• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweet Love and Ginger

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Garden
  • Work With Me

Jessica

Finding the Balance with Pot Pie

By Jessica

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Over the summer there is no doubt that we eat healthier in
the SL&G house, even if we are eating mayo loaded burger there’s still a
side of salad. And there are more grilled, fresh, or fire roasted vegetables,
and fruit than you would believe. There is too much delicious fresh produce
available to not eat like that.

This all changes the second the air begins to crisp. It’s the
first week in September it has already started.

I FINALLY got Chuck, the human furnace to ditch the air
conditioner in favor of open windows at night. It is still dark out when I leave
for work in the morning, I have had to toss on a light jacket just to get there,
and at night I have traded in my iced tea and white wine spritzers, for rich red
and hot tea. Fall has come.

I suppose it couldn’t have been better timing we both have
been craving something a little more calorie dense, and homey for dinner than
the usual salad, kabobs, and masses and masses of grilled corn on the cob that
have been frequenting our dinner plates. Chuck requested chicken parmesan, and I
have been dying for a pot pie, so I made both this week; along with potato
soup, risotto, and some smoked cheddar macaroni and cheese (you will see more
on those soon enough). It feels like we have put on ten pounds each just this
week, but that’s ok once in a while. There are still a couple clean recipes in there;
it’s all about balance after all.

The same goes for balance in all other areas of life.  Sometimes after a long time of stress, heart
ache or just general discontentment its recipes like these that seem to save
your life, puts your feet back on the ground and gives you the strength you
need to get on with it all.

For me making something with some love in it really does the
trick; something I know by heart that I barely need to think about. A little
time in the kitchen simply chopping vegetables is a kin to taking a mini
vacation, at least mentally; Then later the satisfaction of creating something
so genuine and delicious, sinking into it while you forget all the other
troubles on your mind for a while.

Yes we needed this week of hearty fall food. Totally and definitely.

One Pan Chicken Pot Pie with Chive Biscuits

1 ¼ cups flour

½ tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 tbsp chives

½ stick of butter

¾ cups heavy cream

1 tbsp oil

1 lb lb of chicken, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

Salt & pepper

2 tbs butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 carrots, peeled & chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp pepper

3 tbsp flour

1 cup chicken broth or stock

¼ cup heavy cream

1 cup of frozen peas

In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt, and chives
together. Cut the cold butter into small chunks and blend into the flour
mixture with a fork or electric mixer. Then add the cream and mix well. The mixture
should become crumbly. With your hands mix the final crumbs together and create
a ball. Move the mixture to a floured work surface and push it down to about ¼ to
½ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter, knife or glass (whatever’s closest) to cute
out several round pieces of dough, and set aside. In a large oven safe skillet,
or Dutch oven warm oil over medium high heat. Add chicken seasoned with salt
& pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes or until it becomes opaque. Remove the
chicken from the pan and set aside. In the same pan melt the butter and add
onion to sauté for 2 minutes. Add in garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook for
3-4 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in thyme, pepper, and flour and cook
for an additional minute before adding in the chicken and broth. Stir well
until the mixture becomes milky, and smooth, then add the cream and allow it to
simmer for 5-7 minutes until it become thick and bubbly, stirring every minute
or so. Add the peas and cook for a minute or two. Place biscuits on top and
move to an oven preheated to 400 degrees. And cook for 15-20 minutes or until
the biscuits begin to brown on top. Serve immediately.
 

September 7, 2013 December 4, 2017 Filed Under: Recipe Tagged With: Chicken, Fall

Foil Sausage & Pepper Potato Packets

By Jessica

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Right now I am day dreaming about camping, but we seem to be
busy every single weekend for the foreseeable future, so instead I’ll offer up
this awesome camping recipe.

Sausage and peppers, the classic combination that is
delicious and simple, as well as a great alternative to the typical hot dog
while camping.

