Dinner Rolls

This is my Mother in Law's recipe for dinner rolls - they are simply amazing.  I make them for all special occasions and sometimes just for a regular dinner for fun!  They take a lot of time to rise and knead so I make them on days that I know I'll be preparing dinner in 10 minute increments throughout the day anyhow!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 package of yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• scant 4 Tablespoons of olive oil (I always feel that 4 is too high so I usually use closer to 3)
• 1 egg
• 6-7 cups flour

How To:

• Dissolve yeast in water (let it sit for a few minutes).
• Add sugar.
• Mix in salt, oil and egg.
• Add flour to make a thick dough.
• Knead for about 5 minutes.
• Place in an oiled bowl for an hour or more - until doubled.
• Punch the dough down and knead for 3 more minutes.
• Roll into 2 inch balls and let rise on oiled baking pan.
• Let rise until doubled (about 45 minutes - 1 hour).
• Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Apple Chicken

This is not the healthiest meal (turn your head as you add all the butter) but boy is it yummy!  And my kids will actually eat cooked apples...maybe it has something to do with all that butter....hmmm...

Ingredients:

• 4 regular sized apples (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• 1-2 Tbsp diced onion (your preference)
• chicken (enough to feed your family)
• flour
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch

How To:

• Rinse and roll the chicken in flour to coat.
• Heat 1Tbsp of butter and 2 Tbsp of oil over med heat.  Cook chicken until cooked through adding oil if needed to prevent burning.
• In another pan, melt 2 Tbsp of butter.  Add the onion, apples, and thyme.  I never measure the thyme - I just sprinkle a bunch on.
• Cook until the apples are softened.  I let it go until they are nice and soft (maybe 5 minutes) and they will smell amazing!
• Remove the apples.  In the same pan, warm up the chicken broth and 1/4 cup of half and half until its hot.
• Dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining 1/4 cup half and half.  Add this to the warmed broth/half and half mix.  Cook until the sauce thickens (I let it go while I set the table, stirring often so it doesn't burn).
• Serve the apples on top of the chicken and the sauce on top of that.

Enjoy!

 

Bacon Mushroom Soup

Everything is better with bacon - right?  That is only one reason why this soup is so creamy and yummy!  I make enough for my husband and I to enjoy and my kids to taste - so if you want more, you may want to double the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices bacon
• 1 Tbsp onion minced
• 2 cups mushrooms (white or brown) chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup half and half
• salt
• pepper

How To:

• Cook the bacon until crispy.
• Add the onion to the back grease and cook for 3 minutes. 
• Then add the mushrooms, rosemary and garlic.  Cook for 5 minutes.
• Return the bacon to the pan and add the flour.  Stir to coat and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add the half and half.
• To make it smooth, you can blend (or food process) about a cup of the soup and then return it to the pot.  Try to get the larger mushrooms in the cup to blend so that the soup is smoother.

Enjoy!

Pot Roast

The most important part of the pot roast is the meat - so pick out a good cut of meat to roast!  This turns out juicy and delicious.  Serve with some egg noodles.

Ingredients:

• 1 beef chuck roast
• 2 russet potatoes, quartered
• 2 carrots, cut in 2 inch pieces
• 2 ribs celery, cut in 2 inch pieces
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp rosemary leaves
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 cup beef broth

How To:

• Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
• Add the veggies, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary to the crock pot.
• Place beef on top.
• Pour the broth over the beef.
• Cook in crock pot for 8-9 hours until the beef is tender.

Enjoy!

One Dish Lemon Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes

This is a great one-dish meal.  Make it ahead and just throw it in around dinner time!

Ingredients:

• 6 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 juiced)
• 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
• pinch of salt
• pinch of pepper
• 2 handfuls of green beans
• 6 small red potatoes, quartered
• chicken (we use a breast, drumstick, thigh, and breast tender)

Directions:

• Mix the lemon juice, 5 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
• Coat the bottom of a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of oil.
• Arrange the lemon slices on the first layer.
• Add the green beans to the lemon mixture.  Toss, and add as a layer to the baking dish.
• Add the potatoes to the lemon mixture.  Toss, and add around the edges of the dish.
• Add the chicken to the lemon mixture and toss.  Add to the baking dish on top of the green beans.
• Pour any extra lemon mixture on top of the chicken.
• Roast for 50 minutes in 450 degree oven.
• Then take the chicken off and let the potatoes and beans go for another 10 minutes in the oven.

Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning

We use this for all sorts of things - fajitas in the crock pot, taco night, whenever it seems like a good idea!  This recipe makes a lot so I just make it up and keep it handy.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chili powder
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/8 cup salt
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• 3 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp oregano
• 2 Tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 2 tsp coriander

Mix all ingredients together and you have a taco seasoning in the cabinet!

Enjoy!

Ugly Fajitas

Yes - ugly fajitas!  They taste awesome but when they come out of the crock pot - they are ugly looking :-)

Ingredients

• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 bell peppers (sliced)
• chicken (as much as you want to make - a breast, a thigh and a leg for our family of 4)
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp cumin
• 1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• a lime
• chicken broth (1/4-1/2 cup depending on how saucy you like it)

How to:

• Oil the bottom of a crock pot.
• Put the veggies in next.
• Then the chicken.
• Sprinkle everything with cumin, chili powder, and salt.
• Add the chicken broth.
• Squirt a lime over everything.
• Cook for 8 hours on low.
• When done - shred the chicken and combine with the peppers and onions and sauce and serve with warm tortillas.

Enjoy!

Chicken Pot Pie

There is nothing like chicken pot pie especially the homemade version!

Ingredients Pot Pie:

• chicken (put in as much as you want - I like a to use a thigh, drumstick and breast)
• 2 cups chicken broth (home made version)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 3 carrots (chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1 Tbsp sherry (optional)
• 1 corn on the cob (cut the corn off)

How To:

• Add the chicken to the broth and cook in a stock pot over medium heat.  Cover and simmer until the chicken is done (about 10-15 minutes)
• Take the chicken off the bone and shred it.
• Heat the oil and cook the carrots, onion, and celery for about 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the veggies and add to the chicken. 
• In the same stockpot, melt the butter.  Once melted, add the flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken broth, milk and thyme and bring to a simmer.  Simmer while sauce thickens (a minute or two).
• Add the sauce to the chicken and veggies and add the corn.  Add the sherry if you want (it makes it a little bit sweeter but is not necessary - it is still yummy without!)
• Please in a baking dish and cover with crust.
• Cook in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Easiest Pot Pie Crust ever! 

Yes - easiest - most pot pie crusts have you use a pastry cutter to mix the butter and flour.  This one, you just mix and it's easy to roll out - finally!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup milk

How to:

• Mix all ingredients. 
• Roll out and use for the crust!

Enjoy!

Amazing Corn Bread

I used to think that nothing could top the Marie Calendars Corn Bread Mix at the grocery...until I tried this recipe one day!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 2 1/3 cups flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

How To:

• Cream the butter and sugar. 
• In a different bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
• Alternately add the dry ingredients and the eggs and milk to the butter and sugar.
• Cook in a greased pan for 400 degrees for 22/27 minutes until a knife comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Bruschetta

Ahhhhhhh - fresh basil!  Yum!  Anything with fresh basil is incredible, especially when it involves oil and bread!

Ingredients:

• fresh tomatoes
• fresh basil
• fresh bread (we use homemade)
• mozzarella cheese
• balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

How to:

• Slice the bread and brush olive oil on the slices.  Place face up on a cookie sheet and sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top.  Toast in oven (use the broiler).
• Mix remaining ingredients to spoon on top.

Enjoy!

