Smothered Pork Chops

Cook Time: 16 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pork chops, 3/4-inch thick, bone-in
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup buttermilk
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish


Directions

Put the flour in a shallow platter and add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture and then dredge them in the seasoned flour; shaking off the excess.


Heat a large saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is nice and hot, lay the pork chops in the pan in a single layer and fry for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the pork chops from the pan and add a little sprinkle of seasoned flour to the pan drippings. Mix the flour into the fat to dissolve and then pour in the chicken broth in. Let the liquid cook down for 5 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Stir in the buttermilk to make a creamy gravy and return the pork chops to the pan, covering them with the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

From: foodnetwork.com

Eggplant Parmesan

Cook Time: 1 hr
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 8 servings


Ingredients

Spicy Tomato Sauce:

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black olives, pitted and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons capers, drained
2 (28-ounce) cans tomatoes (recommended: San Marzano), crushed by hand
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, hand torn
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 pounds medium eggplants, trimmed and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Romano
2 pounds shredded mozzarella cheese


Directions

First make the sauce: Put a large saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the olives, red pepper flakes, and capers, and let that cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Toss in the tomatoes with their juices and bring to a low simmer. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.


Combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, and oregano in a shallow bowl; season generously with salt and pepper and mix well. Crack 3 of the eggs into another shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper and beat with a fork to mix. Put the flour in another shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the eggplant, flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs on a work surface near the stove.


Heat about 1/4-inch olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, dredge several eggplant slices first in the flour, then dip them in the egg, and finally coat them in the bread crumbs. Put as many eggplant in the skillet as will fit comfortably in a single layer and cook until tender and well browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Cook all of the eggplant slices this way, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.


Stir together the ricotta and 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano cheese. Stir in the basil and remaining 2 eggs, and season with salt and pepper.


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


To assemble the dish, first get yourself set up with a large, buttered baking dish. Have ready the eggplant, the ricotta mixture, the tomato sauce, the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano. To start, spoon some of the tomato sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Now add a layer of eggplant. Spread with half of the ricotta mixture. Spoon another layer of tomato sauce over and sprinkle with about one-third of the mozzarella. Repeat with a layer of eggplant, the rest of the ricotta, tomato sauce, and another third of the mozzarella. Finish with the rest of the eggplant, the rest of the tomato sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella. Sprinkle with the 3/4 cup Parmigiano.


Put the dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour, until golden and bubbling. Let stand for about 20 minutes before cutting.

From: foodnetwork.com

Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake

Cook Time: 5 min

Level: Easy

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 gallon good-quality strawberry ice cream

1 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs

6 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

1 store-bought cheesecake (8 or 9 inch), room temperature

1 pint strawberries, hulled and cut into pieces

1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions

Set the ice cream out at room temperature to soften for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, use a fork to mix together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl. Press this mixture over the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with your fingers; then press all over with the flat bottom of a glass to get the crust really well pressed together and compact. Set aside.

When the ice cream has softened, cream it in a mixer with a paddle attachment (or by hand in a bowl with a wooden spoon) until soft and creamy, but not melted. Break the cheesecake into pieces and beat or fold it into the ice cream. Pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top. Put that in the freezer to set.

Now combine the strawberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and the lemon juice in non-reactive saucepan and warm over medium heat just until the strawberries begin to break down and give off their juice, 3 to 5 minutes. Stick that into the refrigerator to chill.

When you're ready to serve, remove the sides of the springform pan and put the frozen cheesecake on a cake plate. Spoon the strawberries over the top and serve.

From: foodnetwork.com

Spaghetti with Roasted Eggplant and Cherry Tomatoes

Cook Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28-ounce) whole, peeled tomatoes, drained
Handful fresh basil leaves, torn
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 small (3/4 pound) eggplants, stemmed but not peeled
2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound dried spaghetti
1 pint cherry tomatoes, stemmed
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino, plus extra for serving
Handful fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions

First, make the tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 7 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft but not browned. Add the tomatoes, crushing them in your hand to break them up. Add the basil and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the sauce is reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the eggplants crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds and put them in a large bowl. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper, and drizzle generously with olive oil. Toss to coat, drizzling in more oil if you needed. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast 20 minutes until eggplants are very tender.

While the eggplants are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. About 5 minutes before the eggplants are done, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain. Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer and pour it into a large pasta bowl. Add the drained spaghetti and stir to coat with the sauce. Fold in the eggplants and the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and basil, and another drizzle of oil, and toss gently. Serve immediately and pass extra cheese at the table.

From: foodnetwork.com

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Cook Time: 25 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients

4 chicken breasts skinless and boneless
4 thin slices prosciutto di Parma
1/2 pound Gruyere, grated
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup panko bread crumbs
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs
Extra-virgin olive oil


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Lay the chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the top sheet of plastic and lay 2 slices of prosciutto neatly over the top to cover the breast and sprinkle a quarter of the cheese over the prosciutto. Tuck in the sides of the breast and roll up tight like a jellyroll inside the plastic wrap. Squeeze the log gently to seal and twist both ends tight to form a nice log. Repeat with remaining chicken.


Season the flour with salt and pepper. Mix the bread crumbs with thyme, garlic and kosher salt, pepper, and melted butter. The butter will help the crust brown. Beat together the eggs and season so the flour, the eggs and the crumbs are all seasoned.


Remove the plastic wrap. Lightly dust the chicken with flour, dip in the egg mixture and gently coat in the bread crumbs. Lightly coat a baking pan with olive oil and carefully transfer the roulades onto it. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until browned and cooked through.


Cut into pinwheels and serve on top of Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken Jus and Cranberry Chutney, if desired.

From: foodnetwork.com

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Cook Time: 1 hr
Level: Easy
Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake


Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups lightly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup maraschino cherries, stems removed
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch salt
2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Powdered sugar, for dusting cake
1 quart yogurt gelato, store bought to serve with cake


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Cut pineapple into 1/2-inch thick circles. In a small saucepan melt butter and add light brown sugar to make caramel. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until caramel is amber then pour into a 9-inch nonstick cake pan. Arrange pineapple circles evenly in the caramel, (1 in the center and 5 around the outside usually works), and press down so they are submergred in the caramel. Place 1 maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.


For the batter:

Sift flour into a large bowl. Add the baking powder and salt and stir to combine.


In another large bowl, using a wooden spoon to stir, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and whisk to combine. Gradually add the flour mixture, stirring, just to incorporate. Pour the batter into the cake pan over the caramel and pineapple and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour (the cake should be nice and golden on top and slightly puffed). When gently pressed in the center the cake should bounce back. Allow to cool slightly before inverting onto a cake plate.


Dust very lightly with confectioners' sugar and serve with a scoop of yogurt gelato.

From: foodnetwork.com

Spring Green Salad

Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

8 to 10 cups (about 1 pound) mixed greens (mesclun, mache, watercress, baby arugula, dandelion; include hydroponic lettuces, sprouts and shoots - pea shoots)
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced


Directions

Wash and dry greens, place in a large bowl. Add chives and season with salt and pepper; drizzle over about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss well to coat. Squeeze lemon juice over the greens and toss again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

From: foodnetwork.com