Cheddar and Chive Chicken Waffles with Pepper Gravy

I love the food blog, Oh Bite It! A couple months ago, she posted a recipe for Chicken In Waffles, that was a wonderful version of Chicken and Waffles, where the chicken was actually cooked inside the waffle and was drizzled with syrup. My husband doesn't like sweets with his savory, so I decided to modify the recipe for his tastes and it was transcendental. I seriously almost started crying while eating them, they were THAT good.

To make this yeast free, you need to just search for yeast free chicken tenders. Again, Tyson makes a southern chicken tender that is yeast free, just check the ingredients.

You can use my recipe for waffles, here if you are sensitive to baking powder or use Bisquick like the recipe calls for if your intestines tolerate it. If using the recipe linked above, simply omit the sugar and add salt, pepper, chives, cheese and chicken to the prepared waffle batter.

I suggest serving this with bacon. I cook mine in the oven at 425 for about 15-20 minutes or until it is crispy and delicious.

For the Waffles

2 cups bisquick or other baking mix

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 egg

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of pepper

1 tablespoon chives

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1-2 cups diced defrosted precooked fried chicken tenders

Nonstick Spray for waffle iron

For the gravy

2 tablespoons butter

2-3 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your waffle maker.

Mix all of the ingredients for the waffles in a large bowl until well combined.  

Spray waffle maker with nonstick spray.

Place about 1/2 cup of batter in the middle of your waffle iron (or in each section if you have a square waffle maker, instead of the round sort), and cook until the waffle iron tells you it is done.

Meanwhile, combine the butter and flour in a small pot over medium heat. 

Cook until the flour smells nutty and becomes golden in color, a few minutes.

Slowly whisk in milk to avoid making lumps.

Allow to come to a boil, add more milk as needed if your gravy is too thick. 

Season with salt and pepper, tasting as you go.

Serve the waffles covered in gravy, with bacon on the side. Also great covered with a poached egg.

Makes 4-5 large waffles

Pepperoni Pizza Soup

I made Oh Bite It's "Grilled Cheese Pull Apart Rolls" tonight for dinner and wanted a soup to go with it, since it is rainy and cold out. This was the perfect match for it.

One of the things I find I miss most is pizza, and I don't always want to go all out and make a fancy pizza on a puff pastry crust, so I created pizza soup to mimic the flavor of pizza without the crust. I use shortcuts, like canned tomato soup, so that I can whip up a pot of soup in no time at all.

This particular recipe is for a Pepperoni Pizza Soup, but you are welcome to omit that and make it a vegetarian soup, adding mushrooms and roasted red peppers, or onions, or whatever topping you like. Be creative!

Ingredients:
2 11 oz. cans of condensed tomato soup + 3 cans of water
2 tablespoons of butter
2 green onions, sliced
About 2 oz of pepperoni, sliced
2 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano and thyme)
1 cup or more of Italian blend cheese
½ cup shredded parmesan blend
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional - ½ can of heavy cream

In a soup pot, melt butter over medium heat.
Sweat the onions in the melted butter and add sliced pepperoni.
Allow the pepperoni to crisp up, which will allow the fats to render.
Add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir until fragrant, a few moments, then add the condensed soup.
Stir well, add water and stir.
Allow to come to a boil, stirring periodically.
Once hot, add cheeses, allowing them to melt.
Add salt and pepper to taste, adjust seasoning as needed.
Finish with heavy cream, if desired, and serve hot with a little extra cheese on top.

Philly Cheese Open Faced Sandwich

This is like a cross between a Philly Cheese and a French Dip. It could be made better with the addition of a thin layer of horseradish spread on the matzo brie before adding the onions, meat and cheese. Also, sauteed mushrooms would be a great addition.

And of course, this is only kosher for Passover if you a) are willing to eat moistened matzo, which some people avoid, and b) you either don't keep kosher otherwise (I only observe Passover for the tradition, not for the religious aspect, really) or you forgo the cheese, since meat and dairy together is a no-no.

Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

I created this recipe to use up leftover grilled burgers my husband had made.  The smoked paprika gives it a great barbecue flavor. I can’t wait to make it again!

Crawfish Bisque

The cream in this soup really mutes the salt and it takes quite a bit to season it properly, as it should be slightly salty in flavor.  Tasting as you go is really important to get it right. The crawfish can be replaced with crab or lobster if you prefer.

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

I created this for the challenge at Double Take. The ingredients for this time were Spinach and Cheese.  I just happened to have some fancy pizza dough in my house I have been meaning to use that is yeast free ( I used a Great Value brand, but it also comes in that Pillsbury brand I have mentioned before that is leavened with Glucono Delta Lactone and Baking Soda), so a delicious white pizza sounded great.  If the fancy strikes you, you can butter the crust when it comes out of the oven and sprinkle it with parmesan.

Peanut Butter Cream Pie - For Mikey

This morning, I read about "Peanut Butter Pie Friday" and it broke my heart.  After crying for a bit, I decided that I needed to participate.  Two years ago, my husband woke up unable to walk, having suffered a stroke during the night, and it was one of the most terrifying events in my life.  I was so scared I would lose him, and I still am, though he has healed completely, and is well medicated and closely watched now.  My heart goes out to Jennie of "In Jennie's Kitchen," and her family, and though I don't know her and had never visited her food blog before today, I wanted to add to Mikey's memory, for my Mike.  So here is my version of Mikey's favorite Creamy Peanut Butter Pie. The loss of a loved one is a great fear of so many, but we must also remember that we need to live, as fully as we can, every day.

