Good to the Last Bite

Jen and Yvonne

Two homemakers answering the daily question "What's for dinner?" as they talk about life and the journey of stepping out of the box and enjoying it to the last bite. read less
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Ep. 036 Butter Chicken
13-06-2023
Ep. 036 Butter Chicken
On today's menu: Butter ChickenJen finally cooks up her favourite butter chicken recipe. The ladies chat about life changes and challenges, while the kitchen fills with delicious sounds of a simple butter chicken recipe that anyone can do and everyone can enjoy! Butter Chicken Ingredients- 3 Chicken Breast- 1/2 cup Cashews- 1 Yellow Onion sliced- 1 8oz can of diced Tomato- 3/4 cup Greek Yogurt- 2 cloves of Garlic minced- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil - 1 Tbsp Butter- 1 Tbsp and 1 tspTumeric- 1 Tbsp and 1 tspGaram Masala- 1 Tbsp and 1 tsp Paprika- 1 Tbsp and 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper- 1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro- Salt to tasteOptional - Thai Chilies  to preference (2 used in this episode)Cooking Instructions1. Diced Chicken into Cubes2. To the Chicken, add Olive Oil, Garlic, 1/2 cup of the Greek Yogurt, Tumeric, Garam Masala, Paprika, Black Pepper, and Salt, mix and set aside to marinate until ready to cook. 3. To a dry pan on medium heat, add the Cashews and heat up until brown(recommend some charred) 4. Add to Cashews butter, onions, and chilies and cook till onions are translucent. 5. Add Diced Tomatoes, and remainder of Greek yogurt, and spices to the pans and let cook for 10 minutes. 6. Blend sauce in blender until smooth. 7. To the pan add some Olive Oil and Chicken and cook through. 8. Once Chicken is cook add the sauce back into the pan and allow to cook. 7. Add diced Cilantro and mix8. Serve with Basmati Rice, Cauliflower Rice, or Naan, as you prefer, and top with Cilantro
Ep. 032 Red Roasted Pepper Bolongese
18-04-2023
Ep. 032 Red Roasted Pepper Bolongese
On the Menu Today: Red Roasted Pepper BolongeseThe ladies chat through making a delicious homemade sauce inspired by Not Another Cooking Show They chat about Thistle Brook Farm, enjoying the probiotics of pickled food as well as the new world of kiefer not to mention both Jen and Yvonne's disappointment in eating food that has turned. Red Roasted Pepper BolongeseInspried by Not Another Cooking Show Sausage and Pepper 'Bolongese'Ingredients2 Red peppers, Sliced Thin1 Onion, Sliced Thin1 1/2 Lbs Hot Italian Sausage, removed from their casings3 Tablespoons Olive Oil1 Tablespoon Chopped Calabrian Chilli2 cloves of Garlic, Sliced Thin2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste4 Tablespoons of Vodka1 Pint (2 Cups) of Heavy CreamSalt to tasteServed with a short Pasta of your choosing. Cooking Instructions1. To remove the skin of the peppers, Cut the cheeks off of the pepper so that all that remains are the seeds and the core and coat with a touch of oil and then place in the oven under the broilers and cook until the skin starts to char slightly, moving the peppers around until evenly charred all the way around. Once charred, place in a bowl and cover in plastic wrap and let it steam for 15 minutes. While that steams, prep the rest of the ingredients.2. Slice the onion and garlic thinly.3. By now the peppers should be steamed. Using your knife, scrape the skin off the peppers and cut them into thin slices.4. In a large sauté pan and get it preheated on medium-high heat. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil and then get the onions in first to get them going. Season with salt and once softened and begins to turn translucent, add the peppers. Cook for a few minutes until the onions are fully translucent and soft and start to brown slightly. You just want to cook them until they are soft enough to blend smoothly. 5. Add the garlic, and Calabrian chilis and cook until the garlic softens and begins to slightly brown around the edges. 6. Add two tablespoons of tomato paste and then incorporate that into the vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes. 7. Turn the heat off and deglaze with the vodka. Then slowly add the pint of cream, let cool slightly and then blend until smooth. (If keeping meatless skip to 10)8. In a high rimmed sauté pan that has been preheated on high heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and then add the sausage(chopped up). Cook until brown and even frying.( Deglaze the pan with a little more vodka or pasta water)9. Add the sauce to the sausage to the pan and let it simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes 10. Cook desired pasta. Then 1-2 minutes before the pasta is perfectly cooked, add it to the sauce with a tablespoon or two of the pasta water, allowing to mix together to ensure all pasta is covered with sauce, and the pasta is cooked.
