Tag: Cheese

Cheesy Pecan Biscuits
Breakfast · Recipes

Cheesy Pecan Biscuits

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Cheesy Pecan Biscuits

I am always looking for a reason to bake and looking for even more of a reason to make biscuits! I wanted something savory and with a touch of sweet, so I decided to pair these Cheesy Pecan Biscuits with some Country Ham and Blackberry Mustard. These biscuits are fast and easy to make and will leave your guests wondering if you spent all day in the kitchen whipping them up! You can easily make these ahead of time or right before serving. I hope you like this recipe as much as we do!

Cheesy Pecan Biscuits

CHEESY PECAN BISCUITS

Ingredients:

  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup butter (cold, I grated my butter with a cheese grater on the fine side)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Parsley (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp melted butter (optional)
  • Finishing salt (optional)

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and pepper.
  • Cut in butter and cream cheese using a pastry blender.
  • Stir in cheese and pecans.
  • Gradually add about 1 1/4 cup heavy cream, stirring until dry ingredients are just moistened, adding additional cream if needed.
  • Prep a workspace for kneading, rolling and cutting biscuits by lightly flouring surface and turning out dough; knead 5 or 6 times or until dough has fully come together.
  • Lightly dust a rolling pin with flour and roll dough to about 1-inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter (or as my dad used to do it, you drinking glass) to cut dough into round biscuits (I used a 2-inch biscuit cutter). You will need to re-roll and repeat the process for any scrap dough.
  • Place biscuits on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Brush the tops of the biscuits with the extra heavy cream and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Once out of the oven and on a cooling rack top with melted butter and a sprinkle of parsley and finishing salt (if desired).
  • Enjoy!
Asparagus and Prosciutto Tart
Recipes

Asparagus and Prosciutto Tart

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Asparagus and Prosciutto Tart

I’m always looking for something light yet scrumptious for dinner and that’s why I love this Asparagus and Prosciutto Tart. The crust is so light and flaky, but when you add the egg wash it becomes so crisp. This is definitely one of those meals that cooks up fast, but can easily be a quick dinner or even a delicious brunch. This is dish is crunchy, cheesy and the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Now, I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do!

Asparagus and Prosciutto Tart

ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO TART

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 large egg, whisked
  • 1 bundle of asparagus, washed and trimmed
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • Prosciutto
  • 2 Tbsp honey mustard (I like to use Maille Mustard Honey Dijon)
  • Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Roll out puff pastry into a large rectangle; wet fingers with water and apply to edges of puff pastry; fold edges over and press edges gently.
  • Brush entire puff pastry with egg wash.
  • Lay asparagus throughout pastry and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  • Gently tear prosciutto and lay throughout pastry.
  • Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until pastry is golden.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool on pan for a couple of minutes then carefully move to cooling rack.
  • Sprinkle a touch of Parmesan cheese onto the tart.
  • Using a piping bag; pipe mustard onto tart.
  • Enjoy!
Taco Chili Mac
Recipes

Taco Chili Mac

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Taco Chili Mac

When you can’t decide on what to make for dinner…Taco Chili Mac is the answer! It’s taco meat with deep chili flavors and cheesy pasta for a fast weeknight meal. I like to use my cast iron for this meal and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a fast, easy and delicious meal when you need something to fill up your crew! Now, I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do!

Taco Chili Mac

TACO CHILI MAC

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 white onion, diced
  • 3 gloves roasted garlic
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • Dash of salt and pepper
  • 1/2 pkg elbow noodles
  • 8 oz beef broth (I use Better Than Bullion)
  • 8 oz water
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (medium heat)
  • 1 8oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • 1 8oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

  • Cook onions, garlic and beef until meat is done; drain and set back in heat.
  • Stir in cumin and chili powder.
  • Add tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, water, beef stock and salt & pepper; bring to boil.
  • Add noodles and cook for 10 minutes; stirring occasionally.
  • Once noodles are cooked to al denté; add cheese to cover top. Place lid on top for a couple of minutes until cheese is melted.
  • Scoop out into bowl and top with diced tomatoes, green onion and cilantro.
  • Enjoy!
Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese
Recipes

Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese

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Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese

If you are like me and the work week is very hectic, you are probably looking for something fast, tasty and healthy to feed your family. This recipe is all of those things and more! It’s packed full of veggies, meat and noodles which makes it a great meal to add to my meal rotation. If you find yourself with leftovers you’ll be in for a treat as this dish reheats nicely. It’s definitely a meal that can be on the table in about 30 minutes and everyone is bound to leave the table satisfied. Now, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese

