Tag: Summer Cooking

Barefoot Contessa’s Summer Garden Pasta

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I live & die for any recipe that shows off the fresh ingredients. This Barefoot Contessa Summer Garden Pasta is the ONE. I mean the one and only pasta you need to be making this summer. Not only is it so freaking easy to make, but it also shows off the most beautiful produce that you may just be growing in your backyard right now!!! Since this is a no-cook sauce, you heard me, no cook; be sure to allow the tomatoes to sit the full 4 hours to really infuse that oil and soften up. I made mine with some Ohio City Pasta, which is always a favorite to grab at the Hudson Farmer’s Market, but feel free to use whatever pasta you desire. Barefoot Contessa made this dish for 6, I did enough for just 1 person.

Ingredients

  • 5 Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • Good Olive Oil
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 5 Large Basil Leaves, julienned + more for serving
  • 1/2 TSP Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt + Pepper
  • Single Serving of Pasta
  • Parmesan Cheese

Let’s Get Cooking

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes + 1/4 Cup Olive Oil + basil leaves + red pepper flakes + salt + pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room femp for about 4 hours.

When ready to serve, bring a pot of water with a drizzle of olive oil + salt to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Dain the pasta and add to the bowl with the tomatoes. Top with cheese & extra basil leaves.

I hope after your take your first bite you put your fork down and lean back in your chair in awe of how delicious this dish is.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

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It’s June, so it’s pretty much summer. Here in Ohio, it’s been in the high 80s for the last week so all of us have been avoiding those hearty-heavy meals. So now I am turning to pasta salad, it’s light, and you can pack it with all your favorite colorful veggies. This pasta salad takes a Mediterranean approach, focusing on our veggies & healthy fats!

Ingredients

  • 1 Package of a Pasta of your choosing, I used Chickpea Protein Pasta
  • 1/2 Cucumber, sliced & quartered
  • 1/4 Cup Kalamata Olives
  • 1/4 Cup Green Olives
  • 1/2 Red Onion, sliced
  • 1/2 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/3 Cup Artichokes, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil + more if needed
  • 2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 TSP Parsley
  • 1 TSP Oregano
  • Salt & Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Cook your pasta according to package directions and rinse.

Prep all the ingredients

In a large bowl, add in the pasta + cucumber + olives + red onion + tomatoes + artichokes and mix well.

Pour over the olive oil + red wine vinegar + oregano + parsley + salt + pepper and mix well.

If you’re making this for meal prep, separate your salad into individual containers. Or share with a group of family and friends.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Pickle Chicken Salad

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I LOVE chicken salad, as you can see with this being my third recipe. It is such a versatile meal, you want to make it spicy, sweet, tangy, the world is yours. I was inspired by a creator, Nutritiously Easy, on TikTok who made a pickle chicken salad. I’m a pickle girl, exclusively Claussens, so I had to make it, and holy shit I could eat the whole bowl myself. I have been eating it in a lettuce wrap with some kettle-cooked potato chips for lunch and honestly, I don’t think things could get any better.

Ingredients

  • 3 Claussen Pickles, diced
  • 1/2 Cup Mayo
  • Fresh Dill, chopped
  • 1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
  • Splash of Pickle Juice
  • Rotisserie Chicken, chopped
  • 3 Celery Stalks, diced
  • Green Onion, diced
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Break down your rotisserie chicken,, removing the skins, and chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to save that and make chicken stock!

Prep all the rest of your ingredients and grab out a large bowl.

Toss in your chicken + Mayo + dijon + celery + pickles and mix well. Add in your salt + fresh dill + pickle juice + green onions + loads of black pepper. Mix well and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, I stand by that it always tastes better the next day. Top with more black pepper to taste.

I hope you enjoy it, I know I have been!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Air-Fryer Nachos with Pulled Chicken

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I am not a corn-tortilla type of gal, but I needed them for one recipe so I had to make use of the rest of them. I found they make the PERFECT tortilla chips, as we all know. They are SOO easy to make at home that it’s ridiculous. Use for chips and dip, a more simplified nacho recipe, or this more ‘supreme’ nacho recipe. Either way, if it’s chips and cheese you can’t go wrong.

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 1 Chicken Breast
  • 1 Chipotle in Adobo Sauce
  • 1/2 Onion, Chopped
  • 1 Jalapeño pepper, diced
  • 2 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1 TSP Cumin

Salsa:

  • 1 Tomato, diced
  • 1 Handful Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 Onion, diced
  • 1/2 Lime Juice, squeezed

Cheese Sauce:

  • 4 TBSP Butter
  • 2 TBSP Flour
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 2 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 TBSP Chili Powder
  • 1 TBSP Hot Sauce

Nachos:

  • 4 Corn Tortillas
  • Refried Beans
  • Spinach/Lettuce
  • Sour Cream
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt

Let Get Cookin’

I am using my air-fryer but you can also use your oven. Either one you use you need to preheat it to 375F.

Cut your tortillas into quarters, should get about 16 individual chips.

