Meat/Poultry

Chicken & Turkey Cutlets

IMG_0237These chicken & turkey cutlets are so tender and delicious! They are made up of ground chicken & turkey, fresh bread rolls soaked in milk, grated onion, spices, lightly battered in flour and fried to perfection on a pan in some olive oil! They are hands down the best cutlets I have ever tried! I got the recipe from my dear friend Lidiya. After we tried these at her house, I knew I had to get this awesome recipe right away! We normally have enough left for 2 or 3 days but with this recipe, the cutlets were all gone in 1 day between my hubby, me, and our son. If you have a bigger crowd, make double, Trust me! These are great for a sandwich with some fresh bread and mayo, or make a perfect main dish paired with mashed potatoes, rice, or buckwheat. I paired these with buckwheat and a fresh salad and it was the perfect combination. This recipe was a big hit with my family and will be on our monthly rotation menu for sure! 🙂

Chicken & Turkey Cutlets {Serves 3-4}:

Ingredients:

  • 1 LB Ground Chicken
  • 1 LB Ground Turkey
  • 1 Onion (Grated)
  • 1/2 cup Whole Milk
  • 2-3 Fresh Bread Rolls
  • 3/4 Cup Flour
  • 3-4 Tablespoons Olive Oil (For frying)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

IMG_0233Directions:

1) Break the fresh bread rolls into small pieces and put them into a bowl. Add about 1/2 cup whole milk. Wait a minute until the bread roll pieces become soaked through and soft. Transfer mixture into a big bowl.

2) Add the ground chicken and ground turkey into the big bowl with bread roll mixture. Add the grated onion. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix very well.

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3) Pour about 3/4 cup of flour onto a disposable plate (or foil). Using a Tablespoon measure out a heaping Tablespoon of meat mixture into your hand. Roll it a bit into a round meatball/cutlet shape.

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4) Place into the flour and then flip it, to coat both sides of the cutlet with flour. Make at least 4 Cutlets and put them in a disposable plate or on a sheet of foil (you want to make some in advance so you wouldn’t be in a rush making them when it is time to fry them). Meanwhile set a big pan with 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil on Medium heat (I did 6.0).

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5) When the oil heats up, place cutlets into the pan. Fry until cooked well and golden on the bottom side, then flip and fry the top side also, until well done and golden. I use 2 forks or 2 spatulas to flip and transfer cutlets.

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6) Set up a big glass plate lined with napkins or paper towels. Put the cooked cutlets onto the napkins/paper towels to drain any excess hot oil. Reapeat the same process with all cutlets. When you make space on the pan by taking out the done ones, add more cutlets. Add about 2 Tablespoons more Olive Oil half way through to ensure enough fresh oil to fry on.

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Serve with mashed potatoes, buckwheat, or rice. To reheat, stick cutlets in the oven on a sheet with foil on 350 Degrees for about 10 minutes. These taste just as great on the second day if preheated!

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Steamed Meat Dumplings (Monti)

IMG_0102These steamed meat dumplings are an authentic European dish. They require a special steam pot that can be bought at international stores or Asian markets. They are tasty and healthy. A bit time consuming to make because you hand make each dumpling and hand cut the meat and other ingredients that go inside the filling but so worth it! I fill these with small cubed beef, squash, and onions. You can do a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and filling with small cubed potatoes instead, I have tried it and it tasted great too! Or if you are short on time you can fill them with ground beef and chopped onion. Using store bought egg roll dough sheets saves a lot of time and it tastes amazing but if you prefer you can also make your own dough too.

Steamed Meat Dumplings {Serves 8-10}

Ingredients:

  • 3 LB Beef
  • 1/2 Squash
  • 3 Onions
  • 3 packs of Nasoya brand Egg Roll Dough sheets
  • Olive oil
  • Salt/Pepper to taste

IMG_0104Directions:

1) Do all the prep work first. Wash the beef. Then cut it into small cubes and set aside in big bowl. Wash the squash, cut half of it, peel the half, then cut it into small cubes. Peel and finely chop 3 onions.

2) Add the chopped squash, and onion to the big bowl with cut meat. Season with 2 Tablespoons Salt and 1/2 Tablespoon pepper. Drizzle some olive oil in it (about 2 Tablespoons) and mix.

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3) Set up a dumpling making station. I use a big sheet of foil and have a small bowl of cold water, a brush and the egg roll dough sheets.

