Category: New Menu Monday

To make up for my absence, here are two recipes today.

While in Santa Monica this past week, we had some delicious breakfast burritos at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. So of course, when I got home, I wanted to recreate them, with my twists.  I made a dozen and froze the leftovers for quick breakfasts this week.

I find that microwaving them is the best way to reheat. I tried grilling them in a skillet and air frying them, but I preferred the microwaved version for the best texture.

Breakfast Burritos

• 12 burrito sized flour tortillas
• 1 lb to 2 lb – ish potatoes, diced
• oil
• 1 lb ground sausage – I used spicy Italian, but any favorite will do – cooked and crumbled
• 12 eggs, scrambled
• chopped onions
• chopped green chiles
• salt and pepper to taste

In a skillet, heat a generous amount of oil and add diced potatoes, tossed with salt and pepper. Cook potatoes until golden and crisp, stirring occasionally.  Remove to a bowl.

This recipe was featured in TJ Wilde Mysteries: Underway, and I realized that because of the travel component in Full Sail, there will be no companion recipes. Too much going on for TJ to bother with cooking.

When I went to look for this recipe to share, I forgot this fun tidbit:

“It was so unusual, my most reliable recipe testers politely declined my dinner invite. Totally understandable. But I will tell you I was pleasantly surprised how well this turned out. If you like pork and apples, this has a similar flavor palate. It was also quick and easy to prepare. I’m glad I decided to experiment.”

I really like to whip up quick flavorful dinners.  Buffalo chicken is a favorite and I’m always experimenting with making it better.  This time I tossed the chicken in seasoned potato starch and thought it was the ingredient that had been missing. It makes the chicken pieces crisp up nicely and added a depth of flavor beyond the sauce.

It is great served over rice, salad, mashed or baked potatoes, drizzled with bleu cheese dressing, and a side of celery.  All the flavor of wings without the prep time or mess.

Skillet Buffalo Chicken Bites

Continuing with the lemon theme, this dish is super easy to prepare and delicious.  The recipe for those delicious butter potatoes can be found here.

Chicken Piccata

• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp basil, crushed
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• ½ tbsp olive oil
• 4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded flat
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced into very thin slices*
• ½ cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh snipped parsley
• 3 tbsp lemon juice

bowl, skillet