The Cooking Daddy

Lamb Chops w/ Minted Sour Cream Sauce

2009-05-04T11:32:00.002-04:00

My family loves lamb so I decided to try this interesting lamb chop recipe a friend passed along. I think the minted sour cream sauce really compliments the meat!

Lamb Chops w/ Minted Sour Cream Sauce

- 1/4 cup sour cream

- 1/8 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp dried mint leaves

- 4 (4 ounce) lamb loin chops

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1/4 tsp roasted garlic-pepper seasoning
- 1/8 tsp black pepper and 1/8 tsp garlic powder

- Combine the first 3 ingredients; stir well and set aside

- Sprinkle chops with 1/4 tsp salt and garlic pepper

- Use a nonstick skillet and place over med-high heat; add chops

- Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned.

- Reduce heat to med-low and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes on each side or to your desired degree of doneness

- Remove from heat and serve with sour cream sauce

Lemon Carrots

- Combine 1/2 of a 16 ounce package of baby carrots, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tsp lemon juice in a 1 quart microwave safe dish

- Cover and cook on high for 7 minutes or until carrots are tendor

ENJOY!!!!!

Portobello Sandwiches

2009-04-29T16:50:00.002-04:00

I've been a little busy this week with sick kids and haven't really been able to cook every single night. Courtney and I wanted something light, quick and easy tonight so I am trying a recipe I recently found for Portobello Sandwiches!

- 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed

- 1/4 cup fat-free Italian dressing, divided

- 4 to 6 slices provolone cheese

- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns

- 1 (7 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and quartered

- Brush both sides of mushrooms with 3 tbs Italian dressing

- Place over medium hot grill (350 to 400)

- Cook on covered grill for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side

- Place cheese over mushrooms and grill an additional minute or until cheese is melted

- Brush buns with remaining 1 tbs dressing, grill until lightly toasted

- Place mushrooms over bun bottoms, top with roasted red pepper pieces and tops of buns

ENJOY!!!!

Cajun-Style Swordfish w/ Skillet Zucchini

2009-04-27T16:33:00.002-04:00

Tonight I wanted to cook something with a flare and it's been some time since I've had a good piece of swordfish. I think blackening this fish compliments the texture and taste. The zucchini adds something to take the "bite" off eating the fish.

Cajun-Style Swordfish

- 4 (4 to 5 oz) swordfish fillets (1" thick)

- Olive oil

- 1 1/2 tsp blackening seasoning, divided

- 1/3 cup nonfat mayonnaise

- 1 tbs sweet pickle relish

- 1 tbs lemon juice

- Coat both sides of fish with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with 1 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning.

- Place fish on rack of broiler pan coated with cooking spray and broil 5 to 6 inches away from heat for about 6 minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

- While the fish broils, combine mayo, remaining 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning, relish and lemon juice...stir well!

- Serve fish immediately w/ mayo mix!

Skillet Zucchini

- Coat a large nonstick skillet w/ olive oil and place over medium heat.

- Add 1 teaspoon minced garlic and saute for about a minute.

- Add 2 medium zuchini, sliced and halved; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

- Cook until zucchini is tender and toss occasionally.

- Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tbs Parmesan cheese

ENJOY!!!!

Barbecue Meat Loaf w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes

2009-04-22T17:53:00.002-04:00

Tonight I decided to make meat loaf for the first time! I added a little flare to it with some BBQ sauce instead of ketchup or tomato sauce. I thought nothing would go better with some spicy meat loaf than garlic mashed potatoes.

BBQ Meat Loaf

- 1 lb ground round (I used lean ground chuck to try and cut back on the fat content!)

- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, divided

- 1/4 cup chopped onions

- 1/4 cup Italian seasoned dry breadcrumbs

- 1/4 tsp cumin

- 1/4 tsp garlic powder

- 2 egg whites

- 1/4 tsp black pepper

- Combine meat, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, onion, breadcrumbs, egg whites, cumin, garlic and pepper in a large bowl and mix well

- Shape mix into a 7" x 5" loaf roasting pan and spread remaining 1/4 cup BBQ sauce over loaf.

- Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or to desired doneness

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

- I cheated tonight b/c I couldn't get the grocery store and am using Betty Crocker Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes which are great!!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!

Szechuan Chicken and Vegetables

2009-04-21T17:38:00.002-04:00

So tonight I decided to go with some Asain flare and cook one of our favorite dinners! Keep in mind that you can do this dish with fresh or frozen vegetables depending on what you have on hand and how much time you have. My favorite part is the Asain noodles!!!!

- 2 tsp sesame oil

- 1 pound chicken breast tenders (you can substitute sliced chicken breast if that's all you have on hand)

- 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes (more if you like spicy!!)

