Sunday, April 5, 2015

Egg, Sausage, Red Pepper Brunch

Looking for an easy brunch egg bake?  I made this one up for Easter.  It can be assembled the day before and then baked the next morning if you have a busy weekend.



Egg, Sausage, Red Pepper Brunch

1 30 oz bag of hash browns, thawed
1 lb. sage sausage crumbled and fried
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese
3/4 c. diced red pepper
2-3 green onions, diced
9 eggs
2 1/4 c. milk
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. basil
salt/pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 9 x 13 baking dish.
Saute red pepper and onions.
Place hashbrowns in baking dish
Layer sausage, then cheese, then peppers and green onions.

Mix eggs, milk, garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper.  Pour egg mix over layers.

Bake 45 - 60 minutes or until eggs cooked through.

Chicken Pot Pie

Deciding whether or not to post this has been a struggle.  It's kind of my 'secret recipe'.  But here goes nothin'.   You can make this ahead of time by assembling the pot pie, putting plastic wrap over it and putting it in the fridge.   When you are ready to bake it, then brush it with the egg and stick in the oven.   Baking will take longer since it is cold when you put it in the oven.  Cover the edges with foil if they start to get too brown.

Looking to use up some leftover steak?  Substitute thinly sliced or small cubes of beef and beef bouillon  instead of chicken!  I can't decide which is better.


Chicken Pot Pie

2 pie crust dough (like Pillsbury)
1/4 c. butter
1/3 c. flour
1 T minced onion
1/4 t. pepper
1 1/3 c. water
2/3 c. milk
3 chicken bullion cubes or a bit more than 2 T. granulated
2 c. cooked cubed or shredded chicken
10 oz. mixed veggies

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Line pie pan with 1 crust.

Melt butter, stir in flour, pepper, onion until blended.  Add water, milk, and bullion all at once.  Cook until thickened stirring constantly until cubes are dissolved.

Add veggies and stir until thawed.  Add chicken.  Cook until hot.

Pour in pie crust.  Add top crust and seal. Cut slits to vent.

Brush with beaten egg.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.   Let rest 15 minutes before cutting.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Beer-Brined Grilled Pork Chops



Beer-Brined Grilled Pork Chops

12 oz bottle dark beer
1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
1 T. salt
1 T. chili powder
2-3 cloves minced garlic
3 c. ice water
4 1 inch pork chops

Whisk beer, sugar, salt, chili powder, and minced garlic in a bowl until salt is disolved.  Add the water and stir until the ice is melted.  Add the pork chops to the bowl and place a plate on top to keep the pork chops submerged in the brine.  Refrigerate 3-4 hours.

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before grilling.