Thursday, October 30, 2014

Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes




Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables.  I know they are popular this time of year but we eat them all year round.  I made this recipe this last summer using some fresh herbs from my garden.
This dish is simple.  Food does not have to be complicated to be good.  I am finding great pleasure in making simple foods for my family.

My favorite part about these little cubes of tenderness is the crispy bottoms.  I cook them on high heat with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and let them roast.  I don't toss them.  Having the crispy slightly burnt bottoms is what gives them a unique flavor.  If you don't want yours to turn out so black then cook them for less time.  They become tender after about 30 minutes but the extra time allows for them to caramelize a bit on the bottom.


Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or basil
salt and pepper, to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 425.

2.  Toss cubed sweet potato pieces in a bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs.  Add to a large cookie sheet in a single layer.  Roast until desired tenderness has been met.  

NOTE:  Every oven is different so start checking the sweet potatoes after about 30 minutes. In my oven I roasted them for 45 minutes.



Written by Sherron Watson

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Baked Tomatoes with Gruyere, Garlic and Onion

 

I just got back from a wonderful vacation spent with friends.  We ate our hearts out and chatted up a storm.  I feel amazing.  My time in New York City refuels my inner fountain.  Each time I go visit I leave a small part of my soul.  The draw to move there grows stronger and stronger with every visit.   Our time in Maryland is numbered.  I know this.  We have set a timeline of two years to make it possible for us to experience life living in a large city.


As our plans become more solid and time grows closer, I will share our journey here on the blog.  In the meantime I will continue to explore as much of the DelMarVa area as possible.  I have learned that when the call to move sets into our bones our time here becomes precious.  

I found this recipe in a cookbook by Elizabeth David.  I knew that my family would fall in love with these little morsels of cheesy goodness.  Elizabeth's recipe is simple.  I decided to add a few more ingredients to enhance the flavor profile to that of my families preferences.  The addition of garlic and onion was just the right touch.

Next time I will make a double batch.  I roasted some tiny potatoes and steamed carrots to make a beautiful platter of easy to eat foods.  

Enjoy!

Baked Tomatoes with Gruyere, Garlic and Onion 
Makes 6 small tomatoes

6 Campari Tomatoes
1 teaspoon melted butter
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons red onion, diced very small
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1 cup of Gruyere Cheese (I have used a combination of Jack and Gruyere with great success)
1-2 teaspoons of Dijon Mustard
a splash of White Wine, optional

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.  Core tomatoes and arrange in a small baking dish.

3.  In a small sauce pan add butter and heat on medium.  Add red onion and garlic.  Saute for a few minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and stir until cheese is melted and well combined.

4.  Spoon the cheese mixture into the hollow tomatoes.  I filled my cheese to the top.

5.  Bake for 15 or until cheese starts to turn golden brown (see photo).  Remove from oven and serve immediately.  If you have problems with the tomatoes tipping over in the baking dish, slice some carrots and use them to hold up the tomatoes while baking.

Written by Sherron Watson


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Crispy Potatoes and Onions



Potatoes and Onions always reminds me of the time I spent living with my grandmother.  She loved this dish and we always baked extra potatoes so that we could eat this in the morning.  My grandma loved potatoes.  She always said it was in her English blood to eat a potato or two every week and she did.

I have kept the tradition alive.  When I bake potatoes I throw a few extra in the oven so that when the desire to have a warm breakfast hits my family, I can whip this up.  If you can't eat potatoes I have substituted baked sweet potatoes too.  The difference is that they work best if they are not too soft. They tend to get very mushy if over cooked.

I love the crispy skin of salmon or chicken that is cooked to perfection.  Well, it is no surprise then that I keep the skins on my potatoes and make sure the oil is very hot so that they come out crispy and perfect.  Almost like a potato chip.  YUM

My cast iron pan is the perfect cooking vessel for this dish. It radiates heat and provides the perfect heat source to guarantee that the potatoes come out just how we like them each and every time.

This dish is simple but it is so easy and family friendly that I knew I needed to share it with my readers.  Don't let the specs of burnt onion sway you away from making this dish. In our opinion they add flavor and texture to the dish.  If this is not how you prefer your onion, then remove them before you add the potatoes.  Reintroduce them to the dish after the potatoes are fried.  

