Double Duty Ingredients make Cooking Easier!

Double Duty ingredients can be a key to Quick Fix Meals. The easiest way to make sure you are going to have quick and flavorful dinners is to pack your pantry with Quality, Double Duty Ingredients.

This means when you are running down the grocery aisles, with half a shopping list and no idea of what to make...You have in your pantry (and in the back of your mind) some things that you can add one or two ingredients to that will make dinner in a snap! We all have those go to ingredients in our pantry or our freezer, that we can pull out in case of  "I forgot to take something out this morning". Whether it be a Sausage with Fennel, or a Meatloaf mix, or maybe just a bunch of seasoning packets we keep set aside "just in case".

Great examples of this would be: 

Chourico. I am of Portuguese heritage.  My house is never without a stick of Gaspar's Chourico. Chourico is a Portuguese Sausage, that yields a wonderful "pork fat" rendering full of garlic, paprika flavor. Some say Chourico is a "Flavor" not a food. This is a staple in my home

Another example may be your choice of Pastas to keep at home. A Rice Product that I keep at home is Mahatma Yellow Rice. It is a Rice that contains not only saffron, but small diced pepper, onion and cilantro there are plenty of Rices that come already flavored. My other favorites are Zatarains. They have a nice variety of different flavored rices you can always use to enhance a quick meal! The yellow rice can be added along side Shrimp, Chicken or Pork, for a quick easy meal. I just Saute the Pork chops in Olive Oil, chopped onion and red pepper flake til brown. Then add the rice (uncooked), a diced tomato and the water required and cover. The rice cooks within the flavor of the pork. The pork cooks through and is tender because of the steam from the rice. A one pot wonder that's a 30 min meal!

For smaller example of how to boost your pantry, We can go to Frozen Vegetables, Spice Packets, Ready made Sauces. Just please be mindful of Quality. As I have said before. The fewer the ingredients, the better the quality needed. This isn't hard. When life throws you a "Chopped Challenge" you can be ready if you take a moment in one of your planned grocery trips to Stock a good pantry.

The following recipe was a "Let's clean out the Fridge Special". 

It was Delish! Enjoy!

Chicken Chourico Burrito

Ingredients

One Stick Chourico

1 Chicken Breast (or 2 chicken thighs) (cooked & chopped) (May use fresh chicken, adjust cooking time)

Fire Roasted Tomatoes (1 can Hunts 15oz chopped)

Laughing Cow Cheese (Sun Dried Tomato & Basil, 1 triangle per burrito)

Tortilla or Flatbread (I used Flatout Italian )

In a saute pan sprayed with "Pam" add chopped chourico.

Saute until renderings are evident.

With the Chourico & renderings Add chicken.

Saute until Cooked Chicken is warmed through. (If using raw, saute until cooked through)

Add tomatoes (juice and all) Cover and Saute on Med Heat , 10 mins.

Place Tortilla on serving plate, spread cheese down the middle.

Place One Serving Spoonful of Chicken Mixture over Cheese.

Fold Tortilla over mixture.

Fold in sides, and continue to roll until closed.

Serve warm

The cheese will melt under the heat of the chicken mixture and become an impromptu sauce for the burrito.

Additions can be made to the meal.

If you'd like jalapenos for a "spicy bite" or maybe a chopped cheddar jack atop before folding.

Final Note:

I made this dish twice. First time was for the 10w5 Challenge the 2nd for final pic. Forgot to take a pic of the first one when it was cut open. The 2nd time I used a few different ingredients.

They still stayed within the 5 ingredient restriction.

I substituted Provolone for the Laughing Cow Cheese and used the "Italian Flatbread" instead of a Tortilla!

It was Great Both ways.

It just goes to show a basic recipe when done well can be a versatile staple in your repertoire!

Have Fun with it!

Breakfast Bake

Sometimes I wake up and am in a savory mood. it's not very often. I am very much a sweet breakfast kind of person. I challenge myself sometimes though, as I am not a morning person and making something outside of my comfort zone (savory for breakfast) I consider this a challenge. The best way to conquer a challenge is make it as easy as possible. I am a competitor in the 10 with 5 Challenge
so I thought making it easy and using the challenge goes hand in hand for sure. I got this!
I decided on something with "double duty" ingredients. Something that contained flavor but not complexity. It is first thing in the morning for goodness sakes. The key ingredient had to have some flavor on its own. I had recently found a wonderful Fennel Seed and Goat cheese Sausage at the store. Love it! Now I have the plan:

Breakfast Bake


3-4 Large Sausage Links (beef, pork, spicy, mild, your choice, just removes the casing)
1/2 c Onion Chopped
1/2 c Bell Pepper (can use pepper of choice. adjust quantity according to taste)
6 Eggs beaten (May add 2 tsps water if thinner consistency desired)
4 oz  Havarti Cheese (for melting over top)(can also use pepper jack)


Preheat oven 400 degrees f

In Heavy saute pan (greased), add / saute Sausage Meat

Add Onions. Saute until Translucent and Sausage is Browned

Add Peppers, saute until softened
Remove from Heat.

