Chicken Dinners

From Discount Knives and Cutlery

Chicken and Dumplings Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show:  Paula's Home Cooking Episode:  Cooking for a crowd

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Chicken: 1 (2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces 3 ribs celery, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 bay leaves 2 chicken bouillon cubes 1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup Dumplings: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt Ice water To start the chicken: Place the chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and House Seasoning in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and in water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot. Keep warm over low heat. To prepare the dumplings: Mix the flour with the salt and mound together in a mixing bowl. Beginning at the center of the mound, drizzle a small amount of ice water over the flour. Using your fingers, and moving from the center to the sides of the bowl, gradually incorporate about 3/4 cup of ice water. Knead the dough and form it into ball. Dust a good amount of flour onto a clean work surface. Roll out the dough (it will be firm), working from center to 1/8-inch thick. Let the dough relax for several minutes. Add the cream of celery soup to the pot with the chicken and simmer gently over medium-low heat. Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Pull a piece in half and drop the halves into the simmering soup. Repeat. Do not stir the chicken once the dumplings have been added. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings become submerged and cook evenly. Cook until the dumplings float and are no longer doughy, 3 to 4 minutes. To serve, ladle chicken, gravy, and dumplings into warm bowls. Cook's Note: If the chicken stew is too thin it can be thickened before the dumplings are added. Simply mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water then whisk this mixture into the stew. House Seasoning: 1 cup salt 1/4 cup black pepper 1/4 cup garlic powder Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show:  Everyday Italian Episode:  Foods that Refuel

Difficulty: Medium, Prep Time: 35 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Yield: 6 to 8 servings

9 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced 1 large onion, finely chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups whole milk, room temperature 1 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature 1 cup chicken broth 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 12 ounces linguine 3/4 cup frozen peas 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves 1 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 cup dried Italian-style breadcrumbs Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Melt 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a deep large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook until pale golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly. Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl. Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat until the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms become pale golden, about 12 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the bowl with the chicken. Melt 3 more tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, cream, broth, nutmeg, remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 9 minutes. Drain. Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mixture. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the pasta. Dot with the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 25 minutes.

Drunken Chicken Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show:  Paula's Home Cooking Episode:  Split BBQ

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Yield: 4 to 6 servings

1 (3-pound) chicken Seasoned salt House seasoning, recipe follows 1 (12-ounce) can beer 1 sprig rosemary Preheat a charcoal grill over high heat. When the coals are hot and glowing, carefully push them over to the sides of the grill, leaving an open space in the middle of the grill. Wash and drain chicken. Coat the chicken inside and out with seasoned salt and House Seasoning. Open the can of beer and carefully insert a sprig of rosemary. Then, place the beer can into the body cavity starting at the rear of the chicken. Carefully place the chicken on the center of the grill, facing 1 of the banks of the coals, making sure not to spill the beer. Cover the grill and cook until chicken is done, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning the chicken as necessary. The chicken is done when the juice runs clear. Serve chicken with favorite BBQ sides. House Seasoning: 1 cup salt 1/4 cup black pepper 1/4 cup garlic powder Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato and Basil and Potatoes with Peppers and Onions Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray Show:  30 Minute Meals Episode:  It's Dinner, Not a Workout

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 12 minutes, Yield: 4 servings

1 1/2 to 2 pounds fingerling potatoes or red skin baby potatoes 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips 1 Italian mild green pepper, cubanelle, seeded and thinly sliced 1 medium yellow skinned onion, thinly sliced 4 large cloves garlic, cracked away from skin 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided Coarse salt and pepper 2 cups shredded Parmesan, available in tubs near deli -- make sure to get shredded cheese, not grated 4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped 15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, pile leaves, roll then thinly slice -- chiffonade Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way. Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up! While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts. While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Lemony White Wine Sauce Recipe courtesy Scott McGowan and Kim Keegan Show:  Low Carb and Lovin' It Episode:  Secrets to Success

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Yield: 2 servings

Stuffing: 1 cup cooked, chopped, and drained fresh spinach 1/2 cup ricotta 1/2 cup Gorgonzola 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large egg Sauce: 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup homemade chicken stock 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 lemon, juiced Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish Chicken: 2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Make the Stuffing: In a bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, Gorgonzola, and bacon and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Add the egg, mix well, and set aside. Make the Sauce: Combine the wine and stock in a non-reactive saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a sauce-like consistency. Whisk in the mustard, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. Make the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between 2 doubled-up sheets of plastic wrap, and pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness with a meat-pounder or rolling pin. Divide the stuffing between the breasts, mounding it along the center of each. Fold the bottom edge of each breast over the stuffing, fold in the sides, and roll forward until completely wrapped, to form a tight rolled package. Secure each flap with a toothpick. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Cover the skillet, turn the heat down to low, and cook until just cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the sauce into the skillet over high heat and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon. Slice the chicken into medallions, divide among plates, and spoon some of the sauce over each. Garnish with parsley and erve immediately

