Category Archives: Entrees

Easy Korean BBQ Pineapple Pork Lettuce Wraps

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in #easy entertaining, #gluten-free, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Healthy Eating, Recipe of the Week

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Love this quick and easy fusion of flavor… a little Asian with a little Hawaiian barbecue.  A delicious and healthy weeknight option or a casual gathering with friends.

Korean-Pineapple-Pork-Lettuce-Wraps - my pic

Serves 6-8

Pork & Pineapple Recipe

  • One medium sweet onion, sliced vertically
  • 3 pounds of pork tenderloin
  • ½ teaspoon salt & pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger & garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Napa Valley Naturals dark sesame oil*
  • 1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice
  • 1/2 cup Urban Accents Korean BBQ Taco Simmer Sauce*
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha (optional)
  • Additional 1/2 cup of UA Korean BBA Taco Simmer Sauce* to add at end of cooking

Grilled Pineapple

Grilled Pineapple

  • 8 fresh pineapple rings – Canned pineapple works here too!

 

Lettuce Wrap Recipe

  • Butter or Iceberg Lettuce Leaves (12 large leaves)
  • Angel hair coleslaw mix
  • Shredded carrots
  • Greens onions
  • Grilled pineapple
  • Cauliflower rice or Steam White Rice (Optional)
  • Bourbon Barrels Foods Smoked Sesame Seeds*
  • Urban Accent Korean BBQ Taco Simmer Sauce* (to drizzle)
  • Sriracha Sauce (to drizzle)
  • Steamed Rice (optional as a side or in the lettuce wraps)

 

 Directions

  1. Season pork with salt & pepper. Place the pork and pineapple recipe ingredients in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
  2. Grill Pineapple –Spray grill pan with cooking spray. Grill 5 mins on each side or until nice grill mark on both sides.   (Alternative methods bake pineapple rings at 425 until caramelized (about 8 mins).
  3. Shred cooked pork and return it to the slow cooker – add extra ½ cup Korean BBQ Simmer Sauce. Cook on low for another 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
  4. Assemble the lettuce wraps as noted in the recipe above. Top with bourbon smoked sesame seeds and serve with steamed rice.

Korean-Pineapple-Pork-Lettuce-Wraps - my pic2

Additional Notes:

To make this in the slow cooker, add the pork + the marinade to the bowl of your slow cooker. Cover and cooking on high for 4-5 hours and on low for 6-8 hours. Finish the recipe as directed.

 

Swap out the lettuce for corn or flour tortillas – this recipe also make great pork tacos.

         

*Find these fine ingredients at à la Maison at 25 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, NY  13027.  Or call 315-440-6637 to order.

Fig Balsamic Vinegar Triple Play: Recipe #1 – Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breasts with Fig Balsamic Sauce

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Recipe of the Week, Triple Play Recipes

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Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast with Balsamic Fig Sauce 5

Well, I have to say… it felt really good to turn the oven on again.  With the unusual heat wave we have been having in Central New York, we’ve been pretty focused on the grill for the past month.

This week I wanted to bring to light on of my favorite vinegars, Napa Valley Naturals Fig Balsamic Vinegar.

napa valley naturals fig balsamic vinegar

This artisan handcrafted Fig Balsamic Vinegar is aged in Modena, Italy.  It’s a rich, dark,  sweet, and lightly acidic vinegar made from just two ingredients – balsamic vinegar and fig puree.  Simply delicious… even by itself drizzled over mixed greens or vanilla ice cream!  It’s also very reasonable priced and something we always carry in the store.

Fig Balsamic Vinegar makes healthy flavorful cooking a snap.  This week, I’ll share three of my favorite healthy recipes with this great pantry staple.  Starting with Recipe #1:  Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breasts with Fig Balsamic Sauce.

Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast with Balsamic Fig Sauce 5

Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breasts with Fig Balsamic Sauce

4               Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 oz.         Package of Thin Sliced Prosciutto (8 Slices)
1 Tbls.      Extra Virgin Oil Olive*
Salt & Pepper to Taste

Fig Balsamic Marinade
½ Cup      Napa Valley Naturals Fig Balsamic Vinegar*
½ Cup      Chicken Stock
1 Tbsp.     Brown Sugar
1               Clove Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp.     Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
Salt & Pepper to taste

Make the marinade:  Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.  (When using dried thyme – rub in between your hands before dropping it into the jar to release its natural oils).

Place chicken breasts in a casserole dish (or large Ziploc bag) and add in marinade (mix and turn chicken to coat.  Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer.

