Archive for the ‘Smart Living’ Category
10.21.2020
Easy Brunswick Stew Recipe
Want a super simple yet flavorful pot of Brunswick Stew simmering away on your stovetop? This easy Brunswick Stew recipe is the “dump and stir” of stew recipes, especially if you get a little help from your local BBQ place by ordering some take-out pulled pork and pulled chicken. Of course, you could always try my Instant Pot Pulled Pork which is also a quick and easy way to make this part of the recipe. (and makes amazing melt-in-your-mouth sandwiches!) When cooler temperatures settle in, this is the perfect one pot meal to warm your family up. And with a few dashes of our Holtkamp Heat Wave Hot Sauce, you can dial up the spice as much as you’d like! Ingredients 4 tbsp unsalted butter 1 large sweet onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 15 oz can fire roasted tomatoes (with juice) 4 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp light brown sugar 2-3 dashes Holtkamp Heat Wave Hot Sauce (or more!) 1 1/2 lb smoked pulled pork 1/2 lb roasted or smoked pulled chicken 8 oz frozen corn kernels 8 oz frozen baby lime beans kosher salt and fresh ground pepper […]
07.30.2020
Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe
Looking for something light and tasty for dinner during the summer? These Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Breasts are just the ticket. They have a bright, citrusy flavor from a quick lemon and garlic marinade, and can be on the table in under an hour. Happy grilling! Ingredients Chicken Breasts (up to 4) Juice of 1 Lemon 1 tbsp Olive Oil 3 Garlic Cloves, quartered Salt & Pepper Directions Place the chicken breasts in a gallon ziploc bag. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the bag, followed by the olive oil and chopped garlic. Sprinkle two big pinches of kosher salt and some freshly ground pepper into the bag. Seal the top and move the chicken around in the bag until well coated by the seasonings. Place in fridge and marinate for 30 minutes, moving the chicken around in the bag every ten minutes to make sure all sides are getting flavored. Preheat a clean grill to medium high heat on all but one burner. If using charcoal, spread the coals out over half the grill bottom to make a hot side and a cooler side. Remove the chicken from the bag onto a plate, removing any garlic still clinging […]
06.11.2020
Super Simple Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Want the easiest, tastiest, creamiest, fluffiest mashed potatoes ever? Break out your Instant Pot! You won’t believe how simple this recipe is, thanks to the wonders of the pressure cooker. Plus, when you make these in the summer time, you won’t be adding any residual heat to your kitchen and home without any boiling water and steam. That’s right: no boiling, no draining, no extra dishes to wash. Plus, I have a few tasty tricks up my sleeve to help this side dish go from simple to spectacular. Ingredients 2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes 3/4 cup water 1 stick salted butter, softened 2 tablespoons whole milk (or heavy cream) 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or sour cream) kosher salt/freshly ground black pepper Directions Peel the potatoes and cut into roughly 2 inch chunks. Place in the Instant Pot with the water and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Lock the lid and set for 10 minutes on high. When done, release the steam manually. Remove the lid and briefly mash the potatoes. Add the butter, milk (or cream) and keep mashing until the potatoes are smooth. Add the mayo (or sour cream), if using, and whip the potatoes with a wooden spoon. Trust […]
04.27.2020
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos Recipe
Need a quick dinner that almost cooks itself and tastes delicious? This Shredded Chicken Tacos Recipe is just the ticket! Plus, you only need a few ingredients and most of them are already in your pantry. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this tender, juicy chicken will be ready in minutes. It’s perfect for tacos, but also makes great nachos, burritos, enchiladas and more. Ingredients 2-3 chicken breasts 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (1 packet) 1/2 cup salsa 1/4 cup chicken broth or stock Dashes of Holtkamp Heatwave Hot Sauce (optional) 1 tsp salt/pepper Directions Sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly over both sides of the chicken. Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the Instant Pot. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts and top with the salsa and hot sauce, if using. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, lock the lid and set the time for 15 minutes of cooking. Let the pot naturally release for 5 minutes, release the rest of the pressure. Remove the chicken breasts to a board and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, mix with the sauce and serve with […]
02.20.2020
Weeknight Dinner: Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
When the weather turns colder, nothing warms the soul like comfort food. And a hearty stew full of tender vegetables and fall-apart beef is just the ticket. But how can you enjoy a satisfying beef stew without letting it simmer for hours? Enter the Instant Pot! Thanks to this miracle device, you can have a delicious and flavorful beef stew on the table in under an hour. The best part? After you brown the meat, you simply pop it all in the pot and set it for 35 minutes. Done! Ingredients 1.5-2 lbs beef stew meat, trimmed of fat 1 lb small potatoes, sliced in half 1 lb carrots, chopped 1 vidalia onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1.5 cups beef broth 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp red wine 1 tbsp dijon mustard 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (or combo of basil, oregano, thyme) Dashes of Holtkamp Heatwave Hot Sauce (optional) 2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 2 tbsp corn starch 2 tbsp water Directions Sprinkle the meat evenly with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12″ skillet. Once the oil starts to sizzle, add […]
