Deedles Dish in a Nutshell

I am a Midwestern girl from a long line of cooks who doesn't think cooking needs to be complicated. Enjoy the recipes!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Versatile Breakfast Casserole

Here's one for the guys! Or gals.  Or kids.  It's so easy.  I say it's for the guys because your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband will love you forever if you make this.  It is so easy and versatile depending on your taste preferences.  It ALSO lasts for a week or so and is such a quick fix for breakfast in the mornings when you're running late or just don't feel like making anything.

We make this recipe almost every time I go home (Iowa) and it's always different! It's also always yummy. The recipe started from my cousin's wife Isabel in California and keeps making its way East so I had to pass it on.

I decided to make the casserole two different ways to show how different it can be.  I'll post the base of the casserole and then what I decided to add as variations for ingredients.

Base Ingredients
Serves 8 (double or triple the recipe depending on needs/company in the house)

5 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking POWDER
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 lb shredded cheese of your choice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Bake in a casserole dish at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until casserole is cooked through.

That is the basis and you can add meats and/or vegetables depending on what you want to do.  The first casserole I made had Italian flavors.  I added the following:

Shredded cheese was a 5 cheese Italian blend
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
1 small Roma tomato, diced
1 shallot, sliced thinly
Parmesan cheese grated on top


The second casserole I made had Mexican flavors.  I preferred the second one overall but it depends on what you're in the mood for really.  For this second casserole, I added the following:

1 lb ground chorizo
1 can diced green chiles
1/2 small onion, diced
Shredded cheese was a Mexican blend with pepperjack cheese as well


I cooked both of these on Sundays and had them to eat throughout the week.  As noted earlier, you really can use whatever cheese you have around, put in whatever veggies and add whatever meat you would like.  It's very easy to make and will make you a hit in your house!

Good eatin',

Deedles

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Gingery Chicken with Peaches

Hello there!!! It has been FAR too long and I apologize.  Such a busy spring with my new job, a looooooonnnggg and much needed trip home and most recently my cousin moving to Denver so I have had little to no time (or money for that matter) to try out new recipes.

I have had this one in mind for months now but the beginning of summer seems like the perfect time for the savory and sweet deliciousness!!! The dish combines many Asian flavors with soy sauce and ginger with the sweetness of brown sugar and peaches to make this yummy, yummy, yummy (and so EASY) meal for the whole family.

Thanks to the blog Iowa Girl Eats for this recipe.  

Gingery Chicken with Peaches
Ingredients:


1 bag (1lb) frozen peaches, unthawed
1 red onion, halved and sliced ¼” inch thick
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger micro planed or finely minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoon sesame oil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
cooked brown or white rice
Marinade:
1lb chicken breasts
salt & pepper
1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, micro planed or finely minced
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Season chicken breasts with salt & pepper. Combine ingredients for marinade in a large zip lock bag. Add chicken and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place frozen peaches and onions in a large bowl then add ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and red-pepper flakes, and toss to coat. Pour into a non-stick sprayed 9×13 casserole dish. Nestle marinated chicken into the peaches and onions, and roast until chicken is cooked through, about 25-30 minutes. Serve over cooked rice.

Served this meal to my cousin James and his girlfriend Becky during their first week in Denver! Can't wait for many more meals to come. :)
Good eatin',
Deedles