4) Start making dumplings by laying each dough sheet out, adding in the meat filling (a heaping tablespoon). Then using the brush and water, wet the outline of the dough sheet. Connect the opposite ends and stick them together. (As pictured below.)

5) Using the brush rub some olive oil onto each steam pot layer before putting dumplings on each layer, and have some olive oil in a plate. Dip each dumpling into the oil to cover just the bottom and transfer it to steam pot. I put about 14 dumplings (Monti) on each steam pot layer.

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6) When you are done making half the dumplings, set the very bottom pot, filled a little over half way with water on high heat. When the water comes to a boil, add the layered steam pots with dumplings and cover with the lid on the very top. Turn heat down to 8.0 and Steam the dumplings for about 45 to 55 minutes.

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7) When ready to eat, transfer dumplings from 1 steam pot onto a big plate while leaving the rest of them in the steam pot (so they stay warm until ready to eat.) Cover and refrigerate left overs. To reheat, microwave for a few minutes, tastes good on the second day also.

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Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

img_0083These teriyaki chicken thighs are a great option if you are craving some chinese takeout but also want to eat healthy too. I came up with this recipe idea myself and made it for dinner when we had friends over. Needless to say, they turned out great! You know The food is good, when people reach for seconds, that’s the best compliment to any chef! These teriyaki chicken thighs are super delicious, restaurant quality and best part is how easy and fast this recipe is. Just make sure you give it at least 8 hours or over night to marinate for best teriyaki flavor! Enjoy!

Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs {Serves 4-6}

Ingredients:

  • 8 Chicken Thighs (Organic, Bone in, Skin on)
  • Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, Montreal Chicken Seasoning, Meat Tenderizer Seasoning
  • Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce (1/2 Cup)
  • Korean Teriyaki Sauce (About 1/2 Cup)

 

Directions:

1) Wash the chicken thighs thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. On a paper plate or sheet of foil, season both sides of each chicken thigh one at a time. *Keep in mind the Teriyaki marinade and sauce both have salt in them so be careful with the salt and only use a sprinkle of salt. On one side only of the chicken thighs. Transfer seasoned chicken thighs to a big bowl.

2) Pour 1/2 cup of the Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce over the seasoned chicken thighs. Then add 2 Tablespoons of the Korean Teriyaki Sauce also. Mix well. Cover and let it marinate in fridge over night or for at least 8 hours.

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3) When you are ready to cook Teriyaki chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees. Cover a baking dish with foil, spray the foil with an oil spray. Put the chicken thighs on the foil, leaving space in between each thigh. Bake on 350 Degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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4) When chicken thighs are done baking, take them out of the oven. Brush the Korean Teriyaki Sauce to top each chicken thigh then stick back in the oven on the Broil setting (500 Degrees) and let it bake for about 5 minutes, this makes the skin very golden and perfectly crispy.

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Great served with rice or baked potatoes and a fresh salad!

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Veggie Marinara Meat Sauce

This veggie marinara sauce is tasty, healthy, simple to make, and goes great with pasta, gluten free pasta, rice, or buckwheat. Left over sauce can be frozen in a plastic container and reheats very well. That’s why I make this big batch of it and freeze half, making an easy dinner for 2 nights. I did try this recipe without meat and instead added 1/2 pack of brown mushrooms and it was still just as good meatless. When I am craving a hearty, veggie, not your ordinary marinara sauce this is my go to recipe!

Veggie Marinara Meat Sauce {Serves 12-14}

Ingredients:

  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 1 Large Carrot
  • 4 Ribs Celery
  • 1 small Onion
  • 1 Jar Marinara sauce
  • 1 Can Crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
  • Parsley (Optional, to top)
  • 4 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 TBS Olive Oil (For sauté)
  • Real Block Italian Parmesan Cheese (Shredded, to top)
  • Pasta of choice ( I used Glutten Free Penne pasta)
  • Seasoning: Salt. Pepper, Mrs.Dash, Italian Seasoning

Directions:

1) Do all the prep work first. Chop the celery ribs and carrot into small dice and set aside, chop small onion into small dice and set aside separately. Set a big pan on Med.- High heat (7.5) with just enough olive oil to cover the bottom of pan.

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2) When the oil in the pan heats up and starts sizzling, add the 1 LB ground beef into the pan. Mash with a fork and spatula to break it up into small pieces, season with salt & pepper. Add in the chopped onion. Cook until beef is cooked through and onions are soft and translucent. Meanwhile start cooking your pasta.

