Classic Beef Bourguignon

Give a classic dish like beef bourguignon a yummy twist for a family pleasing dinner. This recipe tastes fancy, but is actually quite easy to make. The most difficult part of making this time tested dish at home is having the patience to wait for a few hours while your house fills with the most mouthwatering aromas!

While this dish was inspired by Julia Child's, I have made a few simple changes to make the recipe work with what I had on hand. My family loved the results and I believe your family will too. With tender chunks of beef and the most saucy gravy, this dish offers stick to your ribs comfort food with each bite.

While I didn't use pearl onions as Julia Child would have, I thought the cherry tomatoes were a perfect change and it allowed me to put some of the produce I had in my fridge to work without having to buy anything special for the dish. With grocery prices being so high, it is great to have recipes you can adapt to what you already have at home.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 ounces bacon, coarsely chopped

1 pound of beef or even ham 

1 carrot 

1 white onion

3 garlic cloves

1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3/4 tablespoon flour

7 cherry tomatoes

2 cups red wine

2 cups beef or vegetable broth 

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (separate)

1 bay leaves

1/3 pound fresh mushrooms

1 tablespoons butter.

1. Cut the bacon into large pieces. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, fry the bacon in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Place the bacon on a serving platter. 

2. Blot the beef with a paper towel. Cut into large pieces Fry the beef in the bacon fat over high heat on all sides. Send the beef to the bacon.

3. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add chopped garlic clove and mushrooms cut in half. Saute until golden. Set the mushrooms aside.

4. Place sliced carrots and chopped onion in the pan until transparent. Add 1-2 cloves of chopped garlic and cook for another minute. At this point, if you have a lot of fat, the excess fat can be drained . We add a little fat. Return the bacon and meat to the pot.

5. Season with 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt and a pinch of ground pepper. Add the cherry tomatoes, chiles, cherry tomatoes, bay leaf, parsley, and flour. Pour in the wine and enough broth to cover the meat. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat begins to fall apart. Add the prepared mushrooms 5 minutes before the end of cooking. Turn off the heat and leave the dish on the stove for 15 minutes to allow all the flavors to blend.

Tips: 

If the gravy is a bit runny, dilute flour in water and add it at the end of cooking the stew. If it is thick, dilute it with wine.

The dish becomes tastier on the second and third day. Take this into account when planning your menu

Dry spices and spicy ingredients can be varied.

Serve Beef Bourguignon with fresh bread, potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice or noodles. 

Enjoy!

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Restaurant Chicken Copycat Recipes

 

If you are hoping to save some cash on your food expenses, cutting out dinners in restaurants is usually the first to go. I gathered some of the best copycat chicken recipes to share with you. From copycats of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings, to Panera panini dupes, this list has something for everyone. You will want to try all of these dishes to get the flavor you crave, from your home kitchen. I hope you will leave a comment to tell me what copycat recipes you have been making at home.

Panera Chipotle Chicken Panini  by Sweet Tea and Thyme

This panini tastes just like the chipotle chicken option from Panera. This is so easy to make at home when you crave fast food, but don’t want to go out.

Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches by Sparkles to Sprinkles

Make this perfect sandwich any day of the week, including on a Sunday to get the flavor you want. This is a great dupe that everyone will enjoy.

Parmesan Chicken Romano by Season and Thyme

This Cheesecake factory copycat is so easy and extra flavorful! It uses parmesan cheese to coat tenders for 6 ingredient dish the whole family will love.

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings by Sweet Silly Sara

Make this dish when you want comfort food, but don’t want to wait for a table at Cracker Barrel. This is cozy, delicious and not too complicated to make for wholesome, country style food.

Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits by Sweet Tea and Thyme

These honey butter chicken biscuits are perfect for any meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner! You are going to love the combination of chicken, sweet honey and flaky biscuits. 

Olive Garden Tuscan Chicken by Three Olives Branch

This Tuscan chicken tastes like it came from Olive Garden, but it so easy to make at home even on a week night.

Olive Garden Chicken Veronese by Season and Thyme

Save some money and still get the flavor of great pasta from Olive Garden, at home. This recipe is creamy, hearty and sure to be a favorite way to serve chicken for dinner.

Ensenada Chicken Platter by Season and Thyme

Make a Red Robin copycat for dinner at home. This is flavorful with juicy chicken and a southwest salad on the side. You are going to love this for a weeknight dinner with the family that stretches your budget while offering great flavors.

Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowls by xoxo Bella

These tex mex bowls have plenty of chicken, tasty veggies and crunchy chips to make a great meal. Enjoy these for lunch or dinner and are so easy to make.

Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken Breasts by The Feathered Nest

This stuffed chicken breast tastes just like the popular option from Ruth Chris! But, it is so budget friendly when you make it at home. It has plenty of cheese and a great blend of herbs.

Outback Alice Springs Chicken by Two Pink Peonies

Save some cash and still get the flavor of a great, cheesy meal from Outback with this recipe. Everyone loves Alice Springs chicken, and this recipe is so easy to duplicate at home.

CPK BBQ Chicken Salad by From Valerie’s Kitchen

This recipe makes a great dupe of the popular California Pizza Kitchen bbq chicken salad recipe. You are going to love this for lunch, or with pizza for a take out fake out meal.

Chicken and Rice by The Cagle Diaries

Get Cracker Barrel flavor any night of the week with this tasty and budget friendly dish. It has hearty mushrooms, chicken and rice with a creamy sauce that is irresistible.