Enjoy!


Crispy Potatoes and Onions
Serves 4

4 baked potatoes, cold and cubed (see above picture)
lard or your favorite frying oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1 medium onion, sliced thin

1.  Heat oil until it starts to just bubble at the edges of your cast iron pan.  Reduce heat to medium.

2.  Add sliced onions.  Let cook for 3-4 minutes.  Add potatoes and season..  Fry together.  Watch the heat.  Cast iron will keep the heat very hot and you may want to turn it down a touch.  I like to cook my potatoes for about 10-12 minutes.  I turn them every few minutes.  Add more oil if they get dry or start to stick.

3.  Remove and serve.  You can always add cheese, sour cream or bacon as optional garnishments.

Written by Sherron Watson


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Spatchcock Chicken with Herbs


Well I finally got around to making a Spatchcock Chicken or a chicken that has been butterflied.  If you have teenagers--definitely use the word Spatchcock--LOL  Drake and Rye have forbidden me to use the name in their presence, especially around their friends.  It sounds so funny and then when you add an accent to it--it's freaking hilarious.   I must be a 15 year old girl trapped in my 46 year old body.  Some things just never change.

I have had this fun love affair with accents and impersonations for some time.  I am by far no Jimmy Fallon but I do enjoy mimicking sounds and phrases.  I love reading Isabella books out loud.  This forum allows me to try out new accents with new characters.  My favorite, and this is probably a given, is an Irish accent.  It rolls off my tongue so easily.  

Outside of its funny given name, Spatchcock Chicken, is very good.  I was a bit skeptical at first.  Every picture featuring this dish always looked so beautiful.  The skin (you know my love affair with skin) always looks crisp and golden brown.  It's true--give me the chicken skin over the white meat.  Now I may have to fight you for the dark meat.  That is my favorite.  I had to make the chicken and then eat the chicken to be completely convinced that this is the BEST way to cook a whole chicken.

I am a believer!  

The meat on the inside of the chicken is cooked perfectly. Having the chicken parted down the middle and fanned out allows the chicken to cook faster and more evenly. It is cooked at a high temperature which allows the skin to be roasted to perfection. My first cut into the breast meat releases a clear juice that allows the white meat to glisten with doneness.

I usually buy thighs but lately I am finding myself buying more and more whole chickens to make this chicken: Spatchcock Chicken. Go ahead add your favorite accent.

I wish I could say this is a fancy recipe with unique ingredients but it's not.  It is just a farm fresh organic chicken that has been seasoned with simple herbs, some juice, mayonnaise and spices.  The presentations of the chicken is the fun part and the show stopper.  I encourage you to give it a try for your family and see if they enjoy this version better than the whole chicken with the hollow center.

Learning to spatchcock a chicken is easy.  I used this tutorial for my first attempt from Food 52. Click on link to see the steps.



Spatchcock Chicken with Herbs
Makes one chicken, serves 4-6

1 whole chicken, thawed
1 medium grapefruit, juice only
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon salt, 
pepper to taste
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2/3 cups mayonnaise.

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Below you can see that I used a cookie rack over my cookie sheet to bake the chicken.  Use this method or find something similar.  You want the heat to be able to get under the chicken too.

2.  In a medium bowl add the remaining ingredients.  Taste the mixture.  Grapefruits have a tendency to be bitter if not fully ripe.  Add more honey if this is the case to make it taste a bit sweeter.  If you don't have or want to use grapefruit, substitute orange juice.

3.  Cover the whole chicken with the marinade.  See picture below.


4.  Bake until chicken's internal temperature reaches 165.  Mine took about 40 minutes but ovens vary and this will need to be monitored based on how you know your oven to bake.

5.  Remove chicken and let rest for 10 minutes.  I use a pair of kitchen scissors and portion up the chicken.  Save any leftovers and store them in the refrigerator.


Written by Sherron Watson

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Baked Eggs with Sausage


I can't believe I have not added this recipe to the blog yet.  This is an old family favorite.  My first introduction to this dish was by Cory's mom.  She made a simpler version than this but the idea of baked eggs with cream is the same.

