Monday, December 30, 2024

Slow Cooker Chick Pea Chana Saag

From Weight Watchers Cookbook

Hot Mama Grade: B+

Hot Mama Notes: This recipe is good, but not fantastic. Not sure that I will make it again. A solid maybe! I forgot to add in the spinach, sad day. By the time I remembered, the dish was pretty much finished off! I used fire roasted tomatoes with garlic. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

From Weight Watchers Cookbook

Hot Mama Grade:B

Hot Mama Notes: This recipe is good but not great. We ate it, but we didn't love it. Not sure if I would make it again. I forgot to add the yogurt before we ate. 

Taco Casserole

From Weight Watchers Cookbook.

Hot Mama Grade: A

Hot Mama Notes: This is very tasty. I would make it again. The kids like it. I added 1.5 cans of cooked chicken chunks. I used flour Tortillas instead because that is what I had. Everyone really likes this dish! 

Friday, December 27, 2024

Air Fryer Chicken

Originally from: https://thewholecook.com/air-fryer-chicken-breasts/

Ingredients 
4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
▢1 tbsp olive oil, or use a nonstick spray 
▢1 tbsp italian seasoning
▢1 tsp garlic powder
▢1 tsp salt
▢¾ tsp black pepper
▢¾ tsp paprika

Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees. (You can use 375 degrees if your air fryer doesn't offer 370.)

Stir together italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Rub olive oil on the chicken breasts (or use a nonstick spray). Press the seasoning mixture onto the chicken.

Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the preheated air fryer so they're not overlapping. Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip chicken. Air fry for another 5 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees. Be careful not to overcook. (Temperature AFTER resting should be 165 degrees.)

Final cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your chicken and the model air fryer you're using.

Hot Mama Grade: A

Hot Mama Notes: This is only the third time using my air fryer, and the first time in almost a year. The chicken turned out very well even though it took much longer as it wasn't thawed. I took the chicken out of the freezer, but they were very thick pieces and did not thaw despite being out for a number of hours. Instead of 15 to 20 minutes, it was 40 minutes. I flipped the chicken every ten minutes. It meant a lot of the spices were left in the basket, sad day. But the chicken itself was very tasty and moist. I used an olive oil spray, and I sprayed the chicken every time I flipped as I was worried about it drying out. I also added more spices each flip. I used smoked paprika instead of regular because it is so tasty. The fry basket is a mess. I put it in the dishwasher, but the manual says only the insert can go in the dishwasher. Oops. Hopefully, it survives a single run through the dishwasher. 



Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Deviled Eggs, Updated

Try: add in 2T soft room temperature butter

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/one-ingredient-upgrade-for-better-deviled-eggs-8740102

Use soft, room-temperature butter to blend in smoothly without leaving any chunks. Don't melt it or it could separate and make the yolk filling greasy.
For 12 egg yolk halves (six whole eggs), start with one to two tablespoons of butter and the usual mayo, sour cream, or cream cheese amount you prefer.
Blend or mash the butter thoroughly with the other ingredients until it’s completely incorporated and smooth.

Scrambled Eggs, Revisited

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/best-way-to-make-scrambled-eggs-chefs-8715883

Go low and slow. Whisk your eggs in a bowl. Then heat a non-stick skillet over low or medium-low heat. Add butter to your pan; the fat brings richness and prevents the eggs from sticking. When the butter is melted, pour the whisked eggs into your pan, and drizzle a teaspoon of water per egg.

The water will heat up and create steam, which makes the eggs fluffy. A pinch of salt at this stage also helps tenderize your eggs. Using a silicone spatula, stir the eggs continuously as they cook. The low, slow approach requires some patience. High heat coagulates the proteins too quickly, making for tough, rubbery, or dry eggs. If you use lower heat and cook gently, you get creamy, moist eggs.

