Easy Honey Garlic Chicken

 

Ingredients 

6 chicken thighs, bone-in or out, with or without skin*

Salt and pepper, to taste 

2 tsp. garlic powder, to season

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1/3 C honey

1/4 C water (or chicken broth)

2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or any white vinegar)

1 tbsp. soy sauce

Instructions

1) Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder; set aside.

2) Heat a pan or skillet over medium high heat; sear chicken thigh fillets or breast fillets on both sides until golden and cooked through.

For Bone In Thighs: 

1) Reduce heat after searing on both sides, cover skillet with a lid and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through, while turning every 5 minutes until done. Alternatively , see below for oven method. 

2) Drain most of the excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tbsp. of pan juice for added flavor. 

For Sauce: 

1) When chicken is done and cooked through, arrange chicken skin side up in the pan (if cooking with skin); add the garlic between the chicken and fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the honey, water, vinegar and soy sauce. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook until the sauce reduces down and thicken slightly (about 3-4 minutes). 

2) Garnish with parsley and serve over vegetables, rice, pasta or with a salad. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Serves: 6

* For chicken breasts: use 3 breasts, sliced horizontally in half. Sear breast fillets on each side until golden and cooked through ( about 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your fillets).  Continue directions from the sauce, onwards. 

* For oven baked, bone-in thighs: Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Sear chicken in an oven proof skillet pan, skin side down for the first 3 minutes. Flip and sear for a another 3 minutes until browned on each side. Then bake in the oven for another 20-25 minutes, until completely cooked through and no longer pink inside. Continue directions from sauce, onwards. 

Honey Garlic Steak Bites

  

Ingredients 

2 lbs. top sirloin steak, cubed

2 tsp. sweet or smoked paprika

salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

4 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

6 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce

1/2 C water (or broth) 

8 cloves garlic, minced

4 tbsp. honey 

2 tbsp. sesame seed oil (you can also use extra virgin olive oil) 

2 tbsp. rice vinegar ( you can also use white vinegar) 

1 tsp. dried oregano 

2 tbsp. cornstarch

sesame seeds, for garnish (optional) 

sliced green onions , for garnish (optional) 

Directions

1) Cut up steak into 1/2 inch to 1 inch cubes.

2) Season with paprika, salt, and pepper; set aside. 

3) In a mixing bowl combine soy sauce, water, garlic, honey, sesame seed oil, rice vinegar, oregano, and cornstarch; whisk until thoroughly combined. Set aside. 

4) Heat 1 tbsp. vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. 

5) Add 1/2 of the steak cubes to the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until browned and done. Remove from skillet and repeat with the rest of the steak cubes, adding extra oil as needed.

6) Remove all steak bites from the skillet and set aside. 

7) Give the previously honey garlic sauce a good stir with a whisk and pour 1/3 of the sauce into the hot skillet; scrape up the browned pieces from the bottom of the pan. 

8) Add the steak bites back to the skillet and pour the rest of the sauce over the steak; cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, or until sauce starts to thicken. 

9) Remove from heat. 

10) Transfer steak bites to a plate and drizzle with the pan sauce. 

11) Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions (if using).

12) Serve with a side and vegetable of your choice. 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Serves: 8 

 

Balsamic Roast Beef

 

Ingredients

1 3-4 lb boneless roast beef (chuck or round roast)

1 C beef broth

1/2 C balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. soy sauce or coconut aminos

1 tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

4 cloves garlic, chopped

Directions

1) Place roast beef into the insert of your slow cooker. In a 2 C measuring cup, mix together all remaining ingredients. Pour over roast beef and set the timer for your slow cooker. (4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low)

2) Once roast beef has cooked, remove from slow cooker with tongs into a serving dish. Break apart lightly with two forks and then ladle about 1/4 - 1/2 C of gravy over roast beef. 

3) Store remaining gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for another use.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 8 hours

Total: 8 hours 5 minutes

Serves: 6-8 

Buffalo Style Mozzarella Pork Chops

 

Ingredients

2 tbsp. Olive Oil

2 tbsp. Butter

2-3 tbsp. Wing Sauce

Thinly sliced fresh mozzarella 

Thin center cut boneless pork chops 

Salt 

Pepper

Montreal Steak ( or your favorite seasoning) 

Directions

1) Add the olive oil, butter, and one tbsp of wing sauce to a large skillet. 

2) Season each side of the pork chops with salt, pepper, and your preferred seasoning. 

3) Once the pan is heated to medium-high heat, add the pork chops.

4) Cook for 2-3 minutes each side (or until done). 

5) Once the pork chops are thoroughly cooked, place on a cookie sheet and apply a liberal amount of buffalo sauce to coat the top of the pork chops. 

