Smoked Chicken Salad

I love a good, tasty salad, and pretty much any salad that incorporates roasted walnuts, pecans or almonds is at the top of my list.   This one caught my eye while scanning the pages of my latest Food Network Magazine.  While glancing at the ingredients list, I noticed something that I had never cooked with before - hearts of palm.  I had heard of this unfamiliar ingredient before but never used it.  I was intrigued, so I dog-eared the page.

Fast forward about a week, and this salad graced our dinner table.  If you're a fan of salad dressings made with greek yogurt, then you'll love this.  It's such a healthy alternative to others.  The blue cheese knocks the dressing down a few notches on the healthy scale, but it adds a great creaminess and flavor to the dressing, which complements the roasted walnuts wonderfully.

To be honest, Brad was not a huge fan of this salad, for two reasons:  

#1:  He doesn't really like greek yogurt
#2:  He wasn't crazy about the flavor of the hearts of palm.  

On the other hand, I thought this salad was really good.  If you're unsure about the hearts of palm, just leave it out.  In my opinion, it's not really vital.  The original recipe also included beets, which I did leave out.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Smoked Chicken Salad
Adapted from:  Food Network Magazine

Ingredients:

1/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 6-ounce package baby spinach
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and halved lengthwise
3 small cucumbers, roughly chopped
1 8-ounce smoked chicken breast, thinly sliced
4 whole-grain dinner rolls

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast until golden, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool slightly, then chop.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk the yogurt, blue cheese, shallot and 1 tablespoon water in a large bowl; whisk in another tablespoon of water if the dressing is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the spinach, tomatoes, hearts of palm, cucumbers and beets to the bowl with the dressing and toss. Add the chicken and toss again. Divide among plates and top with the walnuts. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the rolls.

Per serving: Calories 370; Fat 14 g (Saturated 4 g); Cholesterol 42 mg; Sodium 1,514 mg; Carbohydrate 46 g; Fiber 12 g; Protein 25 g

 

Rosemary Chicken with Corn Quinoa

 

Can I just start out by saying how much I loved this meal?  It's such a flavor-packed combination that's filled with healthy goodness like red quinoa, corn and kale.  But, this isn't one of those puny, healthy meals that leaves you hungry.  No sir...This is one of those dinners that will make you realize that eating healthy can be delicious!

Plus, it's such a pretty meal, that you'll want to dig right in.  The chicken is super simple to make.  Chicken breasts are flavored with fresh rosemary, salt & pepper, and then sauteed until done.  Next, the quinoa is flavored with onions, garlic, fresh basil, mint and lemon juice.

Mmm.

My mouth is seriously watering right now.

Be sure and use fresh rosemary, basil and mint if possible.  Fresh herbs make a big difference with this recipe.  

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Rosemary Chicken with Corn Quinoa
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine September 2013

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh Corn Quinoa (recipe below)

Directions: 
Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and rosemary. 

Cook in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 6 minutes on each side or until done. 

Serve with quinoa.

Fresh Corn Quinoa
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine September 2013

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups uncooked red quinoa
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups water
2 small onions, quartered
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups fresh corn kernels
6 cups shredded kale
1/2 cup torn basil
1/4 cup torn mint
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Bring quinoa, salt, and water to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Cover and let stand 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, sauté onions in hot olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat 3 minutes or until tender.  Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add corn kernels and shredded kale; cook 2 minutes or until wilted.  Add quinoa, basil, mint, and fresh lemon juice.

Baked Gnocchi with Chicken

Here in Birmingham, AL, the leaves are JUST starting to change color, and there's been a wonderful nip in the air at night.  Last evening while out and about with the hubs, I wished I had a light coat for the first time all season.  Autumn is upon us, which is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year.  

This recipe for Baked Gnocchi with Chicken is absolutely perfect for these cooler nights.  It is a hearty dish that will warm your tummy and leave you happy.  The word "comforting" comes to mind when trying to describe this dinner.

I've been slightly obsessed with gnocchi lately.  I don't know what it is.  I've been purchasing store-bought gnocchi, but I'd love to learn to make it from scratch.  Oh, one of these days!  There's no better time than the present, I reckon.  I need to add that to my culinary "To-Do" list.  Who has a homemade gnocchi recipe they'd be willing to share?

