Grilled Portabella Mushrooms

I was grilling chicken and making a Caprese salad for dinner the other night. I had picked up some beautiful Portabella mushrooms and was thinking of grilling them too. And then I had an igneous idea that was simply delicious!

So you know Insalata Caprese, right?

Tomatoes/Mozzarella/Basil

Dressed with

Balsamic Vinegar/Olive Oil/Salt/Pepper

I make it all the time in the summer because I grow my own tomatoes and basil. The amounts aren't important to me, but the order of ingredients is: Tomato/Salt/Pepper/Basil/Vinegar/Oil/Cheese. Simple. Yummy.

So I riffed on some of those ingredients. I popped the stems off the mushroom caps and scooped out some of the gills. I rubbed some olive oil on those bad boys and grilled them four minutes per side. While they were on the grill I sliced up some extra cheese and chopped some extra basil.

With two minutes to go on the second side (Oh, I started cap side up on the grill)I sprinkled the mushrooms with salt and pepper, threw on some basil and topped it with the mozzarella.

OMG! Everyone loved them and they will definitely stay on the rotation.

Best Potato Salad

3-4 lbs. Potatoes - Any kind you like that you would cook with the skins on
1/2 lb. Bacon - cooked and crumbled
8 oz Shredded/Crumbled Cheese (My favorite is Blue, but Cheddar, Colby, whatever)
8 oz Sour Cream
1/2 C. Mayonnaise
Red Onion - Diced (Depends on how much raw onion you like)
(Um, I like to cheat and get some hard boiled egg from the salad bar - too lazy to do this myself)



Wash and cut the potatoes into smallish chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Spray a baking sheet with Pam and roast potatoes for 45 minutes at 425 degrees. About half way through, use a spatula to push everything around.

While they're roasting cook the bacon, dice the onion, and then mix with the rest of the ingredients. Dump in potatoes and mix.

OMG - this is the BEST potato salad you'll EVER eat.

Baked Beans

Low and slow folks, that's the name of the game.

4 - 5 Cans (16.5 oz) Busch's Baked Beans (Yes, they ARE better)
1 C. Dark Molasses
1/2 C. Ketchup
1 Red Onion - Diced
1/2 lb. Bacon - Diced
2 Tbs. Coleman's Dry Mustard

Mix all the stuff. dump in large greased baking dish. If it look perilously close to the top? Put a baking sheet underneath so you don't drip in your oven. Set your oven to 275 degrees and bake for six hours.

She doesn't call, she doesn't write

I suck at trying to keep up two blogs - get OVER IT!

That said...

Polenta

2 C. Chicken Stock
1 C. Milk
1/2 C. Polenta*
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
Grated Parmesan

Bring stock and milk to a low boil. WHISK in polenta. DO NOT USE A SPOON. (*I find polenta in the baking section with the oats and corn meal.) Yes it will seem like too much liquid, just whisk for two minutes and it will thicken up.

Drizzle of oil, handful of cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

Whole thing takes five minutes, but it's tasty.

Risotto 101

Tuesday's Dinner:

Grilled Lemon Tarragon Chicken
Fresh Asparagus
Lemon Risotto

Risotto is not difficult, it needs time and some babysitting. Your first couple of times, don't try to do this if your grilling outside or folding laundry in another room.

First is the ratio:

1 part Arborio Rice
1/2 part white wine
4 parts chicken broth
(For four people that's one cup rice, 1/2 cup wine and four cups broth. )

Second is the method:

In a shallow pan heat some olive oil. Stir in rice and cook until opaque. Add wine, reduce heat and simmer until liquid evaporates. The broth should be brought to a gentle simmer and added 1/3 cup at a time, each time stirring until liquid has evaporated. It should be done slowly and takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Third is the seasoning:

1/4 C. lemon juice, plus the zest of one lemon.
1/4 C. Wine
1/4 C. Grated Parmesan *
1/4 Half and Half *
Salt and Pepper

Do you like how I'm already deviating from the method? I used lemon juice and wine for the first liquid. I followed with the broth. I finished by stirring in zest, cheese, cream, salt and pepper.
* I didn't really measure - this is my best guess.

It was perfect with the chicken and I just dressed the steamed asparagus with lemon and salt.

Grillin'

The weather was beautiful Sunday, perfect for grilling. I have several go to marinades. I used the lemon tarragon last night and it was delicious as always.

Lemon Tarragon Marinade
Equal parts: Lemon Juice, Oil, White Wine
(I was grilling two whole boneless, skinless breasts so I did 1/3 C. each)
Salt and Pepper
Garlic
Tarragon (I'm still doing dry as my herbs are not in yet.)

Mix all the ingredients in a glass dish or large Zip-Lock bag. Marinade chicken for 6 to 8 hours. My grill was at 450 degrees and I did seven minutes per side. Very juicy, tender chicken.

I tried a new side dish I thought would be good and it turned out awesome!

Lemon Orzo
1C. Orzo
Juice and zest of one large Lemon (I’m guessing 1/4 cupish)
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
Handful Toasted Pine Nuts
Handful Shredded Asiago Cheese

Zest, then juice, the lemon. Add salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.
I toasted my pine nuts on a sheet in my toaster oven. Mixed cooked pasta with he lemon and added the pine nuts and cheese. It was a great compliment to the chicken and will definitely be added to the rotation.

Roasted Potatoes

Oven Roasted Potatoes




One pound potatoes. I like small Yukon Golds, I leave the skin on and cut them in half or quarters depending on the size. Put them on a sheet pan with sides.


Drizzle with olive oil (not too much!). Sprinkle with coarse salt. Add a few grinds of pepper and some coarsely chopped rosemary. Toss with fingers to coat.

Pop them in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Shake the pan a few times to loosen potatoes. Crispy and delicious!