New Recipes from July 8-15th

I took a break from major baking this week and jumped back into cooking!! I set a goal of trying at least one new recipe every day...I even made two some days! You can click on the name of each recipe and it will take you to the actual recipe.

New Meal #1- Sirloin was a GREAT deal this week, so I used it a couple of ways. No actual recipe- I just made it up as I went along! Here it was simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then topped with a fresh tomato salad (AKA Bruschetta Steak). I combined 2 roma tomoates with 1/4 red onion and LOTS of fresh basil. Season topping with salt.
The rice is brown rice, cooked in beef broth with loads of chopped green onions. Prepare according to package just subbing in broth for water- I added the green onions right before turning off the burner and then put the lid back on and set aside.
The corn was cooked in the microwave (wrap in waxed paper and cook approx 3 min per ear). I threw it on my grill pan for a minute after it came out of the microwave. I brushed the hot corn with a compound butter I had made. Combine 2 dried red chilies, zest of one lime and half a stick of butter in a chopster or food processor. Salt optional.
Family review: Everyone LOVED this meal!! A repeat for sure.

New Meal #2- This was my FAVORITE!!!
Vietnamese Shaking Beef- I didn't have Oyster sauce or Fish sauce, so that made it a little expensive, but I know I will use them a lot now! I used low sodium soy sauce in place of the thick soy. I marinated the beef for about 90 minutes. The lime juice with salt and pepper was such a simple dip that really enhanced the flavor. DO NOT overcook the beef- it's so tender!
Served with steamed snow peas- I also tossed them in the skillet after cooking the beef just to reheat and they picked up the flavor...tasty!
I cooked udon noodles in chicken broth with fresh sliced baby bellas and lots of green onion. I added about 1 TBS each of Oyster sauce and soy sauce.

New Meal #3- Orzo with Parmesan and Basil, Tequila Lime Shrimp and fresh green beans
I marinated the shrimp (shell on) in 1/3 cup tequila, 2 tsp olive oil, plus the juice and zest of one lime- about 20 min at room temp. I grilled with the shells on and then peeled right before serving.
The Orzo with Parmesan and Basil was the star of this meal!!  So creamy and delicious :)
I just steamed the green beans and seasoned with a little garlic salt

New Meal #4- BLT's with Basil Mayo on Chipotle Cheddar Bread
I mixed 1 cup of fresh basil leaves with 1/2 cup mayo and small clove of garlic- puree in food processor and chill at least 2 hours.
Pretty basic otherwise- Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, a BIG schmear of mayo and good bread. Mine was homemade - Asiago would be great for this!
Served with plain sweet corn.

New Meal #5- Basil Lime Chicken with Roasted Red Potatoes and Green Beans
This took chicken to a whole new level. AMAZING!! I used a recipe I found on Pinterest for Basil Lime Chicken and it did not disappoint. I did not change a thing! I did serve mine over fresh chopped tomatoes- which was so good. The sauce was awesome over the potatoes and green beans too!!
The green beans were just steamed. The red potatoes were quartered and then tossed with olive oil and salt. Baked at 400 until tender (approx 30? min).

New Meal #6- Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac and Cheese
I was reading Iowa Girl Eat's blog last week as I was looking for new recipes. Her recent post on Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac and Cheese instantly caught my eye! It was very easy to prepare, and ok, but I probably wouldn't make it again. It's a great recipe, I just didn't love the sauce. My kids did not like it at all, but my husband liked it more than me. I will say the tomatoes on top totally work- they were the perfect pop of fresh!

New Meal #7- Jalapeno Buttermilk Brined Chicken- made into tacos with fresh Pico
The package of chicken breasts I bought was huge- so I cooked a few for the Basil Lime Chicken and then threw the others into this Jalapeno Buttermilk Brine and stashed in the fridge for 48 hours. You could taste the jalapeno in the chicken, but it was not spicy at all. I would add more jalapeno next time- I used fresh jalapenos, sliced into rings. 2 good sized jalapenos, and I did not remove the ribs and seeds. The chicken was super moist and tender after grilling. I sliced it thin and put into tortillas. Topped with a fresh pico - roma tomatoes, red onion and fresh cilantro. Squeezing fresh lime juice over the tacos really made the flavors pop!

I have a few new recipes in store for this week as well. I'll try to share again next week!!