I loved this dish because it's packed with sauteed mushrooms, wilted baby spinach, and parmesan cheesy goodness.  The chicken broth and nutmeg really help develop some great flavors.  Plus, the use of a rotisserie chicken makes this meal really easy to whip together.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Baked Gnocchi with Chicken
Adapted from Food Network magazine

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 2 cups)
1 17.5-ounce package potato gnocchi
1 1/2 cups loosely packed baby spinach
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

Directions:

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a deep ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and wipe out the skillet.

Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat; add the flour and cook, whisking, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth; simmer, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg.

Add the chicken, mushrooms, gnocchi and spinach to the sauce and stir until coated and the spinach wilts. Sprinkle with the parmesan, transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Turn on the broiler; broil until lightly browned on top, about 3 more minutes.

Per serving: Calories 598; Fat 35 g (Saturated 16 g); Cholesterol 177 mg; Sodium 984 mg; Carbohydrate 32 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 39 g

Cheese Ravioli with Burst Tomatoes & Mascarpone

I don't know what it is, but I've seen recipes for "burst" tomatoes in pasta several times lately.  It's like the culinary fairies were trying to send me some sort of subliminal message.  When I came across this fabulous looking recipe in the August issue of Southern Living magazine, I thought, "That's it!  I have to try this!"  

Burst tomatoes sound fancy and elaborate.  The truth is, they are simply mixed with olive oil and freshly minced garlic and placed underneath the broiler until they "burst" and become beautifully charred.  The process only takes 5-10 minutes.

Other than that, all you have to do to enjoy this delicious dish is cook the pasta and mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. 

Easy peasy.

I used a gorgeous yellow heirloom tomato for the additional tomato the recipe calls for.  It added a beautiful contrast of colors that made Brad and I want to dive right in.  I adore heirloom tomatoes this time of year and use them every chance I get.  The parsley and basil add a wonderful flavor that only FRESH herbs can.  And then there's the mascarpone melting into cheesy, creamy oblivion over the top.  Yes, please!

I added chopped chicken from a juicy rotisserie chicken at the end.  To Brad, it isn't dinner without some sort of meat.  It was the perfect addition.  Rotisserie chickens are my best friend, especially during these hot summer months.  They make life easier!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Pasta with Burst Tomatoes & Mascarpone
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine, August 2013

Ingredients:
1 (24-oz.) package frozen cheese-filled ravioli  
3 pt. assorted grape tomatoes  
1 large tomato, chopped, preferably heirloom
2 garlic cloves, chopped  
2 tablespoons olive oil  
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice  
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 small rotisserie chicken, meat removed and chopped  
1/2 cup torn assorted fresh herbs (such as parsley and basil)  
1 (8-oz.) container mascarpone cheese

Directions:
Prepare pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, preheat broiler with oven rack 4 to 5 inches from heat. Stir together tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil in a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Broil 5 to 8 minutes or until tomatoes are charred, stirring halfway through.

Transfer tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in butter, next 4 ingredients, and 1/4 cup fresh herbs.  Spoon over hot cooked ravioli; dollop with cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Fresh Arugula Salad with Bacon, Tomatoes, Feta & Quail Eggs + My Favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette

I've been searching for the perfect balsamic vinaigrette that's easy to make at home and tastes delectable.  I'm thrilled to say that I've finally perfected said recipe and am eager to share it with you all!

This salad was inspired by a trip to our local farmers market a few weeks ago.  I purchased some gorgeous arugula, red & yellow tomatoes, and a dozen cute-as-a-button quail eggs.  That's the thing I adore about farmers markets...I always find something new and exciting that I usually don't cook or bake with.  

When I stumbled upon these quail eggs, I knew that I had to try some.  This is the first time I've cooked with them, and it was a success.  They taste just like a regular egg (surprise!), with a mild flavor.  Just be careful not to overcook them, and you'll be good to go.

A fantastic salad is one of my favorite things to eat during the summer.  The flavor combinations are endless and change with what's in season.  This dressing is a wonderful staple that will taste great on countless salads!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

 
Fresh Arugula Salad with Bacon, Tomatoes, Feta & Quail Eggs

Ingredients:

For the Balsamic Dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tsp. brown sugar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup grapeseed oil

For the Salad:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 quail eggs

4 slices bacon
4 cups baby arugula

2 tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled  

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:
Make the dressing:
Combine the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. While whisking everything together, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

Place chicken in a baking dish and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil.  Season with salt & pepper (or your favorite seasonings).  Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.  Allow to cool and then slice.

Add the quail eggs to a medium pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 4 minutes. Carefully remove the eggs from the pot and place in an ice water bath. After 5 minutes, peel the eggs and slice them in half.  

