Rich Chicken Stock

I don't know about anyone else but I love keeping chicken carcasses and the juices left over from baking chickens. Luckily, we have a huge freezer so I just stock pile it all until I have enough to make a big batch of stock. I use the broth for soup, making stuffing, or anything that calls for chicken broth. No additives and preservatives in this stuff and it's totally freezable! I like to put it into quart baggies and it usually lasts 6 months or so.

• 4 pounds chicken bones, chopped
• 3 large onions, quartered (skin left on)
• 1/2 head celery coarsely chopped
• 2 large carrots, coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup whole peppercorns
• Small bunch flat-leaf parsley, stems only
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine chicken bones, onions, celery, and carrots in a large roasting pan; toss with oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast until the bones and vegetables are a rich golden brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Transfer the bones and vegetables to a large stockpot, add 12 cups cold water, and the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 4 hours, skimming the scum that rises to the top with a ladle every 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain through a mesh strainer into a clean pot. Place back on the stove over high heat and cook until reduced by half. Use immediately or let cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

Berry Berry Fizz

I fell in LOVE with this when I saw it. I love Prosecco. A friend's mother works at a winery. She gave Jason and I a case for our wedding. I have yet to find a Prosecco as awesome as hers but this drink doesn't need amazing Prosecco to make it delicious! Super easy and stuff we had in the house already. A must try! :)

• 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen sliced strawberries, defrosted
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 (8-ounce) bag frozen blueberries
• 1 bottle Prosecco (Italian Champagne)
  

In a food processor, puree the sliced strawberries, with their juice, and honey until smooth.

Pour a generous spoonful of the fruit puree into a champagne flute. Add a few frozen blueberries and top with Prosecco. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Penne Romana

I will always try a new pasta dish.. they are my weakness :) This one was really simple yet amazingly good! I didn't even need to make a special trip to the store for ingredients! Simple and amazing! :)

Romana Sauce
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup yellow onion, chopped in 1/4”pieces
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
2 cups white wine
2 tsp rosemary, chopped (1/2 tsp dry)
1 Tbsp parsley, chopped (1/4 tsp dry)
Salt to taste
2 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
2 cups chicken broth

Pasta
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups green beans, blanched
1 cup tomato, diced
4 cups Romana sauce (see above)
4 cups penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
3 Tbsp Romano cheese
3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oil in a small saucepan at medium-high heat. Add onions and crushed red pepper. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook for one minute. Whisk in wine, rosemary, parsley and salt.
   
2. Whisk cornstarch and chicken broth in a separate bowl. Add mixture to sauce and stir well. Bring to a boil and set aside.
   
3. Heat sauté pan over medium high heat. Add green beans and tomato and cook for 1 minute. Add Romana sauce and cooked, drained penne pasta. Add Romano and Parmesan cheeses. Stir well to ensure pasta is completely coated.
   
4. Serve hot.

Eggs Florentine

This was a really good recipe if you like Florentine. We do! It's light and turns out really nice; not really heavy!

Vegetable oil cooking spray
4 thin slices prosciutto
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup grated Romano
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 eggs, at room temperature
2 tomatoes, trimmed and cut into 1-inch thick slices

Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.

Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before crumbling into small pieces.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach and nutmeg and cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Fill a small saucepan with 3 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the lemon juice. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Crack an egg in a small bowl, taking care not to break the yolk. Slowly slide the egg into the water. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the water around the egg. Cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes until the white has set and the yolk is still soft. Using a slotted spoon, remove the egg from the water and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggs.

To serve, place a tomato slice on each salad plate and season with salt and pepper. Spoon 1/4 of the spinach sauce over the tomato slice. Top with a poached egg and sprinkle with the crumbled prosciutto. Serve warm.

Cook's Note: The poached eggs can be made ahead of time if stored in water and refrigerated. Reheat by placing in simmering water for 30 seconds.

Grilled Red Potato Salad with Bacon-Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

I made this for the 4th. I have tasted it and it's so good! The blue cheese makes it super smooth and the bacon gives it a smoky flavor. The onion add a little color.. it's the perfect combination!

• 4 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed, cooked until almost tender, drained, and halved
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
• Salt and freshly ground black
• 3/4 pound hickory smoked bacon
• 1 large red onion, finely sliced
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 cup crumbled Maytag blue cheese
  

Preheat grill. Toss potatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill cut side down for 3 minutes. Turn over and continue grilling 2 to 3 minutes. Place in a large bowl.

Place medium skillet on the side burner or the grill and heat until almost smoking. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and crisp. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels. Let cool and crumble.

Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan. Add the onions and cook until soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, and sugar and cook until sugar is dissolved. Pour the onion mixture over the potatoes, add the crumbled bacon and parsley and toss to combine, season with salt and lots of black pepper. Spoon the salad onto a large platter and sprinkle with the crumbled blue cheese.

Lemon-Ginger Iced Tea with Berry Cubes

I made this this morning for Jason when he gets home! He'll love it!

• 1 cup (4 ounces) raspberries, rinsed
• Water for ice cube trays, plus 8 cups water, divided
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) coarsely chopped fresh ginger
• 6 white tea bags
• 3 lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
• Lemon slices
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

Place about 4 raspberries in each compartment of an ice cube tray, 6 hours before serving iced tea. Fill with water and freeze.

Place honey, 2 cups water and ginger in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let mixture steep for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, then strain out solids.

In a pitcher combine strained liquid with 6 cups water and lemon juice. Chill in refrigerator.

To serve, place 3 ice cubes in a tall glass and pour iced tea over cubes. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

Champagne Granita

Anyone want something cool, refreshing, and super easy to make?! :) You found it! So simple yet a super fun, adult treat! :)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 lemons
  
• 1 (750-ml) bottle Champagne or other sparkling white wine, cold

Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator until cold, about 1 hour.

Using the finest grater you have, lightly scrape the skin of 1 lemon, removing only the top surface of the peel. Squeeze out the juice and remove the seeds from both lemons.

Open the Champagne or sparkling wine, and pour it into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch pan. Mix in the simple syrup, lemon juice, and grated zest. Place mixture into the freezer. Check after 30 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, break up any ice formed on the sides and stir into the rest of the liquid. Continue to freeze and repeat this procedure every hour for at least 3 hours. Before serving, fluff the granita by "chopping" up any clumps with the spoon or gently whisking the frozen mixture. Spoon into small glasses or cups and serve.