Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 heaping cups rotisserie chicken breast

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

1/3 cup green onion, chopped

1/4 cup dill relish 

2 tablespoons avocado oil mayonnaise

3 tablespoons non-fat Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Chop celery, eggs, onion, and shred rotisserie chicken. If you’re using rotisserie chicken that doesn’t have a ton of flavor or has been refrigerated, heat it up in a pan (for JUST a minute) and season it with salt, pepper, and maybe a little garlic. A super quick, hot sear kind of brings it back to life and takes away any weird store-bought rotisserie texture, without giving it that re-cooked poultry flavor. Nobody wants their chicken salad tasting like it’s reheated leftovers.

In a large bowl, combine all “dressing” ingredients (relish to mustard).  Add chopped ingredients and stir to combine.  Once mixed, pair with your favorite crackers, bread, or tortilla.  I like to pair with arugula, more pickles, and pickled onions!

*Adapted from www.lillieeatsandtells.com

Ground Turkey Meatloaf (This can be made ahead of time!)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds ground turkey (I used 98/2, but 97/3 works too!)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian seasoned.)
• 1 cup shredded onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 3 frozen cubes)
• ¾ cup shredded carrots (or 1-2 large carrots)
• ½ cup chopped fresh spinach
• ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• Glaze (additional) Ingredients:
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. 1. *I did not shred my onion, dice my carrots, or chop my spinach.  Using a food processor, I added all three ingredients (chunks of onion, carrots, and whole spinach leaves) and mixed together.  While I was at it, I put the garlic in there with it. After prepping veggies, add all the ingredients (including breadcrumbs cheese, ketchup, parsley, eggs, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper) into a large bowl (NOT INCLUDING the ingredients for the glaze). Using a fork or clean hands, mix until everything is fully incorporated.  If you're making this early in the day (before serving), simply prepare on a baking sheet and cover with Saran Wrap.   Refrigerate.  Remove 30 minutes before baking to allow to reach room temp.
2. 2. To make the glaze, mix all three ingredients together in a small bowl.  Set aside.
3. 3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and pour meat onto pan. Use your hands to form into a loaf shape, trying to keep it level so it cooks evenly.
4. 4. Bake meatloaf for 30 minutes, then remove from oven and brush 3/4 of the glaze all over. Place back in the oven for another 20 minutes, and remove again to glaze with the remaining sauce.  Bake for 10 final minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to garnish (optional).
5. *Adapted from www.lifeisbutadish.com

Inside Out Chocolate Chip Cookies

Using my 1/4 cup cookie scoop (to make Crumbl-sized cookies), 

I got about 18 cookies out of this recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour (350g; spooned, not packed)
• ½ cup dark cocoa powder 
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter at room temp
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup white chocolate chips + 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (*I used about 3/4 cup white chips, 3/4 cup semi-sweet chips, and 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips.)
• flaked salt for topping

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy; about 3 minutes.
• Add eggs and vanilla and mix together. 
• Slowly add dry ingredients until just mixed together. Do not over mix dry ingredients. Fold in all chocolate chips.
• Scoop dough using a ¼ cup cookie scoop. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
• Bake 6-8 cookies per sheet for 11-13 minutes, or until edges look cooked and firm.  If the cookies have lost all their shiny top, then they are probably done baking. Another way to tell is if the outside rim feels firm.

Notes: Inside out chocolate chip cookies will remain fresh if stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also prep the cookie dough in advance and store it in the fridge for about a week.  To freeze, place in an airtight container for 2-3 months.  You can also freeze the cookie dough balls if you would like to bake them one at a time or as needed.

*www.thesaltedsweets.com

Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce

Ingredients:

Chicken:

• 2 pounds chicken thighs (You can easily swap these for a whole chicken, breasts, wings, or legs.)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced (I used frozen cubes.)
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Black pepper

Green Sauce: (TO DIE FORRRR!  I use it on everything!!  (salads, veggies, rice bowls, eggs...)

• 3 jalapeños, seeded, ribs removed, and roughly chopped (I used 2 large jalapeños.)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 green onions, roughly chopped (GREEN PARTS ONLY!)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled (I used frozen here again.)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Combine marinade ingredients (garlic, soy, lime juice, oil, cumin, paprika, oregano, and a pinch or two of pepper.  Put chicken of choice in a large Ziploc bag and top with marinade. Place in refrigerator and allow to marinate for 8 to 24 hours.

2. To make the green sauce, combine all ingredients EXCEPT FOR THE OLIVE OIL in a blender and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 350/400degrees). Remove chicken from marinade and shake off remaining marinade.  Grill for 5-6 minutes with the grill cover closed.  Use tongs to flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to make sure internal temperature reaches 165°F.  *If you prefer to cook indoors, preheat the oven to 500 degrees and place the chicken pieces in a 13x9 inch roasting pan.  Add 1 cup water to the pan. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then tent the pan with foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked. (Again, internal temperature should reach 165°F.)