My recipe is different in that I add cooked sausage, some sauteed onions and a pinch of parsley.  I feel that the flavor profile is more to my liking with a few more ingredients to layer the dish and make it a "one pot"breakfast.  The meat and eggs are served together.  It works well served with my favorite Gluten Free Biscuits.

This dish is gluten free but would need to be modified for an individual if they were eating a strict Paleo diet.  I don't have any issues with cheese so I have included this in the recipe below.  Leave it out if you don't eat cheese.  I also make mine with Ghee and Coconut Milk.  If you don't have any dairy issues then replace these two items with grass fed butter and heavy cream.

I use Chicken Sausage from Whole Foods. You can use any sausage you want , and that fits into your style of eating.  We are trying to cut out pork from our diets and so the chicken works best for us.

Making this dish in small ramekins allows for my kids to eat these in the morning before school starts.  This recipe makes 4 but you can easily double it and have a few extra for school day mornings.  We microwave them for a few seconds until warm.

I have an assortment of ramekins that I use for single serving dishes like this egg dish.  You can see in the picture I have used a Pyrex glass dish and a wider fluted dish.  The recipe is the same for each size.  What will happen is that the the thinner dish will be, well, thinner and the smaller ramekin will create a thicker dish.  They taste the same.  I do this all the time and I have never had to alter cook times or ingredients.  I like the wider dish for when I am having guest over because I think it looks pretty.

The cook time will vary depending on if you want your yolk runny or hard.  Our family is at both ends of the spectrum when it comes to yolks and how they are cooked. Our girls love over easy eggs. They want the yolk as runny as possible.  This would be the 10-12 minute bake time.  Cory and I like our egg yolks hard.  We bake them an additional 10 minutes to make sure they are firm.  Bake your eggs somewhere in between the two times to achieve the perfect center for you and your family.

This is a dish that is great for any time of the day: breakfast, lunch or dinner.  

ENJOY!


Baked Eggs with Sausage
Makes four servings

2-3 tablespoons red onion, minced
1 large chicken sausage, diced and cooked
4 large eggs
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter or ghee
8 tablespoons cream or coconut milk
salt and pepper
pinch of parsley for each ramekin

1.  Preheat oven to 375.  Spray ramekins with cooking spray.  Add water to a large baking dish.  Enough water to go up half way on the ramekins.  See top picture--it has the dish I used, the water added and the two sizes of ramekins that I use.

2.  Remove casing from sausage and fry with onions until done.

3.  In each ramekin divided the sausage/onion mixture equally.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  Add1/2 of the tablespoon of butter to the bottom of the ramekin and the other half will be used on top of the raw egg.  Crack the egg on top of this mixture.  Add the parmesan cheese, coconut milk or cream.  Finish the dish with the second half of the butter from the tablespoon.  Sprinkle with parsley.  Add more parmesan cheese if you would like.  (There is no right or wrong way to layer this dish.  I just like to layer the ingredients in this order.)

4.  Add the ramekins to the baking dish with water.  Carefully put pan in oven and bake for 10 minutes.  Check eggs. Additional minutes may be required based on how you like your eggs baked.  See comments above.

5.  Remove from oven and serve immediately.  I usually take a knife and fork and diced it all together and eat with a gluten free biscuit or slice of toast.

Written by Sherron Watson

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Kuri Squash with Sausage and Rice

 

I am really enjoying the cooler weather that we are having in Maryland.  The leaves are slowly changing, our windows are open and the air smells clean.  

I remember hearing, as a kid, grown-ups say, "I can smell Fall in the air."  This always seemed like a strange saying to me.  As an adult I now know what it means.  I walk outside and the first thing I do is inhale a deep long breath of fresh air.  

The season is changing and it feels wonderful.

I went to Whole Foods last week and they have a huge display of squash.  I love seeing the varieties with all their own shapes, sizes and colors.  My eye was drawn to this bright orange Kuri Squash.  The orange is vivid.  The shape ranged from round to teardrop.  I chose the one pictured above. When I cut into it I was overcome with a flowery scent.  I could tell it was a squash but the aroma coming from the Kuri squash was strong.  I felt that it would work great with a filling of some kind.