Pork Dinners

From Discount Knives and Cutlery

Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show:  Everyday Italian Episode:  Easy Weekend Entertaining

Difficulty: Medium, Prep Time: 25 minutes, Cook time: 1 hour, Yield: 6 to 8 servings

8 large garlic cloves 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) tied boneless pork loin roast Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups dry white wine Blend the garlic, rosemary, thyme, and oil in a small food processor, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the garlic is minced. Sprinkle the pork roast generously with salt and pepper. Arrange the pancetta slices on a work surface, overlapping slightly and forming a rectangle. Spread half of the garlic mixture over 1 side of the pork and between the 2 loins that meet in the center of the tied pork roast. Place the pork, garlic mixture side down, in the center of the pancetta rectangle. Spread the remaining garlic mixture over the remaining pork. Wrap the pancetta slices around the pork. Place the pork in a roasting pan. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pour 1/2 cup of broth and 1/2 cup of wine into the roasting pan. Add more broth and wine to the pan juices every 20 minutes. Roast the pork until a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 145 degrees F for medium-rare, about 1 hour. Transfer the pork to a cutting board. Tent with aluminum foil and let stand for 10 minutes. Pour the pan drippings into a glass measuring cup and spoon off any fat that rises to the top. Using a large sharp carving knife, cut the pork into 1/4-inch-thick slices and serve with the pan juices

Bacon and Tomato Hash Recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson   Show:  Nigella Feasts Episode:  Breakfast All Hours

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Yield 1 serving

4 rashers streaky bacon 2 teaspoons garlic-infused oil 1 tomato, diced 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves Freshly ground black pepper Serving suggestion: bread Cut each piece of bacon into 3 or 4 pieces. Heat oil in a skillet. When oil is hot, fry bacon until crispy (the bacon will also give up flavorful fat of its own). Remove the bacon to a piece of kitchen towel. Add the diced tomato, with all its seeded, gluey interior, into the hot oily pan, which will cause a great spitting and sizzling, and stir for a couple of minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir again, then put the bacon back into the pan, mixing it into the tomato before transferring to a plate. Scatter with some parsley and freshly ground black pepper, and serve with bread to dip in the oily juices

Pulled Pork Recipe courtesy Alton Brown Show:  Good Eats Episode:  Q

Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 20 minutes, Inactive Prep Time 13 hours, Cook Time: 11 hours, Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Brine: 8 ounces or 3/4 cup molasses 12 ounces pickling salt 2 quarts bottled water 6 to 8 pound Boston butt Rub: 1 teaspoon whole cumin seed 1 teaspoon whole fennel seed 1 teaspoon whole coriander 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon paprika Combine molasses, pickling salt, and water in 6 quart Lexan. Add Boston butt making sure it is completely submerged in brine, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours. 12 hours is ideal. Place cumin seed, fennel seed, and coriander in food grinder and grind fine. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and stir in chili powder, onion powder, and paprika. Remove Boston butt from brine and pat dry. Sift the rub evenly over the shoulder and then pat onto the meat making sure as much of the rub as possible adheres. More rub will adhere to the meat if you are wearing latex gloves during the application. Preheat smoker to 210 degrees F. Place butt in smoker and cook for 10 to12 hours, maintaining a temperature of 210 degrees F. Begin checking meat for doneness after 10 hours of cooking time. Use fork to check for doneness. Meat is done when it falls apart easily when pulling with a fork. Once done, remove from pot and set aside to rest for at least 1 hour. Pull meat apart with 2 forks and serve as sandwich with coleslaw and dressing as desired

City Ham Recipe courtesy Alton Brown Show:  Good Eats Episode:  Ham I Am

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 6 hours, Yield: 10 to 15 portions depending.

