Peppermint Snap

Makes 4 drinks

Ingredients

Mixer for 4:

  • 2 c water
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1c mint leaves
  • 1 oz lemon juice

Per drink

  • 1.5 oz Vodka or Rum

Method

Mix the sugar and water together until the sugar is complete dissolved. Muddle the mint leaves with a small amount of sugar until they form a paste.  Add the mint paste and the lemon juice to the water and sugar to create the mixer.

Strain muddled leaves out of mixer. Fill a highball glass with ice, fill glass 1/4 with mixer, add shot or Vodka or Rum, fill glass the rest of the way with mixer.  Stir and enjoy.

 

Honey Lemon Chicken and Green Beans

Ingredients

Honey Lemon Chicken and Green Beans

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (2 large chicken breasts)
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • salt and pepper
  • Olive oil
  • 12 ounces green beans trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces (about 2 cups)
  • Honey Lemon Sauce see below

Honey Lemon Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • Juice and zest from 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup honey or more/less to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 garlic clove minced

Instructions

  • Combine the chicken, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar in a large zip-top bag, and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. (If no time to marinate, just toss the chicken, soy sauce and vinegar in a small bowl and let sit while you prep the rest of the recipe).
  • In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients together until combined (cornstarch should no longer be visible). Set aside.
  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and season with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes, until beans are bright green but still crisp. Transfer to a large plate or bowl and set aside.
  • Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Pour the chicken from the bag into the hot skillet. Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Add the chicken and saute for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink, stirring and turning the chicken occasionally for even browning. Using a slotted spoon, add the chicken to the plate with the green beans.
  • Pour the whisked honey lemon sauce into the empty saute pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce reaches a low boil and thickens. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking (salt, pepper, honey, lemon).
  • Add the chicken and green beans back into the pan and toss until evenly coated with the sauce. Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Can be served over steamed white or brown rice, or on it’s own.

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Garlic Lemon and Parmesan Oven Roasted Zucchini

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs zucchini (about 4 – 5 small/medium zucchini)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Zest of 1 small lemon (1 tsp)
  • 2 cloves garlic , crushed through a garlic crusher or finely minced
  • 3/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Cut zucchini into 4 wedges through the length.

  3. In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, lemon zest and garlic. Align zucchini on prepared baking sheet spacing them evenly apart.
  4.  Brush olive oil mixture over tops of zucchini (working to get some of the garlic/lemon zest on each piece and not just in one spot. It clumps together a little so just spread it out).
  5. Sprinkle tops with parmesan cheese (try to get as much of it on the tops as possible, you can pick up what was sprinkled off to the sides of the zucchini and add it to the tops) and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake in preheated oven 11 – 13 minutes then, adjust oven rack near top of oven and broil for several minutes until parmesan is golden brown. Serve warm

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Lemon Loaf

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup milk room temperature

Lemon Glaze (optional):

  • 1/2 cup icing sugar sifted
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C) .
  • Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir in lemon zest. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl (of stand mixer) beat butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
  • Gradually add the sugar and continue beating for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Add eggs, one at a time. Make sure you scrape the bottom of your bowl.
  • Add lemon juice (the batter will curdle).
  • Alternate addition of flour and milk (in 2 additions). Mix on low speed until combined. Do not over mix.
  • If using add-ins, combine gently at this point.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 60-75 minutes until golden and cake tester comes out clean.
  • Transfer pan to a rack where it can cool down for about 10 minutes before removing loaf to cool down completely on a wire rack.

Notes

Tips, Tricks and Recipe Notes:

  • Ensure oven is preheated to the right temperature.
  • Take out the milk, eggs and butter 30-60 minutes before starting.
  • Cream the softened butter, then slowly add the sugar until light and fluffy.This step takes at least 5 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time and properly beat after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the bowl during this process.
  • Reduce the speed to low when adding the flour and milk. DO NOT OVER MIX.
  • Lemon zest is an ingredient in this recipe. This is the bright yellow outer layer of the lemon peel. Use a micro-plane or a box grater for grating. Make sure you only grate the yellow part as the white pith is extremely bitter.
  • Make this lemon dessert your own by adding slivered almonds (½ cup) or poppy seeds (2 tablespoons).

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