Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast

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If you're sharing the holidays with a smaller group this year, I highly recommend cooking a full or half turkey breast. A turkey breast is easy to handle and a cinch to make, plus you'll still end up with plenty of leftovers!

My moist and flavorful Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast is the perfect union of sweet and savory.

For 4 people I chose a half bone-in turkey breast that was about 3 pounds.  If you have 6 or more (or love lots of leftovers) to feed, go for a full turkey breast.  The glaze is the key to this recipe and I would double the glaze for a full breast.

You start out with a high oven temperature to get a great crispy skin on the outside and then reduce for the remaining time to ensure the juiciest turkey you will ever have!  No kidding this turkey was soooo moist. 

I also used a new "must have" thermometer.  You place the probe in the thickest portion of the breast up front, and it stays in the turkey in the oven during cooking time.  This ensures the perfect cooking temperature is reached.  No more guessing!  After tasting this turkey I think this thermometer was the best buy ever!

This Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast never fails to impress in presentation and in taste.

Enjoy!

Citrus Rosemary Glazed Turkey Breast

serves 4-6

1/2 c apricot preserves
1/4 c orange juice
2 Tbls honey
1 Tbls Dijon mustard
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 c white wine
1/2 bone-in full turkey breast (about 3 -4 pounds)
Garnish:  rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, pomegranate arils

In a medium saucepan over medium heat add apricot preserves, orange juice, honey, Dijon, garlic, and rosemary sprigs.  Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and allow to cool.  Once cooled discard the rosemary.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Pat turkey breast to dry the outside.  Place rack in a roasting pan and spray with non-stick spray.  Place turkey breast on rack.  Pour wine in the bottom of the roasting pan. 

Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and brush breast with glaze.  Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 155 degrees. (depending on size of the turkey breast possibly 1 hour more)  Brush with glaze every 30 minutes. 

Transfer turkey breast to a cutting board and tent with foil.  Allow to rest  20 minutes before slicing.  Turkey will continue to cook during this time and reach the proper temperature.  Remove the breast in one piece from the bone and then slice the breast crosswise into slices.  Place slices on a platter and garnish with rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, orange wedges, and pomegranate arils.

Easy Food Processor Pie Crust

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My mom has been making pies all her life.  Every kind of cream pie you can imagine along with some excellent fruit pies thrown in the mix!

She's old school though.  She learned from her mom and went by feel when making the pie dough using a base recipe passed down from my Grandma.

Fast forward many years as an adult and I'm making the pies, and my mom is teaching me how to make the dough from scratch.  I know a lot of you are mystified by making homemade pie crust but trust me when I say, it is REALLY EASY.

Now I usually use my Grandma's recipe but this year I switched it up a bit.  I wanted something that had both butter (for flavor) and shortening (for flakiness) and is made using a food processor.  Off I go searching through my multitude of cookbooks where I found the perfect recipe that met all my wishes.  The King Arthur 200th Anniversary Cookbook is full of wonderful recipes.  I recommend you picking up a copy.  This cookbook is so fabulous and it has so many recipes in it that will fulfill ALL your baking needs.  They had a multitude of recipes for pie crust including the one I am showing you today. 

So I got out my handy dandy food processor (I use this one) and the ingredients, and made this in about 5 minutes.  No kidding.  It's so EASY in a food processor.  Dump and pulse, pulse, pulse.  Then in the frig goes the dough for 45 min to an hour and then you are ready to make pie!

Go for it!  Make your pie crust from scratch, and try this recipe.  The dough was so easy to work with, it rolled out like a dream, and held together really well when forming the edges.  The taste?  Heavenly!  The butter flavor stood out and the crust was flaky to boot!  You are sure to love this crust.

The pie you see here is my favorite Pumpkin Pie with Orange Marmalade.  I've been making this for years and the light citrusy flavor brings an extra special something to your dessert! 

Enjoy!

Easy Food Processor Pie Crust

source:  The King Arthur 200th Anniversary Cookbook

1 3/4 c All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 T sugar (optional)
1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold or frozen, cut into 4 pieces
2 T solid shortening
about 6 Tablespoons ice water

Using the steel blade of the food processor, quickly blend flour, salt, sugar, butter and shortening.

Slowly pour in the ice water through the feed tube while pulsing the machine.  Process only until a mass of dough has formed on the side of the bowl.  Don't overdo it.  Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least an hour. (You can also freeze the dough at this point.)

Roll out and place inside pie dish.  Makes enough pastry for a 8 inch, double-crust pie or a single crust for a 9 - 11 inch pie.  This crust can be filled and baked at this point, or baked blind.

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

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It's Christmas goodie making day!

Every year I make a bundle of Christmas goodies for MGG's staff and mine as well, and today is the day.  It's a marathon of baking to say the least.

Today I'm bringing you a wonderful treat.  Tell me, honestly, who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate?  I haven't met a single soul yet!

I've always been a great fan of Buckeyes cookies, and this little recipe for Easy Peanut Butter Balls, I got from my mom are pretty much the same only slightly bigger in size and completely covered in chocolate.  They are so scrumptious it was hard to keep us from eating them and getting them into the cookie containers!

