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Baked Beans

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Baked Beans

What’s not to like?

Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ small onion, diced small

  • ½  green pepper, diced small

  • 1 - 28 ounce can baked beans

  • ¼ cup chili sauce (like Heinz, not the spicy version)

  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

  • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoons chipotle peppers, minced

  • ⅓ pound bacon, cooked halfway (not crispy)

  • Big pinch Kosher salt

  • Chopped green onions, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350

  2. In a large oven proof pot (that has a lid) cook onion, green pepper and bacon until beginning to soften and brown

  3. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, cover and bake about 45 minutes to an hour or until bubbly

  4. Garnish with green onions

  5. Serve hot.

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2 Ingredient Biscuits

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2 Ingredient Biscuits

The Easiest Biscuits EVER

 

Biscuits are too fussy you say…they take too much time you say.

Not anymore, cuz with only 2 ingredients you’ll be making and eating these all the time.

INGREDIENTS

 

  • 1.5 cups self rising flour
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream + a little extra for baking
  • 1/4 teaspoon each Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

 

  1. Preheat oven to 450
  2. Mix all ingredients well in a bowl
  3. Scoop 1 ounce portions onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and flatten slightly
  4. Brush tops lightly with extra cream and bake about 10 minutes or until done

WATCH ME MAKE THIS RECIPE


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Fried Pizza

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Fried Pizza

Yes, you read it right, fried damn pizza. Make it, fry it, eat it. Oh my…

Makes 1

INGREDIENTS

  • Oil to fry, canola works great
  • 1 quarter of the 3 minute pizza dough
  • Flour
  • ⅓ cup tomato sauce, any you like
  • ½ cup burrata cheese
  • 2-3 basil leaves, torn into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
  2. Pour about ½ inch of oil into a large heavy pan (cast iron would be ideal) and heat to approx 350-375 degrees
  3. Sprinkle a little flour on a working surface and roll out dough into a circle 6- 8 inches in diameter
  4. Carefully put the dough into the hot pan - lay it down facing away from you
  5. Cook about 1-½ minute on each side, flip over carefully using tongs
  6. Drain fried dough on paper towel, then place the crust on a baking sheet
  7. Spread sauce evenly over the crust and then the burrata
  8. Sprinkle with basil leaves and top with parmesan
  9. Bake in the oven for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts
  10. Slice and serve - you can thank me later.

WATCH ME MAKE THIS...


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Chicken Francaise

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Chicken Francaise

A delicious & simple chicken dish that will have you mentally wandering the Champs-Élysées – or sitting at your kitchen table. In any case you’ll be very happy.

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

  • 1 chicken breast (pound down to ¼ inch thick)

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ¼ cup dry vermouth or white wine (nothing expensive, but something you’d drink)

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons cold butter

  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper - mix well

  2. In a separate bowl (large enough for the chicken) beat the eggs

  3. Heat oil in a large non-stick pan

  4. Put the chicken into the flour mixture and push down lightly to coat both sides then shake off any excess),

  5. Dip both sides of the chicken into the beaten eggs and then carefully put into the hot pan - lay it down facing away from you

  6. Cook chicken until lightly golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side

  7. Remove the chicken when done and set aside - cover loosely with foil to keep warm

  8. In the same pan, carefully add vermouth, scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pan - simmer about 2 minutes

  9. Add chicken broth, lemon juice and butter

  10. Slowly swirl pan to incorporate the butter

  11. Add parsley then season with salt and pepper to taste

  12. Plate chicken and serve with the sauce over the top

WATCH ME COOK THIS


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MEXICAN EGGS

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MEXICAN EGGS

Tortilla chips (cooked with eggs) make everything better.

Makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup tortilla chips, broken up
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1½ tablespoons can diced green chilies
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon cilantro, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

  1. Beat eggs with chili powder & salt in a small bowl, then add tortilla chips and set aside
  2. Heat a medium non-stick pan, add butter 
  3. As butter starts to melt, add diced green chilies and cook until slightly hot
  4. Add eggs, mix and cook over medium/low heat - just as eggs start to come together add cheese - stir well
  5. Cook eggs to your desired doneness (which hopefully is not too dry)
  6. Garnish with cilantro and serve

WATCH ME COOK THIS...


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RICOTTA BACON FLATBREAD

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RICOTTA BACON FLATBREAD

We showed you how to make your own pizza dough... and now we show you what to do with it. You're gonna like this.

Makes 1 flatbread

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 quarter of the 3 minute pizza dough
  • Olive oil
  • ¾ cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onions
  • ½ cup cooked bacon, crispy & crumbled
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Kosher Salt
  • 1/3 cup diced fresh tomatoes to garnish

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven 425 degrees
  • Sprinkle a little flour on working surface and roll out dough into approximately an 8x11 flatbread
  • Place on lightly oiled baking sheet pre-bake about 7 minutes
  • In a small bowl combine ricotta cheese and olive oil, mix well
  • Spread the ricotta on the pre-baked dough
  • Top with onions, bacon, red pepper flakes and salt to taste
  • Put back in oven and bake 5 more minutes
  • Remove, top with tomatoes and serve
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WATCH ME MAKE THIS


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GRILLED STUFFED TERIYAKI BURGER

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GRILLED STUFFED TERIYAKI BURGER

Not to sound like a broken record, but it’s time to stop eating the same thing all the time. So for something a little different, I suggest trying a stuffed burger. And this one has sautéed onions, Swiss cheese and well, you’ll just have to watch, then make it.

Makes 2 burgers

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 4 pineapple rings
  • Iceberg lettuce

Directions

  1. Cook onions with butter in a non-stick pan until softened, season with salt & pepper and set aside.
  2. Flatten beef into 4 patties, and using your hands or burger press, make a pocket in two of them. Put half the onion and one piece of cheese (folded to fit) into the pockets and top with second patty. Season each stuffed burger well with salt & pepper.
  3. Preheat grill to medium high and put on the burgers and pineapple slices. Cook until done on one side, then flip them over, and begin brushing both with teriyaki. When both sides of burgers and pineapple are almost done, add more sauce, then toast buns on the grill.
  4. Build burger: bun bottom, lettuce, burger, pineapple slices, bun top.
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WATCH ME MAKE THIS


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Tomato Soup

Yum - this version is made with canned San Marzano tomatoes - and if ur gonna use canned, these ones are the best.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1-28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano, recommended)

½ teaspoon Kosher salt 

¼ teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan, add half the onion and cook until softened 

  • Put in garlic and stir until fragrant, then add tomatoes, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes and oregano, mix well and simmer 5 – 10 minutes

  • Use a blender or immersion blender to puree soup - keep warm

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Udon with Shrimp

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Udon with Shrimp

Yes, I make a lot of Asian food. And so should you cuzit’sway better for you than fast food and certainly much faster.

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1/3 cup oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ pound peeled, deveined shrimp (31-40 size)
  • 2 small bunches baby bok choy
  • 1 package udon noodles – frozen noodles work too
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable/canola oil
  • Sesame seeds to garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine oyster sauce, soy and sesame oil in a small bowl – mix well
  2. Add half the sauce to the shrimp and let marinate
  3. Prepare bok choy-cut the ends to separate individual leaves
  4. Cooking noodles according to package directions – adding bokchoy after about a minute
  5. Heat a pan or wok over medium/high, add oil and marinated shrimp, cook until done - about 3 minutes
  6. Drain noodles & bokchoy, put back in pot and mix with remaining sauce
  7. Place the noodles/bok choy in a bowl and top with shrimp, garnish with sesame seeds
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WATCH ME MAKE THIS


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Turkey Chili Enchiladas

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Turkey Chili Enchiladas

Makes 8

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound ground turkey, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup chili 
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Mix first 3 ingredients in bowl, set aside
  2. Pour 1/2 the whipping cream in the bottom of a 9x13-baking dish
  3. Pour chicken broth in bowl and one by one submerge each tortilla
  4. Place approximately 1/8 turkey mixture in the center of each moistened tortilla and roll up
  5. Place all 8 side by side in dish seam down in baking dish, sprinkle with Monterey jack cheese and pour remaining whipping cream over top
  6. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly and gorgeous

WATCH ME MAKE IT, SEE THE TV EPSIODE


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Chili Cheese Omelet

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Chili Cheese Omelet

Makes 1

INGREDIENTS

  • 15 oz can of chili, heated
  • ½ tablespoon butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 slice Kraft American cheese (you can use any kind you like, but this kinda makes it)
  • ¼ cup green onions, chopped for garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Beat the eggs well in a bowl
  2. Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat, and add eggs.
  3. If making a true omelet, allow the eggs to set - add chili to one half, cover with cheese and flip side with no chili over making a half moon - cook to desired doneness (which for me is not too dry)
  4. Put on a plate, add a little more chili and garnish with green onions

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Fried Bologna Sandwich

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Fried Bologna Sandwich

RECIPE FEATURED ON MY TV EPISODE "NOT SO HEALTHY DAY"

I wasn't a bologna fan until I fried some. This is crazy delicious and should not be ignored.

