hour and 15 minutes  to an hour and a half. Keep checking. When juices run clear it’s ready.

I usually wrap one of the meatloaf’s in wax paper and place in an airtight plastic bag and freeze for an already prepared go to meal after work.  I usually serve with mashed or cheesy potatoes and a salad.

Chocolate Chip Cake

This may not have been my best decorated cake, but I can guarantee you it was a tasty cake. Moist. Delicious.  My boyfriend’s and my birthdays are 6 days apart and I was sick on his birthday so last week I made us both a chocolate chip birthday cake to celebrate. Did I just rhyme?

My boyfriend made me a chocolate chip cake for my birthday the first year we were dating. It was box and the chocolate chips sank to the bottom of the cake, but it was good. So i thought I would make us both one and go on a mission to keep the chips suspended in the cake.  I did a little bit of online researching and the trick is to use smaller chips, coat them in flour, then fold them gently into batter.

Chocolate Chip Cake
Print
Recipe type: Dessert
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 40 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Serves: 8
Chocolate chip bliss
Ingredients
  • 1 stick salted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 package vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon flour for chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. cream butter and sugar on medium speed until well blended
  3. add dry ingredients
  4. add egg, milk, and vanilla extract
  5. mix on low speed and increase to high speed and mix until smooth
  6. in small bowl pour chocolate chips and sprinkle with flour and stir with spoon
  7. Pour batter into baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray
  8. gently fold in chocolate chips and make sure they are evenly dispersed in batter
  9. bake until toothpick comes out clean

I used a canned chocolate frosting and piped on the pink strawberry cream cheese buttercream.  I used a small open star tip to pipe the rosettes and a 2D tip for the edges.

Grilled Chicken and Bacon Pasta Carbonara

I say this time and time again.  After working an 8 hour day 5 days a week the last thing I feel like doing is spending the rest of the night in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up. Fuhhhhgettabouttit! This grilled chicken and bacon pasta carbonara is a cinch to prepare. Quick and delicious.  You will think you are dining in Italy.  Pure amore!

I don’t think I have ever tried a carbonara my entire life until I was watching The Food Network a few months ago and saw Chef Anne Burrell cooking up a pasta carbonara on “The Best Thing I Ever Made.”  She made it look so good. I had just had to try it, being pasta is one of my absolute favorite dishes.

I tried her recipe with pancetta but found it too salty. I exchanged the pancetta for bacon. It took me a few times making it until I came up with my own perfectly adapted recipe. I get so excited to make this when I am craving pasta.

Grilled Chicken and Bacon Pasta Carbonara
5.0 from 2 reviews
Print
Recipe type: Dinner
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 2-4
You will think you died and went to Italy. Pure Amore!
Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil ( + a few drops in boiling water for pasta)
  • 6 strips of thick sliced bacon
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 thin boneless chicken breasts (marinate at least 6 to 8 hours in garlic & herb sauce)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated pecorino cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Crack eggs in large bowl and beat
  2. add a little salt and pepper to taste. Not too much salt, bacon and pasta also have salt.
  3. add heavy whipping cream
  4. add pecorino and parmesan cheese mix together with fork
  5. set aside until needed
  6. Heat olive oil on medium heat in large deep frying pan
  7. preheat grill for chicken
  8. cube bacon
  9. when oil is heated cook bacon until it is crispy. When done take off burner and set aside. I leave my burner on so when I place pan back on it heats right up
  10. while bacon is cooking grill chicken breasts a few minutes on both sides to get a nice char on both sides (you want it a little pink inside as you finish off in pan later)
  11. Once grilled place aside. When cools a little slice
  12. salt water add a few drops of olive oil and bring to boil
  13. add pasta to boiling water and cook al dente (about 6 minutes)
  14. while pasta is cooking add chicken to pan with bacon and place back on med heat
  15. strain pasta
  16. turn pan down between low and medium heat. (this is important as you don’t want to scramble your eggs, but create a creamy sauce that is heated thoroughly)
  17. add strained pasta to pan and toss thoroughly with tongs
  18. pour over egg, cream, and cheese mixture. Toss until completely warmed through
  19. Serve immediately

Buon appetito!