Cream Cheese Cutout Cookies

This is a delicious slightly tangy cookie.  It is not too sweet and stands up to decorating well.  Make sure the dough is still chilled before you put them in the oven or they tend to spread and make you shapes look a little mutated. Great with Royal Icing!

Fried Green Tomatoes

Since I no longer eat hamburgers on rolls, I make a big deal about dressing them up. During the summer, my husband loves to grill and loves to grow a garden full of herbs and veggies.  That gives me a great opportunity to make a southern favorite, Fried Green Tomatoes.  While I pretty much abhor fully ripened tomatoes, unless they are finely pureed in a sauce, green tomatoes have a wonderful tangy taste and a firm texture that I really enjoy.
Here, the fried green tomatoes are paired with thick cut bacon, a cheddar cheese sauce, and homemade ranch dressing, which suits them best!

French Onion Soup

This classically fancy soup is most impressive served in a traditional crock. If you are crockless, any oven proof bowl with a rim that is smaller than your cheese slices is acceptable. In a pinch, cheese slices can be replaced with shredded cheese and broiling can be skipped all together.

Key Lime Pie

This just happens to be gluten-free thanks to the rice check cereal crust.  And furthermore it is delicious.
It makes a BIG pie, so you can easily half the recipe and make it in an 8" pie pan.

L & L Style Macaroni Salad

Ever since I first tried the macaroni salad at L& L Hawaiian Barbecue, I have wanted more.  And I am not a fan of macaroni salad.  Unfortunately, I had it when visiting my sister in San Diego, CA and I haven't been anywhere, since, that had one.  I finally, after years of looking, found a lead, and from that information, created a recipe that approximates the salad pretty well.

Of course, if you are not trying to clone L & L's recipe, you can always add diced ham, finely chopped shallots, or anything else you fancy. 

Chicken Française

This is another of my favorites dishes growing up.  It originally had white wine added, however, since wine is made with yeast, this recipe forgoes the wine for sparkling cider. It is still just as tasty! I made this one with a cranberry apple cider and it had a great wine-like flavor.
Wonderful served with pasta of any sort and a fresh salad.

S.O.S.

S.O.S is not the prettiest dish (which is how it got its name) but it  can be made fast, is fairly easy, and quite delicious. Usually you can use a can of cream of mushroom soup, which really cuts down the prep time, but in case you cannot find any, the recipe below is easy enough.

This can also be made with ground turkey or chicken.

Always great served on a baked potato or egg noodles!

Carrot and Feta Salad

This is great for summer picnics.  Light and crisp and tangy!


3 large carrots, peeled
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 tablespoon fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste

Place a medium pot, half filled with water, over medium heat to bring  to a simmer.
Slice carrots into wafer thin medallions and place in simmering water with a generous pinch of salt.
Simmer carrots for 5 minutes or until slightly tender but not mushy.
Shock carrots by placing cooked carrot slices in ice water for a few moments, until cooled.
In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, canola oil, dill, salt and pepper.
Add cooled carrots and feta to maple dill dressing and toss to coat.
Store refrigerated in a covered container and serve chilled or room temperature.

Pepperoni Bread

Pillsbury makes a pizza dough that is leavened with baking soda and Glucono delta-lactone that I have found to be tolerable and quite useful.  Tonight, I made pepperoni bread out of it, that I served with a side of tomato sauce for dipping.  It's easy and delicious.

Salted Hot Chocolate for One

If you wanted to make it for more than one,just multiply the recipe as needed.

You'll need:
Milk (and cream if you wish)
Chocolate Chips
Kosher or Sea Salt
Vanilla (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
A whisk

Fill the mug you plan on using up, most of the way, with milk (or a mixture of 75% milk and 25% cream if you want it really rich).
Pour measured milk into a small sauce pan, over medium heat.
Measure out a handful of chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup).
Place chocolate chips into heating milk.
Add a large pinch of kosher salt and whisk.
If you have vanilla powder handy, add a pinch and continue to whisk until the milk just begins to boil, turn off the heat.
Pour into cup, garnish with whipped cream, and an additional sprinkle of salt.
Enjoy, but don't burn your mouth (Sorry, I always need this advice because I always do!).

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

This takes all the goodness of Chicken Cordon Bleu and turns it into an easy pasta dish.  It goes great paired with a fresh salad tossed in a lemony dressing.
Tyson's Frozen Crispy Chicken Strips can be substituted for fresh chicken preparation.  Be sure to check the package as only the crispy strips variety are yeast free as the rest have yeast for some unknown reason. Cook per package directions.

Barbecue Steak Tacos

This recipe can be done with chicken or steak. Using the breast of a rotisserie chicken (sliced) makes it much quicker.  The barbecue sauce is not a traditional tomato based sauce, but is a sweet and hot glaze made in the pan.

*If you want to use rotisserie chicken instead of steak, simply warm up the chicken over medium high heat and start at the third step (where you add the spices to the pan).

Basic Yeast- Free Pizza

The recipe below is the general methodology for plain yeast-free pizza, it is meant to be a base for customization.  This is in NO way low-calorie, but it is great when the craving for pizza overtakes you and you can't take one more pizza delivery commercial without losing your mind. The pizza pictured above was a sausage and bacon with provolone, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.  The toppings are only limited  by your imagination, and your food intolerances.

Since pizzas are such a fun and personal thing, all toppings are estimated for this recipe instead of using specific measurements. Cater it to your tastes.  Just remember, a well covered pizza is good, but adding too many topping can interfere with baking all the way through.