1 city style (brined) ham, hock end* 1/4 cup brown mustard 2 cups dark brown sugar 1-ounce bourbon (poured into a spritz bottle) 2 cups crushed ginger snap cookies Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Remove ham from bag, rinse and drain thoroughly. Place ham, cut side down, in a roasting pan. Using a small paring knife or clean utility knife set to the smallest blade setting, score the ham from bottom to top, spiraling clockwise as you cut. (If you're using a paring knife, be careful to only cut through the skin and first few layers of fat). Rotate the ham after each cut so that the scores are no more than 2-inches across. Once you've made it all the way around, move the knife to the other hand and repeat, spiraling counter clockwise. The aim is to create a diamond pattern all over the ham. (Don't worry too much about precision here.) Tent the ham with heavy duty foil, insert a thermometer, and cook for 3 to 4 hours or until the internal temperature at the deepest part of the meat registers 130 degrees F. Remove and use tongs to pull away the diamonds of skin and any sheets of fat that come off with them. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Dab dry with paper towels, then brush on a liberal coat of mustard, using either a basting brush or a clean paint brush (clean as in never-touched paint). Sprinkle on brown sugar, packing loosely as you go until the ham is coated. Spritz this layer lightly with bourbon, then loosely pack on as much of the crushed cookies as you can. Insert the thermometer (don't use the old hole) and return to the oven (uncovered). Cook until interior temperature reaches 140 degrees F, approximately 1 hour. Let the roast rest for 1/2 hour before carving. *Cook's note: A city ham is basically any brined ham that's packed in a plastic bag, held in a refrigerated case and marked "ready to cook", "partially cooked" or "ready to serve". Better city hams are also labeled "ham in natural juices

Beef Dinners

From Discount Knives and Cutlery

Seared Rib-Eye Steak with Arugula and Roasted Pepper Salad Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show:  Everyday Italian Episode:  Weeknight Dinner

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Yield: 4 servings

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing 2 (1-inch-thick) rib-eye steaks (about 1 pound each) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 cups arugula, washed and spun dry 11/2 cups roasted peppers, rinsed and patted dry 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Small block Parmesan (about 8 ounces) In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season steaks with salt and pepper. When pan starts to smoke, carefully add steaks. Allow the steaks to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on 1 side, without moving or piercing the meat. This will help create a good, crusty sear. When steaks are brown, flip and sear the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove meat to a large plate and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Decoratively line a large platter with arugula. Tear the roasted peppers into large pieces and scatter over the arugula. In a small bowl, whisk in the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar and any meat juices that may have collected on the plate from the steaks. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the steaks across the grain and on a bias into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces. Lay the slices on top of the salad and drizzle with dressing. Using a vegetable peeler, shave about Parmesan over the dish.

Red Wine Beef Stew with Potatoes and Green Beans Recipe courtesy Dave Lieberman Show:  Good Deal with Dave Lieberman Episode:  One Pot Meal Potluck

Difficulty: Medium, Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 2 hours, Yield, about 10 servings

Making an amazing stew is a whole lot simpler than most people figure. After you brown up your beef, all you basically have to do is throw a bunch of tasty ingredients in a pot and let it do its thing. Adding green beans at the end of cooking freshens up the stew and their snap is cool. You can make it completely in advance, as far as 2 days ahead of time. Just refrigerate it right in the pot and reheat it over low heat. You?ll have to stir in a cup or so of water because the stew will have thickened up. (Do the water thing if you?re reheating leftover stew too.) I use butter to brown the beef because it adds richness to the stew and makes for a creamier gravy. But you can substitute any type of oil for the butter if you want. Pretty much any decent red wine will do for stew; I like using Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon but the basic rule is that as long as you?d be happy drinking what you?re cooking with you?re in good shape.2 pounds beef chuck for stew, cut into 1-inch cubes Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons butter 4 medium carrots, peeled, halved and cut into 1-inch chunks 3 small onions, diced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans reduced-sodium beef or chicken broth 2 cups dry red wine 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes 3 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 medium russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 2 handfuls green beans, ends trimmed  Season the beef cubes lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy 6-quart pot over medium heat. As soon as the butter starts to turn brown, add half the beef and raise the heat to high. At first, the beef will give off some liquid, but once that evaporates, the beef will start to brown. Cook, turning the beef cubes on all sides until the pieces are as evenly browned as possible, about 5 or 6 minutes after the water has boiled off. If the pan starts to get too brown at any point, just turn down the heat a little. Scoop the beef into a bowl and brown the rest of the beef the same way using the remaining butter. Scoop out the second batch of beef, then add the carrots and onions and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour until it has been worked into the veggies and you can’t see it any more. Pour in the chicken broth, wine, and crushed tomatoes, and toss in the rosemary. Slide the beef back into the pot and bring the liquid to a boil. Turn down the heat so the liquid is just breaking a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot and cook 50 minutes. Stir the stew several times while simmering so it cooks evenly and nothing sticks to the bottom. Stir the potatoes into the stew, cover the pot completely, and cook until the potatoes and beef are tender, stirring occasionally, about another 45 minutes. Add the beans and cook for another 5 minutes until the green beans turn bright green and are cooked through but still have a nice snap to them.