Add the bacon to a large skillet (preferably cast iron) set over low-medium heat. Cook until crisp, flipping several times. Drain on paper towels. Once cool, crumble into small pieces.

In a large bowl, combine the arugula, chicken, tomatoes, bacon, quail eggs, and feta cheese. Whisk the balsamic dressing vigorously to combine well and then drizzle over the salad.  Gently toss together, and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve with your favorite bread.

Quinoa Salad with Strawberries, Crispy Prosciutto, Toasted Pecans & Feta Featured in Southern Living!

I have SUCH big news to share with you...I have a recipe featured in the May issue of Southern Living magazine, y'all!  After months of anticipation, it has finally hit store shelves.  In fact, we just got back from the grocery store, where I saw it for sale for the first time.  I may have bought 4 copies and excitedly shared my glee with the cashier while checking out.  :)

Southern Living has always been one of my favorite magazines.  Growing up, I remember my mom and grandmother's dog-eared copies lying around the house.  Never did I think my name would ever grace the pages!

I love the magazine so much, that back in July 2005, I started 2 back-to-back marketing internships for the publication.  It was an incredible experience, where I made great friends and had the opportunity to be a part of on-location photo shoots, marketing campaigns, and fun events like the Southern Living Cook-Off, which was hosted by Tyler Florence that year.   And the prop sales...OH the prop sales!  Those were such fun times.  :)

My featured recipe is for a mouth-watering quinoa salad that is packed with amazing flavors.  It incorporates crispy prosciutto and toasted pecans that are perfectly complemented by fresh strawberries, making this quinoa salad unforgettably delicious!  It is included in the May Community Cookbook, on page 16, as part of a feature for "The South's Tastiest Blogs."

I'm super excited about sharing this dish with you all and hope that you enjoy it.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Quinoa Salad with Strawberries, Crispy Prosciutto, Toasted Pecans & Feta

By:  Celeste Ward

Ingredients: 

For the Dressing:

1/3 cup red onion, finely minced

3 Tbsp. grapeseed oil

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp. lemon zest

A pinch of salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 Tbsp butter

4 oz. prosciutto, torn into small pieces

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 cup pecans, shelled

1/2 cup arugula

1 cup quartered strawberries

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk well to combine.  Set to the side.

Combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.  Add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir well.  Turn heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. 

While the quinoa is cooking, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the prosciutto and sauté for approximately 3 - 4 minutes, or until the prosciutto becomes slightly crispy.  Remove to a paper towel -lined plate.

Next, lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the pecans on the baking sheet in a single layer.  Place on the middle rack in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until the pecans become aromatic.  Keep a close eye on the pecans, as they will burn quickly.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork and pour into a large bowl.  Add the arugula while the quinoa is still warm and stir well, allowing the arugula to wilt slightly.  Next, add the prepared dressing, sautéed prosciutto, toasted pecans and strawberries.  Carefully fold in the feta cheese, and serve immediately.

  

Quinoa with Pork, Parsley & Bell Peppers + A Gourmet Garden Giveaway!

In celebration of surpassing 2,000 Facebook fans, let's have an awesome giveaway, shall we?!

I recently met Mary from Gourmet Garden at FoodBlogSouth 2013 back in January.  They were sponsoring the conference, and I got to taste samples of their goodies.  I love the convenience of their products, because I'm not always able to have a big selection of fresh herbs hanging out in my fridge.  That's where Gourmet Garden really comes in handy.  

Their herbs are organically grown, and then washed, chopped, blended, and packed into handy little tubes for everyday use.  They also last months in the fridge, which is another big plus for me.  Some of their varieties include Parsley, Cilantro, Chili Pepper, Basil, Garlic and even Lemon Grass!

Last night, I whipped up their recipe for Quinoa with Parsley & Bell Peppers.  I added some diced, leftover roasted pork loin from the night before, taking it from a simple side dish to a full meal.  This dish was a healthy and easy weeknight recipe, packed with yummy flavors.  In my book, that's a winner!

 First up, here's the recipe (keep scrolling for GIVEAWAY details!):

 
Quinoa with Pork, Parsley & Bell Peppers
Adapted from:  Gourmet Garden

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup wild rice
1 Tbsp olive oil
8 oz. mushrooms, diced
1/2 cup diced green onions
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
1 tsp Gourmet Garden Parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Gourmet Garden Chili Pepper 
2 cups diced, roasted pork loin (see note below)

Directions:
Rinse quinoa.  In a large skillet, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Add the quinoa, stir, reduce heat to low and cover.  Continue to  simmer, about 15 min.   

