Scolloped Potatoes

From: The America's Test Kitchen Cookbook

Scalloped Potatoes

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 onion, chopped fine

1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

2 garlic cloves

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (5 medium)

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

2 bay leaves

4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

1. Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat 425*.

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over Med-high heat. Add

the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the

thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper cook until fragrant about 30 seconds.

Add the potatoes, broth, cream, and bay leaves. Bring the

mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to med-low, cover, and

cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost

tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Discard the bay leaves. Transfer the mixture to an 8 inch square baking dish.

Gently press the potatoes into an even layer and sprinkle the cheddar

over the top. Bake until cream is bubbling around the edges and the

top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Pan-seared chicken breasts with white wine sauce

This one of our favorites.

Use a 12 inch skillet here so that the chicken has enough room to brown or do it in two batches.  If you'd like a cream sauce, simply replace the butter with 4 tablespoons of heavy cream and simmer until thickened.  Parley, basil, thyme or dill can be substituted for the tarragon.

CHICKEN
1/2 cup all0purpose flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each), trimmed.  *I like to fillet them so they are thinner.
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

VERMOUTH SAUCE
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, minced
salt
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dry vermouth or white wine *I often use cooking wine .
3 tablespoons unsalted butter. cut into 3 pieces and chilled
2 teaspoons minced tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
pepper

1.  For the chicken: Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 200 degrees.  Spread the flour in a shallow dish.

2.  Pound the thicker ends of the breasts as needed.  Pat dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.  Dredge through the flour to coat and shake off any excess.

3.  Heat the oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium high heat until light golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes.  Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm in the oven.

4.  For the sauce: Add the oil to the skillet and return to medium-heat until shimmering.  Add the shallot and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.  Stir in the broth and vermouth, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer until reduced and slightly syrupy, about 8 minutes.

5.  Stir in any accumulated chicken juice.  Turn the heat to low and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time.  Off the heat, stir in the tarragon and season with salt and pepper.  Spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving.

From The America's Test Kitchen Cook Book  page 336

Kerry's granola

Makes: 6 cups
Heat oven to 300*

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped slivered or sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or peanuts. ( I do a combination of macadamia nuts and almonds)
1/2 cup coconut (optional)
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup honey or maple-flavored syrup ( I use 1/2 and 1/2, the cheap fake syrup actually taste better than true maple syrup)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Dried fruit (Craisins, dried cherries, whatever sounds good to you)

1. In a large bowl combine the oats, nuts, coconut (if desired), sunflower seeds, and wheat germ.  Stir together honey and cooking oil; stir into oat mixture.  Spread evenly on a greased baking sheet with a rim. Bake in a 300* oven for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring after 20 minutes.

2.  Spread on a large piece of foil to cool.  Break into clumps.  Mix in your dried fruit if you desire.  Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. (Or, store in freezer bags and freeze for 2 months.)

Meatballs

24-36 meatballs

2 lbs. ground beef, 85/15
3/4 cup Parmesan (I use the grated kind not shredded)
1 cup bread crumbs (I like to make my own out of sandwich bread or a Italian loaf, in the processor)
3 eggs
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon Basil
1 Tablespoon Garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Roll into golf ball size meatballs.  Use a baking sheet with edges.
I think I bake them at 375* about 12-15 min.

Mexican Casserole - Jen

 Hey there, I'm Jen one of Maria's friends just sharing an easy and dee-lish recipe!

Mexican Casserole OLE!

WHAT YOU NEED:

- 1 pound ground beef

- 2 cups salsa

- 1 16 oz. can chili beans, drained

- 3 cups tortilla chips, crushed

- 2 cups sour cream (optional)

- 1/2 cup chopped green onion

- 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato

- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

HOW TO MAKE:

- preheat oven to 350

- in a large skillet, brown beef. once cooked, drain beef

- stir in salsa, reduce heat & let simmer for about 10 min.

- stir in beans and heat through

- spray a 9X13 baking pan with pam

- spread crushed chips in a layer on bottom then add the ground beef mix

- spread sour cream on top (optional)

- top with the onion, tomato, cilantro, and cheese

- bake for 30 min. or until bubbly

ENJOY!

Rigatoni with sausage and Tomato cream sauce

Found it Kate, Connie used to make this often haven't had it in awhile.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 lbs mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed (I think using 1 lb is enough)
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (15 oz. can)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 cup light cream
1 lb. rigatoni
grated Parmesan for serving

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat.  Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork, until it is no longer pink about 5 minutes.  With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage from the pan.  Discard all but 1 tablespoon of fat.

Reduce the heat to moderately low.  Add the onion and garlic cook, stirring occasionally until onion is translucent about 5 minutes.  Add the wine and cook until it almost evaporates, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the sausage, tomatoes and salt.  Simmer covered for 10 minutes, add the pepper, parsley and cream. 

In a large pot of boiling water, cook the rigatoni until just done.  Drain the pasta and toss with sauce.  Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Meal planning

I read this from a friend of mine and I think it could be useful if you are looking for ways to plan your menu each week.  Check it out!  http://thedomesticchick.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking