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Country Style Baked Beans

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Do you know how easy baked beans are to make at home? Beyond easy. With a few simple steps and a few hours later of baking in the oven you’ll have the most delicious Country-style Baked Beans. Control the ingredients, quality and no preservatives added. So much better than store bought.

Get the recipe for these delicious Country Style Baked Beans. #recipe #foodblogger

Be sure and boil the beans for the recommended 10 minutes on the stove top. Otherwise the beans, no matter how long you cook them will never really become soft. Remember, cook them low and slow. Sometimes things that are really good, take time. The beans need time to marinate and soak in all the love from the sugars and spices. Stir only every once in a while, so you don’t mush the beans. You can find a vintage bean pot on Ebay, antique store (on occasion) or online at Pot Shop of Boston. I have my Grandfather’s bean pot (which is a one-gallon size and accommodates 3 pounds of beans well) and one from the Farmer’s almanac. For one like my Grandfather’s- you’ll like this one off Amazon.

Making homemade baked beans is so easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. Get the recipe for Country Style Baked Beans. #recipe #grilling #foodblogger

Find even more great recipes for your picnics or backyard gatherings:

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Strawberry lemonade in Mason jelly jars

Pecan Banana Bread

Make this deliciously moist Pecan Banana Bread. #recipes #bananabread #bananas

Easy Homemade Peach Sweet Tea

Make your own homemade Peach Sweet Tea using only a few simple ingredients. #peaches #recipes #sweettea

Do you love my recipes?! I’d LOVE to hear from you! If you have a moment, please leave a comment with a star review!

Get the recipe for homemade Country Style Baked Beans.
5 from 2 votes
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Country-style Baked Beans

Country-style Baked Beans are the perfect addition to any dinner.
Course Main
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry navy beans
  • 1 small onion diced small
  • 1/2 green pepper diced small
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup stone ground mustard
  • 6-8 slices of crispy cooked bacon drained on paper towel
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Soak the dry navy beans overnight in a bowl of cold water.
  2. Drain the beans. Put the beans in a medium to large pot and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Bring the beans to a boil and scrape off the foam. Boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the beans.
  3. Place the beans in a bean pot or oven safe crock. Put all of the ingredients in the pot. Cover beans with clean water. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 4-6 hours. Beans will thicken up and turn deep brown color when done. Test them along the way to see if they are tender.

 

Cast Iron Skillet Lemon Chicken

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Cast Iron Lemon Chicken is such a quick and easy meal to prepare.

Cast iron chicken is a simple meal to create in a cast iron skillet. #lemonchicken #recipes #castironcooking

Are you looking for something simple and extremely flavorful for dinner? This Cast Iron Skillet Lemon Chicken is the answer. Cast iron cooking is all the rage right now. What’s old is new and rapidly gaining popularity. And, I’ve always had a love for cooking in cast iron. These heavy-duty pans are so durable, retain the heat and distribute it evenly. Plus, clean up is relatively easy.

Cast iron chicken is a simple meal to create in a cast iron skillet. #lemonchicken #recipes #castironcooking

How do I cook a whole chicken in cast iron?

Simply give the pan a good brushing of a few tablespoons of either extra virgin olive oil or canola oil. Then layer 2 large lemons, sliced thick in the bottom of the pan, along with a large onion, sliced. Ask your butcher to butterfly the chicken, so it will lay fairly flat in the pan. Place the butterflied chicken on top of the lemon and onion slices. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle along with 4 tablespoons or so of extra virgin olive oil over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper and 1 teaspoon of McCormick “Grill Mates” brown sugar bourbon seasoning over top the chicken.

Cook in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 40 minutes. Then take out and pour 1/2 cup of dry white wine around the chicken. Place the pan back in the oven for about another 15-20 minutes. Or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This chicken is super moist and pairs well with a glass of white wine. Try it served over rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. I cannot wait until we have yellow squash and green beans and yellow wax beans ready in the garden! My mom always cooked green beans and yellow wax beans with a few thin slices of onion, plenty of salt, and a touch of butter. Oh, how yummy does that sound with this delicious Cast Iron Skillet Lemon Chicken!?