I have made sausage and peppers in the woods probably a
dozen different ways, and this so far is my favorite. You could also easily
cook the onions and peppers in foil and the sausages on sticks then pile it all
on a bun the way it’s usually eaten, but I feel like we eat enough buns while
camping so I swapped the buns for potatoes to keep it hearty.

Foil Sausage & Pepper Potato Packets

1 package precooked Italian sausages, sliced

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2-3 potatoes chopped

1 tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 tbsp butter, in small chunks

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients on a large piece of tin foil,
tossing to mix well. Fold the foil into a pocket and seal. Add an additional
piece of tin foil and wrap the original packet. Place over a fire or on a grill
for 20-30 minutes, turning regularly. Potatoes should be tender when done.

I call out for precooked sausages because they tend to take
a while to cook over the fire, and for health and safety reasons you don’t want
undercooked sausages. I usually just buy my favorite Italian sausages and cook
them up at home before bringing them camping, but this is only my suggestion,
based on experience.

September 6, 2013 December 4, 2017 Filed Under: Camping Recipe, Recipe Tagged With: Camp Food

Long Weekend in Hampton Beach

By Jessica

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.


 

This vacation was much needed.

The food, the beach, the rest, and the people, all very much
needed.

September 2, 2013 December 4, 2017 Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Summer, Travel

3 Amazing Chicken Sandwiches

By Jessica

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Hello Random Late Summer Heat wave!!

I don’t know about you but when I get into my car after work and it tells me that it’s
104 outside you can bet the idea of cooking in my tiny, super hot kitchen is
nowhere near appealing to me at all. This summer I have become a big fan of
sandwiches, burgers and grilled veggies. Anything that means I don’t need to
turn on the stove. I’ve been posting for you some of my favorite burgers from
this summer, here, here, and here. Now here is a couple of my favorite chicken
sandwich recipes.

Caprese Chicken Sandwich

¼ cup balsamic

2 tbsp extravirgin olive oil

1 tsp garlic podwer

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tomato, sliced thin

10-12 large basil leaves

1 tbsp preferred Spread

4 whole wheat rolls, or buns

Combine balsamic, oil, garlic powder, salt & pepper in a
shallow pan. Cut chicken in half length wise and place into the pan tossing to
coat. Cover the chicken and allow it to marinade for at least a half hour or
overnight. On a preheated grill cook chicken for 5-6 minutes a side or until
cooked through. 2 or 3 minutes before the chicken has finished top with
shredded cheese and allow it to melt. Place chicken on a toasted bun and top
with tomatoes, basil, and preferred spread.

Personally I really like this sandwich with Lemon Aioli,
but it is also good with pesto, regular mayo, Italian dressing, or you could
even take the left over marinade and reduce it a little on the stove top.

Sundried Tomato and Artichoke Chicken Pannini

2 boneless, skinless chicken Breasts

1 can artichoke hearts, packed in water

1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, packed in oil

1 clove of garlic

Splash of olive oil

¼ cup pine nuts

4 whole wheat, rolls or buns

1 cup of baby spinach

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese


Cut the chicken breasts in half length wise, and season well
with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated grill and cook for 5 or 6 minutes a
side, or until juices run clear. Meanwhile in a blender combine artichoke hearts,
sundried tomatoes, garlic, pine nuts and oil, pulsing until well blended, and
maybe a little chunky. Spread roughly a tablespoon on each side of the buns. Place
cooked chicken on one side and top with spinach, and cheddar cheese, and the
top bun. Place the entire sandwich on the grill for 2-3 minutes a side. While
it is cooking take the flat part of the spatula or a oven proof pan and push down
on the sandwich to flatten it some. Or if you are lucky enough just put it on a
Panini press.

 Note: I just use my Foreman grill, it works just fine.

A classic Monte Cristo Sandwich typically uses turkey and is
dipped in an egg wash before it is pan fried, but as I said I was trying to
avoid the stove, and chicken is cheaper, so this is my spin on the Monte
Cristo.