Take chicken breasts out of marinade and lightly pat dry with paper towels.  Pour marinade into a small sauce pan and bring to a full boil.  Reduce and cook over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes until the fig balsamic sauce is thoroughly cooked and thickened.

In the meantime, start wrapping your chicken.  Lay two slices of prosciutto (side by side) on a cutting board.  Place chicken (top side down) on the center of the two slices of prosciutto – wrap the prosciutto around the chicken breasts. Secure with a couple of toothpicks as needed.

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place a large oven safe frying pan on the stove top over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then place the chicken breasts (top side down first – toothpicks up) to the pan.  Brown for about 4 minutes, then flip and brown the other side.  Flip chicken once again so that the top of the chicken breasts are showing again.

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Spoon the sauce over the chicken breasts then place the frying pan into the oven to roast for about 20 minutes or until chicken has reached 160 degrees.  Remove from oven let rest for about 5-10 minutes.

Move chicken to a platter and drizzle remaining frying pan sauce over the chicken.  Serve with cauli-rice, rice, or mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Enjoy!

*Ingredients available at à la Maison in Baldwinsville, NY or contact us at 315-440-6637.

 

Recipe Triple Play… Bourbon Barrel Foods Kentuckyaki  

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in #easy entertaining, Appetizers, Entrees, Side Dishes, Triple Play Recipes

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kentuckyaki both

What’s not to love about Bourbon Barrel Foods’ Kentuckyaki?  This all-natural sauce is sweetened with Kentucky-grown sorghum syrup, flavored with fresh garlic and ginger; and a hint of Kentucky bourbon too. Looking for a little more kick?  You’ll want to try Kentuckyaki Hot & Spicy for sure!

Both are perfect as a marinade on salmon, beef, chicken or veggies.  Delicious for vegetable stir fry.

We’ve got three more great reasons to keep Bourbon Barrel Foods Kentuckyaki in your pantry…

We’ve got three more great reasons to keep Bourbon Barrel Foods Kentuckyaki in your pantry…

#1 Kentuckyaki Pork & Grilled Pineapple Appetizer Meatballs

asian pork meatballs - kentuckyaki 9

Ingredients:

Meatballs

  • 2 lbs. pork, ground
  • 1/2 cup Kentuckyaki, plus extra for drizzling*
  • 1/3 cup cilantro (or parsley if you don’t care for cilantro), chopped
  • 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Grilled Pineapple

  • 1 fresh pineapple

Directions

  1. For the meatballs: Combine all meatball ingredients.  Gently fold them together just until mixed – don’t over work the meat.
  2. Form 1.5” balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Roast at 400ºF for 22 minutes.  Remove from oven and lightly drizzle meatballs with additional Kentuckyaki.
  3. While meatballs are roasting – prepare the grilled pineapple.  Remove the skin of pineapple. Cut the fruit in half lengthwise, then cut into quarters. Slice the pineapple into even wedge-shaped slices – about ½” thick. Grill over medium high heat just until grill marks appear (about 3-4 minutes per side).
  4. Cut pineapple into bite size pieces and place on top of meatballs. Secure with a tooth pick.

 

#2 Kentuckyaki Hot & Spicy Chicken Thighs

Kentuckyaki Hot & Spicy Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

  • 4 lbs. Chicken Thighs, bone in
  • 1/2 bottle Kentuckyaki Hot & Spicy*, plus extra for drizzling
  • 3 Tablespoons Bourbon Barrel Food Smoked Sesame Seeds*
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish

Directions

Place chicken thighs and marinade in large Ziploc bag or a large baking dish.  Toss to coat.  Marinade in the refrigerator for 2 hours or more.

Place skin side down on medium hot grill (375 degrees) cook for 12-14.  Flip and baste with additional Kentuckyaki Hot & Spicy. Cook for additional 12-14 minutes or until juices run clear.   (Or use your oven… cook in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes and baste after 20 minutes)

Plate chicken thighs and let rest for 5-10 minutes.  Sprinkle with smoked sesame seeds (and cilantro is using).

#3 Vegetable Stir Fry with Asian Noodles

Asian Noodle Stir Fry 4-2016

This is the perfect clean out your crisper drawer meal.  Use whatever you like here… Broccoli, red bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, green beans, snow peas, carrots, zucchini sliced cabbage are just a few of my favorites.

  • 5 Cups of fresh veggies of your choice cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 Tablespoon Napa Valley Naturals Grapeseed Oil*
  • 1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1 Teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil*
  • ½ cup Kentuckyaki Sauce*
  • 3 blocks from a package of King Soba Brown Rice Ramen Noodles*, cooked per package instructions

Garnish:  Bourbon Barrel Smoked Sesame Seeds* and fresh cilantro – optional.