They are easy to make and you can adjust the size to make a ton of them if you want.  I used this 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, but you could use this 1 tablespoon cookie scoop for more delicate ones.  It's also recommended that you freeze the peanut butter balls so they firm up.  They are much easier to handle when dipping in chocolate. 

Easy Peanut Butter Balls are always such a great hit.  Kids and adults alike love them!  I hope you add these to your list of Christmas treats this year.

Enjoy!

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups confectioner's sugar
4 Tbls unsalted butter, softened
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
1 12-ounce package dark chocolate chips

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.  

Using an electric mixer, mix together peanut butter, confectioner's sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt  on low until combined. Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop dough to create individual balls and place onto the parchment paper. Place them in freezer for 15 minutes so they harden a little bit.

Melt chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl in the microwave for 1 minute at 50 % power.  Stir, continue heating at 50% power in 30 second increments until melted, stirring after each interval.

Remove peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate using a spoon and then place back onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet to dry.

These may be stored in an airtight container for several day, or in the refrigerator, although they will harden slightly.

Nutella Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Baking in the fall and winter is the best!

Especially on a weekend morning.

The kitchen is all cozy and warm from the oven, and then you get to eat something that's warm and toasty along with your morning coffee or tea.  Oh, it's just the best feeling, don't you think?  It reminds me of baking with my mom when I was growing up.  Dreaming of muffins and quick breads and pies, Oh My!

Today is all about quick breads though.  I just love them.  They are really a form of cake, in between a muffin and a cake I would say.  They are very easy to throw together.  I think the hardest part is waiting for them to bake, because they do require usually around 50-60 minutes in the oven.  Waiting, waiting, waiting....when will the magic happen?

But when that hot, steamy bread comes out of the oven and the aroma fills the air, oh boy....look out.  Heaven is visiting you! 

NUTELLA SWIRLED PEANUT BUTTER BANANA BREAD

Quick breads come in so many varieties.  Banana bread is a standard and is very popular.  Some of my favorite quick breads are Apple Cider Quick Bread,  Strawberry Banana Bread, and Cranberry Orange Quick Bread.  Today we are talking chocolate and peanut butter banana bread.  And not just any chocolate, but Nutella...swirled in the quick bread.  Oh boy!  Just thinking about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, warm from the oven is making my mouth water!

You, your family, and your kids are sure to love this breakfast treat.  It's not only for breakfast though.  It makes a good after school snack, and it's great with afternoon tea.  Dessert, "Yes Please..."  This is good any 'ole time in my house.  Here's a secret...we've been known to snack on this in bed, crumbs and all.

So make sure to try this right away.  It's the perfect weather for a warm, fresh from the oven, quick bread. 

Enjoy!






Nutella Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread


3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 c canola oil
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c Reese's Peanut Chips
3 Tbls Nutella

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set it aside.

In a medium bowl, add together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, whisking to blend. In a large bowl, add mashed bananas, oil, egg and sugars.  Stir until combined well.

Add the flour mixture into the banana mixture stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in peanut butter chips.

Spread batter into pan. Drop 3 tablespoons of Nutella on top of bread in a row. Swirl with a knife.

Bake for about 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in loaf pan for 10 minutes, then loosen the edges remove from loaf pan, placing on a cooling rack.  Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes and then slice with a serrated knife.

Crispy Baked Chicken Flautas

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Recently I had a huge craving for Flautas.  Weird huh?

Believe me I love a good taquito and have ordered them a zillion times over the years eating out at our favorite Mexican restaurants, but I really do love a good Chicken Flauta too.  I think it must be the flour tortilla that turns into this light and flaky yummy goodness when they fry them.

Out here in Los Angeles, our taquitos are made with corn tortillas and the flautas are made with flour tortillas.  So when I make either of them, that's how they have to be.  I grew up with them that way!

The other day we were going out to dinner, intending to eat Mexican food, and I was all set to get me some Flautas.  Well we ended up eating Italian and I was craving the Flautas ever since!  That's when I decided to cook up a big batch of Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat, which I posted the other day in anticipation of making Crispy Baked Chicken Flautas.

CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN FLAUTAS

I decided to bake them to save on all the fat you get when you fry them.  Who doesn't want a healthier Flauta?  These were so easy to throw together and with the chicken already made half the battle was already done.  I added sour cream to the chicken for a creamy filling, along with cheese, and flour tortillas.  I used what I had which were a little large, so I cut the tortillas in half and rolled them up.  I would suggest using a 6 inch fajita size if available.

You guys, these are SO GOOD. The chicken really tastes good and when you bake them at a high temperature they turn nice and crispy. You need to make these ASAP.

Crispy Baked Chicken Flautas

2 - 2 1/2 cups Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat

1/2 cup sour cream
10 fajita size flour tortillas (6 inches)
1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
cooking spray
Garnish:  sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium bowl add the chicken and the sour cream.  Mix until well blended. 

Spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture along the edge of the tortilla.  Sprinkle with a little cheese and roll up.  Place seam side down on a baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining tortillas. 