Cast iron chicken is a simple meal to create in a cast iron skillet. #lemonchicken #recipes #castironcooking

Be sure and check out all of my other cast iron recipes:

Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin

Cast iron pork tenderloin with brussel sprouts and potatoes is a quick and easy meal to prepare. #porktenderloin #recipes #castironporktenderloin

Old Fashioned Blackberry Pie

Baked blackberry pie with lattice crust

Best Ever Homemade Apple Pie

Homemade apple pie with weaved crust

Do you love cooking with cast iron? I’d LOVE to hear from you. If you have a moment, leave a comment with a review.

cast iron whole chicken with lemons and white wine
5 from 2 votes
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Cast Iron Skillet Lemon Chicken

This chicken is simple to make and a delicious home cooked meal. Wonderfully moist and crispy outside cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Southern
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 1 whole roasting chicken butterflied
  • 2 large lemons sliced thick
  • 1 large yellow onion sliced thick
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick "Grill Mates" Brown Sugar Bourbon
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • lemon slices for garnish if desired

Instructions

  1. Simply give the pan a good brushing of a few tablespoons of either extra virgin olive oil or canola oil. Then layer 2 large lemons, sliced thick in the bottom of the pan, along with a large onion, sliced. Ask your butcher to butterfly the chicken, so it will lay fairly flat in the pan. Place the butterflied chicken on top of the lemon and onion slices. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle along with 4 tablespoons or so of extra virgin olive oil over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper and 1 teaspoon of McCormick "Grill Mates" brown sugar bourbon seasoning over top the chicken.

  2. Cook in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 40 minutes. Then take out and pour 1/2 cup of dry white wine around the chicken. Place the pan back in the oven for about another 15-20 minutes. Or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This chicken is super moist and pairs well with a glass of white wine. Try it served over rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. I cannot wait until we have yellow squash ready in the garden!

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs

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Get ready for grilling season with Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs. Pure maple syrup along with other simple ingredients create this quick and tasty meal.

Get to grilling this summer with Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs with bell peppers and onions. #grilling #kebabs #chicken #recipes

Do you love to grill as much as I do? I love the way grilling fills the neighborhood with sweet and savory smells of whatever I’m cooking and clean up is such a breeze. Not making a big fat mess on the kitchen stove! Get your grills ready for Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Skewers. This simple and delicious meal works great for dinners or any backyard gathering.

You really can add any vegetables you prefer to these skewers, even baby Portabellas. Try brushing them with a thin layer of my Maple Peach Barbecue Sauce towards the end of the grilling process. Oh that would be amazing! These Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Skewers are easy to make and cook very quick on the grill. Giving me more time to spend with my husband and kids. I love lighting a fire in the fire pit and sipping a glass of wine while we just enjoy each others company.

I’m so happy spring will be here soon and we’ll be prepping the vegetable garden! This year we’ll be planting plenty of plump, juicy tomatoes, bell peppers, and pickling cucumbers. Growing most of our own vegetables and berries in the summer makes me very happy. And I love making homemade barbecue sauce and Bread and Butter Pickles and canning them both! We have an on going joke, that if I don’t have the kitchen tool or gadget you need, you probably don’t need it! What makes your summer special?

Be sure and check out all of the other amazing grilling recipes below!

Get to grilling this season with Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs and vegetables. #grilling #chicken #grilledchicken #recipes

Don’t forget to try and glass of homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade with these yummy Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Skewers!

Make your own Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade #lemonade #recipes #strawberry #rhubarb

And you’ve gotta have homemade pie- Old-Fashioned Blackberry Pie with Lattice crust

Baked blackberry pie with lattice crust

Blueberry Skillet Pie with Flaky Crust

Blueberry cast iron skillet pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Do you love my recipes?! I’d LOVE to hear from you! If you have a moment, leave a comment with a star rating.

maple barbecue chicken kebabs with bell peppers and onions
5 from 1 vote
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Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs

Get your outdoor grills ready for this amazing recipe! Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebabs are the perfect dinner for summer entertaining.

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

Marinate

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup dark maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons stone ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Chicken Kebabs

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 red bell pepper cut up
  • 1 yellow or orange bell pepper cut up
  • 1/4 red onion cut into large chunks
  • 2 large heirloom tomatoes quartered
  • wooden skewers soaked in water for a minimum of 2 hours

Instructions

  1. Mix the marinate ingredients with a whisk or a spoon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. Slide one piece of pepper for each color onto the wooden skewer. Followed by a piece of chicken, then a few red onion slices, followed by a piece of tomato. Then repeat until the skewer is filled up. Place into a large pan or disposable aluminum pan. Spoon over the marinate. Refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
  3. Grill on high, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked, about 5 minutes each side. Spoon any extra marinate over the kebobs while they are on the grill. Remove from the grill, let rest for 3-4 minutes and serve.

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon

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Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon is a wonderful healthy inspired recipe featuring chopped pecans and granulated maple sugar. Healthy eating never tasted so good!

Want to cook a little healthier this spring? Try this delicious Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon. #salmon #recipesAre you trying to eat healthier but still want your meals to be packed with wonderful flavor? Then you’ll definitely want to try Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon. This recipe is so simple to make. Simply make a pecan coating and rub it on the top of a few salmon filets.

Now, let’s talk a bit about granulated maple sugar. It’s an ingredient that I’m very accustomed as my family has been producing pure maple syrup since 1971. That’s crazy right?! Maple is what led me to write two cookbooks and continues to fuel my passion for recipe development. I keep it on hand in our pantry at all times. Since you probably don’t have parents that you can call to have them ship you some, you can easily find it on Amazon. If you live in New England or New York area, there’s plenty of local farms or mom and pop type grocery stores who often have it on hand. But if not, it’s available online. Substitute granulated maple sugar for equal parts in any recipe that calls for granulated sugar. It gives you a touch of maple taste and is a raw sugar.

Want to cook a little healthier this spring? Try this delicious Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon. #salmon #recipes

Simply place the maple pecan coating on the top of the salmon filet and bake in the oven. Or you could place this salmon on a cedar board on the grill. That would be perfect for summer dinners!

Want to cook a little healthier this spring? Try this delicious Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon. #salmon #recipes

Want to cook a little healthier this spring? Try this delicious Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon. #salmon #recipes

Do you love my recipes?! I’d LOVE to hear from you! If you have a moment, leave a comment with a star review.

5 from 5 votes
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Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon

Maple and pecans make an amazing coating on this delicious salmon recipe. Perfect for eating healthy but still wanting plenty of wonderful flavor!

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 2 Salmon filets 5-6 ounces each
  • 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons granulated maple sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
  • juice from 1/2 orange
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Spray a cast iron pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, maple sugar, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Press on the top of each salmon filet. Place the fillets in the pan.
  3. Cook in a preheated 375 degree F oven for about 20-22 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked. Enjoy with seasonal vegetables and rice.

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak

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Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak is marinated for hours, giving it plenty of flavor and helping tenderize an inexpensive cut of beef.

Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak is super easy to prepare and delicious with steamed broccoli. #recipe #flanksteak #steak #recipesLooking for a fresh idea for dinner this week? Look no further than my Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak.

This inexpensive cut of beef becomes so flavorful and helps tenderize it, the longer it sits in the marinate. Our schedules are insane. I’m at the gym nearly every morning and have group classes three times a week. So we’re eating healthier and working in more vegetables and less carbohydrates. I’m always thinking about making meals that are hearty, healthy, and that will be quick and easy. Because we all know how life just seems to get in the way!

The longer you marinate this cut of beef, the more tender and flavorful it becomes. If it’s gorgeous spring weather outside, grill on your outdoor grill. If it’s inclement weather or still a bit cold, feel free to grill inside. Have you ever tried grilling on a cast iron grill pan?! Oh I love mine! In the summer time, we love to incorporate heirloom tomatoes into our dinners. They pair well with this delicious meal! We absolutely love growing as much of our own food as we can. And I love canning my own marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, pickled sweet peppers, and homemade jams and jellies!Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak is super easy to prepare and delicious with steamed broccoli. #recipe #flanksteak #steak #recipes

 

Be sure and check out some of my other recipes:

Chocolate Brioche French Toast

Chocolate Brioche French Toast is perfect for breakfast and brunch. Simple to make using store bought ingredients. #breakfast #brunch #chocolate #recipes

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Homemade Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake is easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. #strawberryshortcake #strawberries #recipes

Do you love my recipes?! I’d LOVE to hear from you! If you have a moment, leave a comment with a star rating.

Get this amazing recipe for Citrus Garlic Marinated Flank Steak with steamed broccoli and heirloom cherry tomatoes. #recipes #steak
5 from 20 votes
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Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak

Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak marinates in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight, giving it tons of flavor and tenderizes this inexpensive cut of beef.

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 12 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 5-6 ounce Flank steaks
  • 1 head garlic roasted
  • 1 large lemon zest and juice
  • 1 orange zest and juice
  • 1 lime zest and juice
  • 1/3 cup bourbon or whiskey
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

To roast garlic:

  1. To roast the head of garlic, simply cut a small portion of the top of the head. Place the head of garlic on two sheets of aluminum foil. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated 400 degree F oven for about 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Marinate Flank Steak:

  1. Place the ingredients for the marinate in a large Ziploc bag. Squeeze the cooled garlic cloves out and mash them. Add them to the marinate. Press with your fingers, on the outside of the bag to combine. Place the steaks in the marinate and let sit in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours.

  2. Grill on an outdoor grill over medium heat or cook on a grill pan on the stove top. Cook on each side, about 5-6 minutes, for medium rare. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with seasonal vegetables.

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Southwestern Chicken and Avocado Tomato Salad

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Southwestern and Chicken Avocado Tomato Salad is packed with flavor and is the perfect healthy inspired recipe. Chicken thighs with spices will leave you wanting another bite!

Get the grill ready this summer with Southwesten Chicken and Avocado Tomato Salad. #grilling #chicken #recipes
Don’t you just love a great dinner that’s flavorful and doesn’t take all night to prepare?! Our household is a constant whirlwind of motion. Homework to complete, chores to do, and an abundance of dishes to wash! Southwestern Chicken and Avocado Tomato Salad is the perfect dish for busy weeknights. Simple to prep, flavorful, and wonderfully moist chicken!

Our grill is right out the back slider door, off the kitchen. This makes it super easy to grill almost all year long. With the cold snap we had, I grilled, but found the grill was having a hard time keeping up with the temperature, because it was so darn cold outside! Days are starting to warm up as spring becomes closer each and every day. So we’ll be cranking up the grill more and more for yummy meals.

Get the grill ready this summer with Southwestern Chicken and Avocado Tomato Salad. #grilling #chicken #recipes

This week was a busy one. I wrapped up nine freelance recipes. Can you imagine the dishes from prepping NINE different recipes?! I try to clean as I go, so it contains the mess a bit. Stopped and grabbed two different magazines that featured my recipes. And, the kids took their Decorated Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies to school for Valentine’s Day. Those were so fun to make and even better to eat! I wrapped them up in clear food safe bags, tied with red and white bakers twine and an adorable tag. Nothing better than something that’s homemade, don’t you agree?!

Get grilling this summer with Southwestern Chicken and Avocado Tomato Salad. #recipes #grilledchicken #chicken #homemade #foodblogger

Heart shaped sugar cookies with handmade sugar roses

Looking for other dinner ideas? Try my Brown Sugar Mustard Grilled Chicken. Perfect on a crunchy roll or in a wrap!

