Amazing Leaping Frog Chicken
Try this delicious recipe using the beautiful spice and herb blends from The Kitchen’s Bounty.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce
Check out this quick recipe using the beautiful bounty of August’s cherry tomatoes!
Strawberry Mint Kissed Ice Cream
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Strawberry Mint Kissed Ice Cream
Okay it is HOT OUTSIDE, but so cool to enjoy a dish of Homemade Ice Cream! Here we took the current garden’s bounty of fresh Strawberries and added a big handful of runaway mint! The combination is so subtle yet complex. So in a nod to my best trick of kicking up our strawberries this recipe calls for a fine chop on the strawberries, adding a handful of fresh mint leaves, ½ C of the called for sugar and then dressing this combo with 1 or 2 Tbsp. Of Champagne Vinegar. Mull just these ingredients together and set aside for 1 – 3 hours. This produces a natural brightening of the strawberries (no red food color here!) as well as a slight taste of the cool mint! Now imagine, we use strawberries here…but this exact formula/recipe and techniques serves our summer fruits of Blueberries, Blackberries and Peaches….don’t even get me started! I am suggesting that you use an ice cream machine, but this could also be done with a square loaf pan in the freezer.
SERVES: 8
LEVEL: Moderate – you got this!
INGREDIENTS
2 C whole milk
2 C heavy cream
1 C white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp mint extract (optional)
2 C fresh strawberries, finely chopped
1 handful fresh mint leaves
1 Tbsp Champagne vinegar (or white balsamic)
DIRECTIONS
FIRST; In a medium bowl place finely diced fresh strawberries, 1 (to 2) Tbsp of Champagne vinegar, ½ C of white sugar and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Combine these ingredients and mull the mint leaves to release more of there flavor. Set aside for 1 hour minimum or overnight in cooler.
NEXT: In a large bowl, combine milk, cream, remaining ½ c sugar, vanilla, mint extract, strawberries mixture BUT remove the mulled mint leaves.
ICE CREAM MAKER: Now the creamy mixture is ready for your ice cream maker, (according to the manufacturers directions) but generally this machine mix takes approximately 25-30 minutes to produce a soft frozen custard like texture. This is where you remove from machine churn bowl and pack into a bowl or plastic container. I really like to pack in 1 pint containers with a nice lid! If having company and plan to use at once – a great big freezer safe bowl is great, just make sure to cover it!
Summer, Nature, Cool Mint…I don’t know if it gets better!
Enjoy my friends,
Terri
Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaves
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaves…the best!
So I was looking for a great fun delicious dish for kicking off the Father’s Day Weekend. What guy doesn’t love meatloaf? Okay can we be honest? If you are not a vegetarian, the chances are great that you love meatloaf. So here is the recipe I love, a basic old world meatloaf, packaged in a mini individual loaf and wrapped in bacon that crisps (with the help of The Amazing Rub) and just sets this dish off!
We are gluten-free on this recipe, because way back when, the Frenchies in my neck of the woods always made meatloaf or meatballs with oatmeal that had been ground…a little like an oat flour.
So tender, so delicious….hope you enjoy! My plating suggestion is the perfect baked potato, maple glazed carrots and KB’s Spicy Ketchup (recipe also below)!
SERVES: 6
LEVEL: Intermediate – you got this!
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup of your favorite medium chunky salsa
2 ½ pounds of ground beef/pork (I like 1 ½# beef, 1 # pork)
1 cup instant oatmeal, I like to buzz in blender to make finer grounds
2 large eggs, beaten with fork
½ C parmesan, or your favorite finely ground cheese
6 thin strips of bacon
2 Tbsp of The Amazing Herbes (this is all flavor)
2 Tbsp of The Amazing Rub (this will enhance and crisp the bacon)
*Options: Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce and 1 tsp beef bouillon or concentrate (These last 2 ingredients are optional, but I always include!)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion over med-low heat for about 8 minutes, at the finish add the 2 Tbsp of the Amazing Herbes to allow spices to blossom and warm. Set aside.