*www.platingsandpairings.com

Honey Garlic Chicken

 

Ingredients:

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds) (*I roughly cut each thigh into halves/thirds.)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 cloves minced garlic (or frozen Dorot cubes)
• 1/3 cup (110g) honey
• 1/3 cup (80ml) chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• flat-leaf parsley, optional (for garnish)
• red pepper flakes, optional (for garnish)
• If your local Costco carries this sticky rice, grab it!  It's super easy to nuke, yummy, and identical to Chinese takeout!

Directions:

I was able to prep this ahead of time, so when dinner rolled around, it only took minutes to make!  I encourage you to do the same if you have a few extra minutes during the day!  Beforehand, I cut chicken (stored in separate bowl in fridge), placed cornstarch + salt and pepper into a small bowl, prepped sauce (honey, stock, vinegar, and soy), and prepped garlic + butter in a small bowl.

• Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and add the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken until fully coated.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) over a high heat.
• Add the chicken thighs, and cook on one side until golden brown (about 4 minutes), then turn over and cook for a further 2 minutes.
• Add the butter to the pan, let it melt, then add the garlic and stir together. Turn the heat down to medium so the garlic doesn't burn, then make the sauce. (To make the sauce, combine the honey, stock, rice vinegar, and low-sodium soy sauce in a bowl and stir together.)
• Add the sauce to the pan. Turn the heat up and bring the sauce to the boil, then simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens, and the chicken is cooked through (and no longer pink in the middle).
• If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley and red chili flakes and serve over cooked rice.
  *www.kitchensanctuary.com

Lemon Butter Chicken

 

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise = 8 thinly-sliced breasts (To save yourself the extra step, you can also find pre-sliced, thin chicken breasts at your grocery store.) *I used 3 chicken breasts (6 breasts when sliced in half), and it was plenty for my family!
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (I used salted...I think it needs it.)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 2 frozen Dorot cubes)
• 2-3 lemons, (one thinly sliced) + the remaining lemons used for juice
• 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
• Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pound the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer until they are the same thickness. Season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
• Take each chicken breast and dredge it through the flour, making sure it’s completely covered--but making sure to shake off any excess flour. 
  

  

  
  
• This step will have to be done in batches: When the pan is HOT, place chicken in the pan and repeat with the other chicken breasts, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and cook them for 3 minutes more. Use the remaining olive oil as necessary for each batch.  Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and repeat with any remaining chicken.
  

  

  
  
• Once the chicken is out of the pan, keep the skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter and allow to melt. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the lemon slices and lemon juice. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, flipping the lemons in the pan. Add a good pinch of salt and pepper, then transfer the lemon-butter mixture over the chicken in the baking dish.
  

  
  
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.  Check at 15!  Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
  
  
  *www.twopeasandtheirpod.com

Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Using an average-sized hoagie, I'd say this recipe feeds six.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. chuck roast, excess fat trimmed
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• (*Instead of using basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme, I used 1.5 tablespoons of Italian Seasoning.)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 14.5 ounces can beef broth
• 8 ounces of sliced pepperoncini (For fear of spiciness, use banana peppers instead!)
• 1/3 cup of liquid from pepperoncini/banana peppers
• 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced (I used one cup of frozen, chopped onions.)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves minced garlic (I used 3 frozen Dorot cubes.)
• Hoagie buns or rolls
• Softened butter
• Provolone cheese slices
• 8 ounces giardiniera, optional

Directions:

• Season the chuck roast with salt and black pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, place the meat in the pan and sear on all sides until golden brown, a few minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a slow cooker.  (I used my Instant Pot {Slow Cook: Normal, Vent OPEN}.)
• In a small bowl, combine the basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, (or sub Italian Seasoning), onion powder, and red pepper flakes (optional). Sprinkle the mixture over the beef.
• Add the beef broth, sliced pepperoncini (or banana peppers), pepperoncini (banana pepper) liquid, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Give the mixture a little stir.
• Put the lid on the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, or until meat is cooked and tender. (Mine took a little over 6 hours.)
• Remove the beef and shred with a fork. (At this time, I made sure to remove any additional "fatty" pieces.)  Place the shredded beef back into the slow cooker with the juices, onion, peppers, and pepperoncini (banana peppers).
• Preheat the broiler. Split the buns or rolls in half and butter the insides. Place the buns or rolls butter side up on a baking sheet. Place under the broiler until lightly toasted. Don’t walk away; they will toast quickly.
• Use a slotted spoon to drain off some of the liquid so the sandwich doesn't get soggy. Place the shredded meat mixture on top of the toasted buns or rolls.  (For picky kiddos, I made sure their sandwiches didn't have any pepperoncini/banana peppers for fear of "heat" complaint.)  Add provolone cheese slices. The cheese should melt because the beef will be hot. If you want, you also can place the sandwiches under the broiler for a few seconds to quickly melt the cheese. If desired, top the sandwiches with Giardiniera.  Serve immediately.
  *www.twopeasandtheirpod.com