6) Top each pork chop with a thin slice of mozzarella cheese. 

7) Place under the broiler on high for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Sweet Baby Ray's Crockpot Chicken

 

Ingredients 

4-6 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

1 bottle sweet baby ray's bbq sauce (any flavor you want)

1/4 C vinegar

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/4 C brown sugar

1 tsp. garlic powder

Directions

1) Mix BBQ sauce with vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar and garlic powder. 

2) Place chicken in crockpot (still frozen is ok). Pour sauce mixture over chicken. 

3) Cook on LOW 4-6 hours. 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 4 hours

Total: 4 hours 5 minutes

Serves: 12 

Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes

 

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 small onion

1 green bell pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. worchestershire sauce

1/2 C beef broth

1 tbsp. cornstarch

4 slices white american or provolone cheese

4 rolls

Directions

1) Heat a saute pan over medium heat. Crumble ground beef and season with salt and pepper, then cook until browned. Remove from pan and set aside. 

2) Add butter to pan. Once melted, add onion and bell pepper and saute until onions are translucent. 

3) Return ground beef to pan. Add garlic powder, worchestershire sauce, and beef broth, stirring to combine. Add cornstarch and stir until dissolved. This will thicken the beef broth and create a sauce. 

4) Reduce heat to low. Cover meat mixture with cheese slices and allow to set for 1-2 minutes, or until melted. Remove from heat, spoon onto rolls and serve immediately. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Serves: 4 

Oven Roasted Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

 

Ingredients

1 pkg. of smoked sausage , sliced into rounds 

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

5 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes

olive oil

fine sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

sweet paprika

dried thyme

a handful of grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

2) Line a large baking sheet with sides with several sheets of foil, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. 

3) Spread the oil out over the pan. Set aside. 

4) Put the sausage rounds, onions and potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle with a couple tbsp of olive oil and season to taste with salt, pepper, paprika and dried thyme. 

5) Toss together with your hands until everything is evenly distributed. Pour this out onto the baking tray and spread it out as much as you can. 

6) Place into the heated oven and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so, until the potatoes are golden brown and tender. 

7) Turn off the oven. Scatter the cheese over the top of the cooked meat and potatoes. Put back into the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Serve immediately. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 60 minutes

Total: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serves: 4 

Bacon, Beer, and Cheese Sloppy Joes

 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

8 slices bacon, chopped

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1/2 C ketchup

1/4 C tomato paste

1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. dijon mustard

1 C beer 

1/2 C beef broth

2 C sharp cheddar , cubed

6 brioche buns

Directions

1) In a large skillet cook the bacon on medium high heat for 2-3 minutes or until crispy but still bendable. 

2) Remove the bacon from the pan and drain all but two tablespoons of the fat. 

3) Add the onions and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until softened. 

4) Add in the beef, lower the hear to medium and cook well, breaking it apart but leaving some chunks about the size of a raspberry or small grape ( don't crush the heck out of it, the larger crumbles will help give the sandwich stability). 

5) Cook until well browned (5-6 minutes), then add in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worchestershire sauce, dijion mustard, beer and beef broth. 

6) Stir well, continue cooking until the sauce starts to evaporate and the mixture becomes "sloppy" (about 5-6 minutes). 

7) The consistency you are looking for is reduced enough that spoonfuls can be placed on top of each other with the bottom spoonful not spreading more than a half inch or so. 

8) Add in the chunks of cheddar and cooked bacon crumbles a minute before serving and stir just slightly to melt them into little puddles. 

9) Toast the buns then spoon over the mixture and top with additional bacon (if desired). 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Serves: 6

Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops with Brown Sugar

 

Ingredients 

Pork Chops: 

4-6 pork chops

1/2 lb. bacon

1/2 C brown sugar

1 garlic clove, chopped

2 tbsp. butter

Marinade: 

4 tbsp. honey dijon mustard

1 tbsp. worcheshire sauce

1 tbsp. bbq sauce (any flavor) 

3 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. dry basil

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1) Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. 

2) Spread the marinade on your pork chops and then wrap each pork chop with bacon. 

3) Meanwhile, brown your garlic in the butter in a large pan. 

4) Once brown, place your pork chops in the pan. Coat one side with brown sugar and then turn over to coat the other side. 

5) Cook pork chops until they are golden brown and the bacon is crispy, about 15-20 minutes. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Serves: 6

Sweet Sausage

 

Ingredients 

1 (16 oz) pkg. smoked sausage

1 1/2 C maple syrup

Directions

1) Cut sausage into 1 - inch rounds.

2) Place in a large skillet over medium heat and add the maple syrup. 

3) Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. 