- 1 (10 ounce) package fresh stir-fry vegetables or 2 1/2 cups of cut fresh veggies

-1/4 cup low-sodium teriyaki sauce

- Heat 2 tsp sesame oil in large skillet or wok over med-high heat

- Add chicken and sprinkle with red pepper flakes; stir-fry about 3 or 4 minutes

- Add vegetables and teriyaki sauce; stir-fry 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp/tender and chicken is fully cooked

Asian Noodles

- 1 (5 ounce) package Japanese curly noodles

- 2 tbs soy sauce

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

-Cook noodles according to package direction and drain well

- combine noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil and onions and toss

SERVE STIR-FRY OVER THE ASAIN NOODLES AND HAVE AT IT!!!!!

ENJOY!!

Chicken Fettuccine w/ Blue Cheese-Artichoke Sauce

2009-04-20T14:29:00.002-04:00

Tonight I decided to go pretty simple with a twist on an old favorite...Fettuccine Alfredo. This meal is somewhat heavy so I usually don't make a side but if you're in the mood I've included one of my favorite salad recipes. Enjoy!!!!!

- 2 to 3 large Chicken Breasts (you can add any type of meat you like and this dish is still great!!)

- 1 (9 ounce) package fettuccine

- 1 (12 to 14 ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

- 1 (10 ounce) container refrigerated light alfredo sauce

- 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

- Cook pasta according to package directions

- Cook chicken breasts in a skillet or grill; place to the side until pasta and sauce are finished

- While the pasta cooks, coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and put over med-high heat until hot.

- Add artichokes and mushrooms and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

- Add alfredo sauce to artichoke mixture and cook until heated thoroughly heated.

- Place drained pasta in a large bowl and pour sauce mixture over pasta and toss to combine.

- Sprinkle with blue cheese

Tossed Apple Salad

- combine 1/2 (10 ounce) package romaine lettuce and 1 cup diced Red Delicious apples in a bowl.

- Drizzle with 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette and toss until salad is evenly coated.

Lazy Sunday Leftovers w/ Sauteed Vegetables

2009-04-19T16:04:00.003-04:00

So, since I have some left over steak from last night I am going to reheat that and serve it with a side of my favorite sauteed vegetables. Here's my favorite sauteed vegetable recipe:

- fresh carrots (sliced)

- mushrooms (sliced)

- green peppers (sliced)

- banana peppers or pepperoncinis (diced)

- onion (sliced in rings)

- 1 tsp garlic powder (you can add more depending on your taste)

- 1/2 tsp black pepper

- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (you can add more depending on how spicy you like it!)

- Simmer vegetables in butter until lightly browned. Add spices while simmering and cover pan.

Boy's night w/ Asain inspired grilled steak and baked potato!

2009-04-18T12:24:00.003-04:00

So tonight Courtney is off to chaperon prom and it's just the kids and I and a few of my buddies are coming over to watch the race! Check back in a little while for my Asian inspired grilled steak recipe. It's off the chain!!!!!

OK - Here's the recipe I used for tonights grilling bonanza:

- 4 to 5 steaks (I used 2 ribeyes and 2 New York strips just for some variety)

- 1/2 cup soy sauce

- 2 tsp olive oil

- 2 tsp ketchup

- 1 tsp minced garlic (I used a little more b/c I LOVE garlic!)

- 1 tsp oregano

- 1 tsp black pepper

- Blend all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and pour over the steaks. I used a large
glass pan to hold everything while marinating.

- Marinate for atleast 3 hours (longer if you really want to the meat to soak up the marinade)

- Grill to your liking but I recommend no more than medium

Bruschetta w/ Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella

2009-04-17T18:46:00.001-04:00

My wife, Courtney, and I wanted something on the lighter side for dinner tonight so I am taking a crack at Bruschetta. I've included the recipe and will hopefully include some pictures of the finished product soon. Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients
- 2 cups 2 large tomatoes, chopped fine
- 1/2 red or sweet onion (depending on your taste!), chopped fine
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 2 ounces fresh mozzarella (If you really like cheese I recommend 4+ ounces)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 loaf, French baguette bread
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
- Chop the onions, tomatoes, and basil into fine pieces. Combine in a large bowl, stirring in the vinegar and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven on broil. Cut baguette bread into individual slices about 1/2 inch thick. A smaller sized baguette approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter works well. Arrange pieces of bread on a baking sheet and place the sheet in the middle of the oven to toast the bread. Allow 1 to 2 minutes or remove when golden brown.
- While the toasted slices are kept on the baking sheet, brush one side of the warm bread with olive oil. If desired for added flavor, the pieces of bread can be rubbed with a clove of garlic prior to brushing on the olive oil or use a garlic flavored olive oil. Top each piece of bread with approximately 1 teaspoon of the tomato, onion and caper mixture. Then, top the mixture with 1/4 teaspoon of cheese. Place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven to melt the cheese, approximately 1 minute or until slightly melted.
- Remove from oven and serve.