In large bowl add ground beef/pork mixture, add onion mixture, salsa, oatmeal, beaten eggs, cheese, and the optional ingredients if desired. Use a fork to toss and mix, careful not to over mix and do not compress – better to toss to create the tenderness desired. This mixture can be divided in 6 with 1 generous cup of meat mixture each, and should create 6 mini meatloafs. Use mini loaf pans, or just form mini loaves. When formed loaves, wrap each loaf in the bacon strip and sprinkle the loaf and especially bacon with the Amazing Rub. (This again helps that great taste and crispness of the bacon wrap). Bake for 45 minutes until cooked through. Serve hot or cold, and kick up your Ketchup as described below!
SAUCE
KB’S Spicy Ketchup
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp The Amazing Rub
1 tsp Blazing Belle…it’s our heat, folks
1-2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl, and heat in microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds until hot.
Now that will wake the plate up!
Pumpkin Alfredo Lasagna with Roasted Veggies and Pork Sage Sausage
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Pumpkin Alfredo Lasagna with Roasted Veggies and Pork Sage Sausage
SERVES: 15
LEVEL: Intermediate
INGREDIENTS
Lasagna:
1 lb of Lasagna Noodles cooked al dente (or no bake noodles)
1 lb of Mixed Shredded Cheeses (Mozzarella & Monterey Jack is great)
1 lb Whole Mike Ricotta
8 oz Boursin Cheese (Garlic and fine herbs)
1 egg
½ cup chopped fresh parsley or ¼ cup dried
2 Tbsp Amazing Herbes
1 lb pork sage spicy sausage (OPTIONAL-omit for vegetarian version) *cooked, drained and crumbled!
2 red peppers, julienned
3 summer squashes, julienned
3 zucchini Squash, julienned
3 carrots, julienned
1 cup of whole sage leaves if available (can be omitted)
3 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp of olive oil
2 Tbsp of The Amazing Rub
**Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce *recipe follows
DIRECTIONS
Set oven to 400F degrees. (Plan on 40 minutes large, or 25 mins individuals)
Cook Lasagna Noodles in Salted Water approx 10-12 minutes, add a little olive oil at the finish boil, drain and separate noodles on tray, set aside. You can also use no bake lasagna noodles for this.
Mix Ricotta, Boursin, Egg, Parsley, Amaz Herbes – Season with Salt and Pepper.
Slice all vegetables julienned style (Julienne is a culinary knife cut in which the food item is cut into long thin strips, similar to matchsticks) , and mix Red Peppers, Squashes, Carrots, (Whole Sage Leaves if available) and any other veggies you would like with Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil and Amazing Rub (or use your own seasoning blend). Brown veggies in hot 400 degree oven for approx 15 minutes stirring once or twice…if you want more crisp or browning keep in an extra 5 minutes.
INGREDIENTS
For Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
2 cups milk
1 cup white wine (optional)
1 cup chicken broth
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 – 2 Tbsp of Amazing Herbes (or salt/pepper/oregano blend)
¼ cup grated Parmesan (more if desired)
1-2 cans pumpkin purée
DIRECTIONS
Combine oil and butter and warm, add all other ingredients and do a consistent stir, bring to a low boil, when thickened, remove from heat and add 1 can of puréed pumpkin. If you like it more Pumpkiny – add more purée! Taste for seasonings and adjust according to your palate.
Now Line all ingredients like an assembly line:
- Sauce
- Lasagna Noodles
- Ricotta Cheese Mix
- Shredded Cheese Mix
- Roasted Veggies
- Cooked/Crumbled Pork Sausage
Spread pan bottom with sauce, arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles on top, next spread ricotta cheese mix, another layer of lasagna noodles. Next layer sauce and roasted veggies, add a little shredded cheese. Next sauce, crumbled sausage, a little shredded cheese, and more lasagna noodles, sauce, veggies—keep going till you have used all ingredients and the Lasagna Noodles and finish with sauce and a decorative garnish of veggies and cheese.
Bake in warm in oven for 45-50 minutes. You can add more cheese and Amazing Herbes to the top of the Lasagna for the last 5 minutes of cooking. If you would like, create individual lasagna in oven proof individual cassoulets. This recipe freezes wonderful – so make two or three! Highly delicious!