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3) Add the diced carrot and celery. When veggies cook through add in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Season with seasonings of choice. I used Mrs.Dash and Italian Seasoning. Mix, turn heat down to a lower simmer setting ( I did 3) cover with lid, and cook for 20 to 30 mins, stirring occasionally.

 

4) Add chopped parsley and minced garlic in the last 5 mins of cooking.

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5) Serve over pasta, gluten free pasta, rice, buckwheat, or mashed potatoes.

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Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Ribs

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These slow cooker bbq, fall off the bone, beef ribs are a delicious, fast, and super easy dinner for busy week nights. You just Do the prep work, slow cook for 4 to 8 hours, add more BBQ sauce to crisp up at the end and dinner is done! You can use pork or beef ribs. We don’t eat pork, just a taste preference, so I used beef ribs. The other secret that made this recipe so great was using organic BBQ sauce, it really made a huge taste difference. This recipe was an experiment but turned out amazing and I will definitely be making this again!

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Ribs {Serves 4}

Ingredients:

  • 2 Racks of Beef Ribs (Or Pork Ribs)
  • 2 Cups BBQ Sauce (Organic BBQ Sauce tastes best. 1.5 Cups for slow cooker and 1/2 cup to smother ribs before broiling in the oven)
  • Spices: Salt, Steak Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Mrs.Dash

Directions:

1) Thouroughly wash the beef rib racks. Pat dry. Cut each rib rack into 3, so total 6 blocks of ribs. On a plastic plate or foil, season both sides of each block of ribs and set them aside. Turn the slow cooker on High if you want to cook for 4 hours or Low if you want to cook for 8 hours. Using a brush, rub BBQ sauce on each block of ribs and put in slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook for 4 hours on High or 8 hours on Low.

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2) When ribs are done slow cooking and falling off the bone, add more BBQ sauce ( about 1/2 cup) on top of ribs and slow cook on high for 15-30 minutes to crisp up and glaze the BBQ sauce on top.

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Empanada (Fried Tortilla With Meat Filling)

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Some call these empanada’s, some call these chebureki, either way these fried tortillas with a meat filling inside are a great appetizer and snack. Could also be eaten for dinner. I made a batch of these for a Super Bowl party this year and they were a big hit! These are convenient to bring to a get together/party, because they can be cooked in advance and you just pop them in the oven to preheat them. I do have another recipe for tortillas with meat filling on the blog, but this is my go to, easier version recipe. These are best served hot, and reheat very well in the oven. I actually like them best preheated in the oven on 300 degrees for about 10 mins as they get extra crispy this way!

Empanada’s (Fried tortillas with meat filling) {Yields 18}

Ingredients:

  • 1 LB Ground Chicken or Turkey (I just use 2LB Ground Turkey now as we found it to be our favorite)
  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 1 Onion (pureed in food processor)
  • 1 pack of Raw, Uncooked, Tortilla’s (Can be bought in refrigerator section in Costco, Walmart, a few other grocery stores) Should be about 18 tortillas
  • Spices: 1 1/2 tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Garlic Salt, 1/8 tsp Pepper, 1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash (Or any salt free seasoning of your choice)

unnamed-321123Directions:

1) Put ground chicken and ground beef in a big bowl. Puree 1 Onion in the food processor (or shred it using a shredder) and add to the bowl of ground meat. Add the spices and mix thoroughly.

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2) Set up an empanada making station. I set up a big sheet of foil on the counter with the tortillas, the bowl of meat filling, and a small cup with water and a brush (to stick the tortillas together).

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3) Lay each tortilla out and fill with meat mixture, one by one. I add about 2 TBS of meat filling to each tortilla. Brush the outline circle of the tortilla with water using the brush. Stick both sides of the tortilla together and seal tightly by pressing on ends with a fork. This also makes a nice rigid design. Set the done emanada’s aside. Set a pan with enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan, on Medium heat (I did 5.5) and let the oil heat up.

 

4) Once oil heats up and starts fizzing a bit, add 2 empanada’s at a time to the pan. Fry on each side until golden (about 3 Minutes per side). Have a tray lined with paper towels or napkins to put the fried empanada’s on so the extra oil would drain off.

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Serve hot. To reheat place in the oven for 10 minutes on 300 to 350 Degrees until hot and crispy!

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Slow Cooked BBQ Beef Brisket

 

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Beef brisket smothered in a tangy BBQ marinade sauce and baked to fall apart, juicy, tender perfection. Easy recipe that requires minimum work. A great make ahead dish for dinner guests. I like to pair this brisket with mashed potatoes or mac & cheese. Leftover brisket makes perfect brisket sandwiches!