Add a soft, creamy cheese toward the end of scrambling. It is key, they say, to silky eggs. gets a similar effect with the addition of crème fraîche, or even sour cream. Whole-milk cottage cheese offers a contrasting texture and compliments the sour cream nicely. He recommends adding a tablespoon per two eggs.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/how-to-cook-the-fluffiest-scrambled-eggs-egg-farmer-8704345
Whisk eggs to incorporate air for fluffiness. 
Low heat - low and slow. 
Use butter. 
Do not salt raw eggs,results in watery ese. 

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/one-ingredient-upgrade-for-scrambled-eggs-8764200
Salt your raw eggs and let them sit 15 minutes to break down proteins for a fluffier egg. 

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Prime Rib/Rib Roast

Note: Be sure your oven is very clean before setting it at 500 degrees F.


Ingredients 
1 8 lb Ribeye Roast, bone in
4T butter
2T olive oil
1T sea salt
1.5t fresh ground pepper
1t garlic powder

Directions
Bring meat to room temp 2h before cooking. 
Put oven rack at second to the bottom location within oven. 
Preheat oven to 500F. Make oven is clean first! 
Sear each side for 3 minutes in butter or olive oil at high heat using a cast iron skillet to form a crust (can skip this step). 
Transfer meat to sit on rack in the roaster, placing meat fat side up. 
Pour olive oil over seared meat. Rub/press spice mixture into meat. 
Put oven-safe meat thermometer into the meat and place in oven. 
Roast meat uncovered for calculated time based on formula: 5 minutes per lb of meet. In this case, 40 minutes. 
After time passes, turn off oven (DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR!) and let meat sit in oven for 2-3 hours or until meat thermometer reaches necessary temperature for desired doneness. 130F for medium. 120F to 125F for rare to medium rare. 
If desired to have meat done faster, after one (or 2-3) hour of sitting in turned off oven, turn oven on to 300F and cook until internal temperature reaches desired doneness. 
After desired internal temperature is reached, Remove meat from oven. 
Let meat rest for 20 minutes. 
Carves and serve. 

Hot Mama Grade; A

Hot Mama Notes: This was a lot of rigamarole, but the meat turned out wonderfully, and my family truly enjoyed it as it as our Christmas meal. I would make it again if requested. 

I took the meat out 1.5h early to have it be at room temperature. I meant to do 2h before, but time got away from me. Before turning the oven on, I cleaned it out. This recipe is a mixture of my brother in law's recipe plus the pioneer woman and allrecipe recipes referenced below. It was definitely a learning experience and very involved! 
When I put the meat thermometer in after 1.5h at room temp, it still read 41F. I removed the meat from the oven at 130F for medium doneness. 


https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/97621/foolproof-rib-roast/

Rub the room temperature roast with seasonings and place it on a rack in a roasting pan with the fatty side up and the rib side on the bottom. Roast in a preheated oven for an hour, then turn off the oven. Let the roast stand in the hot oven for about three hours without opening the door. Heat the oven again and let the roast continue to cook until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F.

Rib Roast Seasonings
This rib roast is simply seasoned with salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Of course, you can add more seasonings to taste (but make sure not to overpower the meat's natural flavor).

How Long to Cook a Rib Roast
This rib roast recipe should be done in a little under five hours, with about 90 minutes of actual cook time. You'll know the rib roast is done when an instant read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F.

1 (5-pound) beef standing rib roast, at room-temperature (let sit out for 1 hour before starting recipe)

