Garlic Confit

Ingredients

• 10 heads of garlic cloves peeled, around 2 3/4 cups (I highly suggest buying pre-peeled garlic)
• 8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary
• 1 tbsp. black peppercorns
• 2 small bay leaves
• 2 1/2 cups pure olive oil

Instructions

1. To a medium-large sized saucepan/pot add all the ingredients and over on low (do not boil) for around 30 minutes or until garlic is perfectly buttery and creamy.
2. Use a slotted spoon to transfer
3. the garlic to a large jar and store for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

From: https://www.foodbymaria.com/garlic-confit/

Classic Tomato Soup

Yield: 4 bowls

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 large can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, with their liquid
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• ½ cup cooked Great Northern beans or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces
• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or brown sugar, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• For the tomato-basil variation (optional): 10 to 15 fresh basil leaves, to taste

Instructions

1. In a Dutch oven or soup pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and turning translucent, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. Add the tomatoes and vegetable broth and stir to combine. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, reducing the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, and stirring occasionally.
3. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender, being sure not to fill past the maximum fill line (blend in batches if necessary). Add the beans, butter, sugar, and several twists of black pepper. Securely fasten the lid and blend the soup until smooth, being careful to avoid hot steam escaping from the lid.
4. Since canned tomatoes vary in flavor, I always end up tinkering with this soup a bit at the end. Taste and, if necessary, add a little more sugar (to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes), pepper, and salt (I usually add another ¼ to ½ teaspoon).
5. If you’re adding basil, add it now. Briefly blend again, and serve hot. This soup keeps well for up to four days or so. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.

From: https://cookieandkate.com/classic-tomato-soup-recipe/print/33104/

Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs. total)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter, divided
• 1 whole garlic bulb (about 8-9 garlic cloves)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets (or use thin-cut chicken breasts).
2. Season each breast with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Then sprinkle the flour over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub it in until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and 1 Tbsp of butter. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 4 minutes per side). Remove the cooked chicken to a clean plate and cover to keep warm.
4. While the chicken is cooking, peel the garlic cloves and then carefully smash them with the side of a large chef's knife by pressing down on the side of the knife with the heel of your hand.
5. Once the chicken is removed, to the same skillet add the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter, then add the garlic cloves. Turn the heat down to medium-low and sauté the garlic for 3 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Make sure to stir the garlic frequently to prevent it from burning.
6. Next pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, then add the garlic powder. Stir and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer in the skillet for 8-10 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened by about 50%. Taste the sauce at this point and add salt and pepper if needed (I added about ⅛ tsp of salt and ⅛ tsp of black pepper).
7. Finally, return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over top. Allow the chicken to heat through. Serve with fresh chopped parsley (optional), and enjoy!

From: https://www.budgetbytes.com/creamy-garlic-chicken/

Roast Beef Spice Blend

Servings2 cups

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Beef Bouillon
• 2 tbsp Onion Powder
• 2 tbsp Garlic Powder
• 2 tbsp Dried Rosemary
• 2 tbsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp Salt
• 1 tbsp White Pepper
• 1 tbsp Dried Thyme

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar. Use right away or store in an airtight container.

Classic Baked Ziti

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (32 ounce) jar meatless sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta, cooked and drained
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until beef is browned; stirring frequently.
3. Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and oregano.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir 1 cup of the sauce into the cooked ziti noodles.
6. Spoon 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
8. Top with 2 cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture and remaining sauce.
9. Cover and bake 20 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
11. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until heated through.

From: https://www.food.com/recipe/classic-baked-ziti-22176

Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Bok Choy with Lemon-Miso Butter

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons red miso paste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 small clove garlic, grated on a microplane
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 (1-pound) hanger steak (or flank steak), membrane removed
• 4 medium baby bok choy, halved lengthwise, rinsed, and thoroughly patted dry
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Stir together butter, miso paste, and lemon zest in a medium bowl until combined. Let stand at room temperature at least 20 minutes. (Mixture can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.)
2. Whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small baking dish. Add steak, and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 4 hours, flipping steak once or twice to ensure even coverage.
3. Preheat oven to broil with oven rack 8 inches from heat source. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Rub with 1 tablespoon lemon-miso butter. Place steak on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Broil 6 minutes. Flip steak; broil 5 to 6 minutes for medium-rare (depending on thickness of the steak) or until a meat thermometer registers 130°F. Place steak on a cutting board. Dollop steak with 2 tablespoons lemon-miso butter. Let meat rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice the meat against the grain, and transfer to a serving platter.
4. While steak rests, heat oven to 425°F. Place bok choy in a large bowl, drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss to coat. Arrange bok choy in a single layer, cut sides down, on hot baking sheet. Roast until stems are crisp-tender and leaves are browned and crisp at edges, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer bok choy to platter with steak. Serve remaining lemon-miso butter on the side.

Originally from Food & Wine; not available there anymore