Category Archives: Uncategorized

Chicken Fajitas on the Grill

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IMG_5593.JPG Wow–Fajitas on the Grill and the best part is there were no pots and pans to clean up! Cooked in Aluminum Foil Packs right on the grill! They’re called Hobo Packs. This is so easy to make and so delicious to eat. Definitely one of our favorite go to meals in the summer. If you don’t have a grill you can make in the oven on a large rimmed baking sheet.

Very quick prep and delicious ingredients. Feel free to substitute whatever peppers you would prefer. This is what I did.

You’ll need heavy-duty aluminum foil for the grill.

  • If you double up the recipe you’ll need more hobo packs and feel free to experiment with the ingredients. 

Follow me on Instagram @cookingwithcandi

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken tenders–I cut them in 1/2 so they’re still thick enough that they don’t over-cook in the 15 minutes it takes to cook. If the pieces are too too thin they’ll over-cook. 

1 medium red onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick (approximately)

1 poblano chile or serrano chile whatever you can get. Stemmed and cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips. I used both .

1 Red Bell Pepper–cut into strips lengthwise

1 Yellow Bell Pepper –cut into strips lengthwise

*you can really use any peppers that you’d like–these are the ones I used Shishito Peppers would be wonderful as well.

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds

Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper- you’ll need to be fairly generous with the salt –I used about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and a few grinds of the pepper mill.

4 -6 fresh oregano sprigs–at least 1 in each packet–I used 2 in each packet. This is an optional option if no oregano– I like the flavor. 

1 lime, thinly sliced crosswise

Warm flour or corn tortillas, sour cream , guacamole and salsa and some hot sauce for serving. I used small tortillas but any kind will work out nicely. This is a very easy Summer Meal. I also like to serve with rice and beans.

Directions:

Cut up all the veggies, onions and chicken and light the grill, I had the grill turned up high , it should be medium to high. I put it to high to pre-heat and then lowered to a more medium – high, if you are unable to do this step just check on them after 12 minutes to make sure the bottom isn’t burning.

In a large bowl, toss the chicken, onion and all the peppers with the olive oil and cumin seeds. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss again. I like it to sit for about 15 minutes while grill is heating up. 

Arrange 4 14 inch sheets of heavy duty foil on a work surface ( see pics) app. 14 inches don’t get the ruler out you can   eyeball it, it needs to fit a pile of veggies and chicken. Last night I increased the chicken so we had about 6 packs.

Pile the chicken and veggies evenly on one 1/2 of each foil sheet and top with the oregano and lime slices. Fold the foil over the ingredients and pinch the edges to seal.

Place the foil packets on the grill, close the lid and cook over moderately high heat until the chicken is cooked through, anywhere from 12 to 15 minutes.

Open the packets and serve with warm flour fajitas, sour cream , guacamole, salsa and hot sauce.

*Packets can be made a night ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.

I usually place all ingredients after cooking in a large serving dish/bowl and let everyone help themselves.

Enjoy!

Chicken on the Grill: summer staple marinade

Grilling Chicken is a summer staple in our house. This recipe requires no marinating and whips up quickly. In less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Really quick.

You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry.

I love chicken thighs but if you must use breasts you obviously can just watch them because they cook very quickly.

Delicious the next day in salad cold or a rice bowl and I recommend Tzatziki sauce on the side.

*another good idea is to double the recipe and freeze 1/2 the raw marinated chicken for another time. Just defrost bring to room temperature and cook

Ingredients:

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1/3 cup Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Paprika — I used regular sweet paprika but you can use smoked paprika for a different flavor

1 1/2 Tbsp. Oregano ( dried oregano)

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

Pat chicken thighs dry and place in a bowl.

In a measuring cup or a small mixing bowl add the oil and spices and stir with a fork or whisk with a small little whisk ( my fav tool)

Pour marinade over the chicken make sure chicken is coated on all sides , it’s messy with hands but it’s the best way. Make sure chicken is well coated.

Heat bbq grill to medium high to high heat — Make sure grill is very hot before putting chicken on. Cook the chicken for app. 4-5 minutes per side . Make sure chicken is cooked through and dark grill marks form ( see photo)

Now if you have no grill you can cook the chicken in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes then flip over and cook for 5 more minutes under the broiler — but keep an eye on it.

You can also use a grill pan on the stove top.

Enjoy!

