Loaded Baked Potato

     Everyone loves a good baked potato!  Taking the time to slowly cook them and then adding some of your favorite toppings makes such an amazing side dish or snack.  These are so easy to make and once done you and your guest will have this very flavorful side dish.

     What we like so much about this side dish is that it can go with just about anything.  You can add different things to it and it doesn't take long to prep and serve.  With just dressing up the potato after it's been cooked you are good to go!  Below are the steps to follow along with our video!  Please check it out.

Prep Time: 5 Minues
Cook Time: 1 hr 10 minutes
Total Time: 1.15 Hr

This recipe serves 2

Ingredients:
2 Potatoes (one per person) Russet or Idaho work great.
2 Table Spoon Butter
3 Table Spoon Parsley
3 Table Spoon Rosemary
3 Table Spoon Chives
1 Table spoon Green Onion
3 Table Spoon Olive Oil
3 Small pieces cooked crispy bacon
1/4 Cup Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Buy a fresh block and shred it your self)
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
1-2 Table Spoons Sour Cream

Direction:
Wash and dry your potatoes
Using a fork or sharp knife poke a few holes around the potato
Finley chop up the parsley and rosemary
Drizzle some olive oil on the potato and then roll it in the oil
Sprinkle some salt and pepper over the potato, flip over and season again
Sprinkle the rosemary and parsley over the potato and roll it to have each side coated a bit
Place in your oven at 375 for 1 hr
As the potato is cooking dice up a green onion.
Take out and slice down the middle, but not all the way.
With a fork pry the potato open a bit or use your hands to push each side.  Be careful it will be hot!
Using your fork or knife, fluff up the potato insides.
Place two thin slices of butter in the potato.
Shred the extra sharp cheddar cheese over the potato, It will meld down so shred quit a bit.
Place back in the over between 4-6 minutes still at 375 degrees.
Take out again and place a few larger sized pieces of crispy cooked bacon inside. Or you can cumble it up.
Sprinkle the chopped up green onion on the sour cream.

Serve hot and enjoy!


     This side dish is again very easy to make and will taste so much more enjoyable than a potato you microwaved!  Since the potato takes an hour to cook you can still make your main dish.  Once done with some dressing up your potato is set!

     The picture below was one Chef made, it came out great however if you wanted to add more cheese or sour cream you can.  Some pictures you see the potato over flowing with toppings.  We feel this is done to often and can overpower the potato.  Chef however didn't want to to much flavor or take away the taste of the potato so we topped it off at an even level.  We really enjoyed this and was glad Chef let us all try this!
Thank you Chef!

     Try this recipe out we think you will really enjoy it.  Potatoes are great for you, however and if you wish you can not add the sour cream or bacon.  If you are looking for a lighter loaded baked potato.  However we encourage you to go all out.  Loaded baked potatoes deserve it all!  Enjoy the video below and be sure to subscribe to our channel if you like what you see!

Remember

Cooking should be FUN, so have FUN doing it!

The Cooking Corner

~Blog Team

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

     So there are so many different dips and there are many kinds of Buffalo Chicken Wing Dips you can try.  Today we bring you this one from our a teammate in our IT dept!  She brought us this recipe and pointed out there are so many good recipes right on the backs of many different sauces, marinades and dressings!  This one is brought to you from the back of a Franks Red Hot.  However so you are aware it is not exact, she did make changes.  Remember recipes are like blueprints, read them over then see what you can do differently!  Sometimes you can make something different, sometimes the recipe is perfect they way it is!  

     *Also per our Legal Department:  We are not sponsored by Franks Red Hot Sauce.  However to inquire to be a sponsor please reach out to us!

     It really is very easy to follow and you can put this all together in under an hour.  The biggest part of this receipt is that she uses "real" chicken NOT canned Chicken!  I mean real like we go to the poultry section where the chicken is wrapped and ready to be cooked right away.  She has made this a few times, the one time my co-workers had it and they knew it was made with real chicken not the canned kind.  The plate was emptied very soon.   

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Total Time Just under an hour 

Ingredients:
3/4 lb Chicken (freshly packaged NOT canned) chicken breast
1 package of cream cheese, 8 oz (softened)
Water
1/2 cup hot sauce, (3-4 ounces for boiling & 1/2 cup for mixing.) 
1/2 cup blue cheese
Shredded Mozzarella and Sharp cheese


Directions:
Place 3 pieces of chicken in a medium sized pot.  Do NOT use canned Chicken!
Add enough water to just cover the chicken, then  add about 2 ounces of hot sauce.
Boil the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked.
Drain the chicken and let cool, then break apart into small pieces
Shred chicken using a small food processor or a knife.
In a medium bowl mix the shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce and blue cheese together.
Place the mixture in a oven safe dish, a pie dish works great.
Spread around and smooth out the surface.
Sprinkle Mozzarella and Sharp cheese on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes
Remove and serve, caution it will be very hot.  (Use a spoon to start the serving per the chips may break on the harden cheese).

Serve with your choice of chips!

     This will make a great office dish to pass or bring this to a party!  Your guest will love it, and using real non canned chicken it will make a difference!  You can also bring this to a party already warmed up, or use their oven.  Either way this will be a hit and putting it together was easy!

     We hope everyone enjoys this recipe and video!  This dish has been used by most of of our staff on several different occasions and each time they say the dish was emptied!  Many people say they can tell "real" chicken was used not canned per it taste so much better.  Chef advises again do NOT use canned chicken per it doesn't taste as good and is very high in sodium.  Use chicken breast you get from your meat section in your butcher shop or grocery store.  

     This appetizer is very easy to make and will be empty before the party is over.  We really hope you try it and share this post and video with others!  We understand if you don't want to however but at least give us credit when trying to steel the recipe.  We do hope you enjoyed this post be sure to watch the video below.  Also check out other great recopies on out main page and be sure to check out those videos featuring our great Chef and our Narrator who thinks he's funny... (Yea we said it)

     PS. After you watch the video, please note... Yes he did get to try some...

    If you enjoyed this video and would like to become a sponsor please reach out to our team with a comment below or via Email.  Our information is on our You Tube site page! 

     Special Thanks to our awesome teammate for this great Recipe!  

Remember!

Cooking Should be FUN, so have FUN doing it!

The Cooking Corner

~Blog Team

Stuff Cube Steak (Poor Man's Steak)

     Everyone loves Steak!  Well we want to show you a way to cook steak even if funds are tight!  Cube Stake, is also referred to as poor mans steak.  It is much less expensive however the quality is not as great you can still do many things with it!  This awesome meal won't take long and it is something new to try!

     Cube Steak can get a bad rap per people feel it is a bit cheaper in quality.  Looks almost like a larger burger than a smooth piece of thick steak.  However with some love and dedication you can turn this little brother of steaks into an amazing new meal!  Most Cube Steaks are just grilled or pan seared but by stuffing a few pieces with some fresh ingredients you can have a new twist on how you cook it!

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 45

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 Pieces of Cube Steak
4 Ounces of Cheese. (Cream, Feta, or Blue works best)
1/2 Cut Pepper
1 /2 Cut Green Onion
1 Cups Spinach
1 Table Spoon Oil
2 Table Spoons Salt
2 Table Spoons Pepper
2 Table Spoons Garlic Powder
2 Table Spoons course seasons. (Like a Montreal season)


Directions:
Lay both pieces of Cube Steak out
Sprinkle your AP rub over the pieces. (Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder)
Spread the cheese you want to use over each piece of the steak.
In a small pan heat up your oil.
Cook your cut onion, pepper, Spinach.  Cook 1/2 way.
Place all the ingredients on one side of the steak.
Place the other cube steak on top.
Using string or cooking twine tie the cube steak together to hold it.
Sprinkle Each side with Fine AP rub again.
Sprinkle Each side with your course rub after.
Setup your grill to have direct/indirect heat. 350 Degrees
Place the Cube Steak over the direct heart, Flip around 2-3 minutes
Let Sit for another 2-3 minutes.
Move to indirect heat for 15-20 minutes or use your oven.
Take it off and let rest for about 5-10 minutes.
Slice up the steak and serve!

     We really hope you enjoyed this dinner.  Not sure if you have cooked or even tried Cube Steak but we do hope you try this meal out and even substitute different fillings for this meal.  Again the steaks are cheaper but the meat is a bit tougher so be aware of this.