Directions

Over medium-high heat, stir fry veggies in Grapeseed oil for about 5 minutes.  Add ground ginger and toasted sesame oil then gently stir fry for additional 1-2 minutes.  Add Kentuckyaki sauce and ramen noodles and stir fry additional 2 minutes.

Garnish with smoked sesame seeds and cilantro if desired.  Drizzle with additional Kentuckyaki sauce.

Enjoy!

*Find these specialy food items at a la Maison in Baldwinsville, New York.  To place an order, call 315-440-6637 or email mgraham.alamaison@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

 

Eating Healthfully… Grilled Sesame Teriyaki Tuna

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in #easy entertaining, #eating healthfully, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Recipe of the Week

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asian grilled tuna teriyaki plated 2

One of the quickest ways to a healthy summer-time dinner is fish on the grill.  Impressive enough for company, but simple enough for any night of the week.

A personal favorite of mine is Grilled Sesame Teriyaki Tuna.  I find yellowfin tuna a great option for this recipe – it’s got a nice mild flavor and holds up great on the grill.

Grilled Sesame Teriyaki Tuna

Asian Marinade

4   Tbls.    Stonewall Kitchen Organic Sesame Teriyaki* (it’s also gluten-free!)
1   Tbls.    Tamari (gluten free)
2   Tbls.    White Vinegar
1   Tbls.    Napa Valley Naturals toasted Sesame Oil*
2   tsp.     Bourbon Barrel Smoked Sesame Seeds*

4              6 oz. pieces of yellowfin tuna, 1 inch thick
½  Cup    Stonewall Kitchen Organic Sesame Teriyaki Sauce*
2   tsp.    Bourbon Barrel Smoked Sesame Seeds*

In a bowl, add all the marinade ingredients together and whisk until thoroughly blended.  Place tuna steaks in a shallow baking dish and pour marinade of tuna.  Gently turn tuna to coat.  Chill for 30 mins – 1 hour.

Preheat grill.  Once grill is hot, place tuna on grill.  Grill for 5-6 minutes on each side or tuna is just opaque. (Only flip once to avoid sticking).  DISCARD LEFTOVER MARINADE.

Drizzle tuna with Stonewall Kitchen Organic Sesame Teriyaki and garnish with smoked sesame seeds. Tent and left rest for 5 minutes.

asian grilled tuna teriyaki plated

Serving suggestion:  Serve with Asian noodles (i.e. King Soba Noodles*) tossed with steamed broccoli and Sesame Teriyaki Sauce; or basmati rice and healthy Asian Cabbage & Kale Slaw**.

asian ingredients 2

*Ingredients available at à la Maison in Baldwinsville, NY or contact us at www.alamaisonaccents.com

** Find Asian Cabbage & Kale Slaw recipe on our website.

Enjoy!

Michele

Easy Entertaining… Panko Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Mustard & Horseradish

22 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by in #eating healthfully, #gluten-free, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Recipe of the Week

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Here’s an easy and impressive pork tenderloin recipe that is simple enough for weeknight entertaining… or a lovely dinner with the hubby and kids.  The combination of the Garlic Mustard and Horseradish in this pork dish adds nice punch of flavor.  I like to serve it with a horseradish cream sauce for extra zip.

Panko Crusted Pork Tenderloin Plated.jpg

Panko Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Mustard & Horseradish

1 pork tenderloin (2 pieces)

½ cup Terrapin Ridge Farms Creamy Garlic Mustard*

½ cup drained prepared horseradish

1 cup Panko (I used Ian’s Gluten-Free Panko)

Salt & Pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Mix: In a bowl, mix together the mustard & horseradish.   In a flat pan or baking dish, mix the panko with the salt and pepper

panko-crusted-pork-tenderloin-with-mustard-and-horseradish

Assemble & Bake: Preheat oven to 400°.  Lightly coat the base of a 9” x 13” baking pan with olive oil or olive oil spray.  Rinse and pat dry pork tenderloins.  Generously brush each tenderloin with the mustard-horseradish mixture.  Dredge tenderloins in the panko and place in baking pan.  (Feel free to sprinkle addition panko on top of tenderloin is there are bare spots).  Lightly drizzle olive oil over the top.  Bake for about 30 mins or until the internal temp reaches at least 145°.

Let rest for 10 mins.  Slice, serve and enjoy!

Serving tip… Horseradish cream sauce is delicious served alongside this dish.

*Find Terrapin Ridge Farms Creamy Garlic Mustard at a la Maison in Baldwinsville, NY.