08.26.2019
Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe
Sausage balls are already amazingly delicious, so what can possibly take them to the next level? Making them with pimento cheese! Plus, if you like things on the spicy side, I’ve got three ways to add a special kick to these tasty sausage balls. You can use spicy sausage, spicy pimento cheese, or add a few dashes of our spicy Holtkamp Heatwave Hot Sauce. For the ultimate spicy sausage balls, use all three! These sausage balls are a great make-ahead snack or side, and will be the perfect addition to your next tailgate, party or brunch gathering. Ingredients 1 lb pork sausage (turkey sausage also works) 12 oz pimento cheese 2 1/4 cups Bisquick Dashes of Holtkamp Heatwave hot sauce (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 375 and prepare a sheet pan with cooking spray or parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine sausage and pimento cheese with wooden spoon. If using, add hot sauce and mix again. Add Bisquick and mix until evenly distributed. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on baking sheet. (makes approximately 36) Cook for 15-17 minutes until browned on top. Let cool for a couple of minutes, then serve. These crowd-pleasing pimento cheese sausage balls are the […]
05.07.2019
Weeknight Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Beef Nachos
If you’re a big fan of Taco Tuesday, then you’ll love the simplicity and speed of this super nacho recipe. Who doesn’t love crispy tortilla chips topped with hearty ground beef and gooey, melted cheese? These amazing nachos cook in a cast-iron skillet, which also keeps them warm after your family starts digging in. Plus, the beef mixture is made in the same skillet used to bake and serve the nachos, making clean-up a breeze! Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 small onion, chopped fine 10 ounces 90% lean ground beef (sirloin) 1 tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/4 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper 1 garlic clove, finely minced A few dashes of Holtkamp Heat Wave hot sauce (or your favorite) 1/2 cup chicken broth 8 ounces Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, grated 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated 10 ounces tortilla chips 2 scallions, sliced thin Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, add oil and heat until shimmering. 2) Add onion to skillet and stir often until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add ground beef and break […]
02.21.2019
Suzanne’s Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight Chinese chicken recipe, this is it! I love recipes where most of the ingredients come straight from the pantry, with just a few fresh ingredients needed from the store. Also, it features our family’s habanero hot sauce which our customers absolutely adore. (Next time one of our technicians visit your home, just ask for a bottle!) Don’t worry, the “spicy” part of this recipe can be dialed up or down, depending on your family’s tastes. This dish is a surefire hit and so easy to make! Just like Taco Tuesday, I bet this flavorful recipe will make its way into your regular dinner routine. Ingredients 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 4 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger root 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic 1-2 tablespoons Holtkamp Heatwave Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce) 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 or 3 chicken breasts, sliced into 1/4 inch strips 1/2 cup corn starch salt/pepper to Taste 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil Directions Combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, hot sauce and red pepper flakes in a bowl and mix together with […]
01.20.2019
Suzanne’s Top Kitchen Pantry Tips
I’ve come across a lot of pantry tips throughout the years, and these top tips will save you some space while perhaps even saving your dinner one evening! Take a Lazy Susan for a Spin Tired of digging through endless cans of food in the back of a shelf when you just need the refried beans on Taco Tuesday? For a few bucks, you can get Lazy Susans in any home goods store for the shelves in your pantry. These plastic or wooden spinning discs are perfect for canned goods or bottled items, and with the ease of a spin you can quickly see what’s in the back by bringing it to the front. Citrus to Save the Day Whether you’re whipping up a quick Chicken Piccata or trying our Gaucamole recipe, citrus plays a big role in these dishes. But what if you’ve forgotten that important lemon or lime when buying your ingredients? Always keep these small plastic bottles of lemon and lime juice in your pantry or fridge (once opened). While fresh is best, these organic back-ups are inexpensive, have minimal extra ingredients and will definitely save the day when you forget to pick up your citrus at the […]
10.02.2018
3 Tips on Preparing Perfect Deviled Eggs
Who doesn’t love Deviled Eggs? They’re like the “comfort food” of appetizers and perfect for entertaining! You can prepare them ahead, they’re easy to make, and they’re a finger food that requires no utensils. Here are three ways to make the perfect Deviled Egg. 1. Add some crunch. Most deviled egg recipes use sweet pickle relish. However, I finely chop sweet crunchy pickles to add a nice texture to the filling. Try it once and you’ll never use relish again! 2. Add a kick of heat. Our Holtkamp Heat Wave Hot Sauce is the perfect way to spice up your eggs. 3. Piping tip. By using a zip-loc bag and snipping off a corner, you can pipe your filling into the eggs and simply toss the bag when you’re done. Ingredients 6 large eggs Mayonnaise, two heaping tablespoons Yellow Mustard, a heaping teaspoon Sweet Pickles, diced small, 1-2 tablespoons Holtkamp Heatwave Hot Sauce (or your favorite), a few dashes Salt & Pepper, to taste Paprika Directions Place your eggs in a large pan, cover with an inch of water and place the lid on the pan. Turn heat to high, and as soon as the water reaches a […]