I had some left over sausage from an earlier dish and thought it would make a good filling combined with some rice.  I made rice, added a few sauteed onions and the sausage.  

Simply delicious.  I scooped the squash pulp and sausage filling onto a platter and served it for lunch. We all thought it was a pleasant change from our favorite Acorn Squash.  The dish is subtle in flavor with a nice combination of texture from the soft squash, firm sausage pieces and confetti like rice. 

All in all, a wonderful Fall dish to add to your menu.  I hope that you can find Kuri Squash in your area. 


Kuri Squash with Sausage and Rice
Makes two halves.

1 whole Kuri Squash, cut in half and seeds removed
4 tablespoons of butter or Ghee (2 in each half)
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons diced red onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil, for sauteeing onion and garlic
2 cups  COOKED rice
1 cup COOKED sausage (I use chicken sausage)
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons coconut milk (2 in each half)

1.  Preheat oven to 375.

2.  Prepare squash to be baked by cutting in half, removing seeds and placing in baking dish.  Add salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of butter to each half.  The butter will melt and be used when you add the rice/sausage mix.

3.  Bake squash for 35 minutes.  Check the squash and see if it is still firm, if so, bake a bit longer.

4.  While squash is baking prepare the filling.  Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil.  Add the cooked rice and cooked sausage.  Taste mixture and salt and pepper accordingly.

5.  Remove baked squash from oven and fill the centers with the rice.  The butter that has melted should be soaked up by the rice.  Add the 2 tablespoons of coconut milk and sprinkle with the parsley flakes.

6.  Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes.  Serve scooped on a platter (see picture) or serve a half to each person.

Written by Sherron Watson

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Baked Salmon with Capers, Herbs, and Lemon


I eat salmon at least once a week.  I am guilty of making salmon just to enjoy the crispy skin. It is like a huge potato chip to me.  It totally grosses my husband out;  he won't even try it to see if he likes it or not.  I think he would enjoy the crispy and salty taste of the perfectly fried skin.

It does not taste fishy in my opinion.  I fry the fish with the skin side down in a pool of olive oil that is very hot.  My cast iron pan is perfect for this part of the recipe.  It does the job quickly.  I turn it over and get a nice sear and then transfer the salmon to a baking dish to finish cooking in the oven.

I don't always do this two-step process but for this dish I did.  I removed the crispy skin and devoured it before my daughter could get wind of what I was doing in the kitchen.  She loves the crispy salmon skin too.  (For the most part I always share with her.  It's what Moms do.) The oven allows the mayonnaise, lemon and herbs to coat the salmon filets.  I take one large piece of salmon and cut it into two or three pieces and then top them with my desired ingredients.

Capers are heavenly in my opinion.  They are briny and add just the right punch to this dish.  I use them in everything these days. I love finding new ingredients.  Capers are an ingredient I see posted in recipes all the time. I just never started buying them until recently.  Not to sound to repetitive, but I am so glad I did.

This recipe calls for mayonnaise.  There are several options you have here.  You can make your own mayonnaise from scratch or use store bought.  I have used both with great success.  We have also used Vegannaise.  

Enjoy this easy baked salmon dish.  


Baked Salmon with Capers, Herbs, and Lemon
Serves 4

1.5 pounds of fresh, wild caught salmon (1 large filet or 4 smaller portions)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup of mayonnaise or Vegannaise
1 lemon, juice only
1 lemon, sliced thinly
4 sprigs each of fresh thyme and fresh dill
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Jar of capers


1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.

2.  In a heavy duty frying pan heat oil.  Add salmon with the skin down and fry.  This takes about 3 minutes for the skin to get nice and crispy and to pull away from the salmon.  Flip salmon and fry again for 3 minutes.

3.  Remove skin and set aside.  Add the whole filet of salmon or small salmon steaks to a baking dish.  Season fish with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.  Smear top with mayonnaise.  Sprinkle herbs, lemon slices and capers for the final touches. Cover with foil.

4.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Fish should be moist and flake with a fork.  Serve immediately. Store leftovers in refrigerator.