Strawberries And Cream Cupcakes

I’m “Crushin’ ” on these Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes big time. Last weekend I wanted to create my own strawberries and cream cupcake from my base scratch cupcake recipe.  Needless to say I ended up throwing that batch out. Today I went back to the test kitchen and did a few things differently.

Here in South Florida it’s Strawberry Season for us until the end of February. What better time for strawberry season than right before Valentines Day.  Perfect reason to try these.

When I tried these last weekend I baked the strawberries inside. I pureed them in a blender with some heavy whipping cream and it made the cupcakes too sweet.

Looks pretty but didn’t taste so great. The strawberries disintergrated inside the cupcake when baked and they came out purple! How I wish I’d taken a photograph of that, but I was embarrassed to show anyone.

This time I decided to just add the strawberries so as not to change the properties too much and keep a moisture in the cupcake.

I initially didn’t want to look at other recipes online, but I needed something besides strawberry extract to kick it up a notch and give it a more natural taste. I ran across a video on Youtube on Betty Crocker that used strawberry soda. I thought that was genius and would lighten up some of the sweetness in my cupcake.  I may try it again with Nestle Quick strawberry milk next time just to see if it changes much. You could probably also use a strawberry gelatin.  Sure, now as I’m writing this I come up with all the others.

Cue your ingredients…

Strawberries And Cream Cupcakes
4.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: Dessert
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription (dot) com
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 12
Strawberries and cream cupcakes. Dreamy
Ingredients
  • CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS:
  • 5 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon light sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons strawberry extract (mine was alcohol free)
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 cup strawberry soda
  • 12-16 large strawberries washed dried and hulled and sliced in small bowl
  • FROSTING INGREDIENTS:
  • 6 tablespoons crisco shortening
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter room temperature
  • 3-4 cups confectioners sugar
  • 4 tablespoons strawberry ice cream syrup
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry soda
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon strawberry ice cream syrup
Instructions
  1. CUPCAKE INSTRUCTIONS:
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  3. line 12 cupcake liners in muffin/cupcake pan
  4. cream butter and sugar on medium speed with stand mixer or hand mixer
  5. add dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture
  6. add wet ingredients to mixture
  7. mix until all lumps are out
  8. use ice cream scoop and fill liner 2/3 full
  9. place in oven and bake until toothpick come out clean or they spring back to touch
  10. cool
  11. CUPCAKE FILLING:
  12. while cupcakes are cooling cut strawberries into small pieces and add strawberry ice cream syrup. Mix well with spoon set aside
  13. when cupcakes have cooled core them out and add a teaspoon of strawberry filling
  14. replace top of cupcake (don’t worry if not neat, it gets covered with frosting)
  15. FROSTING:
  16. cream together shortening, butter, and syrup
  17. add confectioners sugar
  18. add strawberry soda
  19. mix well on low speed and gradually increase speed until all lumps are out

The real test was giving them to my boyfriend to try.  I asked him to honestly rate them on a scale of 1 to 10, obviously 10 being AWESOME! He gave them an honest (hopefully) 7/10.  I’ll take it!  I’m constantly trying to make my cupcakes taste better that is the fun of baking right? So I’m sure I’ll be trying to improve upon that number.

But for today. I’m satisfied. Happy Sunday everyone.

 

 

Easy Holiday Sausage Apple & Cranberry Dressing

The Stuffing v. Dressing  debate. It’s been around for eons.  I suppose it depends on the region and family background you come from. When I was a little girl, (in the mid west) my mother called it stuffing, so growing up and when I finally hosted my first family Christmas dinner for 30 people, (talk about getting a crash course in huge family dinners) I too referred to is as stuffing. Over the years I’ve come to learn, and which is what most people believe, stuffing is what goes in the turkey and dressing is what is outside the turkey. Easy peasy.