Get the recipe for this flavorful Brown Sugar and Mustard Grilled Chicken. #grilling #chicken #recipesDon’t forget room for delicious desserts:

Old Fashioned Blackberry Pie

Old Fashioned Blackberry Pie with lattice crust is simple to make with these easy step by step instructions. #blackberries #latticecrust #pie #recipes

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Make this Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake with simple ingredients and fresh strawberries. #recipes #strawberries #strawberryshortcake

Southwestern grilled chicken thighs with avocado tomato salad
5 from 7 votes
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Southwestern Chicken with Avocado Tomato Salad

Chicken thighs marinated and grilled for wonderful flavor. Fresh avocado and heirloom tomato salad adds even more depth and flavor.

Course dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup whiskey
  • 1 lime juiced
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Avocado Tomato Salad

  • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes
  • 2 ripe avocados diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 green onion finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper sliced thinly
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place all of the marinate ingredients into a large Ziploc bag and press with your fingers to mix together. Place the chicken pieces into the marinate. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer you let marinate, the more flavors the chicken will absorb.
  2. Prepare the salad. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and green onion. Squeeze the lime juice over and stir gently to combine. Top with thinly sliced jalapeno slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Grill the chicken on medium to high heat on either an outdoor grill or a cast iron grill pan. If using a cast iron grill pan, spray with plenty of cooking spray as your chicken cooks. Use tongs to flip the chicken. Cook until thoroughly cooked, about 12-15 minutes. Let rest about 5 minutes before slicing the chicken. Serve with the avocado tomato salad.

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Best Ever French Dip Sandwich

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Looking for a easy and flavorful weeknight meal? Get your slow cooker or Dutch oven out for this Best Ever French Dip Sandwich.

French Dip sandwich with au ju

Do you love a quick meal that you can toss into the slow cooker and just serve when you get home from work?

If your house is chaotic like ours, you’re gonna love this quick meal! Throw it in the slow cooker and fix sandwiches when you get back home! This truly is the Best Ever French Dip Sandwich. Easy to make and so flavorful!

I’m not a slow cooker type of girl. I’m just not. So I gave you directions for this amazing sandwich in either a Dutch oven or your slow cooker. Because if you’re like me, you’re slow cooker is down in the basement, collecting inches of dust. And your expensive $300 Staub Dutch oven is perfectly displayed at all times on the center of my cook stove. And this one is well worth every penny! But either way, you’ve got directions to get this amazing Best Ever French Dip Sandwich made. It’s a recipe you’re gonna want to keep.Slow cooker French Dip sandwiches with small white bowl of au ju

After you’ve made dinner, you might want to consider dessert. Who doesn’t love a great, simple dessert?!

Red Velvet Marble Swirl Cake

Red velvet marble swirl cake

Lemon Pound Cake are favorites in our household. Lemon Bundt Pound Cake with lemon icing

And my Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peanut Butter Frosting are a great option when you want something delicious and want to get the kids in the kitchen learning how to bake! Those are an amazingly moist chocolate cake sandwiched together with peanut butter cream cheese frosting. YUM- is all I can say!

Chocolate whoopie pies with peanut butter filling on a white glass footed cake dish

Red velvet Bundt cake sliced on plate
5 from 2 votes
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Best Ever French Dip Sandwich

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound beef chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6-8 medium yellow onions sliced
  • 1 packet beefy onion soup mix
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon "Better than Bouillon" beef base
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 6-8 sub rolls
  • 12-14 slices of cheese Gouda, pepper-jack, or cheddar