SLOPPY JOE MAC AND CHEESE

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup veggie stock (I like Better Than Bullion Veggie Base)
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 (8 oz) package Cellentani pasta
  • 4 oz extra sharp white cheddar, shredded
  • 4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded
  • 4 oz mozzarella, shredded
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parsley

Directions:

  • Cook beef, onions, pepper and garlic in large pot until beef is browned; drain beef and return to heat.
  • Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, stock, milk, mustard, soy, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Stir in pasta and cover pot to allow to simmer for 13 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. In a small bowl mix all three cheese together to make a cheese blend; set aside.
  • Stir in 1 cup of cheese until melted. Sprinkle remaining cheese as you serve so it just melts on top. Add salt and pepper to taste and a dash of parsley prior to serving.
  • Enjoy!
Veggie Mac & Cheese
Dinner · Recipes

Veggie Mac & Cheese

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Veggie Mac & Cheese

One of my favorite dishes since childhood is Mac & Cheese, but now that I’m an adult I like adding a variety of veggies. That’s why this Veggie Mac & Cheese recipe is so great! This dish is packed full of deep rich flavors and will please the entire family. You can have this as a side dish or as the main course for a comforting family meal. This dish takes a little bit work and time, so it may be best to make this one on the weekend especially if you have a lot of after work/school activities throughout the week. This dish also reheats well thus making it a hit for leftovers!

This dish works best with fresh ingredients as opposed to frozen. If you were to use frozen vegetables it could make this dish a little on the soggy side. The style of noodles that I like to use gives this dish a nice bite and a fun appearance, but you may use any style of noodle that you are accustomed to. The key is not over cooking your noodles so they don’t turn to mush while baking. This dish has such a robust flavor and is nice and rich with all of the veggies and the cheese sauce. Now, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

Veggie Mac & Cheese

VEGGIE MAC & CHEESE

Ingredients:

  • 1 pkg (16 oz) Cellentani Pasta, cooked al dente
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pint Sangria medley tomatoes
  • 1 pkg (12 oz) pkg baby spinach
  • 1 pkg mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • 6 Tbsp flour
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (I like Better Than Bouillon Base)
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 pkg (16 oz) mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 3/4 cup Italian Panko breadcrumbs
  • Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish
  • Parsley, chopped for garnish

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
  • Prepare a large and deep baking dish with cooking spray to avoid sticking. Set aside.
  • In a large stock pot boil noodles, drain and set aside.
  • In a large sauce pan add tomatoes to hot pan to blister and burst. Once most of the tomatoes have burst add onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft. Add spinach to wilt. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
  • Add mushrooms to saucepan and brown. Once browned remove and add to tomato mixture; set aside.
  • Add butter to pan and melt. Once melted add flour and whisk until mixed well and flour smell has cooked off. Slowly add milk while whisking. Slowly add stock while whisking. Cook for roughly 10 minutes or until thick and bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and add cheese; whisk until melted and incorporated.
  • Add veggies and noodles to sauce. Stir well to mix throughout.
  • Add to prepared baking dish. Top with panko and remaining olive oil.
  • Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
  • Before serving top with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
  • Enjoy!
Loaded Chicken Enchiladas
Dinner · Recipes

Loaded Chicken Enchiladas

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Loaded Chicken Enchiladas

Can I get a show of hands for all of those who have missed going to their favorite restaurants during the quarantine?! I know I’m not the only one who misses their favorite local Mexican Restaurant, right? My family loves Mexican food and that’s why I decided to make my own Loaded Chicken Enchiladas. This recipe is easy to follow and packed with delicious ingredients that is sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

Loaded Chicken Enchiladas

These enchiladas are so easy to make and are absolutely delicious. I load mine up with plenty of gooey cheese and spicy chicken, then I roll them up nice and tight, stack then into a glass baking dish to bake and finally top with more cheese. I have found that stewing the chicken with chicken stock, white onion, and a couple of cans of green chilies make for a delicious chicken enchilada. Now, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Loaded Chicken Enchiladas

LOADED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Ingredients:

  • 10 small four tortillas
  • 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 3 cups quesadilla cheese, divided
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1 cup chicken broth (I like Better Than Bullion Chicken Base)
  • 2 large cans diced green chilies, mild
  • 3 Tbsp green onion, diced
  • 1 large can green enchilada sauce
  • Sour cream
  • 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Avocado, diced
  • Cilantro, finely chopped

Directions:

  • Stew chicken with onion, chilies and broth (I used my Instant Pot; pressure cook on high for 10 minutes and natural release for 5 minutes); once cooked shred the chicken.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
  • Spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Fill tortillas with a generous portion of cheese, chicken mixture, and more cheese. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in baking dish in a row.
  • Top the enchiladas with green sauce and more cheese. Add as much sauce and cheese that you like here.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream and cilantro to serve.
  • Enjoy!
The One With The Lasagna
Dinner · Recipes

The One With The Lasagna

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LASAGNA

Ok, so we’ve been binge watching Friends since we just completed The Office in record time…no thanks to the quarantine! While watching those early episodes we came across one of my favorites which is The One With The Dozen Lasagnas….this episode inspired me to finally try Binging with Babish’s Lasagna! You can find the recipe here https://www.bingingwithbabish.com/recipes/ziti-lasagna

This was an easy labor of love and perhaps the first homemade lasagna that I’ve ever made that actually sliced up like a lasagna should and not turn into a blob of ingredients on my plate. It is a very time consuming dish, but most of the time delicious meals take a while anyway due to a lot of prep and bake. One thing I loved about this recipe was how much I learned! I love watching his technique and trial and error processes. It makes me feel like I’m becoming a better home cook and there is always something to take away and grow from.

This dish has it all! It’s hearty, it’s filling, it’s gooey and it is DELICIOUS! So, if you haven’t already, I suggest you click on this link https://www.bingingwithbabish.com/recipes/ziti-lasagna and take a weekend to make this delicious lasagna!

Chicken and Veggie Pasta Bake
Dinner · Recipes

Chicken and Veggie Pasta Bake

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This is a yummy was to bake up a fast weeknight meal that is packed full of something everyone loves! I like to make this Chicken and Veggie Pasta Bake on the regular and I really enjoy how versatile this dish is. You can choose all sorts of veggie combinations with this recipe. It should be fun to try new combos. Keep in mind the season as you could always utilize fresh from the garden veggies like squash and zucchini or even a variety of peppers. In the winter months, I like to use mushrooms and peas because frozen peas work great in a dish like this. There are a couple of staples that are must for a deep and rich flavor. Those staples include Parmesan cheese and sliced almonds. Without these key ingredients your dish would be missing that crunchy topping that completes the whole dish. Now, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Chicken And Veggie Pasta Bake

CHICKEN AND VEGGIE PASTA BAKE

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and sliced (cook it how you like it…grilled is our favorite!)
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 (16 oz) pkg angel hair pasta, cooked and cooled
  • 1 (8 oz) pkg mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 bundle asparagus, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 Tbsp white wine
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 3 cups milk (room temp)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Cook chicken according to your preference. We prefer to grill the chicken, rest it and then slice it. You could even bake or roast the chicken and then shred it.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a casserole dish.
  • Cook pasta to just under; should only boil for 1 minute.
  • Sauté mushrooms in a hot pan until juices start to run out and they become brown, add white wine and asparagus; cook for 3 additional minutes. Remove veggies and leave liquid in the hot pan.
  • Add butter to liquid and allow to melt and bubble. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes or until the flour smell has dissipated; add milk and cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Once gravy is thick remove from heat.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup of cheese and add pasta, veggies and chicken; combine well.
  • Add pasta mixture to baking dish. Top with almonds and the rest of the cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Let rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy!
Asparagus and Mushroom Pizza with a Peach Berry Salad
Dinner · Recipes

Asparagus and Mushroom Pizza with a Peach Berry Salad

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Asparagus and Mushroom Pizza

This meal was a fabulous end to a fun filled Sunday! We took it upon ourselves to get out of the house and go for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was so a cool 64 degree ride with the wind blowing through our hair. It’s days like this that make me crave summer on a plate!

Asparagus and Mushroom Pizza with a Peach Berry Salad.

