Tasty Tuesday 3.27.12 - Four-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Four-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for brushing
1/2 clove garlic
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup shredded asiago cheese
1/3 cup shredded raclette or comte cheese
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 fresh bay leaves
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Generously brush a large skillet with butter, then rub with the garlic. Combine the mozzarella, asiago and raclette in a bowl.

Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the potatoes, spreading them out. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, half of the cut-up butter, half of the shredded cheese blend, and pepper to taste. Arrange the remaining potatoes on top. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the cream over the potatoes, then add the nutmeg and bay leaves; simmer 3 minutes. Dot the potatoes with the remaining cut-up butter.

Generously brush a shallow baking dish with butter; slide the potatoes into the dish; arrange with a fork, if desired. (If your skillet is ovenproof, you can skip this step and bake the potatoes in the skillet.)

Sprinkle the potatoes with the parmesan and the remaining shredded cheese blend. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaves.

Motivational Monday 3.26.12

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

- Henry Ford

Tasty Tuesday 3.13.12

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Motivational Monday 3.12.12

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
-Unknown, (often attributed to Albert Camus)

Tasty Tuesday- 3.06.12- Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

2 pounds top sirloin roast, trimmed
Salt and fresh cracked black pepper
3 tablespoons garlic infused olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cups good quality beef stock
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Directions

Cut the beef against the grain into narrow 2-inch long strips about 1/2-inch thick. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the infused olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the prepared beef and brown on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon oil to saute pan, if needed, and add the onions. Cook until light golden, stirring and adding 1/4 cup of beef stock to deglaze the pan. Stir in the remaining beef stock and the beef with any resting juices back to the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and just heat through, do not boil. Taste for seasoning and adjust, as necessary. Transfer the stroganoff to a serving platter and serve. Enjoy!