Slow Cooked BBQ Beef Brisket

sofiyababinov
Beef brisket smothered in a tangy BBQ marinade sauce and baked to fall apart, juicy, tender perfection. Easy recipe that requires minimum work. A great make ahead dish for dinner guests. I like to pair this brisket with mashed potatoes or mac & cheese. Leftover brisket makes perfect brisket sandwiches!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Marinating Time 8 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 10 People

Ingredients
  

  • 5 LB Beef Brisket
  • 4 TBS Mayonnaise
  • 7-9 TBS Barbecue Sauce 3 TBS for marinade, 4-6 TBS to top brisket
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Seasoning Salt can substitute with regular salt
  • 1 tsp Steak Seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Mrs.Dash or any salt-free seasoning

Instructions
 

  • Wash the beef brisket thoroughly under cold running water. Pat dry with a paper towel all over and transfer the brisket to a big bowl. Mix mayonnaise and BBQ sauce in a small container and smother it all over the brisket. Mix all the spices together in a small container and rub into the entire beef brisket.
  • Close the bowl with a lid or foil and let it stand in room temperature for 1 hour then transfer to fridge and let it marinate overnight or for at least 8 hours. I sometimes let it marinate 2 nights, as the extra marinating time gives it more flavor and produces a more tender meat.
  • When ready to bake, transfer the beef brisket to a baking dish. I like to use a glass baking dish. Bake on 350 Degrees for 3 hours, covered with foil.
  • After 3 hours, take the brisket out of the oven. Smother another 3 to 4 TBS of BBQ Sauce on top of the brisket, spreading evenly. Stick brisket back in the oven on 350 degrees for 1 more hour, uncovered, until the BBQ on the beef brisket crisps up a little bit.
Keyword beef, brisket, easy, meat, slow cook

Crockpot Sweet & Sour Meatballs

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Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs will be a hit at your next party or event! Easy to make, easy to serve and oh so delicious! I got the recipe from my friend, Kendra, who made them for a church potluck event and I think I ate the whole crockpot she brought lol. All you’ll need is a good brand of frozen meatballs (I’m partial to Costco’s Kirkland Signature Italian Beef Meatballs brand, they’re just my favorite), 3 simple ingredients for the sauce, and a crockpot to do all the work for you. Don’t forget to plan ahead and set aside 4 hours for cook time in the crockpot. Alright, let me introduce you to your new favorite party appetizer!

Crockpot Sweet & Sour Meatballs

sofiyababinov
Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs will be a hit at your next party or event! Easy to make, easy to serve and oh so delicious! All you'll need is a good brand of frozen meatballs (I'm partial to Costco's Kirkland Signature Italian Beef Meatballs brand, they're just my favorite), 3 simple ingredients for the sauce, and a crockpot to do all the work for you. Don't forget to plan ahead and set aside 4 hours for cook time in the crockpot. Alright, let me introduce you to your new favorite party appetizer!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 5 LB Meatballs (About 125 total meatballs)

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 5 LB Bag Frozen Italian Style Meatballs Costco's Kirkland Signature is my favorite brand
  • 1 14 oz. Bottle Ketchup
  • 1 17 oz. Jar Grape Jelly
  • 1/2 12 oz. Bottle Heinz Chili Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Set your crockpot on the Low setting. Throw in the frozen (or defrosted) meatballs.
  • In a big bowl, measure out and mix together the ketchup, grape jelly, and chili sauce.
  • Mix the sauces very well, pour into the crockpot over the meatballs and mix.
  • Cover the crockpot with lid and cook on LOW setting for 4 hours. Mix a few times, if possible. Serve hot in crockpot and keep on AUTO or LOW setting to keep meatballs warm.

Notes

Serve meatballs hot in crockpot and keep on AUTO or Low setting to keep meatballs warm. Enjoy!
Keyword appetizers, crockpot, easy, main course, side dish

Wonton Soup

dscn4271-2This is the best Wonton soup that my hubby and I have ever tried. I have literally been making this for dinner 3 nights in a row now. It is so tasty I could probably eat it every single day lol. It took me a lot of experimenting and finally, through trial and error I came up with this wonderful recipe. Surprisingly, this Wonton soup is very easy and quick to make. Perfect for busy weekday evenings and great to make ahead as you can make and freeze the wonton’s and make the broth any time you are ready to cook the soup. This is the perfect comfort food for such cold evenings as now, delicious and nutritious! The best part is you can find all these ingredients at any grocery store, so no need to go to international or Asian stores. I am excited to share this recipe with you all!

