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Porter House Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is becoming one of the Porter House faves. YES! my friends we have graduated from tuna, tuna all the time. But don’t get me wrong we still love tuna just as much. But when we are in the mood for something different, something “Porter House Gourmet”. We crave chicken salad. But not just any chicken salad. One that will satisfy the sweet and the savory. Mmmm, Tasty!

Ingredients

  • 2 large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds)
  • 3 strips turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, sliced in half
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil..

2. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Roast until golden and completely cooked through, about 50 minutes. Cool completely.

3. Remove the skin from the chicken. Shred the meat with a fork and then roughly chop. Add to a bowl with the bacon, grapes, mayonnaise, tarragon, lemon juice, celery, onion and salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder to taste and mix well.

4. Serve & Enjoy!

*CHEF’S NOTE – Jazz this salad up by serving it in an edible toast cup, an edible tomato cup or in a lettuce cup/wrap

Sell Your Soul To The “Deviled Eggs”

The Porter House love us some deviled eggs. These evil hors d’ouvres are fantastic for all types of gatherings. From Easter egg hunts, summer picnic potlucks and holiday parties they go hand in hand. My family goes crazy over them at every event. Not to mention that I myself have been known to devour a dozen of these delectable delights in one sitting (LOL). So bring some to your next social gathering. They are quick, easy and sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

  • 12 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • paprika for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the eggs in a saucepan in a single layer with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water has boiled for 2 minutes, remove from the heat and cover pot with lid. Let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water, then cool the eggs under cold running water. Peel once cold.

2. Dry the eggs thoroughly with paper towels, and slice them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, and place in a bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork, and stir in the sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Next add the mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and vinegar, one at a time, stirring to incorporate each ingredient before adding the next.

3. Mound a heaping teaspoonful of the yolk mixture into the cavity of each egg half, and sprinkle with paprika for garnish.

*CHEF’S NOTE – Want a more polished look?  Put the egg filling into a piping bag or freezer bag (with a cut off corner), and pipe the filling into the egg white halves.

Southern Pimento Cheese

Fried Chicken, Sweet Tea, Barbecue, Catfish, and Grits— are all some examples of true Southern culinary icons. Which brings me to two of my favorite words “comfort” and “food.” Put them together and it’s magic, just like the simple blend of cheese, mayonnaise and sweet peppers known across the South as pimento cheese.

Like most Southerners, I grew up with pimento cheese spread — from the processed stuff sold in supermarkets to the wonderful, chunky and flavorful varieties made at home. The popularity of this unique spread remains largely confined to the states below the Mason-Dixon line, where it assumes its place as a Southern delicacy. But you don’t have to travel down South to enjoy some authentic pimento cheese. Its basic ingredients are readily available everywhere, and it’s a cinch to make. With it only taking 15 minutes or less to make, why not whip up a batch today?

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, soften
  • 4 ounces vermont extra sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 ounces monterey jack cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 (4 ounce) jar of pimentos, drained and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon grated onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon Porter House Seasoning, recipe follows
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 dash hot sauce (or more!)

Instructions

1. Using a hand held mixer, beat cream cheese until soft.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until creamy and combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.
4. Serve as a dip or as a sandwich filling.

Porter House Seasoning

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1/4 cup black pepper
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup onion powder

1. Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Beer Battered Cod

Battered cod always reminds me of two things: (1) weekend family fish fry’s and (2) my years at St. Joesph. You see I went to a Catholic school growing up and like just about every other Catholic church without fail on EVERY Friday we had Mass in the morning and fish for lunch. Especially during the Lenten season. Needless to say fish is a very present part of my weekly indulgence. I guess some things remain the same. The only difference from then to now is that my palette has evolved and I enjoy more than just cod on Fridays. But I can say that whenever I am feeling a little nostalgic I just whip up a batch of these babies. And instantly I am transcended back to a time when I was little girl :-).

INGREDIENTS

Canola oil for frying
1 cup McCormick® Beer Batter Seafood Batter Mix
1 tablespoon OLD BAY® Seasoning
2/3 cup beer or water
3 (8-ounce) cod fillets, each cut diagonally into 1-inch-wide strips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F

2. Next Pour 1/4 cup of oil into large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat

3. Mix Batter Mix and Old Bay in medium bowl. Add beer or water; stir until smooth. Pat fish dry and dip fish into beer batter. Shake off excess.

4. Fry cod in batches, in a single layer, 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown, turning once to brown evenly. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Repeat fry process until all fish is cooked.

5. Serve Hot with tarter sauce, malt vinegar or your favorite condiment.

*CHEF’S TIP – This recipe can easily substitute the cod with pollock, halibut, tilapia or even  peeled and deveined shrimp.

Fried Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich

Are you hungry tonight? LOL. Well do I have a Hunka Hunka Burning Love sandwich for you, Fried Peanut Butter & Banana. Even though this recipe does not include bacon it has been referred to as a favorite of Elvis Presley who was famously renowned for his food cravings. So here’s to the “King”. “You’re Always On My Mind.”

Ingredients

for sandwiches:
2-3 Ripe bananas
8 Slices whole wheat bread
3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 tablespoon honey
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter

for topping:
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a small bowl mix together peanut butter, honey and cinnamon. Slice bananas into 1/4 thick slices. Spread the peanut butter mixture on four slices of bread and cover with banana slices. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread. Spread whipped butter on both sides of sandwiches.

2. In frying pan melt 3 tablespoons of butter – make sure butter does not burn. Grill sandwiches in frying pan until each side is golden brown.

3. Combine sugar and cinnamon in shallow plate. Coat grilled sandwiches with mixture. Cut diagonally and serve hot.

*CHEF’S TIP – Want a little variety? Try Nutella or add some marshmallow creme, or some bacon. For all I care throw some jelly on that thang. Be creative and just let your imagination run wild.

