Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches

Recipe adapted by Heidi  from Our Best Bites .com
Photos taken by Heidi (I put the cheese under the meat so you could see the meat in the picture! )

4 lb. beef roast, trimmed of excess fat
5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 16-oz. jar sliced pepperoncinis, undrained

Crusty sandwich rolls (I used ciabatta and hard sandwich buns)
Sliced provolone cheese 

Transfer the roast to a slow cooker and add the minced garlic and the entire jar of pepperoncinis.  Cook on for about 6-8 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours or until the beef is fork tender.
For sandwiches, slice the rolls and grill the inside of the bun.   Spread lightly with mayonnaise and then add the shredded beef,  a slice of provolone cheese and lettuce. Serve immediately. Makes at least 15 large sandwiches.

This will be a new favorite of ours!  LOVED!!!

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Recipe adapted by Heidi  from Olive Garden .com Photos taken by Heidi   1 lb. spicy Italian sausage - crumbled (I usually add a pinch of red pepper flakes to regular Italian sausage 1/2 lb. smoked bacon - chopped 1 qt. water (2) 14.5 oz. cans (about 3 2/3 cups) chicken broth 8 lg. russet potatoes - scrubbed clean, cubed 2 garlic cloves - peeled, crushed 1 med. onion - peeled, chopped 2 cups chopped kale OR Swiss chard 1 cup heavy whipping cream salt and pepper - to taste Italian cheese to sprinkle on before serving   -In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage, breaking into small pieces as you fry it; drain, set aside. -In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown bacon; drain, set aside. -Place water, broth, potatoes, garlic, and onion in a pot; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender. -Add sausage and bacon to pot; simmer for 10 minutes. -Add kale and cream to pot; season with salt and pepper; heat through.

Crispy Chicken Costoletta

Recipe acquired by Heidi from Cheesecake Factory

4 chicken breasts, cut horizontally, and pounded (if desired)
2 lemons, zest of
1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

eggs, whisked with water
 flour
ground pepper
kosher salt

Lemon Sauce

2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/8 cup chicken stock
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions:

  For the chicken:.

  Preheat oven to 200°F.
  Zest two lemons. Bake zest for about 5 minutes until dry.
  On one plate combine flour, pepper and salt. On another plate combine eggs and water, whisk until combined. On another plate combine dry lemon zest, bread crumbs and cheese.
  Place pounded chicken in the flour, coating well, followed by the egg mixture and the bread crumbs.
  Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
  Place chicken in pan and cook on each side about 5 minutes until middle is no longer pink. You will need to work in batches, adding more oil and butter as needed.
  Keep chicken warm in oven at 250°F.
  

For the lemon sauce:

  Over medium heat in a fairly large saucepan heat canola oil. Add minced garlic and sauté about 3 minutes.
  Add whipping cream and boil until reduced by one-third.
  Add lemon juice, chicken stock and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer about 5 minutes.
  Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
  Serve chicken with lemon sauce and mashed garlic potatoes.

This is one of my FAVORITE dishes...sooo yummy!!

Tuscany Pork Lion, CROCK POT

Recipe created by Heidi

• 1/2 of a whole pork loin, fat trimmed

• 1 T. salt
• 3 T. minced garlic
• 1 T. basil
• 1 T. thyme
• 1 T.  rosemary
• 2 T. olive oil

• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 6 medium potatoes, cubed 

Spray crock pot with cooking spray.  Mix spices and oil together then rub pork loin with it.  Cut pork loin into 3 pieces to help it cook faster.  Place pork in crock pot then pour rest of the ingredients on top of the pork.   Cook for 6-8 hours on high.  Just before serving I take the potatoes out and fry them up a little in a skillet to brown them, this is optional.  I cooked mine for 8 hours and the pork just fell apart!  :)