Chicken Scampi by Amira’s Pantry

Save your cash and get the one of a kind flavor of Olive Garden chicken scampi at home. This recipe is fairly easy to recreate for a great weeknight meal.

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken  by The Cooking Duo

Make this black pepper chicken for a fast and flavorful dish that has all of the flavor of Panda Express from your home kitchen. This is a great recipe for weeknight dinners.

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Best Uses of Blue Cheese

 Blue cheese, with its creamy texture and tangy, pungent taste, is a beloved ingredient in many culinary traditions. Its distinctive flavor profile can add depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore new ingredients, blue cheese offers endless possibilities for creating delicious and memorable meals.

Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese Dip

Photo credit: Sabrina Currie.

Mix up a batch of this easy caramelized onion and blue cheese dip to enjoy with your chips. This tastes so much better than any carton of dip from the store, and is made with simple ingredients to elevate the flavor of your next salty snack.

Get the recipe: Caramelized onion and blue cheese dip

Buffalo Chicken Fries 

Photo credit: The Food Hussy.

This is such a tasty dish to make at home. With buffalo chicken chunks, crispy fries and chunks of celery and blue cheese, every bite offers a medley of bold flavors. Make this as a snack, appetizer or maybe even as football party food.

Get the recipe: Buffalo chicken fries

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Photo credit: This Silly Girl's Kitchen.

Make some egg rolls that are stuffed with tangy buffalo chicken. Add cheddar and blue cheese to the mix and fry them until they are golden brown for a snack that tastes so good when dipped in a bowl of ranch.

Get the recipe: Buffalo chicken egg rolls

Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers

Photo credit: Simply Designing.

Fire up the grill and make a burger that rivals the trendiest burger joint with this recipe. Smoky bacon and tangy blue cheese make these patties pop with great flavor in every juicy bite!

Get the recipe: Bacon blue cheese burgers

Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing

Photo credit: Healthy Foodie Girl.

Make this homemade dressing with simple ingredients like blue cheese, yogurt, garlic and onion powder for the best topping for salads! You might even want to use this dressing as a chip dip. It has so much flavor no one can resist it.

Get the recipe: Blue cheese yogurt dressing

Bacon Blue Cheese Asparagus 

Photo credit: Life As a Strawberry.

Dress up asparagus with bacon and blue cheese for a side dish that delivers great flavor in every bite. The buttery, smoky, tangy flavors blend perfectly together for a side that pairs well with a variety of meals.

Get the recipe: Bacon blue cheese asparagus

Blue Cheese and Bacon Hot Dogs

Photo credit:  A Seasoned Greeting.

These hot dogs are topped with bacon and blue cheese for a tasty update to a cheap dinner. Serve with fries for comfort food with a grown up taste, that is done quick.

Get the recipe: Blue cheese and bacon hot dogs

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

This easy blue cheese stuffed olive recipe makes for the ultimate party food. You can stuff them in just a few moments and have a bite sized snack that delivers big, zesty, bold flavors. Everyone will love them!

Get the recipe: Blue cheese stuffed olives

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Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta: A Weeknight Dream

Craving a restaurant-worthy meal but short on time? This Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta is your new weeknight savior. It's bursting with bright lemon flavor, rich parmesan cheese, and a silky smooth sauce, all cooked in under 10 minutes!

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The Instant Pot does all the hard work, while you're free to whip up a salad, prep some garlic bread, or simply relax with a glass of wine. Plus, it's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

What You'll Love About This Recipe:

• Fast and Easy: This dish comes together in under 10 minutes, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot.
• Packed with Flavor: The combination of tangy lemon and nutty parmesan cheese creates a flavor profile that's both bright and satisfying.
• Creamy and Dreamy: The sauce is rich and creamy, coating every strand of pasta perfectly.
• Customizable: Feel free to add protein like cooked chicken or shrimp, or throw in some veggies like broccoli or asparagus for a more well-rounded meal.

Ready to Get Cooking?

Head over to your kitchen and grab your Instant Pot. The full recipe with ingredient list and instructions awaits! In the meantime, here are some extra tips to ensure your Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta turns out perfectly:

• Use High-Quality Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese will make a world of difference in the taste of your sauce.
• Don't Overcook the Pasta: The Instant Pot cooks pasta quickly, so be mindful of the cooking time. You want the pasta to be al dente, with a slight bite.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish.

 Ingredients:

8 oz of spaghetti noodles

1 ½ c of chicken broth

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 shallot, sliced thin

1 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved

1 cup of half and half

1 lemon

1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil

1 tablespoon of butter

Directions:

Turn the instant pot to saute.

When it is hot, add 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil and shallot and saute for 2 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and turn the instant pot off. Allow to rest for one minute.

Add chicken broth.

Add juice from half of the lemon.

Stir to deglaze.

Add the spaghetti noodles. You can break them in half, or even thirds if desired.

Use a spoon to push the noodles into the broth, but don’t stir.

You want the noodles submerged.

Add a tablespoon of butter to the top of the noodles.

Replace the lid and seal.

Use the manual setting and cook for 5 minutes.

It should take 10 minutes or so until the instant pot reaches pressure.

When the timer alerts, use the quick release valve.

Open the instant pot and add half and half and parmesan cheese.

Stir.

Place the lid on the instant pot and allow the food to rest for about 4 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the cheese to melt.

Squeeze the juice from the remaining half of the lemon onto the pasta.

Toss and serve.

Allow leftovers to cool, then store in an airtight container.

So ditch the takeout menus and whip up this Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta instead. It's a delicious, easy, and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

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