Quick Chicken Monte

2 boneless, skinless chicken Breasts

8 thick slices of bread of choice

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/3 lb thick sliced smoked ham

¼ lb sliced Swiss cheese

¼ cup pure maple syrup

Cut the chicken breasts in half length wise, and season well
with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated grill and cook for 5 or 6 minutes a
side, or until juices run clear. Meanwhile Spread the mustard on one side of
each slice of bread, then on half of them layer smoked ham, cheese, the fully
cooked chicken and finally another slice of bread. Place the sandwich back on
the grill to toast for a minute or two, and to allow the cheese to melt a
little. Serve warm with a side of maple syrup to dip in.

August 29, 2013 December 4, 2017 Filed Under: Recipe Tagged With: Chicken, Clean, Quick & Easy

Corn Chowder with Crab & Red Pepper Crostini

By Jessica

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

 

Corn Chowder with Crab & Red Pepper Crostini

Corn chowder is probably one of the easiest things to make, but it’s so delicious, and a perfect ode to the end of summer, with fresh corn from the local stand, some fresh red pepper to brighten it up, and a cool glass white wine, and it’s pretty much heaven. Then as I was sitting at my desk at work daydreaming about this combination I thought that some crostini might just
make it that much better, I thought about things like caprese, French onion, cucumber and dill, and even ham and cheese, which all sounded delectable, then as always my mind turned to seafood. You probably know by now I have an undying love of seafood. Remembering I had a can of crab meat waiting to be used inspired a whole other idea.

It sounds do decadent, and looks like restaurant quality, but it only took 20 minutes to whip up and only costs $2.64 a serving, so $5.28 for the entire dinner for the two of us. The recipe actually serves 3-4, since I took the leftovers for lunch the next day, at a total cost then of $7.88.

Sometimes I love how things work out.

Here’s to the end of august, and fresh farm stand corn!

Clean Corn Chowder
Clean Corn Chowder with Crab & Red Pepper Crostini
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 25 mins
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 spring of fresh thyme (1 tbsp dried)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 lb Fozen or Fresh Corn
  • 1 1/5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp low fat milk
  • ½ a medium red pepper chopped
  • 1-2 fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
  1. In a thick bottom sauce pan heat oil, over medium high heat and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes, or until it begins to turn translucent.
  2. Stir in thyme, paprika, pepper and corn. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring
  3. continuously.
  4. Add broth and allow the combination to simmer for 6-8 minutes.
  5. Using a ladle spoon out about ¾ of the mixture into a blender and blend until
  6. smooth before returning it to the pan.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and stir in milk.
  8. Serve in bowls topped with red pepper and chives.
3.3.3077

Crab & Red Pepper Crostini

½ a loaf of crusty whole wheat bread

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 can crab meat, drained

½ a red pepper, chopped

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp lemon juice

2-3 fresh chives, chopped

Sprinkle of shredded Monterey jack cheese

Slice the bread, and place on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Place in a preheated oven at 475 degress, for 5-10 minutes, or until toasted, meanwhile combine all other ingredients, except cheese in a small bowl. Once the bread is toasted place a clump of the crab mixture on each piece of toasted bread, and sprinkle with cheese. Then place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
A small side note: the crab mixture is also good in the soup, so don’t feel shy about skipping the spoon using the crostini as a utensil instead. In fact I strongly suggest that this is how it should be eaten.

August 26, 2013 January 8, 2016 Filed Under: Recipe Tagged With: appetizer, Clean, Seafood, Soup/Stew, Vegetarian

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 141
  • Page 142
  • Page 143
  • Page 144
  • Page 145
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 171
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Hi, I'm Jessica. I'm an herbalist living in the great northeast with my husband Chuck, our two little boys, our dog Brody and a flock of chickens. I'm all about real, good food and good times with awesome people. I spend a lot of time outside, in my garden, and concocting potions and helping people feel their best. I also like tea, reading, and about a million other hobbies. I'm so happy your here on this adventure with me.

Footer

Copyright © 2026 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in