     *Fun Fact from our Team!  We did this video months ago before our editing and writing team was fully set so our Chef had to write the script for our narrator to read!  Our Chef didn't want our narrator to have the credit of this meal we guess!  (Wait till our Narrator reads the blog!)

     We hope everyone tries this meal out and stay tuned for more great meals we will be showing you!

Thanks and remember,

Cooking should be FUN, so have FUN doing it!

The Cooking Corner

~Blog Team

French Toast A La Mode

     When it comes to some of the best comfort breakfast meals French Toast is always in mind!  French Toast is not only easy to make but easy to eat!  When it comes to French Toast one of the biggest mistakes one can make is not making a less eggy (we know its not a word) batter.  Most will just mix up eggs and dip a piece of white bread in and place on a pan to cook.  However per below in the directions and our video you will see how chef can show you a great work around so your French Toast is not a piece of toast with cooked eggs on them.

     This meal is one of our favorites here because anyone can make it and you can either serve this up for the family or sleep in and make it for a special someone.   This meal also doesn't need much prep time and the clean up is very simple.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients: 
Loaf of bread (let sit wrapped up overnight). Chef used soft sided Italian, you use what you like!
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup of Milk
1 Table Spoon of Brown Sugar
1 Table Spoon of Cinnamon
1 Table Spoon of Nutmeg
Pinch of Salt
1 Table Spoon Butter
100% Pure Maple Syrup
Confectionery Sugar (Optional Topping)
Ice Cream (Optional Topping)

Directions:
In a large bowl add the following ingredients.
Eggs
Milk
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Salt
Mix all together until blended.
Cut your bread into slices about 1/4 inches
Heat up a pan and melt your butter.
Dip each side in your batter and place on your pan
Cook for about 3-4 minutes on medium high or until your liking
Flip and cook the other side 3-4 minutes
Take off and place on a paper towel to cool, let dry. (1 minute)
Place on a plate
Dress with Confectionery Sugar,Ice Cream and Syrup, or just Syrup.

     I hope everyone enjoyed this post, this classic breakfast meal can be made so easily and taste wonderful.  So remember no more just eggs and white bread!  Try this out, we think you will really enjoy it.  We will admit here on our team many of us used sliced bread and just eggs.  Making it more of an open egg sandwich not nice crispy bread flavored just right.  Please enjoy the video below, ask any questions and share our Blog and You Tube Channel with others you feel would benefit!

Thanks for joining us!

Remember,

Cooking should be FUN, so have FUN doing it!

The Cooking Corner

~Blog Team

Seared Sausage with Vegetables

     Welcome back everyone!  Today's post is another 30 minute meal!  This  recipe is not only very simple to prep, cook and clean up but it has such a great salty but sweet taste to it.  If you are wondering YES you can purchase different kinds of sausage, some with beef only.  I have friends and family that don't eat pork so if you don't either just buy the beef sausage.

     The sausage I used was 100% Beef, I liked it and think it has a great taste.  This awesome meal comes to the Cooking Corner from one of our staff members!  They introduced it to us per they know how busy the Fall can get and with School starting.  This actually not only makes a great 30 minute meal but a great fall kick off meal!  If you have kids this time of the year can be busy as well as the kids are nervous.  So put out a nice comfort dish they will love!  If you don't have kids, well try it anyways!  You might be busy fighting all that new traffic per the college kids and fun buses we all get stuck behind now!  If you also wanted to you could cook this up and just slice it up, then add some toothpicks and make it an app too!  You can also place it on a bun but we're going to stop now or things may get confusing...  Make sure you see below for our picture and video made by our awesome team!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 Package of Sausage (any kind you prefer)
1 Package of steam fresh vegetables
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon honey (I use honey from a local farmer not the store)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper

Directions:
Take the sausage out of the package and cut it into fourths.
In a large skillet heat up the oil and then place in your onions.  Cook until they are tender and light brown.
While the onions are cooking, in a medium bowl add the ingredients. Ketchup all the way down to the Pepper.  See list above.
Using a whisk, blend until a nice sauce is made.
Place each piece of sausage on the pan and make sure the heat is on high.
Let cook for about 1-2 minutes and sear.
Flip over and sear the other side and cook for 1-2 minutes
Pour the sauce into the pan and move the sausage around and mix.
Cook on high, once the sauce is simmering cook for 10-13 minutes
During this time cook the vegetables according to their instructions.
After about 10-13 minutes turn the heat to low or off and let the sauce thicken up.
Place the sausage on a place and now use a spoon and glaze each piece.
Place the vegetables next to the sausage and serve hot!