Written by Sherron Watson



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Boneless Leg of Lamb with Herbs



Lamb has quickly become a family favorite.  We are trying to eat less pork and beef.  For a while I felt like this is all we ate.  My daughter and I started feeling unwell after we ate pork and decided to eliminate this from our diets. I feel so much better and she does too.

I was stumped as to what to replace the two meats with because so many of our family favorite recipes included beef and pork.   I know that lamb is a favorite but the price seems to steer me away to something a little bit cheaper or on sale.

I decided to just bite the bullet and buy a few lamb roasts.  I am so glad I did.  Lamb has a unique flavor.  It has added some great meals to our menu.  This roast is simple and can be customized to fit your family and their taste buds.  I usually have a selection of fresh herbs on hand.  For this recipe I grabbed a small handful of each, threw in some spices and added the parmesan cheese.  I believe it has created a nice texture and flavor profile to an already delicious cut of meat.

I guess you could also call this a one pot dish because I added some root vegetables to the roasting pan so that I didn't have to fuss with dirtying up additional dishes. 

Simple and tasty are two words I would use to describe this easy meal.



Boneless Leg of Lamb with Herbs 
Serves 6

1.5 pound lamb roast (boneless leg of lamb)
1/4 cup of fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, parsley and basil
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of white pepper
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, grated finely
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large rutabaga, peeled and cut into large diced squares
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
olive oil, to toss vegetables in

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.

2.  In a shallow bowl combine all of the spices, herbs and parmesan cheese.  Coat the sides of the lamb roast with olive oil and then dip the sides into the spice/herb/cheese mixture.  The coating will be thick.  Place in the middle of the baking dish. 

3.  Add vegetables and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle the remaining herb mixture over the vegetables.  Roast until internal temperature of lamb roast reaches 145 degree.  My roast took about an hour to achieve the desired internal temperature.  

4.  Remove roast, cover with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.  The lamb should be pink in the center.  The ends may be cooked more than the center.  Slice and serve with mint jelly.



Written by Sherron Watson

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Apple Cranberry and Brussels Sprout Salad



I am so excited that it is finally officially Fall.  Our family has been on vacation this past week and the cooler weather made our touring and camping activities more bearable.  We have learned that in the Mid-Atlantic the months of September and October are reserved for all of our outdoor activities. The summers are just too hot and humid.

Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
We decided to do a "staycation".   It is our first time doing this but we found ourselves visiting sites in our state and surrounding states that are popular tourist attractions for lots of people outside of this area.  We were anxious to learn and see what was in our own back yards that drew so many people here each year.

Tuckahoe State Park, Maryland

Tuckahoe State Park, Maryland

Our fist day started with a trip to the National Zoo in DC. The zoo was perfect.  I felt the size was not too large.  The animals were very active on the day we arrived and this made Isabella happy.  We saw the baby panda, even though he is not quite the size of a baby anymore, and the baby tigers. They were great to sit and watch.  The lionesses (there were two) had their paws full with 6 baby tiger cubs.

The Maritime Museum was up next. I have been to St. Michael's many times. We always skip the museum because our thought was that it would be boring. I thought the kids would not enjoy learning about the history of the watermen and ship building history that we are surrounded with here in Annapolis. I am glad to admit that I was wrong. The museum is wonderful. They had plenty of hands on activities and toy structures for Isabella to climb on and explore. A lot of reading was done but they had so many exhibits that we were all intrigued with the processes of the history. I would highly recommend it for all families.


Our family loves to camp and this was what we decided to do the last few days.  We headed over to Delaware and had a pleasant day/night at Cape Henlopen State Park.  We made our way back into Maryland and camped for 3 nights at Tuckahoe State park.  I have to say that the state parks in our area are beautiful.  They have plenty of hiking trails to keep a young family busy.  We rented bikes and canoes too.

Overall our week was a success. We felt rested. The kids did great.

Vacations are important to our family and this was something that I needed. I have been a bit burned out lately with so much going on and this week allowed me to disconnect from technology and focus on the little kids without a lot of outside disturbances.



National Zoo with the whole family.  Drake and Rye still had school and work so they were able to do only a few of the planned events with us for the week. I will take what I can get. 
This salad was something that I could throw together and pack in the cooler while we were camping. I served it with our favorite marinated flank steak recipe.