Ina  medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to boil.  Add the rice and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until done, about 40 min.  Drain, if necessary.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, and chili. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Add quinoa and rice.  Stir.  Serve warm.

Note:  I added about 2 cups of diced, leftover roasted pork loin to this dish, which made it a full meal!  Leftover chicken would also be great.

****************************

Now, to the fun part...the GIVEAWAY!   

This giveaway is for a small cooler FULL of Gourmet Garden herbs and spices:

How to  Enter:
Simply leave a comment on this post, which answers the following question:

What is your favorite herb or spice to cook with?

Also, for extra chances to win, simply do the following and leave SEPARATE additional comments letting me know that you did:

• Like Sugar & Spice on Facebook
• Follow Sugar & Spice by Celeste on Twitter
• Tweet the following:
  NEW GIVEAWAY: Win a collection of Gourmet Garden products! @SugarSpicebyC #gourmetgarden #giveaway @FreshMadeEasy http://sugarandspice-celeste.blogspot.com/2013/04/quinoa-with-pork-parsley-bell-peppers.html
• Follow the Sugar & Spice by Celeste board on Pinterest 
• Like Gourmet Garden on Facebook
• Like Gourmet Garden on Twitter

The Rules:

• Entries must be submitted by midnight (CST time) on Tuesday, April 30th. 
• A winner will be picked at random (using random.org) and will be announced on Wednesday, May 1st.
• Please make sure you include your name and email address so that I will have a way to contact you if you win...especially if you leave a comment using the "Anonymous" option.
• At this time, the contest is open to US residents only.

Good Luck, and THANKS for stopping by!  :)

Chicken-Fried Steak with Cream Gravy - Lightened Up!

There's a funny story that I think of every time I have country-fried steak.  It was actually the very first meal that I ever cooked my husband, on one of our first dates.  I wanted to pull out all the stops and make him a home-cooked meal.  For some reason, country-fried steak was my meal of choice.  Can you blame me?  It's comforting, delicious and easy to make.  I figured I couldn't go wrong.  I was only about 19 years old at the time...boy, how my cooking style has changed since then!

About half-way through the meal, my clumsy self managed to spill a full glass of sweet tea all over Brad.  Boy, was I embarrassed!  He must not have minded too terribly much, because he's still hanging around.  A little spilled tea apparently wasn't enough to scare him off (thank goodness!).  :)

These days, I don't really deep-fry much anymore.  I'm always on the look-out for lighter versions of my favorite dishes, so this lightened up recipe caught my eye.  Instead of mounds of cream and butter in the gravy, it incorporates fat-free half-and-half and low-sodium beef broth.  The steaks are coated with crushed cornflakes and BAKED in the oven until cooked through.  Those techniques make this dish a wonderful, much healthier option than the classic pan-fried method.

The results were great (and we both made it through the meal completely dry!).

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Chicken-Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
Adapted from:  Bobby Deen; Food Network Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

Ingredients:
For the steaks:
Cooking spray

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup 1 percent milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Hot sauce, to taste
3 cups cornflakes, crushed
4 cube steaks (4 ounces each)

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt & Pepper, to taste
 

For the Cream Gravy:

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup fat-free half-and-half
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Pour the flour onto a dinner plate. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the milk, egg and a few dashes of hot sauce. Place the cornflakes on a second dinner plate.

Season the steaks with salt, pepper and garlic powder, to taste. Dredge them in the flour, patting off any excess, then dip into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dredge them in the crushed cornflakes, pressing lightly to help the flakes adhere.

Place the steaks on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the tops of the steaks lightly with extra cooking spray. Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small cup, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of the beef broth and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch mixture with the remaining beef broth and the half-and-half. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Let the gravy boil, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season generously with pepper and serve the steaks smothered in the gravy.

 

Creamy Orzo with Bay Scallops, Asparagus & Parmesan

I'm currently working on a fun project, that I'm so excited about...I'm photographing a cookbook all about fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, and I can't wait to see the finished book.  It's going to be filled with awesome recipes and everything you need to know about all the different species of fish found in the Gulf.  And I don't know about you, but it's pretty hard to beat a plate full of fresh, yummy seafood!

This recipe is a family favorite around our house and is easy, delicious and incredibly comforting.  Fresh, sauteed bay scallops are the star of this dish, which will make an appearance in the upcoming book.  

 The creamy orzo pairs perfectly with the satisfying crunch of the asparagus, and the addition of grated Parmesan cheese rounds it out wonderfully.  In fact, this recipe is a new version of THIS DISH that you might remember from an earlier post.  That recipe has become such a big hit with you guys, that I decided to add a little bit of a new spin to it.

