Month: February 2015

How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware

Leave a comment

SONY DSC

I love cast iron!  A well seasoned cast iron pan is durable, easy to cook with, and is virtually non-stick.  So the next time you see a rusty, unloved cast iron pan at a garage sale or flea market, pick it up and rejuvenate it.  I promise you’ll love it!

When you get your pan home, the first thing you will need to do is wash it well with hot soapy water.  It may even need a little steel wool to get any rust off.  THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY TIME YOU WILL CLEAN WITH SOAP.

SONY DSC

Now let’s season that skillet!  Generously coat inside and out with Crisco; a paper towel works well to get a nice even coating.  Next, place the skillet in a 350 degree, pre-heated oven, upside down with a tray or sheet of tin foil on the rack below to catch any oil drips.  After one hour, turn the oven off and let the pan cool inside.

SONY DSC

The more you use your cast iron the more seasoned and non-stick it becomes.

cast 2cast4cast3

The best and easiest way I’ve found to clean up after cooking is with chain mail.  Just scrub with chain mail under warm water, remember – NO MORE SOAP.  If you don’t have chain mail to scrub with, salt and olive oil works well as a scrub also.

chainmail2chainmail-cast-iron-pan-9361SONY DSC

 

Spicy Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Leave a comment

They might be small, but brussel sprouts are incredible powerhouses of nutrition

In Chinese medicine, they are prescribed to help with digestion. There have been many U.S. studies done on the relationship between this vegetable and cancer prevention. Brussel sprouts are able to provide special nutrient support for the body’s detox system, antioxidant system, and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system, all of which are important for fighting cancer.

brussel sprouts

  • Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds brussel sprouts
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha, or more to taste
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

brussel sprouts2

INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Directions
    2. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Trim the base away from the brussel sprouts and discard. Cut the sprouts in half.
    3. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil with the vinegar, honey and Sriracha to combine. Add the brussel sprouts and toss until they are fully coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    4. Spread the brussel sprouts on a baking sheet. Pour any extra olive-oil mixture onto the pan and tilt the pan around to distribute it.
    5. Roast until the sprouts are crispy on the outside and golden and caramelized on the outsides, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

brussel sprouts3

 

Oh my YUM!

brussel sprouts4

Greek Style Chicken Linguine

Leave a comment

greek style linguini

Comfort foods are staples for anyone wanting a hearty meal and a little taste of home and is often characterized by a high carbohydrate level and simple preparation. Pasta is most definitely one of my family’s go to comfort foods.

INGREDIENTS

    • 1 lb of linguine
    • 4 to 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1 lb of shrimp deveined, cooked, and tails removed
    • 1 onion
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 zucchini
    • 1 yellow squash
    • 1 lemon zested and juiced
    • 2 to 3 cups chicken broth
    • 1 can of artichoke hearts drained
    • 1 cup feta
    • 1/2 cup shredded or shaved Parmesan
    • 1 cup kalamata olives pitted and sliced
    • 1 cup petite diced tomatoes 
    • 1/2 flat leaf parsley chopped
    • 2 TBS corn starch
    • salt & pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Cook pasta to al dente, drain and set aside
    2. Cook chicken, cut into bite size pieces, set aside
    3. Saute onions, garlic, yellow squash, and zucchini until crisp tender
    4. Add chicken broth, bring to boil, and thicken with cornstarch and cold water slury
    5. Add chicken, artichokes, olives, tomatoes, parsley, cheeses, lemon and cook for an additional minute
    6. Add to pasta and serve