Recipes

I remember the days when the Indian summers had given way to late fall and all of a sudden there was a chill in your bones, but you could feel the warmth of the holiday season that was soon to be here. When growing up on the farm I loved this time of year when mom and granny would start to plan and stock up for all the baking and cooking. The old farm house was soon to be filled with an aroma that would make you never want to leave…

I have been working on some new recipes and ideas, here is one that is a sure please! 

Stuffed Medjool Dates with Bacon and Cheese
By The Gourmet Farm Girl

8 ounces cream cheese soften
¼ cup cooked bacon or prosciutto (chopped)
¼ cup finely chopped pecans
2 medium green onions minced
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
25-30 Medjool Dates
25-30 Whole Pecans

In a medium size mixing bowl blend together with a large spoon the cream cheese, bacon, pecans, onions, garlic, black pepper and blue cheese till creamy.
Cut a slit in each date and remove pit; fill the date with the mixture and place on a sheet pan. Top each date with a whole pecan and bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes till warm
This recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; bake for 10-12 minutes if cold

ENJOY!

Holiday Appetizer Idea… Read More »

Creamy Fettuccine with Grilled Chicken
by The Gourmet Farm Girl

2 Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 teaspoons Gourmet Farm Girl House Seasoning Blend
3 cloves garlic minced
3-4 tablespoons butter
2-3 tablespoons flour
2 cups half-half or cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 lb fettuccine pasta
Extra virgin olive oil (or The Gourmet Farm Girl’s Infused Oil Italian Flavor)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh Parsley

In a large pot of salted water boil pasta according to package directions till al dente; drain the pasta; reserving some of the pasta water;
While pasta is boiling:  season chicken breasts with seasoning; grill at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes per side till cooked through; remove from heat and tent with foil; set aside
In a deep skillet sauté 2-3 tablespoons of butter and 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil with the minced garlic till fragrant 1-2 minutes; add flour and whisk till smooth and thick; add the half-n-half and whisk; add the Parmesan and ricotta cheese and whisk till creamy and smooth.
Remove from heat and add the drained pasta; add a few tablespoons of the pasta water if needed to create a smooth cheesy sauce; salt and pepper to taste.
Slice chicken breasts into thin strips and lay on top of pasta; garnish with fresh chopped parsley
Yeilds 6-8 servings 
Serve with a garden salad and garlic bread
ENJOY!

Family Favorite… Read More »

Pan Baked Walleye with a Sesame Walnut Crust
By The Gourmet Farm Girl

1-2 pounds fresh Walleye Fillets (1 lb serves 2)
12 sesame crackers crushed
¼ cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a medium size skillet melt the butter; add chopped walnuts and crushed cracker crumbs; sauté for 1-2 minutes till lightly brown and fragrant; take off heat and set aside to cool.
Rinse fillets in cold water; brush with extra virgin olive oil; lightly salt and pepper; press crumb mixture on top of each fillet. Bake for 15-20 minutes till fish is flaky and cooked through

This recipe is for two servings; double or triple if more is needed
Enjoy!

Simple Supper Idea.. Read More »

This is a great way to get your kids involved in making supper
or an idea for date night!

Homemade Grilled Pizza’s
by The Gourmet Farm Girl

Purchase the amount needed for your family of pre-made individual pizza crusts and your favorite toppings; here is a list of what I used:

1 jar pizza sauce
Homemade white sauce; recipe below
6 Jumbo Shrimp cooked and chopped
Small package of fresh mushrooms
Assortment of peppers
1 medium onion
2 small Chilies
1 small can black olives
1 medium size tomatoe
Small bunch of fresh spinach
Feta cheese
Mozzarella cheese

White Sauce for Pizza

3 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Flour
1 cup heavy cream or half and half
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Black pepper to taste
1/2  teaspoon garlic powder

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat; whisk in flour to thicken; add the cream, garlic, pepper and cheese; cook for 2-3 minutes till smooth and creamy; turn off heat and let cool.

Preheat grill to 400 degrees or preheat oven

Brush each crust on both sides with extra virgin olive oil or Italian Infused Olive Oil
(recipe posted on HOME page tab)

Place crusts top side down on a hot grill for 1-2 minutes till warm and slightly turning brown; remove from heat and spread white sauce or pizza sauce on top of each crust; top with your favorite combination of toppings and return the pizza to the grill for 5-7 minutes till heated through and crust in golden brown on the bottom and edges. (This can be done on an oven rack also)
For extra flavor garnish with fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, thyme or parsley;
or use dried herbs.

ENJOY!

Make it your way… Read More »

 Shrimp and Spinach in Cream Sauce over Pasta
by The Gourmet Farm Girl
2 cups heavy cream or half and half

2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 c shredded Parmesan and Romano cheese
¼ c white wine
3 Tablespoons butter
1-2 T extra virgin olive oil or Gourmet Farm Girl Italian Blend Infused Oil
3 T Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Gournay Cheese
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 cups medium size cooked shrimp
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
Linguine noodles or your favorite pasta noodle

Rinse spinach leaves, pat dry; set aside 
Thaw shrimp according to package directions; set aside
Cook pasta according to package directions for the amount need to serve 5-6
Tip: Drain pasta over a large bowl and keep the liquid, place strainer with pasta on top to keep warm (do not let pasta soak in liquid) before serving pour a few spoonfuls of the hot pasta water over the pasta to prevent sticking together
In a medium size sauce pan melt the butter and olive oil on medium to medium high heat; whisk in the flour to thicken; add the cream, Boursin cheese, white wine, shredded cheese and pepper; continue to gently whisk till creamy, using a wooden spoon stir in the spinach and cooked shrimp till heated through and serve immediately over the cooked pasta.
ENJOY!