 

Easy Entertaining… Balsamic & Bacon Braised Pork Chops

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Recipe of the Week

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Crema Balsamica plays a starring role in this impressive braised pork chop dish. Paired with delicious bacon, this sauce reduces to a luscious glaze that’s elegant, but easy to prepare.

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Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, but also worthy of serving to guests. This was a big hit at my house – especially for my husband, who is a huge pork chop fan.

 

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Balsamic and Bacon Braised Pork Chops

· 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
· Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
· 1 Tbs. olive oil
· 4 bacon, chop into thin slices (lardons)
· 1 red onion, sliced
· 1 garlic clove, minced
· 1 Tbs. firmly packed dark brown sugar
· 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
· 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
· 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat pan and add olive oil. Brown pork chops in pan on each side – about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

In the same pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the onions, cook until soft about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon or so in the pan.

Stir in the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar reduction, and thyme. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the liquid is thickened and reduced by half, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the broth and bring sauce to a simmer.

Return the pork chops to the pan. Cook, covered for about about 5 minutes and then uncovered for another 7-8 minutes.

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Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or ramen rice noodles and a side of steamed or sautéed green beans.
Enjoy!

Michele

Eating Healthfully… Colorful Mixed Greens, Beets & Goat Cheese Salad

17 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in #cooking healthfully, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees

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Eating Healthyfully… This salad is easy to throw together, filled with antioxidants and oh so pretty!

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What makes it extra special?… The only dressing it needs is a drizzle of our BR Cohn Olive Oil and Napa Valley Naturals Balsamic Fig Vinegar.

Find BR Cohn Olive Oil and Napa Valley Naturals Balsamic Fig Vinegar at a la Maison in Baldwinsville.

What’s in our salad?…

2-3 Cups Mixed Greens and Spinach
1/2 Cup. Raw Beets, peeled and cut into thin strips
1/2 Cup. Raw Carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
1/3 Avocado, sliced
1 oz. Goat Cheese, crumble
1 Tbls Pep it’s

Arrange ingredients on a plate, then drizzle with BR Cohn Olive Oil & Napa Valley Natural Balsamic Fig Vinegar. Season with sea salt and pepper.

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Recipe of the Week… Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs

27 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in Appetizers, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Recipe of the Week

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We are attending a birthday dinner for one of our closest friends this weekend.  I am typically the go-to-girl to bring an appetizer and love whipping up something fun and different – so that is what I plan to do!

As a girl with 3 stores – time can sometimes be a challenge, however, I love to cook and have one of my favorite ingredients ready and waiting in my pantry – Forever Herbs Blackberry Jalapeno Compote.

Forever Herbs Blackberry Jalapeno Compote is a staple product in our stores, and our customers love it as much as I do.  This sweet and spicy berry-rich compote is delicious served right out the jar as a chutney with meats and is fantastic over Brie… but today it is getting an Asian twist in these Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs.

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients final 2

Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs

 Ingredients

Meatballs:

3                     Scallions, chopped

2 cloves            Fresh Garlic, minced

2 tsp                 Fresh Ginger, minced

3 slices             Day Old Multigrain Bread*, crusts removed – ground into fresh bread crumbs

1/4 cup             Milk (Dairy or Plain unsweetened Almond Milk)

2 Tbls               Tamari or Soy Sauce*

1                      Egg, lightly beaten

1.5 lbs.             Ground Chicken

Glaze:

1/3 cup             Forever Herbs Blackberry Jalapeno Compote

1/2 cup             Hoisin Sauce*  (such as Joyce Chen Gluten Free Hoisin)

2 Tbls               Brown Sugar

1 Tbls               Tamari or Soy Sauce*

Set oven at 425 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix together the scallions, garlic, ginger, bread crumbs, milk, tamari sauce and the egg.  Add the ground chicken and gently mix with a fork or your hands.  DO NOT OVERMIX.

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients 1

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients2

Create meatballs using 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture (a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop makes this quick & easy!).  Place on parchment lined pan.  Bake for 20 minutes or until fully cooked.

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients4

Create the glaze while your meatballs bake.  Add the Blackberry Chipotle Compote, Hoisin Sauce, brown sugar and tamari sauce to a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until sugar and compote are melted and hot.

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients5

Place half the meatballs and half the glaze in a bowl – toss to coat.  Repeat this process with other half of meatballs and glaze.  Place on a beautiful service platter or bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serve as is an appetizer or with boston or iceburg lettuce for lettuce wraps.

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Asian Meatballs ingredients final 1

* For those who are gluten sensitive like I am…, use gluten free tamari, gluten free hoisin sauce and gluten free multigrain bread for this recipe.  These meatballs taste just as amazing and all your guests will love them!