Turkey Wellington
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Turkey Wellington
SERVES: 10-12
LEVEL: Intermediate
INGREDIENTS
For Turkey:
1 bone-in whole turkey breast (6- 7 lbs), thawed if frozen
½ C apricot brandy
½ cup butter melted
2 tsp Amazing Rub
1 sheet puff pastry
For Sauce:
Turkey pan drippings + water to equal 2 cups
1 can apricot halves
2 T cornstarch
2 T cold water
DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 325ºF. Place turkey, skin side up, on rack in large shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of breast and does not touch bone. Roast uncovered 1 hour.
Mix Brandy with melted butter and Amazing Rub. Brush turkey with half of the butter mixture. Roast 30 minutes; brush with remaining butter mixture. Roast about 1 hour longer or until thermometer reads 165ºF.
Remove turkey from oven and let stand 30 minutes for easier carving to remove bones. When only Turkey Breast Roast is left, enrobe the Turkey Breast with a thin layer of Puff Pastry brushed with a light egg wash; and bake again for 30 minutes until golden brown. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.
Meanwhile, pour pan drippings into measuring cup; skim fat from drippings. Add enough water to drippings to measure 2 cups. Heat drippings to boiling in 1-quart saucepan add one can of Apricots. Mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water; stir into drippings. Boil and stir 1 minute. Serve with turkey.
Pecan Chocolate Orange-Kissed Pie
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Pecan Chocolate Orange-Kissed Pie
So I have been inspired ever since I discovered the Louis Sherry famous “Sicilian Orange” chocolate! So for this Holiday Season, I have taken our traditional Pecan Chocolate Pie and kissed it with a little chocolate essence by way of Cointreau Liquor, lovely orange essence. Here is my updated traditional Pecan Chocolate pie…with a bit of an attitude! Enjoy!
SERVES: 8-10
LEVEL: Intermediate—you got this!
INGREDIENTS
Base:
Pie Dough, so we repeat the familiar cry! (Purchase refrigerator pie dough or follow our link to our house pastry dough!)
1 Crust to line bottom of the pan only
For the Filling:
3 large eggs
1 cup dark brown sugar
¾ cup of dark brown corn syrup
½ tsp Pummull Spice (KB house mulling spice)
½ tsp salt
1 Tbsp orange zest (optional)
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp Orange Liquor (Cointreau or similar)
1 ½ cups whole pecans
1 cup dark chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
Line pie plate with uncooked pie crust.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, cook on center oven rack.
In a large bowl whisk eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, Orange zest, Pummull spice, salt, melted butter and orange liquor. Stir in the whole pecans and chocolate chips, coat well, and then scrape the filling into pie crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes, the filling will puff up slight but still may be slightly jiggly in the center. Let pie cool completely before slicing.
Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream! Enjoy!
Tourtiere – French Canadian Stuffing/Meat Pie
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Tourtiere – French Canadian Stuffing/Meat Pie
SERVES: 12-16; makes 2 pies
LEVEL: Intermediate—you got this!
INGREDIENTS
Base:
Pie dough for 2 complete pies, bottoms and tops
Purchase Pie Dough pre made for a snap or see our house recipe (link)
For the Filling:
2 tsp. oil
1 cup celery finely chopped
1 cup carrot finely chopped
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 cloves finely minced garlic
1 Pound finely ground pork
1 Pound finely ground beef
1 Tbsp. Amazing Rub
2 Large teaspoons poultry seasonings (Love Bell’s)
Fresh minced rosemary/sage/parsley is optional if available
½ tsp Pummull Spice (our house mulling blend spice)
5 Pounds potatoes, boiled/roughly mashed with a little butter and cream
Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
In a large frying pan or Dutch oven start oil with onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook to wilt and push veggies to side and add meats sprinkled with the Amazing Rub to the center of the pan. Cook until meat is lightly browned and drain most of the fat (but not all – your call!). Add poultry seasoning and Pummull Spice, here is where you could add optional herbs if desired.