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A Berry Patriotic Trifle

I made this for the Fourth of July a few years ago and it was so very pretty and pretty yummy too. I honestly didn’t care how good it tasted because it looked that good but it really was very yummy. Very easy to make and no baking involved. Perfect for the Fourth or Labor Day or really any old time . Actually this would be lovely made with all blackberries , all strawberries and just serve it any old time if you’re not feeling the Patriotic theme. It’s delicious and an easy solution for dessert for those summer bbq’s.

You’ll need a Trifle Bowl — worth the investment.

Happy Fourth of July America! Land of the Free because of the Brave!

Ingredients:

1 store bought angel food cake

For the syrup:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp. Almond Extract

Whipped Cream Cheese:

2/3 cup sugar

1 lb. Cream cheese , at room temperature

2 cups Heavy Cream, at room temperature

Fruit:

2 pints blueberries

2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions:

Heat 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice , and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract.

Cut the pre made angel cake into 1 ” slices

Brush both sides of the sliced cake with syrup — I put on a rimmed baking sheet to do this

Cut the slices into 1″ cubes

Beat 2/3 cup sugar and the cream cheese with a mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth and light. Add the cream and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and the consistency of whipped cream

Arrange half of the cake cubes in the bottom a 13 cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Dollop half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread

Top with a layer of strawberries

Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries. Then sprinkle with more blueberries

Top with remaining whipped cream and finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a decorative pattern. Cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours. Overnight is perfect and what I recommend.

Like I said any berries will do , it’s a lovely dessert.

New Summer Fav Salad –

This is my new go to summer salad and I just love it – so easy to make and so delicious.

I only use Avocado, Cucumber, Fresh Charred Corn, some salty feta, and peppery arugula or if you’d like use romaine.

The dressing is Lemon and Dijon dressing which hits the right flavors. it’s tangy and slightly sweet.

This salad belongs at every bbq, potluck lunch or dinner throughout the summer , I know it will be on my table and if you come to my house for a meal you’re bound to get it.

This is what I did, salads are not an exact science so just enjoy and use as much or as little of any of the ingredients and make it your way. The dressing is sort of exact measurements though.

Happy Summer!

Ingredients for the Salad:

4 ears fresh corn husks removed

2 ripe avocados, diced

3 mini cucumbers or those little baby ones are great you’ll have to eyeball those

3 cups arugula, chopped or not or use crunchy romaine chopped

4 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled

Lemon Dijon Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 small lemon

1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

I put corn on the grill outside — You can lightly coat with olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt and cook turning occasionally until lightly charred on all sides, transfer to a plate and cool down

If no grill you can just cook in some boiling salted water till bright yellow , after a few minutes in boiling water I put in ice bath to cool down and stop cooking — corn will turn bright yellow

In a small bowl, I used a measuring cup or a mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon, dijon, honey, garlic powder, salt and pepper until emulsified and smooth.

Prepare the salad ingredients, once corn is cooled down slice the kernels from the cob and add them to the salad

Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss. I didn’t use all the dressing, I lightly dressed and added as necessary.

*of course you can add a protein and make this a complete meal

Serve immediately and hope you love it as much as I do.

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15 Minute Marinara Sauce and Shrimp Marinara

Sometimes you just can’t wait for the two to three hours slow simmering sauce as delicious as it is and wonderful tasting it’s just sometimes not possible. The other night I wanted to make Shrimp Marinara but I didn’t want to use a jarred sauce and believe me I love Raos and Carbone sauces and this shrimp would have been just fine using one of them which I know and encourage you to use if you don’t want to make your own.

This is my recipe for a quick sauce for spaghetti and meatballs, anything marinara when I don’t want to make my slow sauce.

Enjoy! and this is what I did.

15 minute Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes we like it spicy so I use 1 1/2 if you hate spicy omit it all together

1/2 -1 teaspoon kosher salt

3 medium cloves of garlic, minced or finely chopped

1 28oz can crushed red tomatoes, not pureed, not whole not diced

Directions:

Combine the olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and garlic in a cold saucepan. Stir while you heat the pan to medium high heat. Saute till fragrant , try and avoid burning the garlic don’t let it get brown . Stir in the tomatoes and heat to a gentle simmer, this will take a few minutes.

I added a little additional salt, and a little additional water. Also I use the pasta water from spaghetti so it got to the right consistency , just add a little water at a time. My sauce was sitting in pan while I prepped shrimp and pasta so it got thicker than I wanted. Easy to thin out , use the pasta water it will help sauce to stick to spaghetti.

Shrimp:

Prepare the pasta– follow directions on packaging for al dente.