4) Serve piping hot. 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 25 minutes

Serves: 4 

This would also make a great appetizer for a party you just need to double or triple the recipe. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake

 

Ingredients 

For the Brownie Layer:

1 1/4 C Granulated sugar

6 tbsp. unsalted butter

1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder, plus 2 1/2 tbsp. 

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

2 large eggs

1/2 C all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the no-churn mint chocolate chip ice cream layer: 

2 C heavy whipping cream

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

1 drop kelly green gel-paste food coloring (optional) 

4 oz. semi sweet chocolate , finely chopped

For the Garnishes: 

3/4 C heavy whipping cream

1/3 C powdered sugar

1 tbsp. chocolate vermicelli (or chocolate sprinkles)  

Directions

To make the brownie layer: 

1) Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. 

2) Mist a 9 inch springform pan with non-stick spray. 

3) Place the sugar, butter, cocoa, and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in one-minute increments, stirring, until the butter is completely melted and the mixture feels very warm to the touch. 

4) Add the eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition. 

5) Stir in the flour.

6. Stir in the vanilla. 

7) Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan, then layer with the no-churn mint chocolate chip ice cream and freeze. 

To make the no-churn mint chocolate chip ice cream layer: 

1) Place the cream in a large mixing bowl and whip on medium-high speed until it holds stiff peaks. 

2) Fold in the condensed milk, peppermint extract, salt and gel-paste food coloring until well-combined. 

3) Stir in the chopped chocolate and spread the mixture over the cooled brownie layer. 

4) Freeze until hard, remove the sides of the springform pan, and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate vermicelli. 

To  Garnish: 

1) Place the cream in a medium mixing bowl and whip on medium-high speed until fluffy. 

2) Add the powdered sugar and continue to whip until the mixture holds stiff peaks. 

3) Transfer to a 16-inch featherweight piping bag fitted with a 4B tip, and pipe a large shell border around the perimeter of the cake. Pipe smaller stars just inside the shell border, then sprinkle the whipped cream with chocolate vermicelli 

Prep: 40 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Freeze: 2 hours

Serves: 8 

You can choose to omit using the piping bag and just spread the whipped cream all over the top of the cake. You can also change it up with the garnish and use different types of sprinkles depending on when you make this and what the holiday / season is. I chose to do fall / halloween colors etc because of it being the fall time. 

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

 

Ingredients 

32 oz. frozen meatballs

1/2 C brown sugar

1 C Ketchup

4 tbsp. Soy sauce

1/2 C Honey

1 tbsp. Minced Garlic

Directions

1) Place meatballs in the slow cooker.

2) Mix together all remaining ingredients. 

3) Add sauce to meatballs and stir to coat. 

4) Cook on low for 4 hours. 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 4 hours 

Total: 4 hours 5 minutes

Serves: 10-12

This can be used a main dish on top of noodles or rice if desired or you can use this as an appetizer for parties. Depending on how much you need you may have to double the recipe. (They are that good) 

Easy Meatball Sliders

 

Ingredients 

12 Slider buns

12 Meatballs, cooked

2 C pasta sauce

2 C Mozzarella cheese, shredded

3 tbsp. Parmesan Cheese

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

2 tbsp. Olive oil

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2) Place the bottom half of the slider buns in a casserole dish. 

3) Spoon a little sauce on each bun then place a meatball on each one, and add just a little more sauce over the meatballs. 

4) Cover the meatballs in mozzarella cheese. 

5) Place the top buns over the meatballs and brush them with a little oil. 

6) Combine the Parmesan cheese and the Italian seasoning the sprinkle it over the buns. 

7) Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes. 

8) Enjoy! 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Serves: 12 Sliders 

This will also make a great appetizer for parties. Its super easy to make and you can double it or triple it if needed. 

BBQ Chicken

 

Ingredients 

3-4 Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) (or more) 

16 oz bottle of BBQ sauce

1/2 C zesty italian dressing

1/4 C brown sugar

Directions

1) Mix together the ingredients. Put them in the crockpot. 

2) Cook on low 4 -5 hours or on high 2-3 hours. 

3) Shred with a fork and serve on buns or leave them whole and serve them with some mashed potatoes and veggies. 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 5 hours

Total: 5 hours 5 minutes

Serves: 4

Bubble Up Pizza

 

Ingredients 

2 cans of biscuits (any type you want) 

1 jar of pizza sauce (or homemade sauce) - you can use 2 if you want

shredded mozzarella cheese

shredded cheddar cheese (optional) 

pizza toppings (any type you want) ( i did pepperoni) 

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2) Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick spray. 

3) Open the biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. 

4) Place them all in the bottom of the pan. 

5) Pour pizza sauce over the top of the biscuits. 

6) Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese on top. 

7) Add any pizza toppings you want. 