Cowgirl (baked) Beans

The kids LOVE beans - especially baked beans - we call them "cowgirl beans"!  We make a big batch and then eat it during the week (dinner side, lunchtime - yum!)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups navy beans (or any type of white bean)
• 1 package bacon
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• scant 1/4 cup brown sugar (I always use less than what the recipe calls for)

How to:

• Rinse and soak the beans overnight.
• Drain the beans.  Layer the beans with bacon and onion in a crock pot. 
• Mix remaining ingredients and pour on top of beans.
• Add enough water to cover the beans.
• Cook on high for two hours and then low for the rest of the day (my crock pot has this as a setting).
• Check every couple hours to see of more water needs to be added.

Enjoy!

Rice Stuffed Tomatoes

This is a great summer side dish.  I usually make it on nights for my hubby and I use the rest of the zucchini and rice for the kids.  It's a great way to have a more "adult" food while not having to have to do too much extra work!

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes
• 1/4 zucchini
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2 tsp olive oil
• sprinkle basil
• 1/8 cup rice

How to:

• Slice the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the inside.  Rinse and drain upside down.
• Cook the rice for 7 minutes in boiling water and drain.
• Heat the oil and cook the zucchini and garlic until soft.
• Mix the rice with the zucchini and garlic.  Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.  Stuff the tomatoes with the mixture. 
• Drizzle with oil.  and cover with the tops.
• Cook in a pan with a little bit of water in the bottom (1/4 inch or so) and bake for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked through.

Shephards Pie

Everybody needs a recipe for shepherd's pie.  I like this one because it has cheese....yum!

Ingredients:

• 3-4 russet potatoes
• 1/2 Tbsp butter
• little bit of milk
• 2-3 carrots chopped (and any other veggies - sometimes I add corn)
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 Tbsp ketchup
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• cheese to sprinkle on top

How to:

• Chop the potatoes and add to a pot of water.  Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes (to make mashed potatoes).
• Heat oil in a frying pan.  Add onion and carrots and cook until soft.  Add ground beef and cook until browned. 
• Pour off excess fat and add in the flour. 
• Cook for 1 minute.
• Add ketchup and beef broth.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.
• When the potatoes are done, mash the potatoes with the butter and some milk.
• Spread the ground beef mixture in a baking dish, top with the mashed potatoes, and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until warmed and potatoes are browned.

Onion Smothered Chicken

This is a delicious stove-top meal complete with veggies.  I usually pair it with some rice or mashed potatoes and a dinner roll.

Ingredients:

• In one bowl mix:
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp sage
• sprinkle of salt

Other ingredients:

• chicken (leg, thigh, breast, breast tender for our family)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 onions (sliced)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp sage
• 1 carrot (cut in strips)
• 1 red bell pepper (cut in strips)

How to:

• Add the chicken to the bowl of vinegar, sugar, and sage.  Let it sit for 15 minutes.  Broil or grill the chicken.  Alternative - you can cook the chicken in the marinade- just cook at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until cooked through.  Put it in a dish with a lid so the chicken cooks in the liquid and take the lid off for the last 10 minutes so that some of it evaporates.  I recommend doubling the amount of red wine vinegar if you cook it in the liquid.
• In a frying pan, heat the oil. 
• Add the onions and 2 tsp sugar. 
• Cook for 5 minutes until brown. 
• Add the broth and cool until most of the liquid has evaporated (5 minutes). 
• Add the flour, carrot, bell pepper, 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp sage, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 
• Cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are caramelized. 

Enjoy!

Gingerbread

Every year we make a bunch of gingerbread cookies and houses!  This is the recipe that I use (I often double it too):

Ingredients:

• 6 3/4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cardamom
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup butter

How to:

• Beat butter and sugar
• Add eggs and mix
• Add molasses and mix on high
• Mix in dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add
• Beat on low until mixed
• Roll out and cut
• Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes

Enjoy!

Introduction

"No Box Cooking" is a cooking blog where I can keep all my recipes!  I don't use any mixes or boxes in my cooking - everything is from scratch.  Since I cook a lot of chicken, most of my recipes use the meat from half a chicken (one thigh, one breast, one breast tender, and one leg).  I buy the chicken whole and chop it up so that I use half for each meal.  The chicken bones get turned into chicken stock which is used for any sauces I make.

Hope you find a recipe that fits you and your family too!

Enjoy!