Boil potatoes in large, salted pot of water – as you would for mashed potatoes. When done, drain, roughly mash – add a little butter and cream for thick mashed with a little salt and pepper to taste. Add the mashed to meat mixture. Taste and season more per your desire.
This mixture can be served as is, or in meat pies, or to stuff cored and seeded vegetables (I.E.Pumpkins).
For meat pie (our favorite) prepare standard pie crust, top and bottom, Roll, fill, cover and seal. Brush pie top with egg wash, sprinkle with a little pepper, salt and Bake one hour at 350 degrees. Best to set aside for 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Keeps, saves and reheats beautifully!
Harvest Salad Nicoise (with Salmon)
Salad Nicoise has been a favorite of mine for decades and I was first introduced to this salad by our family “Salad Master,” Joyce. However, it is really my travels in France and experiencing the variations of the Nicoise Salad in anywhere from the finest restaurant to gas service stations (yes, really!) Nicoise is a “composed” salad, the ingredients are served side by side, rather than tossed. There is something wonderful in the art of this salad. So with my Fall Flag flying and my love of these late market gardens, I bring you my version of HARVEST SALAD NICOISE with Salmon!
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Harvest Salad Nicoise (with Salmon)
SERVES: 4
LEVEL: Intermediate—you got this!
INGREDIENTS
Base:
4-6 cups Fresh Salad Greens
4 Hard Boiled Eggs (10 min boil)
1 ½ Cups of petite potatoes
2 Cups of String Beans, ends snapped, keep long
2 Cups of Butternut Squash, peel and cubed, 1” cubes
1 ½ Cups Red Pepper, cored, seeded and cubed 1” squares(1 large pepper)
2 Pcs. Of Salmon
Olive Oil – Balsamic Vinegar
Amazing Rub Seasoning (Amazing Heat/Amazing Herbes)
For the Dressing:
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (great quality)
¼ Lemon squeezed
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
*optional 1 – 2 Tbsp Champagne Vinegar
**optional chopped parsley/fresh basil
Salt & pepper
For the Aioli Dressing:
½ C Mayonnaise
1 tsp of the Amazing Herbes (that’s it!)
For the Garnish:
Chopped Parsley
Chopped Basil
Amazing Heat (especially over the eggs)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees, convection.
In a large glass bowl, place potatoes, string beans, butternut squash, not mixed but layered. Sprinkle with a few Tbsp water, wrap with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes. Remove, drain water, set aside.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, place 2 entrée size pieces of Salmon that has been brushed with Balsamic Dressing in Center. Arrange the Potatoes, String Beans, Butternut Squash and the uncooked chopped red pepper pieces in the same baking sheet. Give a sprinkle of Balsamic Vinegar to all ingredients, a nice drizzle of Olive Oil, and a generous sprinkling of the *Amazing Rub Seasoning (this will make ingredients golden and seasoned)
Place into preheated (400) oven for 15 minutes, until all ingredients are toasty cooked. With the precooked Microwave time on first ingredients, this play like a symphony and all should crescendo together!
Peel boiled eggs, and half or quarter for salad plates.
Prepare 2 Dressings: Traditional vinaigrette is Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, with optional of Champagne Vinegar couple Tbsps, chopped parsley and basic – and salt and pepper (1/4 tsp of both). Herbed Aioli– ½ C or more mayonnaise with 1 tsp Amazing Herbes, stir together and set.
Plate 4 medium salad plates or 2 large plates, spread salad greens generously to create a base.
Center plates with Cooked Salmon (if 4 plateshalf salmon pieces), then create a frame of string beans, eggs, potatoes, red peppers, and butternut squash. Dress salad lightly by drizzling top with vinaigrette. Serve extra dressing and Herbed Aioli on the side. Is you would like, garnish plates with extra chopped parsley and basil.
My recommendation is to compose and serve this salad while roasted ingredients are still warm, absolutely delicious. However, you can make ahead and chill away. Just delicious also!
This Salad reminds me of an artists’ palette, so compose to your liking! Enjoy!