Clean Shrimp, pat dry with paper towels and lay out and sprinkle with salt and pepper

I bring sauce to a boil and add the shrimp , the shrimp will start to curl as they cook , stir the shrimp through the sauce a few time and depending on the size of your shrimp they should cook in about 10 -12 minutes , smaller shrimp will cook faster.

Don’t over cook shrimp no body likes rubber shrimp.

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Once shrimp is cooked turn off the heat, finish the pasta , take some pasta water and incorporate into sauce. ( about 1/2 cup) but if you need more use more.

Plate it up and it’s done. Delicious homemade sauce with shrimp or meatballs.

Enjoy!

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Summer Salad

I made this salad the other night and it came together so beautifully and it was very very tasty if I do say so myself. I made it with grilled chicken and bacon but if you want to keep it vegetarian you can . You can also serve chicken and bacon on the side if you’d like. It’s a yummy chopped up salad with lots of tasty items that I love together. The lemon vinaigrette dressing has a bit of kick but you can easily leave out the crushed red pepper. I used fresh butter lettuce but any lettuce will do .

Enjoy!

*this served 4

Salad Ingredients:

8 slices bacon — I used microwave bacon and cooked for 3 minutes and cooled it off and crumbled it. Of course you can use any type of bacon or omit — up to you

app. 1 /2 -1 pint blueberries

1/2 cup crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese — I hate blue cheese but if you love it use that

1 handful small cut up basil leaves

app. 4 cups farmers market lettuce or any lettuce you like — I used a soft butter lettuce this time–I tore it into small pieces

3 corn on the cobs kernels removed — leave it raw — it’s sweet and delicious

1-2 avocados — depending on the size of your avocados — I used 2 small ones

Grilled Chicken:

I used about 4 chicken breasts — small ones and brushed some olive oil and salt and pepper and a little dried oregano and grilled them on the grill for a few minutes on each side till done and set aside with aluminum till ready to serve salad and then cut up chicken into small pieces.

Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing:

I made salad dressing in my mini chopper — Perfect and easy if no mini chopper just mince garlic by hand and whisk all ingredients together adding olive oil in last slowly.

3 garlic cloves, finely minced

2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

1/4 cup Champagne Vinegar

3 Tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons Honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt — more to taste — didn’t need it

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

I used my mini chopper and started with the garlic and put all other ingredients and added the olive at the end slowly.

Taste for salt and pepper but it was fine by me.

  • 1/2 teaspoon or more or less crushed red pepper flakes –we like kick and so did our guests so you may or may not want to use this which is fine

In a large salad bowl add in lettuce, chicken , blueberries, cheese, basil leaves, crumbled bacon, avocado and corn. Drizzle with the vinaigrette or serve salad and let your guests dress their own — up to you. Once salad is dressed serve immediately. I

Cucumber Avocado Salad

Light and easy — Cucumbers and Avocado Salad with a light lime dressing. This side salad will disappear very quickly and you’ll be wanting more.

I made it without the green onion so feel free to add it or not it was just as yummy without. Just happen to have avocado and cucumber in the house but next time I will make sure to add a little green onion!

Ingredients:

2 English Cucumbers –Slice Cuke in 1/2 — scoop out seeds and slice or use any cucumbers you like I just like to remove seeds and cut smaller cukes into smaller pieces — it really doesn’t matter how you slice them up– if I use kirby type cucumbers (as pictured) I cut into smaller pieces — totally up to you– it’s all good — small Persians work well here and you’ll probably need 3 or 4 — I don’t scoop out seeds from the Persian cucumbers

1 large avocado pitted, peeled and cut into chunks or slices whichever you prefer

*1/3 cup green onion , chopped

2 Tbsp. Lime Juice from 1 medium lime

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 tsp. Kosher Salt or Sea Salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

In a medium sized salad type bowl, combine sliced cucumbers , avocado and if you’re adding green onions.

Drizzle with lime juice, olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. I sliced cucumbers and dressing earlier than right before I served it added the avocado so it wouldn’t brown. The lime juice should prevent it from turning brown though.

That’s it and very delicious side salad .