If using the air fryer, do small batches of the chips. For the first batch, lightly drizzle olive oil and cook for 15 minutes, about 7 minutes in, and shake the basket. Cook for longer if needed, until crispy. Continue with the rest of the batches, but you will not need more oil. Salt when done

If cooking in the oven: lightly drizzle with olive oil, and cook for about 20-25 minutes or until crispy. Salt when done.

For the chicken: preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment.

Season the chicken breast with salt + pepper + cumin + chili powder. Top with onions + peppers + chili. Drizzle with olive oil. Cook for 25 minutes. Once cooled, shred the chicken and chili with two forks.

While the chicken is cooking make the salsa and cheese sauce.

For the salsa: dice all of the ingredients and place into a small bowl. Add in the lime juice + salt and stir. Set aside.

For the cheese sauce: in a pot add in the butter and let melt. Then add in the flour and stir to combine. Once it’s made a paste, turn the heat on low and add in the milk. Continue to stir until combined. Once the rue is combined with the milk, add in the cheese one cup at a time. Remove from heat and continue to stir until all combined. Add in the hot sauce + chili powder + salt + pepper.

To build your nachos: start with chips + chicken + refried beans + cheese + salsa + lettuce + sour cream

Enjoy by yourself, or triple the batch and enjoy with friends for a football game.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies

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I am on vacation in France right now so that is why I have been a little behind on my posting. However, passing all the Boulangeries, and smelling all the amazing baked goods has encouraged me to get this post out into the world. This recipe comes from the New York Times cookbook, again. These cookies are MASSIVE, due to the upped butter and the literal smashing of the cookie, you get these amazing ripples along the edges and an almost lacey finish.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 TSP Baking Soda
  • 3/4 TSP Saly
  • 1/2 LB/ 2 Sticks Unsalted Bytter
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
  • 2 TBSP Water
  • 6oz Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped coarsley

Let’s Get Baking

Preheat the oven to 350F & line two baking sheets with parchment.

Whisk the flour + baking soda + salt together in a small bowl.

Place the butter in bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, and beat until creamy [you can do this by hand or with a hand mixer, just be sure to beat it until it is creamy]. Add in the sugar + brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add in the egg + vanilla + water and mix on low to combine. Add in the flour mixture on slow and be sure to not let the flour spray all around your kitchen like I did. Stir/mix in the chocolate chips and then you’re good to let the dough rest in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight.

Shape 4 cookies at a time, using the 1/3 cup. Place the cookies on the parchment-lined pan and place the pan in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Prepare the second tray and place in the fridge while the other one is baking.

Remove the first chilled pan from the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Lift the baking sheet and let it drop down against the oven rack so the edges of the cookie set and fall back down. After the cookie center puffs up again, about 2-3 minutes, lift the tray and drop the pan again. Repeat a few more times, every 3 minutes. Bake for a total of 16-18 minutes, until the edges have spread and are golden brown but the center is lighter and not fully cooked. 

Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Repeat with the remaining trays, first letting the dough cool in the freezer first. 

Made with Love, 

Hannah

Pickle-Brined Chicken Sandwich

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With our local Chic-Fil-A being shut down for a good part of 2 months now, I needed my chicken sandwich fill. I decided since I can’t get one there, I can just make it myself, without all the extreme beliefs attached. I got this idea after having some leftover pickle juice, instead of throwing it out, I decided to brine some chicken breast in it overnight. It may have been my best idea yet. Serve with french fries and you can leave out the ‘my pleasure’.

Ingredients

  • 2 Chicken Breast
  • 32 oz Pickle Juice, I used Grillos, but Claussen’s would also be good, or just whatever you have, I’m a pickle snob
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, smashed and roughly chopped
  • Handful fresh dill
  • 1/2 Cup Flour
  • 1/3 Cup Cornmeal
  • 1 TBSP Chili Powder
  • 1 TSP Paprika
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Vegetable/Canola Oil, enough to cover the pan
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato, Sliced
  • Pickles, Sliced
  • Mayo

Let’s Get Cooking

We are brining overnight, if you can’t do 24 hours, I would recommend at least 3. Pour the pickle juice into a large bowl, and add in the extra garlic + dill + washed and dried chicken breast. Cover the bowl with foil and place in the fridge overnight.

After the bringing, take the chicken out, rinse it off and pat dry.

Whisk two eggs in a bowl and set aside. On a plate mix together flour + cornmeal + paprika + chili powder + salt + pepper.

In a large pan with high sides, add in the oil and heat on MED-HIGH.

While the oil is heating, dredge the chicken, first in the egg then flour, making sure the chicken is fully covered. Once the oil is hot, carefully add in the chicken, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

When the chicken is fully cooked, remove it and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Let rest.

Prepare the toppings, toast your buns and cut the tomatoes, pickles, and wash the lettuce.