I use a mandolin to cut the apples, celery and brussels sprout thinly. This is not required to make the dish it just made it easier for me. You can use a sharp knife to cut everything too.  I like that the salad is filled with thinly slices vegetables and the apple.  The presentation is pretty.

The dressing is light. You can tell from the pictures that it is not thick and creamy. If you want it to be this way then add more mayonnaise or double the dressing recipe. We just prefer it to be lightly dressed.




Apple Cranberry and Brussels Sprout Salad
Serves 4-6

10-12 brussels sprouts, sliced or shaved very thinly
1 small apple, sliced thin
1 celery rib, sliced thin
3 thin slices of red onion, diced small
small handful of cranberries

Dressing:
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
zest from one lime
1/2 lime, juice only
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of maple syrup for sweetness (add more if needed)

1.  Combine the salad ingredients in a medium bowl.

2.  Blend the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

3.  Combine and mix well.  Serve immediately or should be kept in the refrigerator.


Written by Sherron Watson





Thursday, September 18, 2014

Slow Cooker Skirt Steak Salad


Easy dinners are in full swing at our home.  I am utilizing our slow cooker as often as I can.   I like having the steak ready and feeling like I put very little effort into an amazing meal.

The steak can be shredded or pulled apart and used in tacos, on top of salads (like the picture above), eaten with a side dish or shoved between two pieces of your favorite bread and grilled,

This steak recipe is versatile.  I like that and I think you will too.

Slow Cook Skirt Steak Salad
Recipe adapted from Louanne's Kitchen

2 lbs skirt steak
2 teaspoons of garlic powder or 3 cloves minced
1.5 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
 1 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 large onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup of water

1.  Combine skirt steak and seasonings in a large storage bag and marinate over night.

2.  Cut onions thin.  I used my spiralizer to thinly slice the onions.  Place onions in the bottom of a large slow cooker.  Lay steak on top of onions.  Add cup of water.  Cover.

3.   Cook on low for 8 hours.  Remove steak, shred or pull apart and serve.  I served the onions and the steak on a platter and let my family decide if they wanted a salad or to use it in some gluten free tortillas I had on hand.  If served with the tortillas then make sure and have some yummy toppings too.


Written by Sherron Watson

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Green Bean Casserole #glutenfree


Green Bean Casserole used to be my favorite dish of all time as a kid.  I was a strange kid because I loved green beans.  I would turn my nose up at cooked carrots and little bowls of peas but gleefuly welcome a green bean with open arms.

This summer I worked on a version that my family could enjoy. I didn't need to worry about making two dishes: one for them and one for me.  I am pretty sure I succeeded and this is the resulting recipe.
First I had to find a way to make the crunchy onion topping.  I sometimes wonder if this is why I loved the Green Bean Casserole so much. Was it truly the green beans or the crispy onion topping?

I think it was both.  I succeeded in making the onion straws.  That recipe can be found here.

The next hurdle was making the creamy sauce that is usually made with canned soup. I don't use any canned soup and I haven't in almost 5 years.  I don't like the flavor, they are not gluten free and are often filled with a ton of extra ingredients that add to an odd flavor profile.

I use a basic white sauce recipe but use gluten free flours instead of the recommended all purpose flour.  I use a chicken stock paste to add a rich flavor along with a few seasonings of my choice.  It is not a heavy sauce or an "in your face" sauce.  It takes a back seat to the real star of the dish: the green beans.

With each bite you taste the green beans as they are coated in a rich white sauce and then topped with crunchy onions.  That is a perfect bite in my opinion.


I went a bit crazy with my green beans and decided to cut them all at an angle to achieve the French Style Green Bean.  UM, pretty sure it's not necessary.  Also it took up a lot of time.  I don't mind doing that once in a while but I think using whole or cut green beans will work just fine.  I won't tell you to use only fresh green beans.  I did and I thought it was great.  The flavor was amazing.  I would encourage you to use them with the hope that you have the same experience as I did.


FYI--they sell a little kitchen tool that I am know makes the French-ing (pretty sure this is not a word but I am going to use it anyways) of the bean much easier and faster.  Oh the things we find out after the fact.  LOL

This is an easy dish to make.  I know the canned and frozen version is easier and I understand that sometimes we need to cook this way but I will always encourage you to take a few extra steps and make your meals from scratch.