This meal is so refreshing as it incorporates many summer flavors. The mushrooms are cooked prior to adding them to the pizza by simply browning for a couple of minutes and lastly adding a splash of white wine. This helps bring out the deep and meaty flavors of the mushrooms. I slice the asparagus at an angle after finding the area in the stock to snap them. By trimming them down it allows for a easier cook on the asparagus. The salad helps complete the meal with a delicious mix of blueberries and peaches. I like to add a hint of red onion in the salad as well for a bit of a bite to the salad. Sometimes red onion can be more powerful than what you would like, so I like to soak the red onion slices that I use on my salads. By soaking the red onion it takes the punch down a bit. Now, for the recipes!

Asparagus and Mushroom Pizza

ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOM PIZZA

Ingredients:

  • 1 pizza dough
  • 1 cluster of asparagus, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 (8 oz) container of mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 container of Garlic & Herbs cheese spread (I used Alouette Cheese)
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp white wine
  • Olive oil

Directions:

  • Pre heat oven to 450 degrees F and prep pizza dough.
  • In a medium pan cook mushrooms on med-high heat until they start to brown; add white wine and reduce for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Once pizza dough is stretched into a circle, pre-bake crust for a couple of minutes or until the crust just starts to brown; remove from oven.
  • Top pizza with cheese spread and be sure to spread out evenly.
  • Top with half of the mushrooms, then add asparagus and finally the rest of the mushrooms.
  • Rub olive oil on crust.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until crust becomes golden brown; remove from oven and immediately top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Make salad while pizza cools.
Peach Berry Salad

PEACH BERRY SALAD

Ingredients:

  • 2 peaches, cut into slices, then in half
  • 1/4 cup of blueberries
  • A couple of slices of red onion
  • A couple of handfuls of mixed greens
  • Balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

  • Mix all ingredients together, except the balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Toss gently to combine.
  • Add balsamic vinaigrette as a self serve.
Taco Stuffed Peppers
Dinner · Recipes

Taco Stuffed Peppers

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Taco Stuffed Peppers

This recipe is tasty, easy and packed with incredible flavor! It just takes a little prep with few ingredients to make this colorful and delicious dish. I really enjoy making this recipe because it’s so easy, in fact, I mostly make this dish through the week…you can also prep ahead of time to!

I have used all green peppers in the past, but I think this dish is stunning with red, yellow, green and even orange peppers. The different colored peppers not only add a beautiful presentation, but you can get so many different flavor profiles from the variety bell peppers. These peppers are the vessel for an amazing filling of meat, sauce and gooey cheese….how could that be bad?!

Ingredients for Taco Stuffed Peppers.

I know I always say that the key to any good recipe becoming a great one is about the quality of your ingredients. I recently discovered the Marketside American Wagyu Beef Patties from Walmart. These beef patties are great and seem to sell out at our local Walmart as fast as they can stock them. They come in 3 1/3 lb packages and that just happens to be the perfect size for this recipe. My family LOVES Cabot Cheese and when I’m cooking any recipe that requires cheese, I always buy a block to shred myself. Most pre-shredded cheeses come with a coating of potato starch. The potato starch is gritty and leaves an oily texture to the pre-shredded cheese which I don’t want in my meal. The Frontera taco sauce adds such a powerful and robust flavor that ties the dish together beautifully.

Taco Stuffed Peppers

This dish is a great make ahead especially if you are making it over the weekend. I typically cook the meat and get the peppers filled then place them in the baking dish. I then Put them in the fridge until I’m ready to bake them. Most of the time I just whip this recipe up and bake them immediately, but you could prep them all the way through prior to baking to save some time. Now, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Taco Stuffed Peppers

TACO STUFFED PEPPERS

Ingredients:

  • 5 to 6 large bell peppers of any color
  • 3 1/3 to 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 package Frontera Taco Skillet Sauce
  • 1 (8 oz) block of Colby cheese, shredded

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Carefully cut the tops off each pepper; remove seeds from pepper and tops. Reserve the tops of each pepper for topping later.
  • Add olive oil to a sauté pan and turn pan to medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until they start to turn translucent. Add ground beef; cook until browned. Add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
  • Add sauce to beef mixture and allow to cook for 3 minutes; remove from heat.
  • Add cheese to each pepper bottom, add meat filling to about half way, add more cheese, top with meat and finally top with a little more cheese. do this with each pepper.
  • Top each pepper with its matching top.
  • Add peppers to a baking dish. (If you are prepping this meal to bake later; cover with plastic cling wrap and place in fridge until ready to bake.)
  • Bake peppers for 55 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Enjoy!