Dad's Meatloaf with Tomato Relish Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence Show:  Tyler's Ultimate Episode:  Ultimate Meatloaf

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes, Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Tomato Relish: Extra-virgin olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 bay leaves 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and finely diced 2 tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 (12-ounce) bottle ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Meatloaf: 3 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into chunks by hand 1/4 cup whole milk 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 pound ground pork 2 eggs Leaves from 2 fresh thyme sprigs Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 to 4 bacon slices Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a skillet with a 2-count of oil and place over medium heat. Saute the onion, garlic, and bay leaves for a few minutes to create a base flavor. Throw in the red peppers and cook them for a couple of minutes to soften. Now add the tomatoes; adding them at this point lets them hold their shape and prevents them from disintegrating. Stir in the parsley, ketchup, and Worcestershire; season with salt and pepper. Simmer the relish for 5 minutes to pull all the flavors together. Remove it from the heat; you should have about 4 cups of relish. Place the torn white bread in a bowl and add the milk to just barely cover, swish the bread around in the milk and let it sit while you get the rest of the ingredients for the meat loaf together. This is where you get your hands dirty! In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork with 1 1/2 cups of the tomato relish, the eggs, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the excess milk from the bread and add the soaked bread to the meat mixture. To test, fry a small "hamburger" patty of the meatloaf until cooked; the patty should hold together but still have a soft consistency. Taste the patty for seasoning. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Transfer the meat mixture to the center of the cookie sheet and form into a log about 9 inches long and about 4 inches wide. Coat the top of the meatloaf with another 1/2 cup of the tomato relish. Lay the bacon across the top lengthwise. Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the bacon is crisp and the meatloaf is firm. Rotate the meat loaf while it's baking every now and then to insure that the bacon browns evenly. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool a bit before slicing. Serve with the remaining tomato relish on the side. Unbelievably moist!

Corned Beef and Cabbage From Food Network Kitchens

Difficulty: Easy, Prep Time: 10 minutes, cook Time: 4 hours, Yield: about 6 to 8 main course servings

One 3-pound corned beef brisket (uncooked), in brine 16 cups cold water 2 bay leaves 2 teaspoons black peppercorns 4 whole allspice berries 2 whole cloves 1/2 large head green cabbage (about 2 pounds), cut into 8 thick wedges 8 small new potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds), halved Freshly ground black pepper Serving suggestion: Whole-grain mustard or HORSERADISH SAUCE, recipe follows Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the corned beef in a colander in the sink and rinse well under cold running water. Place the corned beef in a large Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid; add the water, bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice, and cloves. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Cover and transfer pan to the oven, and braise until very tender, about 3 hours and 45 minutes. Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board and cover tightly with foil to keep warm. Add the cabbage and potatoes to the cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cabbage to a large platter. Slice the corned beef across the grain of the meat into thin slices. Lay the slices over the cabbage and surround it with the potatoes. Ladle some of the hot cooking liquid over the corned beef and season with pepper.  Cook's Note: Leftover corned beef makes great corned beef hash.

Black Pepper Crusted Filet Mignon with Toasted Goat Cheese and Twice Cooked Red Chile Sauce Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay Show:  Boy Meets Grill Episode:  Say Cheese!

Difficulty: Medium, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Inactive Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 35 minutes, Yield: 4 servings

4 filet mignon steaks, each 1 1/2-inches thick 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 tablespoons kosher salt 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper 4 (3/4-inch thick) slices goat cheese Red Chile Sauce, recipe follows Chopped cilantro, for garnish Preheat the grill to high. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. Meanwhile, combine the cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Liberally season both sides of each filet with the spice mixture. Grill the filets for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Remove the steaks from the grill onto a baking sheet, and top each with a slice of the cheese. Place under the broiler until cheese is golden brown and soft. Alternatively, use a blow torch or kitchen torch to brown the cheese. Ladle the sauce onto each plate, place the steak in the center, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Red Chile Sauce: 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 large red onion, coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 2 New Mexican red chiles, lightly toasted 2 quajillo chiles, lightly toasted 1 ancho chile, lightly toasted 6 to 8 cups homemade chicken stock 1/4 cup creme fraiche 2 tablespoons maple syrup Salt and freshly ground pepper Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until soft. Add the chiles and stock, and bring to a simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chiles are soft. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Strain the mixture into a saute pan that has been set on high heat for a few minutes, and cook the sauce until slightly thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the creme fraiche and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.