I hope you like it.  :)

Bon Appetit, my friends!  

Creamy Orzo with Bay Scallops, Asparagus and Parmesan

By Celeste Ward

Ingredients:

1 lb. bay scallops

1/2 cup yellow onion, diced

1 lb. orzo pasta

1 cup asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

5 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Rinse scallops and pat dry.  Set to the side.

Melt 1 tbsp of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 4 - 5 minutes.  Remove the onions to a plate and set aside. 

Next, add 2 tbsp of the butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat.  Add the prepared scallops and sauté for 4 - 5 minutes.  Place scallops on a heated platter and cover with foil.

Fill a large sauce pan of water with 4 - 6 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and stir.

After the orzo has been boiling for 5 minutes, add the asparagus to the same pot and continue to cook for 5 additional minutes.  Once the orzo and asparagus are cooked and tender, drain well and pour into a large mixing bowl.

Quickly add the parmesan cheese and the final 2 tbsp of butter to the orzo and asparagus mixture. Stir thoroughly, allowing both the cheese and butter to melt. Slowly add the cream, while stirring.  Next, add the sautéed onions, scallops and fresh parsley.  Mix well.  Season with salt and pepper.  Garnish with additional parsley.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo

Some of my best memories growing up revolved around vacations spent along the Gulf of Mexico.  Those vacations were filled with fun in the sun, time spent with family, and delicious meals made unforgettable by the amazingly fresh seafood right out of the Gulf near my home state of Alabama.

To this day, I still love a big plate of fresh shrimp, grouper, snapper, flounder or yes...even raw oysters (with hot sauce and a saltine cracker, of course!). 

The wonderful thing about seafood is that it cooks quickly, plus it's really healthy (as long as it's not fried).  That's always a combination worth smiling about!

This dish for Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo has become one of my recent favorites.  It's packed with vibrant flavors that will have your tastebuds singing.  I love Greek ingredients almost as much as fresh seafood, so I'm particularly proud to say this is an original recipe.  

And you know what?  It's SO Easy!

For this dish, fresh Alabama Gulf Shrimp are simply mixed with olives, artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes and fresh parsley.  After a quick drizzle of olive oil and some seasonings, it makes a quick trip to the oven and is roasted for about 10-12 minutes.  A sprinkling of crumbled, feta cheese finishes things off, and the delicious mixture is served atop a bed of warm orzo pasta.  

So, now that you're hopefully craving a big plate of delicious seafood, why not hop on over and check out the Alabama Gulf Seafood website.  It's filled with pretty much anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Gulf seafood, including great recipes.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo
by Celeste Ward

Ingredients:
1 lb Alabama Gulf Shrimp, peeled, deveined, with tails on
1  2.25 oz. can sliced olives, drained
6 oz. quartered & marinated artichoke hearts, drained
5 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced, plus more for garnish
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 - 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup cooked orzo pasta (directions below)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl.  Next, add the olives, grape tomatoes, and fresh parsley.  Squeeze all excess liquid out of the artichoke hearts and add those to the bowl with the other ingredients.  Drizzle the mixture with the extra virgin olive oil and season with the garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Stir well to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

Spread the mixture into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. 

Roast in the pre-heated oven for approximately 10 - 12 minutes, or until the shrimp is cooked through.

Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve over the warm orzo.  Garnish with fresh parsley.

For the Orzo:
Ingredients:
1 cup orzo pasta
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. lemon zest
Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
While the Greek shrimp mixture is roasting, cook orzo according to package directions.

Drain the cooked orzo and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil.  Add the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.  Stir together and keep warm until ready to serve.

Chicken (or Turkey) Noodle Soup - Put Those Leftovers to Good Use!

I've had a sick hubby on my hands over the past few days.  He better start feeling better soon, though, because there's a lot of good eatin' to be done tomorrow on Thanksgiving!  Something tells me that after that first bite of the cornbread & sausage dressing that he looks forward to for 364 days a year, he'll be much better!  (Speaking of Thanksgiving, this dish would be a perfect way to use leftover turkey!)

Last night, he was feeling extra sick and pitiful...sore throat, headache, etc, etc...It's just that time of year, I reckon.  I had some leftover chicken already cooked from the previous night, so Chicken Noodle Soup sounded perfect...easy, yet comforting.