2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a10448/prime-rib/

1 whole rib eye roast (you can use boneless or bone-in prime rib) about 14 lb.
6 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
4 Tbsp. tri-color peppercorns (or any peppercorns)
3 sprigs rosemary
3 sprigs thyme
1/2 c. kosher salt
1/2 c. minced garlic
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 500°F. Remove the roast from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2
Cut the rib loin in half (roast halves separately for more controlled/even cooking.)
3
Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet over very high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and sear both halves until they're a nice dark golden color. Place the tricolor peppercorns into a bag; use a rolling pin to crush the peppercorns. Strip the leaves from the rosemary and thyme springs. Mix the salt, crushed peppercorns, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, and garlic. 
4
Pour the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil over the rib loin and pour on the rub mix. Pat slightly to get it to stick to the meat. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300°F and roast until a meat thermometer registers 125°F for rare/medium rare, 30 to 50 minutes (the roast will continue to cook slightly after removing from the oven). If you'd like the meat more cooked, leave it in the oven longer. Just keep an eye on the meat thermometer and don't let it cook past medium rare! *USING A MEAT THERMOMETER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE YOU COOK THE MEAT TO YOUR LIKING*
5
Remove from the oven and let rest at least 20 minutes before slicing.


https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/sunday-rib-roast-recipe-1941847

One 3-rib standing rib roast (7 to 8 pounds)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Two hours before roasting, remove the meat from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. 
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (see Cook's Note). 
Place the oven rack on the second lowest position. 
Place the roast in a pan large enough to hold it comfortably, bone-side down, and spread the top thickly with the salt and pepper. Roast the meat for 45 minutes. Without removing the meat from the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and roast for another 30 minutes. Finally, increase the temperature to 450 degrees F and roast for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature of the meat is 125 degrees F. (Be sure the thermometer is exactly in the center of the roast.) The total cooking time will be between 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 hours. Meanwhile, make the sauce. 
Remove the roast from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil and allow the meat to rest for 20 minutes. Carve and serve. 

https://www.cozymeal.com/magazine/rib-roast-vs-prime-rib#:~:text=Ribs%2010%20to%2012%2C%20also,with%20a%20lot%20less%20gristle.&text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20rib%20roast%20vs.%20prime%20rib%2C%20both,heavier%20than%20a%20rib%20roast

What Is the Difference Between Prime Rib and Rib Roast?
Certain factors must be considered in the battle of rib roast vs. prime rib and how best to utilize them. In most cases, prime rib is usually cooked with the bone-in (also known as bone-in ribeye), while rib roast is usually a boneless cut. Prime rib can also be made boneless but is referred to as ribeye roast, boneless rib roast or boneless prime rib.

The differences between rib roast vs. prime rib can be observed in five areas. These are:

Butchery

When comparing rib roast vs. prime rib, rib roast can be taken from any part of the 13-rib primal section. It is often butchered and sold without the bone (although it can also come with the bone in). Without it, it requires less time to cook and does not benefit from the bone’s natural flavor. 

Prime rib, on the other hand, is cut from ribs six to 12 of the primal rib section and is usually sold as a whole cut with the bones intact. This adds depth to the flavor when cooked, and usually requires a longer cooking time. 

Flavor

You can expect a variation in flavors in rib roast vs. prime rib. For example, since rib roasts typically come without the bone, they don’t benefit from the natural flavor that the bone imparts when cooking. This can be compensated for by seasoning boneless cuts before you cook them.

The flavor in prime rib vs. rib roast is often richer, thanks to the natural flavors of the bone. What’s more, do you remember how prime rib is taken from ribs six to 12 of the entire rib section? Well, to add to the confusion, different sections within the prime rib area will also have slight variations in taste. 

Ribs six to nine are closest to the chuck, also known as the large end rib roast. The higher levels of connective tissue in this region impart a chewier texture to the meat, while the increased fat levels impart extra flavor. Ribs 10 to 12, also known as the small-end rib roast, may have less flavor because of the lower fat levels, however, the texture is a lot softer with a lot less gristle.

Cooking methods

When it comes to rib roast vs. prime rib, both can be cooked in the oven. However, since prime rib is much larger and heavier than a rib roast. Added to the fact that it has the bone intact, the time taken to cook will be longer. 

If you opt for rib roast vs. prime rib, you’ll want to be extra careful since, without the bone, it cooks faster and can easily dry out. You can help mitigate this by including salt in your rub and giving it a chance to soak into the meat. However, it still pays to keep an eye on the joint and ensure you follow the recipe, including cooking temperature, carefully