Enjoy!



Green Bean Casserole
4-6 side dish servings

2.5-3 cups of fresh green beans, cut anyway you want to make them
1/2 stick of grass fed butter
2 cups of dairy: use buttermilk, whole milk or coconut milk (paleo)
1 tablespoon of tapioca starch (use 1 teaspoon of arrowroot for paleo version)
1 teaspoon of chicken stock granules or paste
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
salt, to taste
1 batch of crispy onion straws


NOTE:  Arrowroot takes just a little bit to make a sauce thicken.  I have learned through experience to reduce the amount used and not make a 1:1 trade.  If the sauce is not thick enough after 1 teaspoon then add a little bit more.  If too much is added the sauce will be thick and gluey.


1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Cut green beans according to your preferences.  Bring a large stock pot of water to a rolling boil and blanch green beans for 2-3 minutes.  They should be wilted, not too soft.

3. In a medium sauce pan melt butter. Stir in tapioca starch and then add dairy.  Stir until sauce thickens.  Add chicken stock paste and seasonings.  Stir and taste.

4.  Drain green beans and add to a baking dish.  I used an oval variation which measured about 10 inches by 7.  Add white sauce to green beans and stir.

5.  Top with crispy onion straws and bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.  Let set for a few minutes before serving.  Sauce will thicken as it cools.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

Written by Sherron Watson





Saturday, September 13, 2014

Ham and Vegetable Lentil Soup



A chill is in the air. Our mornings are greeted with the smell of the great outdoors as we bust open our windows and take in the fresh morning breeze.  Inhaling the change that is on its way.  We sense that Fall is here.  It is gently knocking at the door.  We are listening.  We are desiring it.  I want the cool days of autumn to consume our afternoons with visits to the beach and the park.

My family has always found the turning of the seasons to be a refreshing change.  Fall is by far our favorite.  Change is good.  The summer season is remembered fondly as we embrace the cool breezes, the changing leaves and the anticipation of what the next few months have in store for our family.

Fall is the time that we visit local attractions, go camping more often and ride our bikes with such vigor that we wish this time of year would last forever.  Until it gets colder and the air is heavy with the impending snow that will soon fall.  The anticipation of even colder weather is almost too much for my kids to endure with the anticipation of snow angels and missed school days.

Now.  We must enjoy what we have now.  Now our weather is perfect.  Have I mentioned it is my favorite time of year?

With the chill in the air I find us yearning for soup.  Hearty, rustic soup that comforts our empty stomachs and warms our freezing hands.  Soup that gives you a fleeting thought of summer as bright vegetables float to the top, fighting for their chance to be seen and showcased.

I love soup that simmers all day on the stovetop. I welcome the smell in our home.  It is one more reminder that the weather is cooling and change is fresh in the air.

My suggestion for this soup is to use a meaty ham hock.  I saved ours from this summer and froze it. I left plenty of meat on the bone.  I knew that I would use it in a soup and wanted there to be a piece of meat in every spoonful.

I start the soup early in the morning and let it slowly simmer all day.  I occasionally taste it as the water reduces and becomes richer in flavor. I add the necessary seasonings to make it just right for my family.  I try and let the stock reduce by half.  This may take 8-10 hours depending on how you have your stove set.  I am home all day so I can watch it all day to make sure the stock is not simmered away leaving you with a dry pot.  Adjust the recipe to fit the desires of your family.  Omit the vegetables you do not like but add in the vegetables you have on hand or enjoy the most.

This type of soup is one that you can give and take from.  I like having these types of recipes in my collection.  They are good basic recipes that you can fiddle with based on the ingredients you have on hand.

Enjoy the change of the season in your own area.  Do you welcome the change from summer into fall with such glee as we do?

I would love to hear from you.


