Tag: cooking

Roasted Chicken, Leeks & Apples

On By greg@kandflivingIn Photo Gallery, Recipes, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Looking for an alternative to plain baked chicken?  The sweet and savory combination of apples and leeks roasting in the rendered chicken fat are a tasty fall delight.  You’ll love the single-pan simplicity of this dish that’s just good rustic comfort food.  And fall is the perfect time to make it with October and November as the prime season for both apples and leeks.

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ROASTED CHICKEN, LEEKS & APPLES

Ingredients

  • 4 Bone-in Chicken Thighs
  • 3 Large Leeks
  • 3 Medium Apples (Jonamac or another sweet/tart baking variety)
  • 3 Tbs. Olive Oil
  • 8 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 1 1/2 Tsp. Salt
  • 1 Tsp. Black Pepper

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Brush a large heavy cookie sheet with 1 Tbs. of olive oil to coat lightly.  Place chicken thighs on sheet, but leave space between them.
  • Wash and dry leeks and apples.  Leeks can get gritty with sand/soil so be sure to wash them thoroughly.
  • Core and slice apples into 6-8 slices each.  Cut the tops off the leeks, cut the bottom in half and then in half lengthwise to get 4 pieces per leek.  Place all leeks and apples on the cookie sheet.  Again, spread out evenly to allow for even roasting and caramelization.
  • Drizzle all ingredients with the remaining 2 Tbs. of olive oil and then salt and pepper.  Top with sprigs of fresh thyme.
  • Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and serve immediately.

As the chicken renders and the skin crisps, the fat will spread through the pan to give everything some delicious “chicken love”.  Mild onion flavor and sweet/tart apples perfumed with thyme are the perfect accompaniment to a perfect chicken thigh.  You can easily double this recipe and use a whole cut up chicken, but you’ll need to use two cookie sheets.  The key is to give everything enough space to roast and caramelize properly.  I have no doubt that this will be a regular in your family’s weekly menu once you try it.  Dig in and enjoy!

Breakfast Stromboli

On By greg@kandflivingIn Photo Gallery, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I love breakfast for any meal any day of the week.  Who doesn’t like pancakes for dinner??  Things can get a little boring sometimes so I like to mix it up with this great recipe for my breakfast stromboli.  Gooey cheese, creamy eggs and salty ham all wrapped up in a pizza dough crust is perfect for breakfast on the go or a hearty dinner.

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BREAKFAST STROMBOLI

Ingredients

  • 1 Tube Prepared Pizza Dough
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Diced Cooked Ham
  • 1/4 Cup Red Onion, Diced
  • 3/4 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 Tbs. Butter
  • 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
  • 1 Tsp. Poppy Seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat and add onions.  Cook 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  • Add diced ham and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until onions and ham are browned.
  • Beat eggs in a bowl and then pour over ham and onions.  Cook over medium heat stirring constantly.  When your scramble is cooked and dry, remove from pan to a dish and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Remove pizza dough and spread out to cover a standard cookie sheet.
  • Place scrambled eggs, ham and onions lengthwise down the middle of the dough.  Leave 2 inches at each end to fold over.
  • Sprinkle cheese over mixture and then fold dough together.  Pinch to seal seam.
  • Fold ends of dough over to seal and then turn the entire stromboli over on cookie sheet so the seam side is down.
  • Cut 3-4 slits in the top to vent while cooking.  Brush or spray lightly with oil and then sprinkle with salt and poppy seeds.
  • Bake for 13-17 minutes until golden brown and dough is cooked through.  You need to bake a little longer than you think because the wet mixture inside will keep the dough from cooking quickly.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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This recipe can be made as a whole stromboli or could be made into smaller individual servings for eating on the go.  Once you get the process down, you can change up the flavors to your liking.  Try using spicy sausage and cream cheese instead of ham and cheddar.  Shredded chicken and diced tomatoes, spinach and swiss cheese are a great combination as well.  I’m sure you’ll love it and so will your family.  Dig in!!

Hot Mulled Apple Cider

On By greg@kandflivingIn Photo Gallery, Recipes, UncategorizedLeave a comment

When the weather turns to fall, there’s a certain chill in the air even on the warm days.  It’s for cool nights like these and throughout the holidays that hot mulled apple cider was intended.  This is an easy recipe to make for an evening gathering, a tailgate or to keep on hand in the fridge for single servings. You can buy “mulling spice packets” in many stores, but this is easier and less expensive as a DIY!

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HOT MULLED APPLE CIDER

Ingredients

  • 1 Gallon Apple Cider (Filtered or Unfiltered)
  • 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 Tbs. Whole Cloves
  • 1 Tbs. Whole Allspice
  • 1 Tsp. Ground Mace

Instructions

  • Pour cider into a large pot and warm over medium heat.
  • Add brown sugar to warmed cider and stir to dissolve.
  • Add the spices and allow to steep in cider over medium-low heat for 90 minutes.  Stir occasionally and do not allow to boil.
  • Strain and serve immediately.  You can also allow to cool, strain and then store in the refrigerator for up to a week or the expiration on your cider.

This cider will warm you up snuggled on the couch, by the campfire or to start your day.  Any way you choose, you’ll love this sweet/tart/spiced treat!  I guarantee you’ll make this once and then keep some on hand throughout the fall and winter.  So, make a batch and enjoy with a few homemade snickerdoodles.  Want to make it a party drink?  Try adding a shot of spiced rum or cinnamon whisky to a warm mug – cheers!  Dig in!