Chuck Steak with Wine Sauce

I was originally hoping to make this with a cognac based sauce, but a survey of my cupboards revealed  serious lack of alcohol in my house, so it turned into a wine based sauce instead.  I definitely wasn't disappointed by the change however, as it was delicious.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Green Onions (chopped)
1 tsp Brown Sugar (packed)
1 Cup Beef Broth
1 1/2 Cup Red Wine (I used a Barbera)
1/4 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Tbsp Butter
4 chuck steaks
Seasoning (Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt)

Directions:
Melt 1 Tbsp Butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.  Add the green onions and saute' for about 3 minutes.  Add brown sugar and stir for about 1 minute.  Add beef broth and the wine, simmer on low heat for 20 minutes to reduce and thicken the sauce.  Whisk in the cream.
Add the butter to a skillet.  Season the steaks and add to the pan.  Cook on med-high heat for abotu 5 minutes per side (medium-rare) or longer.  Transfer steaks to a plate.  Add the sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits in the pan.  Season  a touch for flavoring.  Serve by cutting/scoring steaks and drizzling the wine sauce over top.  Enjoy!

Saute' the green onions

Add brown sugar, wine and beef broth

Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes.  Cook the seasoned steaks for 5 minutes per side

Whisk in the cream

Add sauce to the skillet and season

Serve & Enjoy!

Chicken Cordon Bleu: February's Winning Choice

You voted and your choice was loud and clear for the main dish.  Chicken Cordon Bleu won by a landslide!  Having never made this before, it was definitely a new and unique challenge for me.  I was surprised that it definitely didn't take as long as I had anticipated.  I changed the recipe some to speed up cook time and ensure that the chicken was thoroughly cooked by finishing it off in the oven, instead of pan frying it the entire time.  It had a wonderful juicy finish to it!  I definitely recommend this dish to anyone!  A lot simpler than it look and so wonderful to eat!

Ingredients:
4 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 Slices of Provolone Cheese (I am not a big swiss fan, but any white cheese will work just fine)
8 slices of ham
2 Eggs (scrambled)
3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Mediterranean Basil
6 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
1 tsp Chicken Bouillon granules (or 1 cube mashed)
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream


Directions:

Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. Place the eggs in bowl and scramble with a fork.  Brush the egg on the top piece of the chicken breast (the pretty side).  Place a  slice of ham on either side of the cheese and put on top and in the middle of each chicken breast on the bottom side (not the side you brushed with egg). Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. The side that you brushed with egg should be facing out.
Mix the flour, paprika and basil in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet in tin foil to reduce mess and make for fast cleanup.
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes).  Transfer the chicken onto the foil covered cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Add the wine, chicken bouillon, cornstarch and whipping cream into a bowl and whisk together.  Slowly whisk into the remaining butter in the skillet and cook on low.  Simmer for about 10 minutes and keep warm.  
Take the chicken out of the oven and remove the toothpicks using tongs for easy removal and to prevent yourself from burning your fingers or hands.  Serve by spooning the sauce on top of the chicken and enjoy! 

Pound chicken breasts to flatten and make thinner

Scramble the eggs

Brush the top side of the chicken with egg

Put a slice of ham on either side of the cheese and place in the middle of the chicken on the bottom side

Wrap the chicken around the filling and seal together with toothpicks

Mix the flour, paprika & basil together in a separate bowl

Coat the chicken with the flour mixture and set aside

Continue this process until all of the chicken breasts have been filled, sealed and coated

melt the butter in a skillet and add the chicken

Brown on all sides of the chicken (about 10 min)

Transfer the chicken to the cookie sheet and cook in the oven for 20 min

Mix the wine, cream, corn starch and chicken bouillon in a bowl

Whisk it all together

Whisk it into the remaining butter in the skillet

Add extra basil if you would like

Remove the chicken from the oven and allow to cool for about a couple minutes

Remove the toothpicks before serving

Serve by drizzling sauce over top of the chicken and enjoy!

Here are the winners of the past:

January's Winner: Sauteed Scallops

December's Winner: Pizza Pot Pies

November's Winner: Lasagna Stuffed Manicotti

October's Winner: Pumpkin Risotto

September's Winner: Burgundy Pork