Makes one, but a really good one.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½  medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 bun or roll of your choice
  • butter, softened
  • 5 slices of bologna
  • ½ tablespoon grainy mustard
  • ½ tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 slices American cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat small sauté pan on medium-high with olive oil, add the onions and cook until slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes
  2. While they cook, lightly butter the inside of each bun, place cut-side down on a flat top or large non-stick pan untillightly toasted
  3. Evenly space three small cuts, about 1/2 inch long into the outside edge of bologna (this will help it from curling up) and place on a heated flat griddle or non-stick pan
  4. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until getting golden on the edges
  5. Melt 1 slice of cheese on 2 slices of bologna
  6. Spread mustard and mayonnaise on bottom half of the toasted bun and top with caramelized onions
  7. Then stack all the slices of bologna on the onions, starting with a melted cheese bologna on the bottom, then the other 3 slices and top with the remaining melted cheese bologna
  8. Place the top half of the bun on the sandwich
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FEATURED RECIPE ON STCG "ONLINE" SHOW

FEATURED RECIPE ON MY TV SHOW



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Double Wrapped Shrimp & Bacon Tacos

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Double Wrapped Shrimp & Bacon Tacos

Makes about 6

I like the idea of putting everything out in bowls, and letting my guests make their own.  I mean come on – why do I have to do all the work?  

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 3/4 lb peeled, uncooked shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 lime cut in half, then one half into wedges
  • 6 soft corn tortillas
  • 3/4 cup refried beans, warmed
  • 6 hard taco shells, warmed according to package directions
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • Lettuce, shredded
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked, crispy and crumbled
  • 3 green onions, finely diced
  • Cholula hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat pan well then add oil and shrimp - stir-fry quickly as the shrimp will cook fast 
  2. When almost done (about 2 minutes) sprinkle shrimp with Old Bay then squeeze juice from the lime half on top 
  3. Give them one quick mix and remove to a bowl alongside the tortillas, beans, sour cream and lettuce, bacon and green onions 
  4. Now simply let people make their own: put some beans on one side of a soft tortilla, the wrap that around a hard shell tortilla
  5. Add some sour cream, some lettuce, the shrimp, some bacon, some green onions and finally a few shakes of hot sauce
  6. Eat – as if that wasn’t fricking obvious

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Pork Chow Mein

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Pork Chow Mein

Get ready for the Chinese New Year with these great noodles - and the quick little black bean sauce makes this ridiculous.

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons black bean garlic sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ pound boneless pork (tenderloin or country style ribs work great), thinly sliced 
  • ½ tablespoon of neutral oil*
  • *(unflavored oils such as canola, vegetable or peanut)
  • ¼ pound sugar snap peas sliced diagonally
  • ½ pound shitake mushrooms
  • 4 oz chow mein noodles, cooked
  • green onions, chopped to garnish

 DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine black bean and soy sauce, set aside
  2. Heat sautéed pan on medium-high, add oil and pork and cook cooked until pork is just done, about 4 minutes ­ - remove pork mixture to a bowl
  3. In same pan, heat to high and add a little more oil
  4. Add peas and stir fry until crisp tender, about 3 minutes then add to pork mixture
  5. Return pan to heat again, add more oil and the shitakes, cook until softened, about 5 minutes
  6. Turn heat up to high, add the pork mixture and then the add soy/black bean - stir until heated through
  7. Add chow mein noodles, combine well, plate and garnish with green onions
  8. Serve

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FINLANDIA GINGER SCALLOPS

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FINLANDIA GINGER SCALLOPS

Butter, scallops & ginger - this is truly a magical combination.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 9 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tablespoons Finlandia butter*
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
  • 1 pound large fresh scallops, about 12
  • Canola oil
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine butter, ginger and green onion in a small bowl – mix well and set aside
  2. Lightly oil room temperature scallops and season with salt, pepper and put in a hot non-stick pan
  3. When scallops are golden brown on bottom – after about a minute and a half, flip over and add the butter
  4. While they cook on the second side, baste the scallops with the melting butter – and when done…
  5. Plate on top of rice and drizzle with more of the butte.

*Finlandia Butter can be found at Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Finlandia Cheeses are also available, in Southern California at Costco and other fine retailers.