     I really think you will enjoy this dish because not only is it easy but it really is unique.  We were all excited to try it here at The Cooking Corner and were happy we have such an interesting and inventive staff!  We really think you will enjoy this meal and hope it turns into a rotation at your home.  It is kid friendly and will fill everyone up.  Feel free also to add or subtract anything else you would like to.  We hope you enjoyed this next addition and please pass this on to anyone you feel would enjoy this dish!

See below for our video.

Cooking should be FUN...  So have FUN doing it!

~The Cooking Corner
Blog Team

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (Grand Opening)

    Hello all!!!

     This is my grand opening post/video for The Cooking Corner!  We are officially open now!  I want to thank everyone for stopping by earlier and checking out some of our videos we made in advance and if you are new thank you for stopping by now!  The Honey Garlic chicken wing is one a fan favorite and is usually asked for when guest come by to visit.  With the start of (American) Football coming up soon I thought this would be a great starter video!

     I always thought you had to go out to get great wings.  I honestly was a little nervous about making them.  I didn't think I had the right ingredients or supplies to make them however after several attempts I think I now have this down right!  Making wings is really just a matter of putting them together and not being worried, cooking really is trial and error.  You have to try and mess up, then learn and do it again!  I learn something new every time I cook, even if it is something I cook a lot!  So below is all the information you will need plus a video at the bottom.  I encourage you to check out my site and subscribe for future content!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Total Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients: The ingredients below will make about 13 wings. Adjust for your own numbers

13 Chicken Wings

2 Cups Flour

1 Table Spoon Paprika 

1 Table Spoon Garlic Powder

1 Table Spoon Onion Powder 

1/2 Table Spoon Chili Powder

Salt

Pepper

1 Cup Honey (Buy from a farm marker not that tampered stuff at the store)

1 Table Spoon Minced Garlic

Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Make sure the wings are fully thawed.

Rinse in cold water and then lay out and pat try with a paper towel.

Season the wings with salt and pepper 

In a large salable bag add your flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder. 

Seal the bag and shake!  You don't have to bread the wings if you don't want to.\

Place the wings in the bag a few at a time and seal the bag then shake.

Coat the wings you want to have breaded then take out and place on a plate and set aside.

In a small bowl add honey and stir in the Minced Garlic

Place the glaze in the fridge to keep it from thinning out.

Heat up your oil to 350 degrees. ***Try to use an outdoor fryer.  They works better and keep your place from smelling.  It is safer as well.  If you have an indoor fryer be safe and try to cook in a basement if you can.  Monitor both ways very closely!

Take your wings and slowly place them in the fryer when it is headed up.  Maintain the heat at 350 degrees.  Cook the non breaded wings first, then cook your breaded wings.

Let cook for about 6-8 minutes and checking them so often. Stir them around and see how they look. Once they start to float and looked golden brown either take them out or leave them for about 30 sec-1 min more seconds for extra crispy!  Chicken is cooked at 165 degrees internally. 

Remove the wings and then place in a bowl.

Pour the glaze over top slowly and stir around.  You just want a light coat.

Place on a plate and drizzle any left over glaze over top.
If you want, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the wings.

Serve and Enjoy with some celery and dipping sauce!

The 3 wings closer to you in the picture are not breaded, the ones behind are breaded.

     I hope everyone enjoyed this post/video,  For more please either see my site and subscribe or you can follow me via email on my blog!  Look at the left of the site.  I do hope everyone enjoyed this video and gives this a try.  Cooking things like amazing chicken wings shouldn't be intimated or scary.  I learned so much and again some of my biggest tips are.
1) Make sure the chicken wings are fully thawed
2) Fry the wings outside or someplace where the vapor won't fill your home.
3) Glaze the wings lightly don't feel you have to cover every inch.
4) Try cooking them and just learn as you go!

Don't forget!

Cooking should be FUN, so have FUN doing it!

~The Cooking Corner

Blog Team