Serves 5-6





Quick and Easy Meal… Read More »

Cheese Smothered Shrimp Skewers
by The Gourmet Farm Girl
  

20 peeled uncooked Jumbo Shrimp (tails on)
1/2 Tablespoon Farm Girl Seafood Seasoning or Old bay Seasoning
5-6 slices Provolone or Mozzarella cheese
5-6 slices peppered or regular bacon
Fresh Parsley for garnish
5 wooden skewers (six inch size)

Soak wooden skewers in water for 20-30 minutes so they will not burn

Slice the cheese into thin strips and set aside; fry bacon till crisp and drain on paper towels,
 chop into pieces and set aside
Rinse shrimp in cold water and slide 4 shrimp onto the wooden skewers; sprinkle with seasoning
Grill or broil in oven till the shrimp turn orange and are shaped like a C; 10-12 minutes

Remove from heat and immediately lay the slices of cheese over the skewers; sprinkle the bacon pieces over the cheese; cover with foil till the cheese melts (or microwave 20-30 seconds) garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve.
ENJOY!

Serves 5
Double or triple if serving more

These cheese producers have no idea how well they pair up with shrimp!
Photo by Hoard’s Dairyman

Cheesy and gooey appetizers… Read More »

The Gourmet Turkey and Bacon with Swiss
by The Gourmet Farm Girl

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey meat
1/4 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon of The Gourmet Farm Girl House Seasoning
(or your favorite seasoning)
5 strips smoked bacon
1 large avocado (cut into slices)
1 small bunch spinach leaves
1 medium size tomato (sliced)
5-6 slices Swiss cheese
1 pkg.wheat buns
5-6 tablespoons melted butter

Wash and pat dry spinach leaves; cook bacon strips till crisp; cut each piece in half;
 drain on a paper towel; set aside

In a medium size mixing bowl mix the seasoning into the ground turkey and pork; shape the meat mixture
 into 5 or 6 patties (depending on how many you need)

Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave; brush each bun with the butter on the inside and on the top; sprinkle the top of the bun with House Seasoning; place buns (inside facing up) on a cookie sheet and set aside; turn oven on to broil

Grill burgers at 400 degrees; 5 minutes on each side; add the cheese and grill for an additional 1-2 minutes till cheese just starts to melt. Remove from heat and tent with foil.

While the burgers rest and the cheese continues to melt; broil the buns for 1-2 minutes till golden brown. Slice tomatoes and avocado, now you are ready to assemble the burgers.

Layer each bun with spinach, tomato, spinach, burger, avocado and bacon…
 top it with its lid and ENJOY!

Let’s Talk Burgers… Read More »

Simple meal and a family favorite…
Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze 

by The Gourmet Farm Girl

1 lb hamburger
1 small onion chopped
1/3 cup ketchup
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup dried bread crumbs or panko crumbs
1 t dried mustard
½ t. salt
½ t pepper
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ t. garlic powder or 1-2 small cloves chopped

Heat oven to 375 degrees

In a large mixing bowl mix all the above together with hands (or a large spatula) spray a glass loaf pan with cooking oil; place the meat mixture into loaf pan.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons honey and 1/2 cup ketchup. Spread over the top and bake 50-60 minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings

ENJOY!
Don’t forget the mashed potatoes

Alterations: Bake meatloaf without Brown Sugar Glaze and melt 2-3 slices of Swiss or mozzarella cheese on top of meatloaf right before removing from the oven.
Mix in 1/2 cup chopped parsley or 1/4 cup fresh chopped green peppers to the mixture

Farm Girl Meatloaf Read More »

This post is for those who expressed interest in my 
salad dressing recipe while shopping and sampling 
at Sam’s Club….I hope you enjoy!

Fresh Fruits and Greens…

 Farm Girl’s House Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
by The Gourmet Farm Girl
6 Tablespoons of Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil; this makes all the difference in taste (see page tab on home page for instructions) or use a quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Blend with 3 Tablespoons quality Balsamic vinegar or one of The Gourmet Farm Girl Infused Vinegars.
2-3 tablespoons of Pure Honey, brown sugar or Sugar substitute (if using substitutes use less or adjust to taste) pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper
Whisk together, store in refrigerator in an airtight container, let warm to room tempature
 and whisk again before serving

Makes 4-5 servings
Double if serving more

Fresh is Best!

Salad Ideas with Homemade Dressing…Sam’s Club Demo Read More »

When growing up on the farm my brother and I used to head over to the neighbors pond right after dark to gig for frogs. We had homemade gigs made of old broom sticks with the gig (pronged spear) fastened to the end. Despite the black pitch of the night along with bugs and weeds we were determined to catch some frogs. With a quick and direct ray from the flashlight to blind them (this was my job)
 my brother would take on the precise task of gigging them.
These delightful little delicacies were special then just as they are now. I had the surprised pleasure of spotting some in the seafood case at the local market, all ready to be cooked up; much easier than gigging for them….
Blackened Frog Legs
by The Gourmet Farm Girl
1 pound fresh frog legs

1 tablespoon of your favorite blackened seasoning
1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Rinse the frog legs in cold water and pat dry; place in a cast iron skillet with the oil or a heavy oven proof skillet and season both sides with seasoning. Fry on medium to medium high heat 4-5 minutes on each side (till meat starts to fall from the bones) remove from heat and place under oven broiler for
 2-3 minutes to brown.  Serve immediately
1 pound equals 4 frogs (approx)
This will serve two; double or triple if serving more

ENJOY!

Frog Leg appetizers… Read More »