Spray the flautas lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 8-10 minutes, check them on the other side for cripsness and if they need some crisping on the bottom, turn them over and bake for 2 minutes, if not take them out.   Serve with garnishes.

Baked Chicken Tacos

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The other day I brought you a recipe for a delicious Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat.  With that as a base recipe I wanted to share with you a few ways you could use that.  One obvious one is tacos.  I love a good taco!  I've grown up in Southern California and there is Mexican food all around so it's natural that I've been eating tacos most of my life. 

I don't think there is a week that goes by that we don't have some sort of taco!  Today's recipe is for Baked Chicken Tacos.  This is an easy way to make quick tacos for the whole crowd at the same time.

BAKED CHICKEN TACOS

The recipe uses the base recipe for the chicken taco meat that you cooked in your slow cooker.  You could also use rotisserie, poached, or roasted chicken in this dish if you like, but the slow cooker chicken is great because it is already seasoned with Latin flavors. 

The other time saver is that we are using store bought taco shells that you heat in the oven.  What we are doing that's a little different is stuffing the shells with cooked meat and cheese and then baking them, to crisp up the shells and get some melty cheese going.  Brilliant!  The shells also gain some flavor from the chicken, so they are extra special!

All that's left is to top them and serve them with a side of rice or a salad.  Dinner done!  I love making something simple on a weeknight and these Baked Chicken Tacos fit the bill.

Enjoy!

Baked Chicken Tacos


serves 4

1 - 1 1/2 cups Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
8 Crispy Taco Shells (store bought)
1/2 cup grated cheddar
Garnish:  sour cream, hot sauce, jalapenos, olives, guacamole, onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange the taco shells so they are standing in a baking dish. (11x7,  9x9 inch or 2 qt.)  Add meat to the shells and top with cheese.  Bake for about 6 minutes until the shells are hot and crisp and the cheese is melting. 

Remove from the oven and top with any garnishes.  Serve hot.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat

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I love my slow cooker, I really do. 

I think I've mentioned a few times that I got the Breville Risotto Plus last year for Christmas, which is an excellent multi cooker that sauté's, make risotto, steams veggies and rice and is a slow cooker to boot!  I certainly have put this baby to good use over the last year and since the weather has finally turned cold it's definitely slow cooker weather!

Plus, since my marathon cooking fest for Thanksgiving, I've got to admit that I'm a little tired of cooking (still)...and the slow cooker totally helps me out by doing everything for me.  I love coming home to a meal that is ready, don't you?

Today, we are doing a riff on my Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe, but with a Mexican twist.  Same concept by adding chicken breasts to the slow cooker, but with some added taco seasoning and some diced tomatoes.  Oh boy, this is one of my favorite base recipes because you can make sooooo many different dishes with this one chicken.  I'll be sharing several of those with you over the next several posts to give you some inspiration. 

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN TACO MEAT

This is another dump and go recipe.  Just add your ingredients and then you can leave for the day.  Cook this on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 on high and you'll have cooked chicken flavored perfectly for tacos, enchiladas, taco salad, nachos, tostadas, or whatever your heart desires!

Be sure to try this one, you don't want to miss out on something that tastes this great, and is so easy to make.  It takes Taco Tuesday to a whole new level.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat

1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning
14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes

Place chicken, taco seasoning, and tomatoes into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.  Remove chicken from the cooker to a cutting board.  Shred with 2 forks and place the chicken back into the cooker and stir to mix all the ingredients.  Use the shredded meat in your favorite dishes.

Slow Cooker Turkey Tortilla Soup

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It's Sunday, it's raining, and I'm so done with the Turkey!

Today's recipe, Slow Cooker Turkey Tortilla Soup, is the perfect dish for using up your leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving.  I'm getting a little tired of it so I decided that today was the day to use up all the rest of in a fantastic soup. 

You must be saying that tortilla soup is usually made with chicken, but both chicken and turkey are mild enough in flavors that you can substitute either.  And why not?  Turkey is a great protein in a hot bowl of soup.  So if you don't feel like making my Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, this spicy and hearty Latin flavored soup might tickle your fancy!

SLOW COOKER TURKEY TORTILLA SOUP

Most of the ingredients are pantry items which I pretty much keep on stock all the time.  It's as simple as chopping some onion, and then dumping all the ingredients (except the cooked turkey) in the slow cooker and turn it on.  You add the turkey about 45 minutes prior to eating to warm it through. 

There you have it!  A warming soup for a cold day.  One's that's easy to make and has great flavor.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Turkey Tortilla Soup

Serves 4

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 15 oz can sweet corn, drained
1 4 oz can diced green chiles
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ancho chili powder
1/2 yellow onion, diced
3 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

3 cups of chopped cooked turkey

1 1/2 Tbls Wondra (for thickening)

Toppings:  Crumbled tortilla chips, sour cream, avocados, cotija cheese

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker with the exception of the turkey and Wondra. Cook on low 6-7 hours or on high 3-4. 45 minutes prior to serving add the chopped turkey and the Wondra. Stir to combine and turn the heat to high. Cook on high 45 minutes. Serve in bowls with added toppings if desired.