8) Sprinkle with a little cheddar cheese over your pizza toppings (if using)

9) Bake for 25 to 35 minutes (uncovered) until all the biscuits have bubbled up. 

10) Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 35 minutes

Total: 50 minutes

Serves: 6 

Spicy Cajun Chicken Tenders with Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce

 

Ingredients

Chicken: 

8 Chicken tenderloins (about 1.25 lbs) 

1 egg, beaten

2 tbsp. milk

1/3 C flour

1/2 C cornmeal

1/2 C panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp each : salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder

1/2 tsp. each: smoked paprika, oregano, pepper

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional) 

BBQ Peach Sauce: 

1/2 C ketchup

2 tbsp. molasses

2 -3 tbsp. brown sugar (or more to taste) 

2 tbsp. white vinegar

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. each : garlic powder, onion powder

1/2 tsp each: salt, smoked paprika, chili powder

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 peaches, peeled and roughly chopped

Instructions

1) Combine barbecue sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until peaches are tender. When peaches are tender, add barbecue sauce to a blender and pulse to desired consistency (do not cover blender completely or it will explode). Add barbecue sauce to a bowl and taste and adjust as desired for more spice, more sugar, etc. 

2) While barbecue sauce is simmering , prepare chicken. Mix cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs and seasoning in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Add chicken to a freezer bag (or bowl) and toss with 1/3 cup flour until well coated. Remove chicken and tap off any excess flour. Dip chicken in egg/milk bowl and let excess drip off. Place chicken in a new freezer bag and pour cornmeal/panko/seasoning into the bag and toss until well coated, pressing breading into the chicken (through the bag) , or place chicken into a bowl and toss until well coated, pressing breading into the chicken with fingers. 

3) Heat enough oil in a large nonstick skillet to cover the bottom of your pan over medium high heat. Once hot, gently add chicken breasts and cook for approximately 2 - 3 minutes or until browned on one side. Gently turn chicken over with tongs, reduce heat to medium- low , cover and continue cooking until chicken is crispy and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes (depending on thickness of your chicken) , Cook in batches if necessary. 

4) Dip chicken in peach sauce and enjoy! 

Prep: 25 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 40 minutes

Serves: 8 

- To easily peel peaches, cut an "X" in the bottom of each peach down to the core; then blanch them in a medium saucepan of boiling water for 10 seconds; transfer them with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water. Remove peaches when cool and peel, beginning where you made your "X". 

Meatball Parmesan Casserole

 

Ingredients 

1 bag of frozen meatballs, cooked according to pkg. directions

pasta sauce

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1 C shredded parmesan cheese

Italian seasoning, to taste

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2) Spread some pasta sauce into the bottom of a 3 qt. casserole dish to prevent the meatballs from sticking. 

3) Arrange the precooked meatballs on top. Pour more pasta sauce on top to cover the meatballs to your liking. 

4) Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, parmesan and some Italian seasoning to taste. 

5) Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. 

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 25 minutes

Serves: 6-8 

Easy Crock Pot Ribs

 

Ingredients 

Rub: 

2 tbsp. paprika

2 tbsp. packed brown sugar

1 tbsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Ribs:

5-6 lb baby back ribs

2-3 C favorite BBQ sauce

Directions

1) Combine paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. 

2) Rub the mixture over the meaty side of the ribs. 

3) Place ribs in slow cooker standing them upright with the meaty side against the wall of the cooker. 

4) Pour the bbq sauce over the ribs. 

5) Cook on low 4-5 hours until tender. 

6) Remove ribs and allow to sit for 15 minutes (cover with foil) 

7) Cut ribs apart. 

8) Cover with BBQ sauce left in cooker if desired. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 5 hours

Total: 5 hours 15 minutes

Serves: 12 

Four Ingredient Meatloaf

 

Ingredients

1 box Stove Top stuffing (any flavor of your choice) 

1 lb. ground beef

2 eggs

1/2 C ketchup (or more if you like)

1/2 C water (or a little more if your beef is super lean) 

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a bread loaf pan.

2) In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients, but set aside half of the ketchup for later. 

3) Fill the pan with your mixture. 

4) Top it with the remaining ketchup and spread it evenly over the top. You can also use BBQ sauce, chili sauce or a combination of sauces. Whatever you would like. 

5) Bake for 45-60 minutes. Or until it done. 

6) Wait a few minutes before slicing it. Serve with mashed potatoes, veggies or anything else you would like. Enjoy! 

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 60 minutes

Total: 65 minutes

Serves: 5-6 

You can add anything else to the mixture that you happen to have on hand. (Ex: onions, garlic, cheese, spices, herbs etc. ) You can also use 1/2 C milk in place of the eggs and water if you would like.