Instructions

  1. Dutch oven directions:
  2. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Sear the roast on all sides, browning it. Use a pair of tongs to turn the roast.
  3. Place the sliced onions in the pot, around the roast. Sprinkle the roast with seasonings. Add the apple cider and cook in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Baste the meat with the juices occasionally. Or until the meat is tender.
  4. Place the roast on a cutting board and slice it thinly. Place the sliced meat back into the juices.
  5. Turn the oven up to 375 degrees F. Place your rolls in the oven for 5-6 minutes to make them crunchy. Slice the rolls and place the bottoms on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place a layer of meat on the bottom, then onions and drizzle with a little au jus. Top each sandwich with several slices of cheese. Place the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Place the top of the sub roll on and enjoy. Dip in remaining au jus.
  6. Slow cooker directions:
  7. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Sear the roast on all sides, browning it. Use a pair of tongs to turn the roast.
  8. Put the browned roast in the crockpot. Place the sliced onions in the pot, around the roast. Sprinkle the roast with seasonings. Add the apple cider and cook on low for about 5-6 hours or until the meat is tender.
  9. Place the roast on a cutting board and slice it thinly. Place the sliced meat back into the juices.
  10. Turn the oven to 375 degrees F. Place your rolls in the oven to make them crunchy. Slice the rolls and place the bottoms on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place a layer of meat on the bottom, then onions and drizzle with a little au jus. Top each sandwich with several slices of cheese. Place the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Place the top of the sub roll on and enjoy. Dip in remaining au jus.

A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Thick and Hearty Homestyle Chili

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Hearty Chili recipeWith all the snow we’ve had in North Carolina, we’re all looking for meals that will warm us up. And my Thick and Hearty Homestyle Chili is just the meal that will keep you toasty! Over the years I’ve perfected my chili recipe and wanted to bring you my best ever! This one pot wonder will leave you full and wanting a second bowl. And whether you are a old-fashioned wild spirited woman like me and prefer a cast iron Dutch oven or your more of a modern girl and  love your slow cooker, I’ve left you directions before.

Now, the snow we’ve had here is nothing compared to what we knew growing up in New England. The year we left Connecticut, they had blizzard after blizzard. And it seems as though this year is something similar. Mother Nature has unleashed her strengths. But, for Southerners, they just are not prepared like us New Englanders to handle the snowy fury that let loose the last few storms. It’s like we brought a little Yankee to the South! At least the snow melts quick here! Our kids spent the entire day outside, in camouflage Carhartt coveralls playing in the snow! Because you’re only presented a few opportunities in the South, to build a snowman in 12-inches of snow! I’m a big fan of the snow too! Besides giving me the reason to cook an amazing one dish pot like this, it will refrigerate the leftovers on our patio! Huge plus!

If you’re throwing a Superbowl party and feeling ambitious, you can try your hand at my Farmhouse Sourdough bread and make it into bread bowls! Every guy will be drooling over this Thick and Hearty Homestyle Chili served in a homemade Sourdough bread bowl, topped with plenty of shredded Cabot cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream and whatever other toppings you love. I love to set it up so the guys can fix their own bowl! Give them plenty of topping options, including diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, sour cream and various shredded cheeses. In my eyes, nothing needs to be fancy, just made from love and wholesome. What do you like to set up for your football gathering? Would love to hear about your favorite treats!

Hearty homemade chili

Don’t forget to make dessert!

Lemon Pound Cake

Lemon Bundt Pound Cake with lemon icing

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peanut Butter Frosting

Chocolate whoopie pies with peanut butter filling on a white glass footed cake dish

And as simple as this- my Perfected Chocolate Chip Cookies! Oh these are so good!

Beater with chocolate chip cookie dough sitting on white marble

Hearty Chili recipe
5 from 5 votes
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Thick and Hearty Homestyle Chili

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2- 3 pounds ground round or chuck
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 8-10 slices bacon cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 medium onions diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 29-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 12-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 15.5-ounce can dark red kidney beans
  • 2 15.5-ounce cans black beans
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 1.25-ounce packets of McCormick original Chili seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Dutch oven:
  2. Brown the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium to high heat. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set on a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
  3. Drain all but 1 tablespoon or so of the bacon fat. Saute the onions and peppers in the fat, just until translucent.
  4. Add the ground beef and pork and brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat with a large spoon and discard. Season with salt and ground pepper.
  5. Once the meat is browned, add the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine. Season again with salt and ground pepper if needed. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes to an hour.
  6. Serve with crusty French bread slices and top with sour cream and shredded cheese. Top with jalapeno pepper slices if desired.
  7. Slow cooker:
  8. Brown the bacon on the stove, in a pan. Drain on paper towels.
  9. Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker, including the cooked bacon. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Or cook on high for 3-4 hours. Stir occasionally to mix all the ingredients well. Drain off any fat with a large spoon.
  10. Serve with crusty French bread slices and top with sour cream and shredded cheese. Top with jalapeno pepper slices if desired.

