Five Ingredient Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Broccoli


5 Ingredient Chicken and Sweet & Spicy Broccoli

I realize it’s been two whole months since I posted a recipe so am way overdue. I made this delicious meal last month, and it’s super easy to put together. I cooked the chicken on top of the stove, but you can definitely use the grill if that’s your preference.

Ingredients

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tsp. chile paste (like Sambal Oelek)

Directions

  1. Preheat burner to high.
  2. Using 2 tbsp. olive oil, cook chicken for 4-5 minutes without moving them, then turn over and finish cooking on the other side.
  3. Transfer chicken to a small plate or bowl and set aside.
  4. Combine vinegar, soy sauce, honey and chile paste in small saucepan. Stirring with a whisk, bring to a boil, and continue cooking for four minutes or until reduced to 1/3 cup.
  5. Pour sauce over chicken, as much or little as desired.

Sweet and Spicy Broccoli

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. package of broccoli
  • 2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. dark sesame oil
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Directions

  1. Cook broccoli using your favorite method. (I prefer to steam)
  2. Combine all ingredients (except broccoli) in a small bowl, stir well and drizzle over broccoli.

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Baked Cod with Basil Chive Yogurt Sauce


Cod with Basil Chive Yogurt Sauce

Last weekend, I stopped at my neighborhood Smart & Final for just a few things, and decided to pick up some frozen Cod. I typically prefer my fish to be fresh, but when in a pinch (or I’m being lazy), I’ll grab some frozen. I wanted something light, but flavorful so perused a bunch of recipes for both fish and different types of sauces. I like this Cod dish as it has some crunch on the top while remaining healthy since it’s seared quickly then baked. As for the yogurt sauce, I find it be a nice complement to the fish in terms of flavor points and adding some additional protein. I suggest making the sauce first (directions further down) so it’s ready when the fish is done.

Ingredients 

  • 2 (6-ounce) cod fillets
  • Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, for egg wash
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil
  • 1/4 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1/8 tsp. dried thyme)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Place the fillets on a sheet tray or rack so the fish can release its natural juices.
  2. Place the bread crumbs into a shallow dish.
  3. In a separate shallow dish, add 1 beaten egg. Season both sides of the fillet with salt and pepper. Once seasoned, brush the belly side of the cod with the egg. Dip the egg side into the panko bread crumbs.
  4. In a cast iron skillet, add grapeseed oil. Before placing fish into pan, make sure the skillet is very hot. Sear only 1 side of the fish (the side with the bread crumbs). Once the 1 side is seared, place the skillet in the oven for about 4-6 minutes until cooked. *If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use a regular skillet, then transfer to a greased baking dish, and increase the time to about 10-12 minutes.
  5. Once the fish is cooked, flip it over and add the lemon juice, butter and sprig of thyme. Let melt and baste the fish with the juice.
  6. Remove from pan, place onto plate and top with sauce.

Chive Basil Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/8-1/4 tsp. garlic powder, depending on your garlic preference
  • A pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • The finely grated zest and juice of a 1/2 small lemon
  • 4 tsp. of dried parsley
  • A small fistful (about 3 tbsp.) of fresh basil, stems removed, chopped
  • A thumb-thick bundle of fresh chives, chopped (or approx. 1 tbsp. dried)
  • 1/2 cup thick natural yogurt; use full-fat Greek yogurt if calories aren’t an issue
  • 1 tbsp. good-quality light mayonnaise, such as Hellman’s (optional)
  • Salt and milled black pepper

Directions

  1. Stir mustard, garlic, salt, lemon zest and lemon juice in a small mixing bowl, mix/mush well.
  2. Add parsley, then very finely chop the basil and chives, and add them to the bowl.
  3. Stir in the yogurt and mayonnaise (if using), and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Seared & Baked Cod

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Horseradish Crusted Beef


Horseradish Crusted London Broil

For some unknown reason, I decided to pick up a London Broil when I was at the store a few weeks ago, even though I had never made it before, and usually choose other cuts of beef. I already had the idea of using a horseradish crust, and wanted to see how it’d turn out with this type of meat. Well… it was absolutely fantastic and I loved the flavor of the crust! This can be used on your favorite type of meat, and would also be great on chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 (2 lb.) London Broil
  • 1/4 cup panko
  • 1/4 cup potato chips, crushed
  • 1 tbsp. + 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp. prepared horseradish
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh herbs (pick your favorites… I used Parsley, Thyme and Oregano)
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

Directions

  1. Sprinkle beef with 1 tbsp. salt, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Toss panko with 2 tsp. oil, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in skillet.
  3. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer to bowl, add crushed potato chips and toss with shallot, garlic, 2 tbsp. horseradish and herbs.
  5. Pat exterior of beef dry with paper towels and sprinkle evenly with remaining fresh cracked black pepper.
  6. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Sear tenderloin until well browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and let rest 10 minutes.
  7. Combine 1 tbsp. horseradish, and mustard in small bowl.
  8. Spread horseradish & mustard on top and sides of meat, leaving bottom and ends bare.
  9. Roll coated sides of meat in bread-crumb mixture, pressing gently so crumbs adhere in an even layer.
  10. Return tenderloin to wire rack. Roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of roast registers 120 to 125°F for medium-rare, 25 to 30 minutes.
  11. Transfer roast to carving board and let rest 20 minutes.
  12. Carefully cut meat crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
With Baked Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Kale
With Baked Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Kale

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BBQ Beef Brisket


The Lawrence Family Beef Brisket ™ This wonderfully delicious recipe has been in our family for ages and if you do meat, then I highly suggest you try this out. If you would like to make this in a crock pot, you can simply throw all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for about 9 hours. Ingredients

  • 5 lb 1st cut beef brisket
  • 16 oz can cranberry sauce with berries
  • 8 oz tomato sauce (I use Hunt’s)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 pkg Lipton’s onion soup mix
  • 3 tbsp sugar (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325.
  2. In a large pyrex dish, combine the cranberry sauce, tomato sauce, water, soup mix and sugar (if using) and stir well.
  3. Add the brisket, flat side down, and cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  4. Cook for 4 hours & baste twice while cooking.

Note: one of my family members likes to sear the brisket for 5 minutes on each side prior to cooking.