WATCH ME MAKE THIS


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Finlandia Napoleons

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Finlandia Napoleons

Wait till you see how easy and crazy delicious these are. Made with #Finlandia Creamy Gourmet Cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • Finlandia Sweet Lemon Creamy Gourmet Cheese*
  • Raspberry jam
  • Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Roll out a defrosted sheet of puff pastry to make it approximately 30% larger, and poke all over with a fork 

  3. Then cut into 2” x 3” rectangles, place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown,15-20 minutes - remove and let cool
  4. Using Finlandia Sweet Lemon Creamy Gourmet Cheese spread a 1/8” inch layer on one rectangle, top with another rectangle, add another layer of cheese and finally a layer of raspberry jam – 
  5. To serve, add a final dusting of powdered sugar.

*Finlandia Butter can be found at Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Finlandia Cheeses are also available, in Southern California at Costco and other fine retailers.


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Wings with Curry Sauce

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Wings with Curry Sauce

When it comes to curry, I’m like the little old lady in the Frank’s commercial – I put that shit on everything.

INGREDIENTS

  • 18 chicken wings

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 1 tablespoon flour 

  • 2 tablespoons curry powder

  • 1/3 cup coconut milk

  • 1/3 cup milk

  • 1 tablespoon Sambal Chili Paste or Sriracha

  • Kosher salt

  • cilantro or diced green onion for garnish 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat broiler

  2. Place wings on a foil lined baking sheet and broil until done, 10 - 15 minutes a side

  3. While they're cooking, melt butter in a small pot over medium/low heat

  4. When it’s melted, add flour and curry powder – stir well, mix together about a minute 

  5. Pour in both milks – stirring well with a whisk until it begins to thicken

  6. Add chili sauce, season with salt and stir well – keep warm

  7. Remove wings from oven, put in a large bowl and toss with as much curry sauce as you like

  8. Plate and garnish with cilantro or green onions

  9. Serve

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WATCH ME MAKE THIS


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PASTA 2 WAYS

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PASTA 2 WAYS

Plain pasta for kids is made even better with Finlandia butter.  And for the bigger kids, try this version with Finlandia Classic Creamy Gourmet Cheese & vermouth. 


NOODLES WITH FINLANDIA CLASSIC CREAMY GOURMET CHEESE

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz pasta: spaghetti, fettuccini, linguini – whatever your fav is

  • 1/4 cup butter

  • 4 oz Finlandia Classic Creamy Gourmet Cheese*

  • 1 oz dry vermouth

  • 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan

  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

  • Parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cook noodles in boiling, salted water, stirring occasionally until done, about 8 minutes

  2. While they cook, melt Finlandia butter* with Finlandia Classic Creamy Gourmet Cheese* in a small pot until mixed, then add parmesan and vermouth- stir until smooth

  3. Season with salt & pepper

  4. Drain noodles and toss with the sauce, and a sprinkle of parsley. Serve.

Plain Butter Noodles
 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz pasta: spaghetti, fettuccini, linguini – whatever your fav is

  • 1/3 cup Finlandia butter*

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Shredded parmesan cheese, to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cook noodles in boiling, salted water, stirring occasionally until done, about 8 minutes

  2. Drain, return to pot and immediately add butter, salt and pepper

  3. If using Parmesan, add it now

  4. Mix well and serve

*Finlandia Butter can be found at Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Finlandia Cheeses are also available, in Southern California at Costco and other fine retailers.


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Haricot Vert (French Green Beans) With Browned Butter

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Haricot Vert (French Green Beans) With Browned Butter

Instead of the usual green beans for Thanksgiving, how about an amazingly simple brown butter version?

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1  1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

  • 4 tablespoons butter

  • Kosher salt and pepper

  • 1/3 cup French Fried Onions

DIRECTIONS

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the green beans and cook 2 minutes

  2. Immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking - to paper towelsto dry

  3. Meanwhile, slowly melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often until it’s browned in color and nutty in flavor, 2 - 3 minutes

  4. And as soon as it is, add the green beans, toss well to coat, season with salt & pepper and then plate – top with the crunchy onions



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Garden Dill Slow Scrambled Eggs

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Garden Dill Slow Scrambled Eggs

Serves: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

The Finlandia creamy gourmet cheese makes this ridiculous – and I mean that in the best way possible. 

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon Finlandia butter
  • 2 eggs
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Finlandia Garden Dill Creamy Gourmet Cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Melt butter in a small skillet over low to medium heat, making sure it covers the bottom and sides
  2. Crack the eggs in a small bowl, add salt & pepper, beat well and then add to the pan
  3. Cook slowly, stirring often making sure the eggs don’t stick to the pan
  4. When the eggs are about halfway done, add Finlandia Garden Dill Cheese and continue stirring until eggs are cooked though but still creamy
  5. Serve.

*Finlandia Butter can be found at Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Finlandia Cheeses are also available, in Southern California at Costco and other fine retailers.

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