There's just something about chicken noodle soup when you're sick, don't you agree?  In fact, when Brad and I were just dating, he had to work one night and wasn't feeling well.  I surprised him by showing up at work with some yummy Chicken Noodle Soup, and it put the biggest smile on his face....and made him feel a little better.  That's been his request ever since when he's feeling under the weather. 

This recipe is incredibly simple.  Brad LOVES carrots, so I doubled the amount to two and added a dash of garlic powder for extra flavor.  The freshly ground black pepper adds a nice little kick.  I finished it off with a garnish of fresh, minced parsley for bit of pretty color.

Bon Appetit, my friends!  :)

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken (or Turkey) Noodle Soup 
Adapted from:  My Recipes.com


Ingredients:
4 cups Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
Generous dash ground black pepper  
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 cup uncooked egg noodles
1 cup shredded cooked chicken or turkey
Garlic powder, to taste 
1 tsp fresh parsley, minced, for garnish

Directions:
Heat broth, black pepper, carrot and celery in 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.

Stir noodles and chicken in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 10 min. or until noodles are tender, stirring often.   Season with garlic powder and garnish with fresh, minced parsley.

Bacon & Goat Cheese-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney + A GIVEAWAY

This week kicks off a virtual potluck, celebrating Tasia Malakasis' beautiful new cookbook, Tasia's Table, Cooking with the Artisan Cheesemaker at Belle Chevre...I'm excited to be a part of this fun event!  When the folks at Belle Chevre asked me to pick out a recipe from the cookbook, I had a hard time deciding on just one.  However, this recipe for Bacon and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney stood out and was calling my name.

This is an outstanding meal, which actually isn't too complicated to make.  The ingredients are simple and the results are savory, scrumptious and comforting.  A pork tenderloin is stuffed with a trio of goat cheese, bacon, and fresh parsley.  After a quick trip to the skillet to brown the tenderloin, it roasts in the oven until done.  The tenderloin is topped off by a few spoonfuls of an easy apply chutney, adding a fruity-citrusy flavor to round out the entire meal.  Plus, on top of all that deliciousness, the rendered bacon fat is used to brown the tenderloin AND is used to saute the onions and apples for the apple chutney.  This means every bite is infused with bacony (is that a word?) goodness.

This meal would be perfect for dinner guests and is a wonderful way to showcase all the apples which are now in season.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY TO WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THIS COOKBOOK!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Be sure to check out these fabulous bloggers, who are also participating in the virtual potluck:

• Cooking With Books   
• Cheese And Champagne
• Blank Palate
• Deep South Magazine
• Sale e Pepe
•  Eggton  
• La Buena Vida
• Susan Greeley
• Bibberche
• Cactus & Kudzu 
•  Story of A Kitchen
• Sugar and Spice by Celeste
• Once Upon a Cutting Board
• 30AEats
• Miss in the Kitchen
• The Picky Eater

 

Before getting all rolled up.

Apple Chutney

Bacon and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney
Adapted from:  Tasia's Table, Cooking with the Artisan Cheesemaker at Belle Chevre by Tasia Malakasis
(Reprinted with permission from the author)

Ingredients:
1  1/2 - 2 pounds pork tenderloin, fat and sinew removed
3 slices bacon
4 ounces Belle Chevre goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
4  8-inch lengths of kitchen twine

Apple Chutney
1 small red onion, minced
1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
1 small Fuji apple, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a broiler pan with foil.

Fry the bacon in a large skillet, reserving the pan when done.  Pat the bacon dry with paper towels and chop.

Butterfly the pork tenderloin lengthwise, slicing it down the center, but not all the way through.  Open it up, and cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap.  Pound it evenly with a kitchen mallet or heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the inside evenly with the bacon, goat cheese and flat-leaf parsley.  Close the tenderloin back up and tie in four evenly-spaced places with kitchen twine to keep it shut.  Coat with olive oil and sprinkle with pepper.

Brown the tenderloin in the pan used for frying bacon.  When all sides are brown, place it on the broiler pan and bake it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F.

While the pork is cooking, make the chutney.  Using the same skillet used for the bacon and browning the tenderloin, cook the onion with the butter on medium-high heat.  After about five minutes, add the minced apple, cooking for another five minutes, stirring occasionally.  When the apple and onion are soft, turn the heat up and add 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice, honey and rice wine vinegar.  Stir on high for five minutes.  The mixture should turn golden brown.  Reduce heat to low and simmer.

When the tenderloin is done, slice it into medallions and arrange on a plate.  Top with spoonfuls of the chutney, and put the remainder into a bowl for the table.