Wonton Soup {Makes 2 servings}:

Ingredients:

For the soup

  • 2 3/4 Cups Water
  • 2 3/4 Cups Chicken Stock OR Water with 3 teaspoons of Better Then Bullion Chicken Flavored broth paste (That’s what I always use).
  • 2 Green Onions, Cut in halves
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, Cut thin
  • 2 to 3 inches Fresh Ginger, Peeled and Cut into thin slices
  • 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
  • Green Onion & Cilantro (For Garnish)

For Wontons

  • .50 LB Ground Turkey
  • 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons Sherry Cooking Wine
  • 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 2 Green Onions, Finely Chopped
  • 1 Garlic Clove, Pressed
  • Wonton Wrappers. I use the Nasoya Brand, (Makes 25 Wontons) for 2 servings but there is enough to make the soup twice (About 50 Won Ton Wrappers) in the pack. I bought the Wonton wrappers in the fridge at our local grocery store by the veggies/salad.
  • Salt/Pepper to taste

dscn4284Directions:

1) Start making the broth first. Make the Better then bullion chicken broth in a pot. You do that by boiling 2 3/4 Cups water and adding the 3 teaspoons of Better Then Bullion Chicken base paste. Turn burner off. Then add the other 2 3/4 Cups water, green onions, ginger, garlic, Soy Sauce and set on High heat until it comes to a boil. When it comes to a boil, close the pot with a lid and cook on Low setting for 15 minutes, then turn off. Let it stand so flavors can blend. *Mean while start working on Wontons.

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2) To make wontons, first mix together all the wonton meat filling ingredients.

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3) Set up a wonton making station. I use a sheet of foil. Put all the wonton dough sheets on the sheet of foil. Have a small cup with water. And a brush (optional) to wet edges of wonton sheet with water. This will make cleaning a much faster process afterwards!

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4) How to make wontons: Put 1 teaspoon meat filling onto wonton dough sheet. Wet the edges with water using the brush (or your finger). Fold the sheet into a triangle. Wet the ends with a dab of water using your finger and stick both ends together, sealing tighly. Set wontons aside, I use a paper plate for easy cleaning.

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5) Open the pot with the broth. Take out the green onion, ginger, and garlic using a slotted spoon and discard. Bring the broth to a boil on High heat. When it comes to a boil, throw in the wontons one by one carefully, then gently mix so they don’t stick. Turn heat down to 7 and cook for 10 minutes.

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Garnish each bowl of soup individually with finely cut cilantro and green onion. Now the Wonton soup is ready to eat!

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Beef Puff Pastry Pockets Appetizer

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I posted a recipe similar to this one a few months ago. This is the easy version and the smaller, appetizer/snack size version of that same recipe. This is great as a main meal or an appetizer. This is a perfect recipe especially with the Holidays coming up in a few weeks. I will definitely be making some for Holiday parties and get together’s. These delicious little beef puff pastry pockets taste just like the frozen puff pastry Hors d’oeuvre appetizers that you would buy at grocery stores like Costco, BJ’s, or Sam’s Club that have a variety of different fillings inside, but of course these home made ones taste so much more superior and fresh and you can stuff them with any filling of your choice. I also like these with a mashed potato and mushroom filling, or a spinach and feta cheese filling, so you can get creative with these and make any filling of your choice.

Beef Puff Pastry Pockets {Yields 24}

Ingredients:

  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 1 Large Onion
  • 2 packs (4 sheets) Puff Pasty sheets (Thawed out)
  • Mrs.Dash Seasoning (to taste)
  • Salt/Pepper (to taste)

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Directions:

1) Cut the puff pastry sheets into 6 squares each sheet. Grate the onion on the grater. Mix the ground beef with spices and grated onion in a big bowl and set aside.

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2) Put a heaping spoonful of meat mixture onto each puff pastry square. Fold each puff pastry square up and tightly press to seal the sides. Using a fork, press down on the sides of each puff pastry pocket to make sure it is well sealed and looks neat.

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3) Bake at 350 Degrees for about 1 hour, until puff pastry pockets are golden and done.

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4) Serve immediately! Best when hot. Leftovers can be put in the refrigerator and warmed up in the oven when ready to eat.

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