Chili Crunch Salmon

I made this for dinner the other night and gotta say it was pretty delicious , served alongside some rice and asparagus which are so delicious this time of year. A quick and easy meal made with salmon fillets and some Momofuko chili crisp ( available on Amazon) but make sure you get the mild one , the hot one is pretty hot even for me who likes hot , it’s also delicious on soba noodles or linguine, check it out -see photo of it below.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless salmon fillets

3 Tbsp. Mayonnaise — full fat kind please

2 Tbsp. chili crisp–you will use oil and crunchy bits and as I said I love Momofuko brand and available on Amazon -there are a few different ones and they’re all delicious

2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp. Honey — if using mild chili crisp you can try Hot Honey

1 tsp. Rice vinegar

1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

2 cloves garlic -minced

1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger — there is no substitute for fresh

and if you’d like you can finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, sliced scallions, lime wedges, or some extra chili crisp which I always do

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

I used a pyrex glass baking dish which I sprayed with Pam cooking spray –I also drizzled just a little olive oil on the bottom of the pan

Whisk together all the other ingredients until smooth, it should be spreadable , not runny.

Mayo, chili crisp, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil , garlic and ginger

Pat the salmon dry and place skin side down in the prepared baking dish

spoon or brush some of the chili crisp mayo combo over the salmon, don’t use it all save a little for the table for serving

Bake for app. 8-10 minutes and then broil for a few minutes , salmon thickness varies so be careful, I also like my salmon a little undercooked so don’t cook for as long , up to you. Use your best judgment knowing that it will finish cooking while it sits out of the oven .

Once finished you can spread more of the glaze on top and finish with any toppings you like.

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Lemon Parmesan Salad –Crunchy and Fresh

This salad is so delicious so fresh tasting and so easy to make. Very simple with very simple ingredients — Romaine lettuce, Lemons, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil and Salt and Pepper.

It’s zesty lemon flavor with the rich taste of Parmesan Cheese. Perfect accompaniment to chicken, fish or any main course meal.

This is what I did.

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce– 3 Romaine Hearts are perfect and chop them up and put in a large bowl

Obviously place the lettuce in a salad spinner first to clean.

2 large lemons, juiced or 3 small lemons

1 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup Good Olive Oil

Kosher Salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Rinse romaine and chop up into small bite size thin pieces. Discard the ends. Clean in a salad spinner and spin to remove excess water. I then put into paper towels and place in fridge till ready to use.

When ready to eat add the lettuce to a large bowl .

I place all other ingredients except for Parmesan Cheese in a small mixing bowl. Taste for Salt and Pepper. I whisk the lemon juice and olive oil together . Pour over lettuce mix well and add cheese and serve .

That’s it — Super Simple –Super Easy — Super Delicious

Chicken Piccata

Pan fried chicken in a sauce which is a combination of butter, fresh lemon juice, oil and capers and a little chicken broth and the perfect amount of lemon and lemon zest! This chicken dish is super easy and super fast to make for dinner I don’t add cream because I find it rich enough with the little butter and oil in it. If no broth use a dry white wine like pinot grigio. Always use fresh lemon though and the zest for that extra brightness and zing. Capers add the briny salty deliciousness which balances it all out. If you’re in with all these ingredients then here you go.

One more thing– of course you can buy chicken breasts in supermarket and slice in 1/2 and pound, I feel it’s worth the extra $$ to go to butcher and have them slice and pound . A lot of supermarkets have butchers which will be happy to do this so you can ask. I know Whole Foods will.

I served alongside brown basmati rice but any rice or pasta will do or mashed potatoes or a simple parmesan arugula salad, you get it. I had fresh asparagus on hand so used that but any green will do.

Enjoy! and your welcome

Ingredients:

1 – 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets –this was actually 4 cutlets perfect for the two of us with a little left over.

Kosher Salt and Freshly ground black pepper

Garlic powder

Flour–enough to dredge 4 pieces of chicken –I use a flat plate to dredge

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter -divided

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1/4 -1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine

1 Lemon juiced and zest of 1 lemon –I used an average size lemon a little bigger won’t hurt but not smaller

1 Tablespoon brined capers – drained

Directions:

I take chicken and pat dry and generously sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper and garlic powder

Heat 2 Tablespoons butter and olive oil in a large enough skillet over medium high heat — I only did 4 cutlets otherwise you’ll have to do in batches — and add more butter /olive oil/broth/lemon juice etc. basically just do the sauce again for more cutlets

Once the pan is hot, cook the chicken pieces for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden and set aside on a separate plate

Take the pan off the heat and add the chicken broth or wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining butter and capers to the skillet , you’ll de glaze the pan and scrape up any browned bits

I then return pan to medium high heat and add a very little bit of flour to thicken and once it’s bubbling again add chicken back into the pan –you may want to add a little broth as well depends on how reduced sauce is — I added a little bit more — if sauce thickens too much add wine or broth

Add the chicken to sauce and cook for another 4-5 minutes and that’s it

*this was good for the two of us with one cutlet left over

serve hot with whatever sides you like and Enjoy!

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