Build your perfect sandwich: bottom bun, lettuce, chicken, pickles, tomatoes, mayo, top bun.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Buttermilk Biscuits

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This week is all about the New York Times Cookbook I guess because here I am with another recipe from it. I had been eyeing up this recipe because I freaking love a biscuit for breakfast. Top it with eggs, jam, ham, and bacon, the list is extensive. This recipe is incredibly easy and I feel that they are 2 key things with making biscuits, don’t overwork the dough, and don’t roll it out too thin. I rolled my dough out a little too thin, but you still get the flakes if you accidentally do too.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Sifted All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 TSP Salt
  • 1/2 TSP Baking Soda
  • 1 TSP Baking Powder
  • 4 TBSP Vegetable Shortening [I used unsalted butter]
  • 3/4 Cup Buttermilk, more if needed. [if you don’t have buttermilk you can do 1 Cup Milk + 1 TBSP White Vinegar]

Let’s Get Bakin’

Heat the oven to 500F

Sift the dry ingredients together into a large bowl. Cut the butter into the dough with 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

Add enough buttermilk to produce a soft dough, stir until the mixture forms a ball.

Knead lightly in the bowl until the dough holds together, for about 30 seconds.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll to about 1/4 inch thick.

Cut out biscuits with a small biscuit cutter, any round cookie cutter will do.

Bake for 12 minutes.

Serve with whatever toppings you like. I love them with honey right out of the oven.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Cucumber Dill Chicken Salad

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You would be lying if you said that chicken salad wasn’t one of the most perfect picnic foods. You can eat it on a croissant, but my favorite is with kettle-cooked potato chips, ugh it’s the perfect crunch. This recipe from PBFingers gives chicken salad the perfect twist, adding in the yogurt and cucumber. It’s incredibly refreshing and great in lettuce wraps for lunch!

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken, chopped and chilled
  • 2/3 Cup Greek Yogurt, I used low-fat, she recommends full-fat, do what you like
  • 1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 Lemon, Juiced
  • 1/3 Cup Green Onion, chopped
  • 3/4 Cup Seedless Cucumber, finely chopped
  • 1/2 Cup Celery, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Dill, chopped, she used dried dill but I think fresh provides a better flavor
  • 1 TSP Sea Salt
  • LOTS OF GROUND PEPPER

Let’s Get Cooking

Remove the chicken from the bones and finely chop, place into a large bowl.

Mix all of the ingredients together well.

Easy, peasy, that’s it. Serve on bread, lettuce, or with your favorite potato chip.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Homemade Chipotle Bowls

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I love chipotle, however, I often don’t want to drive out and get it, or pay for it to be delivered. Though you can’t always get the flavors spot on, you can get pretty damn close making your own bowl at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Cooked Basmati Rice
  • 2 TSP Lime Juice
  • Cilantro
  • 1 LB Chicken Breast
  • 1/2 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1/2 TSP Cumin
  • 1/2 TSP Cayenne
  • Spinach/Lettuce, cut into ribbons
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, diced
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • 1 White Onion, diced
  • 1 Can Black beans
  • Taco Cheese
  • Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt

Let’s Get Cooking

Combine the cooked rice with 2 TSP lime juice and chopped cilantro, mix throughly and add salt to taste if needed.

Combine the half of the diced onions + tomatoes and toss with salt. Set aside.

In a pan, heat olive oil, add in garlic + onion. Saute until fragrant. Add in the drained black beans + salt. Once the beans begin to cook, mash a few of the beans and continue to stir them in. Once soft, remove from heat.

Heat a skillet with olive oil to med-high heat. Add the chicken breast and season with the chili powder + cumin + cayenne + salt + pepper. Cook about 8 minutes each side or until done. Remove from heat and place on a cutting board to cool.

Now it’s time to combine your bowl: Start with rice, then chicken, your cooked beans, your salsa, cheese, spinach, and sour cream or greek yogurt to top!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Roasted Cauliflower Fried Halloumi Tacos

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Trying to keep up with a meatless meal once a week. Never EVER will I go vegetarian/vegan so one meal a day without meat is more than enough. This recipe focuses on halloumi, which is salty, cheesy, and absolutely delicious in a taco with some other veggies and a wonderful spicy avocado sauce that makes it all pop. This recipe is from Half-Baked Harvest who always has the most delicious and creative recipes.

Ingredients

  • 1 Large or 2 small cauliflower heads, cut into florets
  • 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 2 TSP Smoked Paprika
  • 1 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1TSP Cumin
  • 1 TSP Salt + Pepper
  • 1 14 oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 oz Halloumi cheese, sliced
  • 1 Cucumber or Zucchini, shredded
  • 1 Package tortillas of your liking

Spicy Avocado Basil Guac

  • 1 Avocado, halved
  • 1 Cup Fresh Basil
  • 1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts
  • 1 Jalapeño
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 TSBP Olive Oil
  • Salt + Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Preheat the oven to 400F

Toss together cauliflower + oil + chili powder + cumin + salt + pepper. Place on baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through. When done, remove from oven and add in the beans

Make the guac by adding in half the avocado + basil + pine nuts + jalapeño + lemon juice + oil in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Dice the other half of the avocado and add in. Stir in salt + pepper to taste

Heat a skillet over med heat and add in a little olive oil. Once hot, add in the halloumi slices and cook about 1-2 min each side until they brown. Remove and place on paper towels.

Assemble by layering cucumber/zucchini, then cauliflower in the tortillas then top with the halloumi and guac.

Made with Love,

Hannah