Honey Mustard Chicken Club

So my daughter, niece and nephew LOVE themselves some honey mustard. Just as much as they LOVE ranch dressing. Well one day my husband and I decided to try this stuff they love so much. Just to see what all the rave was about. And you know what, WE FELL IN LOVE TOO! I know I am a little late to the party but this stuff is the bomb. So whenever I find a recipe that calls for honey mustard I am all over it. Give this one a try. It is sooo good!

Ingredients

for marinade:
1/2 cup Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 whole (juice Of) orange
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
zest of one orange

for sandwiches:
8 slices of sourdough bread, toasted
2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
8 slices Turkey Bacon
4 slices sharp provolone cheese
4 slices swiss cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Mayo
Canola Oil

Instructions

1. To begin, make the marinade. In a large bowl mix together 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup honey, juice of 1/2 orange, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, minced garlic, dried basil and orange zest; whisk until smooth. Set Aside.

2. Next, rinse the chicken breasts and cut (lengthwise) into half. Next, add the chicken to the bowl with the marinade, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours or overnight.

3. After the chicken is marinated, pan fry the bacon, drain and set aside. When finished cooking bacon clean out the skillet and heat up canola oil in clean skillet over medium high heat. Also preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

4. Remove the chicken from the fridge and pour off excess marinade. When the grease is nice and hot add two pieces of chicken to it. Cook until brownish/blackish, about 1 to 1 ½ minutes per side. Remove chicken to a large baking sheet. Repeat skillet process and remove finished chicken to baking sheet until all chicken breast are cooked. Place the chicken in preheated oven and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven.

5. Lay 2 pieces of bacon over each chicken breast. Place a piece of provolone and swiss cheese over the top of each chicken breast. Return pan to oven for an additional minute or two, or until cheese is melted and bacon is sizzling.

6. Toast sourdough bread and spread each slice with mayo. Garnish one slice with lettuce and tomato; then top with chicken breast. Crown with the second slice and cut in half. Serve immediately.

Grilled Pesto Chicken

What doesn’t pesto work with? You could rub it on my shoe and I would eat it. But add it to some chicken & grill it and you have this great easy chicken recipe you will want to share with everybody.

INGREDIENTS

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Classico basil pesto
salt
black pepper
gralic powder
onion powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the chicken breasts in a ziploc bag and add the pesto. Toss
the chicken to coat and place in the refrigerator to marinate overnight or up to 2 hours.

2. Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill. Lightly oil the grate.

3. LIGHTLY season chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

4. When the the grill is hot and ready, cook chicken about 5 -7 minutes on each side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove chicken from the grill, Cover with foil and let chicken rest for a few minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

Greek Tomato Salad

Adapted from a version by chef Gavin Kaysen, Emily says that she made this salad for her friend Linda Lou, who is Greek and is notorious for stealing olives out of unsuspecting martinis. “She loved it, so I consider it to have the official Greek stamp of approval.”

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups feta cheese
  • 2-3 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes, cut in quarters or wedges
  • 2/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 1/4 red onion, sliced as thinly as possible
  • Sea salt and pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Fresh chopped oregano

INSTRUCTIONS

Put the feta in a bowl and add a little bit of cream at a time, whisking with a fork, until the cheese becomes creamy and smooth. Spread ¼ of the cheese onto the center of plate. Top with ¼ of the tomatoes, onions, and olives and season a bit with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with the chopped oregano. Repeat on 4 more plates and serve.

Source: thedailymeal.com

Porter House Turkey Burger

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 (100%) Whole Wheat Buns
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Sliced Onions
  • Pickles
  • Favorite Condiments (Ketchup,Mustard,Mayo etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Oil & Preheat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the chopped garlic, ground turkey, dijon mustard, onion soup mix and bread crumbs, to a large mixing bowl. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 equal-sized balls and flatten them into patties. Lightly season each patty with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.

3. Place patties in pre-heated skillet. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes per side (the last minute of cook time place 2 slices of cheese on each patty). Transfer the burgers to the buns and top with lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, pickles and favorite condiments.

4. Serve with accompliment (i.e. fries, tater tots, chips, salad etc.) & ENJOY!

Spaghetti Salad

Let me tell you a quick story: I remember the very first time I saw this dish. We were over my cousin’s house for a family gathering and there it was; sitting on the table with the other delectable delights. Now to be honest at first sight I squenched up my face and whispered to my husband. “I’m not eating none of that. Looks like someone didn’t use enough spaghetti sauce.” Hence the reddish-orange color.  So in comes my cousin into the kitchen who was hosting the gathering. She was like “Girl you have to try this new spaghetti dish I made. It’s to die for.” All while she was piling up my plate with this stuff I just told my husband I was not going to eat. What am I suppose to do now? She is looking me dead in my mouth. Waiting to see what I thought of this concoction of noodles and red stuff. I smiled and amused her curiosity with a little nibble. And to my surprise it was good. I’m mean Really, Really Good. So much so I asked for the recipe. Boy am I glad that I took a bite. I would have missed out on real treat. Like the saying goes, “Never judge a book by its cover.”

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spaghetti, cooked
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 large tomato or 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese – Store bought powdered version works best
  • 1 (8 oz) bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning

Instructions

1. Wash all veggies. Dice and set aside.

2. In a large pot bring salted water to a boil. Then cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and then immediately run it under cold water.

3. In a large bowl combine all of the vegetables, salad dressing and salad supreme seasoning. Next toss noodles in dressing mixture until well coated. Lastly sprinkle in parmesan cheese and give one good final toss.

4. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Serve the next day and enjoy!