Add Eggs

Place Cheese (note: I used Pepperjack and Havarti) be flexible.


Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted and is golden brown.

Serve.

Just Salmon & Lemon Potatoes

Sometimes when we are in a hurry we put together a meal that lacks in flavor and appeal.
That just isn't the case with  "Just Salmon".
While it isn't a Filet Mignon with Bearnaise it is a Healthy, Flavorful Entree that I love to make on a weekday that I don't have alot of time but still want something substantial and feeds my "foodie" palette.

Once a month we shop at Costco.

We grab a giant fillet of Salmon. I cut it into 3 pieces and freeze 2. I always make 1 piece fresh from the store.  It's so easy!

Just Salmon
*1.5 lbs Salmon Fillet
*2 Tblsp Complete Seasoning
*2 Tblsp Olive Oil
*2 Tblsp Lemon juice


Preheat Oven 400f


Place the fresh piece of Salmon in a shallow baking dish.
1.Cover it with 1 Tblsp olive Oil.
2.Shake 1 Tblsp Complete Seasoning Over Fillet
3.Squeeze 1 Tblsp Lemon Juice over Fillet
Turn Fillet over, Repeat 1-3.
Place Salmon in the oven.
Lower temp to 375f
Roast Salmon for approx 25 mins or until edges crisp.
(if you do not like crispy edges, remove when flesh is flaky)
When serving, Squeeze additional Lemon to taste.

Side Dishes ?????:
Salmon is so versatile many many things can go along side very well.
Some of my favorites are also quite easy.

Lemon Potatoes:
*1.5 lbs Potaotes (red bliss, or your fav)
*Juice of 1 Lemon
*1 stick of Butter
*2 Tblsp Parsley (chopped)
*Zest of 1 Lemon

Boil 1.5 pounds peeled and cubed potatoes.While the potatoes are boiling,
Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat, Add Lemon and Parsley. Combine. Once potatoes are done, drain and add to Serving dish. Cover with sauce, Garnish with Lemon Zest.

I also make a beautiful Risotto...that is fantastic! Here's a pic! Click on the pic for the recipe!

As in anything, You can do things that have any level of difficulty, but please try the salmon. You might want to make the salmon but may want to grab a bag of Broccoli slaw and a bottle of Slaw dressing. Thats a Fresh idea.
You can add Veggies as I did here, to the salmon while it roasts. Cover the veggies in the olive oil, complete seasoning and lemon, and you have a wonderful no carb side dish!

It's easy to make dinner. Even with 5 or less ingredients.

10 with 5

The Challenge: 10 Recipes with 5 Ingredients

The Result: Great Time Saving, Budget Friendly Ideas

I have been Challenged!

When taking on this challenge with Julie from "Rosy+Tart" I was excited as I had just recently posted a couple of my "quick fix, few ingredient" recipes and knew they would be my jumping board for the challenge.

The Rules for the Challenge:
1. Create 10 Recipes with no more than 5 Ingredients Each.
Julie touts it can be anything; From a Smoothie to a Pasta Dish, to a Dip! Just use ONLY 5 ingredients.

2. Take a Pic, Post the Recipe and Blog about it!
The reasoning is to SEE what is created, hear if you liked it or as she states (had to feed it to the dog) lol.

3.) Take it at your own pace.
While Julie gave us plenty of time to get our blogs done she gave a little tweak of enthusiasm for "finishing" early. thus making it a "Challenge". She states "I don't expect you to crank out 10 recipes in 10 days. Now if you can...You'll earn a Gold Star or a Cookie." Well, I'm up for either. A Gold Star is my Goal!

Each of my Recipes submitted for the challenge will be marked with a Gold Number.



Sometimes I do 5 ingredient Recipes and don't realize I've done so.
This is because at the heart of this challenge as well as Quick but Great Recipes, you have to be mindful of "double duty" ingredients for your pantry. Infused Olive Oils, Herb & Garlic Pastes and Compound Butters, Stock with Wine and Herb Infusions, Marinades & Gourmet Sauces (watch salt content) that are pre-made, can be found in any ordinary grocery store today. Marinades that can be reduced for a sauce...this also is a wonderful way to reduce ingredients and extend your flavor profile. Also Meats that have flavors already in them such as Chourico (portuguese or spanish sausage) that is loaded with flavor. Garlic, paprika etc...Also Italian Sausage can come with different additions, such as thyme, or fennel, or hot pepper are wonderful "double duty" ingredients..
The key to this "Less is More" mindset is that less ingredients = more flavorful, best quality ingredients. Make the most of what you've got! It certainly can be done, and it can be done well!
Enjoy the Recipes!