My sister-in-law was the one who originally taught me to flavor the dressing with sausage.  I have since modified my own version of this dressing recipe and I also don’t put the stuffing inside the turkey anymore. So hence, I call it dressing.  I also used to use those horrid stale croutons cut of stale bread from our local supermarket bakery. I have since switched to my mother’s way. Using a fresh baked bread. Tee hee, I still get it at my local supermarket bakery and use a sourdough and Italian combination. Whether you are a “stuffing” or “dressing” kinda person, or you use croutons v. fresh baked bread, this sausage, apple, & cranberry dressing is both tasty and a beautiful addition to your holiday spread.  I’m all about easy clean up so I used a throw away foil pan and transferred it to a pretty bowl at presentation time.

Easy Holiday Sausage Apple & Cranberry Dressing
Print
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription (dot) com
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Serves: 6-8
A tasty and beautiful addition to your holiday spread.
Ingredients
  • YOU WILL NEED:
  • 1/2 loaf of cubed sourdough bread
  • 1/2 loaf of cubed Italian bread
  • 1 stick salted butter (melted)
  • 1 small red/purple onion chopped
  • 4-6 tablespoons approximately) chopped celery ( i use just enough to flavour but not overpower the dressing)
  • 1 sliced honey crisp OR granny smith apple
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (add a little at a time until moist. Add more if needed)
  • 4 mild sausages de-skinned, chopped and cooked until almost done (don’t forget you will be baking and don’t want to dry out your sausage)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  2. De-skin sausage, chop and cook in pan until just underdone
  3. set aside.
  4. Cube bread and place in large baking dish
  5. Melt butter and add chopped onion and celery and cook in pan until onion is transparent
  6. Pour melted butter, onion, and celery mixture over bread
  7. Add spices, salt and pepper
  8. Mix well with a spoon
  9. Moisten with chicken broth (add a little at a time)
  10. Add chopped apple, sausage and dried cranberries.
  11. When ready place in oven for 30-40 minutes or until warmed through. If you like a crispy top leave in a little longer.

Happy Holidays!

Are you a “Dressing or Stuffing” person?

Apple and Carrot Braised Pot Roast

I love coming home from work to a hot meal waiting for me. No I don’t have a personal chef. I invested in a $15 crockpot and I have gotten more than my moneys worth from this gem. This apple and carrot braised top round pot roast really hit the spot tonight.  I think with the Holidays swiftly on our heels, we are all looking for ways to save time. You know, so we have time to shop, decorate, bake, wrap presents, attend ugly Christmas sweater themed parties etc. etc.

The secret to this tender pot roast is cooking it low and slow and in a flavourful liquid for it to soak up the juices. Top round roast is a tough cut of meat and the tougher the meat, the longer the cooking time.  Meaning at least 6 to 8 hours in order to break down the collagen and muscles which then tenderizes the meat.

Apple and Carrot Braised Pot Roast
5.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: Main
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription (dot) com
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 8 hours
Total time: 8 hours 15 mins
Serves: 4
Tender braised roast that melts in the mouth.
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs Round Top Roast
  • 1 can Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup
  • 1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
  • 1/2 Can Water
  • 1/2 Can Milk
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Rosemary
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or oil of choice)
  • 1 honey crisp apple
  • 1tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • handful of baby carrots (or more if desired)
Instructions
  1. See rest of blog for Instructions

Salt, pepper and add Rosemary to top of roast.  Place in hot melted butter chopped onions and minced garlic in large frying pan on medium heat. Sear the roast on all sides.

While meat is searing turn crockpot on low heat. Add can of Golden Mushroom Soup, Add 1/2 can of milk and 1/2 can of water.  Add package of Lipton Onion soup mix. Add 1/2 cup water. Add brown sugar, carrots and slice up a quarter of the apple in small pieces and toss in. Slice up rest of apple in large pieces and throw in crockpot.

Add more salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly. Once roast is browned on all sides slice into 1/4 inch slices and place in crockpot.  Cook on low for at least 6 to 8 hours. Serve up with your favorite side dishes. To make it really easy you can just decide to throw some sliced potatoes in the pot too.

I served up my roast with some Simply Potatoes mashed potatoes and corn and drizzled a little gravy over the mashed potatoes.  The apples gave it a subtle sweet/tart taste and the meat pulled apart with a fork. I love crockpot meals. Don’t you?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...