Ham and Vegetable Lentil Soup 
Serves 4-6 people

1 meaty ham hock (see note above)
10-12 cups of water
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 small zucchini, diced into medium pieces
1 cup of green beans, whole or cut into 1" pieces
1 1/2 cup black lentils or any color that you have on hand
1 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
salt, to taste
pinch of fennel seed
2 teaspoons fresh basil, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped


1.  In a large stock pot add all ingredients.  Turn stove to medium high to bring water to a boil.

2.  Reduce heat to low and simmer all day for 8 to 10 hours or until stock has been reduced by half.

3.  Stir and taste soup periodically and adjust with more salt if needed.  Lentils should be very soft and add to the thickness of the soup base.

4.  Serve soup immediately or portion for lunches and quick dinners for the week.

Written by Sherron Watson



Thursday, September 11, 2014

Grilled Red Snapper



I enjoy baking and grilling whole fish.  My kids love seeing the fish and I love the way it looks. 

I find buying whole fish allows the fish to stay a bit fresher.  I have the fish descaled and gutted before I leave the seafood store.  I try to buy fish that has been caught that day.

I would love to catch our own fish but the fish tale has yet to be written.  We have all the gear.  We live near the water.  We buy the licenses each year.  

We never catch any fish.  My husband is convinced it is because we don't own a sea kayak or a boat.  

I am not sure I agree with this because I see family's all along the water edges fishing and catching real fish. Big fish. Hmmmmmm. I think someone in my family wants a boat or a sea kayak.

I have decided that I need to just go and stop waiting around for the right equipment to magically appear in our driveway so that we can catch the big fish. I don't care about the BIG one. I just want my own fish to grill. I have committed to myself that I will pick up my reel, find a location close to my home and catch a big fish or a small fish with or without my family by my side. I want Isabella to have memories of fishing as I do from my childhood.

If we wait around for the right "everything" and the right "time" then I know from experience it won't happen and time will pass us by.

If it was impossible to catch fish from the shore, piers and bridges, then all of the people I see out fishing would not be fishing or would they. LOL Maybe it isn't about fishing but about something more. Like time spent together, being outside or having a few minutes to think while watching the sailboats drift by. Maybe fishing isn't about the fish at all.

Is this how fish tales are made? With a desire and a wish for something grand only to be disappointed with a little teeny tiny fish. I guess I will find out soon. I will discover for myself if fishing is about catching fish or something else.


I have grilled whole fish before and I always get a little bit frustrated because the fish tends to stick to the grate and flake apart.  I had a reader suggest that I should lay the fish on a bed of sliced lemons.

The man is a genius!  It worked and I was able to flip the fish and grill it on both sides without loosing a lot of meat.  I suggest you give it a try too.

I added slits to the top side of the fish and slipped a few lemon slices into each slice.  This helped when I flipped the fish to cook on the other side because I was able to grill the fish and still have them sitting on a bed of lemons.  You can see from the picture below that I did not loose too much meat.


Grilled fish is a simple dinner to make.  We usually serve it with rice and a bunch of steamed vegetables.  If I have leftovers they reheat easy enough the next day.

Whole fish can be baked in the oven, steamed in parchment paper , baked in cast iron, baked in foil  or grilled outside on a gas or electric grill.  

We love fish!  

Grilled Red Snapper


1 large red snapper, descaled and gutted
3 large lemons
1 bunch of fresh dill
2-3 whole green onions
salt 
pepper
olive oil

Seasonings:  garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, etc... (optional)

1.  Bring outside grill to a temperature of 350 degrees or your inside oven.

2.  Stuff the uncooked fish with dill and green onions.  Slice a few slits across the top and gently insert lemon slices into each slit.  Brush the fish with the olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle the fish with an array of seasonings on both sides.  Squeeze half a lemon over the uncooked fish.

3.  Slice two lemons in to 1/4 inch slices and place them together on the grill.  Create a bed for the fish to sit on.  Place the fish with lemon slices in slits UP.  Cook for 7-8 minutes.  It may take a few extra minutes because your fish is sitting up off the grill for the meat to cook through on one side.

4.  Gently flip the fish using two spatulas.  Trying to do this is one flip.  Let fish continue to cook until firm to the touch.  Total cook time should be about 15 minutes. Of course, this depends on the size of fish you have and your grill.

5.  Remove fish from grill and serve whole or remove meat to a smaller plate and serve.

Written by Sherron Watson




Donut Breakfast Casserole

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