Favorite Recipes

Chinese Dragon Pork Loin Dinner

I made this last night and it was a big hit with the family! 

1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons tomatoe ketchup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, peeled minced
1 tablespoon grated gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, (optional)
3 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces Chinese wheat noodles
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and julienned
1 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts 

Flounder Mediterranean

The Flounder is baked in a Parmesan tomato sauce made with Italian herbs and seasonings, and white wine.
Originally from All Recipes and some modifications by me

INGREDIENTS:
5 or 6  roma (plum) tomatoes (chopped)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Vidalia or Spanish onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large pinch Italian seasoning
1/4 cup white wine
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
6 leaves fresh basil, chopped
3 tablespoons freshly grated
Parmesan cheese
1 pound flounder fillets
6 leaves fresh basil, torn
1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Ham & String Bean Soup

This recipe is great for a blustery day

Ingredients
1, 3 or 4 pound smoked pork shoulder or pork butt. Cut into bite sized chunks
2 large onions, chopped
4 stalk celery, chopped
4 medium carrot
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon sweet basil
2 tablespoons parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3-4 bay leaves (med sized)
2 lbs fresh string beans, cleaned
5-6 potatoes, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks

Crockpot Turkey Garbanzo bean Chili

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken bouillon cubes
2@ 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes. (with liquid)
2@ 6oz cans tomato paste.
1 large onion diced. (I like to use Vidalia onions when in season)
2 stalks of celery, sliced into bite sized pieces.
4 large carrots, sliced into bite sized pieces.
2 green peppers, diced.
1/2 cup burgandy.
1 bag dried garbanzo beans.
2 tablespoons basil.
2 tablespoons chili pepper. (more or less the way you like it)
salt & pepper to taste. (I use about 1/2 teaspoon of pepper & 1 teaspoon of salt)

Optional: add 2 or 3 diced jalapenos (minus seeds) for heat.

Poached Salmon

I like to experiment when cooking and I thought of this method for poaching Salmon.
We loved it!

Ingredients:

4  6oz slabs of wild caught Salmon, without skin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 stick of butter
1 tablespoon of sliced garlic (minced is ok too)
1 cup of white wine infused with lemon (or add 2 tablespoons lemon juice to the wine)
Roux:
1 tablespoon of flour
1 tablespoon butter

Angel Hair & Tomato Pasta Salad

This is a super-easy one but always a winner!

12-16 oz box angel hair, cooked
29 oz. can diced or petite diced tomatoes, with or without spices - but DO NOT DRAIN
*1/2 cup parmesan cheese
*1/4 cup Italian dressing

Seafood Stew

I love seafood and I especially love soups and stews. I came up with this recipe while sitting at the Anapa's country house restaurant. I had a bowl of their seafood combo soup. I told Cassie I could probably make one better than that, so she said. "Go give it a try."

Ingredients:

2 large cans diced tomatoes (with liquid)
1 small can tomato paste
3 jars Centos Clam Juice
1 large carton of chicken broth
5 lbs red potatoes (diced)
1 Medium bag of baby carrots
3 large onions (diced)
1 bunch of celery (diced)
1 package of fresh basil( diced)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 pint heavy cream
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 lbs peeled and de-veined shrimp
2 lbs sea scallops
2 lbs fresh crab meat (I used imitation because the fresh was $18.00 a pound)

Garbanzo bean and sausage soup

Ingredients:

2 bags dried garbanzo beans (chick peas) soaked overnight
2 large cans diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
2 large green peppers (Diced)
2 large onions (Diced)
2 tablespoons sliced or diced garlic
3 lbs fresh kielbasa or sweet sausage (I prefer hot myself) sliced into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups red cooking wine

Souithwest Crockpot Chicken Chili (from a northern kind of guy)

I got the basic recipe from About.com and added a few extra touches. Everyone enjoyed the meal and there was very little left for lunch the next day.
This meal is great for a chilly rainy day in late Fall through Winter.

Ingredients:

2 large onions, diced
2 bell peppers, diced
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons cilantro
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup marsala wine
2 bags dried red beans, soaked overnight
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds

2 lbs fresh Brussels sprouts

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 14 oz. can reduced sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

3/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/4  teaspoon salt

1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds