Shabby Miss Jenn

Sunday, March 22, 2009

March 23-28, 2009

Monday: Chicken Caesar Salads

Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Wednesday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, & Rolls

Thursday: Left Overs

Friday: Lasagna, Corn, & Bread

Saturday: Smothered Pork Chops served with Egg Noodles
Cooks Country Cookbook pg. 349

Dessert: Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

Snack: Banana Bread w/ chocolate chips

Meatloaf

1 lb. ground beef
1 dry onion soup mix packet
½ cup Ketchup
1 egg
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp mustard
½ cup dry breadcrumbs (I use the Progresso Italian Style Breadcrumbs)

Mix all ingredients together, form in pan, and bake.

Oven temp: 350 Degrees Time: 1 hour


Smothered Pork Chops
Cook's country cookbook p. 349
Serves 4

("Make sure the chops are quite dry before browning them to prevent sticking and to promote the best crust. The pork chops pair well with a variety of starches, which you will want to soak up the rich gravy. We liked them best with simple egg noodles, but rice or mashed potatoes also taste great.")

4 slices bacon, diced
3 T. all-purpose flour
1 3/4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 T. vegetable oil
4 bone in rib loin pork chops 1/2 - 3/4 in thick
Salt and pepper
2 onions, halved and sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. minced fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 T. chopped fresh parsley

1. Fry the bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat until lightly browned and the fat is rendered, 6-7 min. Remove the browned bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a small plate. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gradually stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, making sure to work out any lumps that may form. Continue stirring constantly, reaching into the edges of the pan, until the mixture is light brown, 4-5 minutes. Add the chicken broth in a slow, steady stream while vigorously stirring. Reduce the heat to low and keep the sauce warm.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering, 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, pat the chops dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the chops in the pan in a single layer and cook until a deep brown crust forms, about 2 minutes. Turn the chops over and cook for another 2 min. Remove the chops from the pan and set aside on a plate.

3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and 1/2 t. salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, and scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan, until the onions soften and begin to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Return the chops to the pan in a single layer and cover each chop with onions. Pour in the warm sauce, add the bay leaves, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the meat is tender, about 30 minutes.

4. Transfer the chops to a warmed plate and cover with aluminum foil. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a gravy-like consistency, 4-5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and adjust the seasonings as desired. Cover each chop with a portion of the sauce, sprinkle with the reserved bacon, and serve immediately.

Banana Bread

Martha Stewart

1 Stick of Butter, softened
1 C Sugar
2 Eggs
1 1/2 C Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 C. Mashed Bananas
1/2 C Sour Cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C Nuts (optional or substitute for chocolate chips)

Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Add dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt. Add vanilla, bananas, and nuts or chips. Mix completely and pour into greased loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Monday, March 16, 2009

March 15-21 2009

Sunday: Lemon Chicken Risotto & Rolls

Monday: Spaghetti & Garlic Bread

Tuesday: Corned Beef & Cabbage

Wednesday: Left Overs

Thursday: Lemon Chicken Artichoke & Potatoes

Friday & Saturday: Left Overs (SMS not home)

Risotto with Chicken, Lemon, and Basil
(Cook's Country Oct/Nov 2008)
Serves 4 (fast)
If the finished risotto is too thick, stir in hot water, a few T. at a time, to adjust the consistency.

1 C. Arborio rice
4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
6 T. unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded into bit sized pieces (about 3 cups)
1/2 c. chopped fresh basil
2 t. grated zest and 2 T. juice from 1 lemon
1 C. grated parm. cheese, plus extra for serving
salt and pepper

1. Combine rice, 3 c. broth, and 2 T. butter in lg. bowl. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and microwave until rice is softened and most of liquid is absorbed, 10-16 min.

2. Meanwhile, melt additional 2 T. butter in med. saucepan over med. heat. Stir in onion and cook until softened, about 3 min. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 sec. Stir in hot rice mixture and remaining broth and simmer, stirring constantly, until rice is tender, 5-7 min. Stir in chicken and cook until heated through, about 1 min.

3. Off heat, stir in basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan, and remaining butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve, passing additional Parmesan at table.

Lemon Chicken with Artichokes and Potatoes
Serves 4
Though we prefer the flavor and texture of frozen artichoke hearts, one 14 oz. can of artichoke hearts (drained and patted dry with paper towels) may be substituted.


1 lb. small red potatoes, quartered
2 T.vegetable oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs)
Salt and Pepper
1 9oz. box frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. grated zest and 1 T. juice from 1 lemon
2 T. finely chopped fresh oregano

1. Toss potatoes and 1 T. oil in large bowl. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and microwave until edges of potatoes begin to soften, 4-7 min, shaking bowl (without removing plastic)to redistribute potatoes halfway through cooking.

2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 min per side. Transfer to serving platter and tent with foil.

3. Add potatoes to empty skillet and cook until well browned, about 4 min. Stir in artichoke hearts and cook until heated through, about 2 min. Add garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to platter with chicken. Serve.

Monday, March 9, 2009

March 9-13, 2009

Monday: Steak Teriyaki (Really Yummy)
Cooks Country 2008 Feb/Mar insert card; 30 min meal)

Tuesday: Left overs

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Penne with Sausage and Broccoli (Really yummy)

Friday & Saturday in Seattle

Steak Teriyaki
Cooks Country 2008 Feb/Mar insert card; 30 min meal
Serves 4
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve with rice, if desired.

1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 T. grated fresh ginger
1/8 t. red pepper flakes
2 T. Cider vinegar
2 t. cornstarch
3 strip steaks (8-10 oz .ea), about 1 in. thick
2 t. vegetable oil
2 scallions, sliced thin

1. Whisk soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, vinegar, and cornstarch in bowl.

2. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add steaks and cook until well browned, 3-5 min per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil.

3. Wipe out skillet and add soy sauce mixture. Simmer over med. heat until sauce is thickened, about 2 min. Slice steak thinly against grain and transfer to platter. Pour sauce over steak and sprinkle with scallions. Serve.

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli
Serves 4-6
(One large head of broccoli should yield about 8 oz. of florets. Alternatively, bags of cut broccoli florets are available in the produce section of most supermarkets).

1 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
8 oz. penne (about 2 1/2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 t. red pepper flakes
1 c. white wine
2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. heavy cream
8 oz. broccoli florets, cut into 1 in pieces
1/2 c. grated parm cheese
1 T. finely chopped fresh basil
2t. balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

1. Cook sausage in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain sausage on paper towel-lined plate.

2. Cook onion and bell pepper in sausage fat until softened, about 8 minutes. Add penne and cook, stirring often, until pasta is lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine, broth, and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover an simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta begins to soften, about 8 min.

3. Arrange broccoli on top of pasta and continue to cook, covered, until broccoli is bright green and tender and pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Off heat, stir in Parmesan, Sausage, basil, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.