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Blueberry Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans

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Blueberry Strawberry Garden salad

Are you trying to eat healthier?

Maple sugar coated nuts are to this day, still one of the best sellers at my parent’s farm, Lamothe’s Sugar House. We made them in a 60-quart steam kettle, spread them on sheet pans, and let them dry with nothing more than the pilot lights in the gas oven. And, can I tell you I’ve been spoiled by all the great commercial equipment I’ve been blessed to use over the years?! The kitchen in our sugarhouse was my home-schooled culinary center. It’s what’s inspired so many great recipes, including my Blueberry Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans.

You can make your own candied pecans at home or source them in your local grocer. They’re relatively easy to make, and will store for about six months in a glass canning jar. I topped this flavorful salad with one of my best ever marinates, Brown Sugar Mustard Grilled Chicken. We grill all year round. Of course, the last few weeks it’s been bitter cold up and down most of the east coast. But we brave the cold to grill this amazing moist and flavorful chicken. If you can’t brave the cold, grill this chicken inside on a cast iron grill pan. Believe me, this marinate is a recipe you’ll want to use over and over!

We’ve been hitting the gym hard. A girlfriend of mine at the barn suggested I join her for a burn class. I’d already lost a bit of weight and she knew I wanted to step up my game a bit and could handle the intensity of the class. I’m grateful she encouraged me to go, because I’ve become a much healthier person and more fit. Since we’re eating better, I wanted to share one of the salads we make on a weekly basis. It’s packed with leafy greens, sweet grape tomatoes, pieces of blue cheese, and a touch of red onion. That’s not to say you can’t have one of my Apple Fritters. Just means we’re swapping out some of our carbs for more healthier options, like this delicious salad. Everything in moderation, like my dad always says.

Blueberry Strawberry Garden salad
5 from 5 votes
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Blueberry Strawberry Garden Salad with Candied Pecans

Course Lunch
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 2
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 1 cup baby greens
  • 1 breast boneless chicken grilled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 2 fresh strawberries sliced
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 3 tablespoons candied pecans
  • 4-5 grape tomatoes sliced in half
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic dressing
  • Red onion sliced thinly

Instructions

  1. Make the salad by tossing together the greens, onion, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberry slices, pecans and balsamic vinegar dressing in a large bowl.
  2. Place grilled chicken and sprinkle blue cheese over breast over prepared salad.

 

Cast-iron Pork tenderloin

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #CollectiveBias #RealFlavorRealFast

Cooking at home from scratch has never tasted better. My recipe for Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin with seasonal vegetables is easy to make and full of flavor.

This delicious Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin is full of flavor and super simple to prepare. #porktenderloin #recipes

Do you love a great pork recipe that is easy to make and has wonderful flavor?

I used Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork to create my Cast-iron Pork tenderloin. I’ve become obsessed with everything cast-iron. Really. If you’ve never worked with cast-iron, pick up a skillet today. Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork tenderloins cook to perfection in them!

I’m just a normal person. Our household is insane on any weekly basis. Really, I’m just like you, working in an average, simple home kitchen. Nothing fancy. Just a few cast-iron skillets, normal cookware and utensils. We love fresh pork in our house, probably because I was raised on a small farm that produced pork. My parents still raise hogs in Connecticut. But now that my husband and I are raising our kids in North Carolina we love that we can purchase pork that tastes just like it was from the farm where I grew up.

Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is a perfect and easy meal solution for any night of the week. Dinner with Smithfield® is Real Flavor, Real Fast, ready in 30 minutes or less! That’s great for our crazy family, because we still want to create tasty, home-cooked meals- but create those meals quickly, leaving time for homework, a trip to the barn, baseball practice and whatever else we have going on. Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork can be easily prepared in a variety of ways including, grilled, roasted, sautéed or in a slow cooker. I love that I don’t have to turn to less-flavorful options when in a rush to get dinner on the table! The new roasts are perfect for slow cookers – set it and forget it!

For someone who usually makes all her own marinates, this saves me tons of time on busier nights. When you head to Walmart to shop this week, don’t forget you can save $1 off of 1 on NEW Marinated products. They are already marinated (making my life a tad easier) and with several options for incredible flavors. For the recipe I created, I used their Hardwood Smoked Bacon & Cracked Black Pepper Tenderloin variety. But there are so many wonderful marinates to choose from.skillet-pork-tenderloin11

 

Follow these easy steps to prepare your Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin:

Cut up your bacon into small pieces and brown in the cast-iron skillet in one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Push the bacon around occasionally with a wooden spoon. While it browns, prep your sweet bell peppers and onion. Cut the baby potatoes in quarters. Once your bacon is browned, add the onions, sweet bell peppers and potato pieces. Drizzle with honey, season with salt, pepper, ground mustard, smoked paprika, powdered onion and garlic. Heat over medium to high heat for about 10 minutes, on the stove top and stir with a wooden spoon, coating everything well. Then finish in a preheated 450 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes, until your potatoes are tender. About 15 minutes before the Farmhouse Skillet potatoes are ready, toss in halved brussel sprouts.skillet-pork-tenderloin22

skillet-pork-tenderloin33Working brussel sprouts into the potatoes is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables. During our growing season, we harvest many green and yellow wax beans, snap off the stems and freeze. So when we need something quick for vegetables to pair with a dinner, they’re a snap to heat up. Just place about 1-inch of water in a saucepan, boil and add the green beans. Cook for 5-8 minutes, drain the water. Add a tablespoon of butter, salt and pepper to taste and voila!

Don’t forget to re-purpose this yummy pork tenderloin for lunch the next day! Make yourself a garden salad, toss in some blue cheese crumbles and drizzle with honey balsamic dressing. Heat the pork up and toss on top of your salad. Yum! If you’re not a huge salad fan, make some caramelized onions and mushrooms. Place the reheated pork on a toasted sub roll, shredded cheese and those onions and mushrooms, to create one delicious sandwich! Perfect for football Sunday too! Let me know how it comes out and what creative dishes you make!Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin is super simple to prepare and wondefully moist. #porktenderloin #recipes

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Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin is simple to prepare and wonderfuly moist and flavorful. #porktenderloin #recipesIf you love this Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin try these recipes:

Cast Iron Pizza

Make this delcious Cast Iron Pizza in 10-inch lodge cast iron skillet

Citrus and Garlic Marinated Flank Steak

Get this amazing recipe for Citrus Garlic Marinated Flank Steak with steamed broccoli and heirloom cherry tomatoes. #recipes #steak

5 from 9 votes
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Cast-iron Pork tenderloin

Tasty dishes made simple at home, using wholesome ingredients.
Course Main
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Author Jessica Robinson

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork tenderloin cut into 3 pieces
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Farmhouse skillet potatoes:
  • 15-18 baby potatoes mix of yellow and red
  • 6-8 slices bacon cut up
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 12 brussel sprouts cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a 10 to 12-inch cast-iron skillet, over medium heat brown the bacon in olive oil. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
  2. While the bacon is browning, prepare the bell peppers, onion and baby potatoes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  3. Once the bacon is browned, toss in the bell peppers, onion and baby potatoes. Sprinkle with seasonings, honey, balsamic vinegar and toss in the butter. Cook on the stove top over medium to high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.. Then finish in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.
  4. For the pork tenderloin:
  5. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, over medium to high heat. Brown the pork tenderloin pieces on each side. Place the entire skillet in the preheated oven (450 degrees F) for about 20-22 minutes, or until the pork has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
  6. Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Place with the potatoes and enjoy.

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