Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

Rosemary is one of my favorite spices. I always have the dried version on hand, but fresh rosemary is such a treat! If they have specials on fresh herbs at the grocery store, I usually grab this one. These potatoes are great for pretty much any meal, but especially with anything grilled. Actually, I think they would be a perfect match with this Rosemary Ranch Chicken. :) Yummm.

Also, this is more of an idea than an exact recipe. Add your favorite herbs and spices or whatever you have on hand.

P.S. What's more fun that placing all your ingredients in a bag and shaking it up?

Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

• A couple handfuls of small gold potatoes (4-5 per person)
• a couple cloves of garlic, minced
• a couple TBSP of olive oil
• Fresh rosemary, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• a little garlic powder

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a pan/tray so your potatoes won't stick. Slice potatoes into bite sized pieces (I quartered them). The bigger the pieces, the longer it will take to cook. 

Place all ingredients in a large plastic bag and shake to coat evenly.  

Place potatoes in even layer in baking dish and bake about 30 minutes, flipping potatoes with spatula halfway through to bake evenly. 

When they are done, fork can easily be inserted into center of a potato. Broil for 5 minutes until edges are crispy.

Enjoy!

Filthy Rich Au Gratin Potatoes

These potatoes are just so creamy, so delicious and so rich. They were a big hit this year with our pre-Thanksgiving ham dinner. See them next to the cinnamon applesauce?


Although really a very simple dish, you will surprise people with how tasty and fancy these potatoes seem. ;) The original recipe is from Fine Cooking, and I've made them many times since they're the bf's favorite. The only negative is that they do take a little time to bake. Slicing the potatoes can also take a lot of time if you don't have a mandolin (I do, but I made these at my parents' house).

You don't have to serve a big fancy dinner to enjoy these though- sometimes I halve and bake in an 8x8 dish as a special side for a regular dinner. :)

Filthy Rich Au Gratin Potatoes
Serves 6-8

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
  
• 3 cups whipping or heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• generous pinch of nutmeg (fresh is best)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese (You will probably have to buy in a block and grate yourself)
  

Heat oven to 400. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice potatoes into 1/8" thick slices. I did this early in the day while I had the motivation; then I let them soak in water until I was ready to make them.

Put potatoes in large, heavy-based saucepan. Add cream, salt, pepper, nutmeg and garlic.

Cook over medium-high heat until mixture boils, stirring occasionally (gently using a plastic spatula or wooden spoon so you don't break the slices).

When your mixture boils, carefully pour into 13x9 baking dish. If you don't want a tender garlicky surprise, remove garlic cloves. Gently tap dish on counter to settle. Sprinkle cheese over top.

Bake 40-50 minutes- until top is deep golden-brown, cream is thickened and potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.

The mixture will continue to set up as it cools. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

-Marissa

What's for dinner? Sticky Chicken!

I know this is mainly a dessert blog, but I cooked dinner last night so I thought I'd share it. It got a double thumbs up from the bf so I'll probably make it again soon.

I got out of work early so I hit up Central Market for some fresh groceries. I know not everyone prefers to shop at a Whole Foods/Central Market because it can be a bit pricey, but I really notice a difference in the freshness and quality of the food there. The meat is especially one thing that I'm hesitant to buy at HEB and probably will not do again if I can avoid it. Example- I made a lasagna about a month ago (with 100% fresh or organic ingredients from CM) that was dubbed "the best lasagna I've ever had." I remade it about 2 weeks ago with ingredients from HEB (read: not so fresh mozzarella and definitely not fresh ground sausage) and it was AWFUL. I mean the boy barely touched it, and I don't blame him. The meat was lumpy and way too strong for my taste. I normally do not eat sausage, but it blended in well with the flavors in the first lasagna. Next time I make it I'll be back at CM!

Anyway, I decided to try something new with some ingredients I knew I already had at home. After some digging on AllRecipes.com I found this recipe, originally titled "Caramelized Baked Chicken." Mine was really sticky so I renamed my version "Sticky Chicken." I also made some roasted potatoes (per my own made up recipe) and green beans with a simple garlic butter sauce. Recipes below

Sticky Chicken

• 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can really use wings/thighs/anything you want
• 2 TBSP EVOO
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2+ TBSP ketchup
• 1 cup honey
• 1-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 TBSP cornstarch
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Preheat oven to 375. Place chicken breasts in 9x13 pan (I used a smaller one since I only made 2 breasts). Heat other ingredients in saucepan over medium-high heat until sauce boils and thickens. Pour over chicken and bake for 45min-1 hour, or until sauce looks caramely. Easy peasy!


M's roasted potatoes:

• 2 small potatoes per person (I used red, but gold work too)
• 1-2 TBSP EVOO
• fresh chopped herbs (or dried). I used fresh rosemary and oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Preheat oven to 375. Slice potatoes into rounds and then cut in half again.

Toss in large plastic bag with rest of ingredients.


Oil a baking sheet ( do not use foil) and spread potatoes in single layer.


Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through. I just popped these on the bottom rack of the oven under the chicken for the last 40ish minutes. Keep them in longer if you like them more crispy.


Sweet and Garlicky Green Beans

• 1/2 -1lb. Fresh (or frozen) green beans, depending on # of people
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp sugar
• pinch of pepper
  
• 1/2-1 tsp fresh lemon juice

After you snap off the ends of the green beans and wash thoroughly, boil for about 4 minutes (or you can steam for about 8 minutes).


In a saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until tender (1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in sugar, pepper and lemon juice. Toss with green beans and serve.



Like I said before, the bf really liked this one. In fact, he thanked me for dinner about 5 times and then I got a couple more texts after I got home! :)

I'm always looking for more chicken/easy dinner recipes, so please pass along your favorites!!


M