A Homemade Chopped Challenge with Great Results!

This morning my Significant Other decided we were having Chicken Breast in our main meal for the day. As he is the one who usually deems what we take from the fridge/freezer this wasn't unusual. He just takes things out and I'm at the mercy of my pantry. Because he refuses that we go Grocery shopping at regular intervals, I perform everyday in my own version of an episode of "Chopped".

Because I always seem to pull something off, he thinks it's not a big deal. When I protest and beg to go grocery shopping at a regular interval so that I can plan and have a weekly menu, he scoffs. He says "I am always happy with what you make, you dont need a plan."
Ugh...Anyway....He is kinda right, but..though a sweet sentiment, this isn't exactly true. He doesn't know how the dish is suppose to turn out, so he just thinks the final result is Great, no harm no foul.
While I enjoy a challenge, I would sometimes appreciate a plan.

As I said, he took out Chicken Breast. I quickly mentally went through my pantry, and fridge. You know the picture you get when you think, "what am I going to make for dinner?" You see the cabinet opening and then you see the shelves of your cabinets and the things that go along with your "star" ingredient.Well this was my challenge. What is in my pantry and fridge that I can make a full meal out of? I am also thinking ugh.. he's doing it to me again.. Why can't I just have a plan? Ok, I think I have Raspberry Vinaigrette in the fridge..that will make a good marinade for the chicken. We had Rice yesterday. Polenta Cakes the day before. Not in the mood for potatoes, Ok, Salad! Vinaigrette = Salad. Ok, save some Vinaigrette and have a salad. Ooh, we have some cuban bread left , I'll make homemade Croutons!  Okay, We have a meal now! I did it again!

When putting the chicken in the marinade, I thought; "This is going to be too thin for the salad, I need to thicken it". Got out the blender, added the Vinaigrette, then added salt and pepper, a lil more rasp sauce, lemon juice and turned it on to whip. I then drizzled in 1/4 c additional vegetable oil to emulsify it. Done! Yummy!

Ok, ready for the real Recipe now? Here ya go!

Raspberry Sauce:
1 c Raspberries.
1/4 c Sugar
1/2 c Water
2 tsp lemon juice
Bring all ingredients to a boil. Simmer until sugar dissolved. Cool in fridge.
(great for desserts. I freeze leftover for other occasions I need a quick sauce)

Raspberry Vinaigrette:
1/2 c Raspberry Sauce
1/2 c Vegetable Oil
1/2 c Raspberry Vinegar (can sub, apple cider vinegar, white or white wine vinegar)
2 Tblsp Lemon Juice
1 Tblsp grated Sweet Onion (vidalia is fine)
Salt and Pepper

Adding Oil last, Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Shake or stir vigorously!

This is used as your Marinade. (keep 1/2 cup aside for New dressing)

*Cover Chicken Breasts with Marinade for as long as possible. (12 hours optimal, 1 hour minimum)

Homemade Croutons:
Heat Oven 450f
Cube 2 Sandwich Rolls or Italian Bread or whichever desired. (enough to cover bottom of baking vessel)
In bottom of baking vessel pour 3 Tblsp Olive Oil, 2 Tblsp chopped Garlic, 2 tsp Chopped Parsley and/or Thyme, Salt and Pepper.
Add Bread.
Coat Bread evenly in Oil Mixture.
Bake 5 minutes, turn. Bake additional 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Set aside.

Raspberry Salad Dressing
1/4 c Rasp Sauce
Remaining Rasp Vinaigrette
2 Tblsp Lemon Juice
1/4 c Vegetable Oil

Pour All ingredients except Oil into Blender. Cover and turn blender on to high/whip: Remove little insert in cover and drizzle Oil into dressing as it whips. When dressing is a light pink color and thickened it is done. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Now what?

That's it really. Remove chicken from Marinade and Grill. (approx 7 mins on each side)  Set it aside to rest and retain it's wonderful juice. Make your salad..any greens you'd like. I like a mix of Iceberg chunks and Baby Spinach. Beefy Tomatoes, they stand up nicely to the sweetness of the dressing. Use a nice crisp Onion, maybe some cucumber. I used some shredded carrots too.Even a radish or two would be a great contrast to the dressing and add a nice flavor. Then I sliced the Chicken after it had time to rest and placed it on top of my salad. Placed a few croutons on top, then drizzled with the Dressing.

Not exactly a Chopped challenge, but great outcome!