Ep. 030 Pizza Omelet/Omelette
04-04-2023
Ep. 030 Pizza Omelet/Omelette
On today's Menu: a Pizza Omelet(Or Omelette for you non-Americans) Jen's cooking up one of her household favourites, while Yvonne shares her woes of an Eggless life. Jen shares her recent mistakes in timing and tv shows which leads to a chat about the world's obsession with the crime/true crime genre. Podcast Jen Recommended: Murder with My HusbandPizza Omelet/OmeletteServes 2Ingredients:- 4 Eggs- 2 tbsp Milk- Salt to taste - 1 tsp Pepper- 1 tsp Garlic Powder- 1 tsp Chili Flakes- 3 tsp Oregano- 2 Red Vine Tomatoes- 1 tsp Oil - 1 knob Butter- Mozzarella Cheese shredded(Or cheese of your choosing. Cheddar is amazing!)- Pizza toppings of your choice(Pepperoni, Bacon, Ham, Sausage, Peppers, Mushrooms, etc.) Instructions1. In a bowl add Eggs, Milk, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chili Flakes, Oregano and beat together with whisk or fork until aerated.2. Cut Tomatoes into 1/4' sized slice(medallions) to get approximately 8 slices total.3. In an 8' pan, add oil and butter and turn to medium heat and wait till the butter has fully melted and begins to bubble. 4. Add Tomato slices to the pan and cook for approx. 1 minute and then flip each slice to cook fully on the other side, and then again fro approx. 1 minute. 5. Add beaten egg mixture to the pan slowly to not disturb the tomatoes too much. 6. Let cook for about 2 minutes and then cover with lid until the eggs are almost cooked all the way through, checking the edges of the eggs to ensure it is not sticking to the pan. 7. Add Pizza toppings to the eggs, then add cheese on top. Add a sprinkle of Oregano to the top. Cover until the cheese Melts. 8. Slowly remove from the pan(Hopefully will just slide right out of the pan) 9. Serve with a side of potatoes or on its own and enjoy!
Ep. 027 Beef Stew
14-03-2023
Ep. 027 Beef Stew
On Today's Menu: Beef StewThyme after Thyme the ladies are back with another episode as Jen makes a Beef Mustard Beef stew. Yvonne shares a "Thymely" home remedy for respiratory illness, The ladies talk about making the perfect espresso, and how having stew on a winter day is the perfect "Thyme-ing".  Beef Stew Ingredients- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour- 1 tablespoon snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed- 1 ½ pound boneless beef chuck, cut in 1-to 1-1/2-inch pieces -2 tablespoon olive oil- 1 8-10 ounce pearl onions, peeled, or 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in wedges- 4 carrots, peeled, cut in 1-inch pieces- 8 tiny Yukon Gold potatoes, halved- 3 tablespoon tomato paste- 2 tablespoon spicy brown mustard- 1 14 ounce can beef broth- 1 12 ounce bottle dark porter beer or non-alcholic beer- 1 bay leafCooking Instrucitons:1. Cut  beef and vegetables in to equal size cubes2. In large bowl combine flour, parsley, thyme, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. 3. Add beef, a few pieces at a time; stir to coat. Reserve leftover flour mixture.4. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef. Stir in onions, carrots, and potatoes. Cook and stir 3 minutes. 5. Stir in tomato paste, mustard, and remaining flour mixture. 6. Add small amount of the beer and deglaze the pan. 7. Add remaining beer, broth, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. 8. Cover and simmer 1 to 1-1/4 hours until beef is tender. 9. Remove and discard bay leaf. 10.Serve with crusty bread. Makes 6 (1-1/2-cup) servings.Thyme Honey Recipe Ingredients:- 1/2 Cup Fresh, or 1/4 cup dried Thyme- 8 Ounces Raw Honey Cooking Instructions:1. Put Honey in a saucepan and very gently heat2. Add thyme and stir for about 10 minutes.3. Pour your heated Thyme Honey into a clean canning jar, and pit on the lid. 4. Let sit in a warm place(a window sill for example) for 2 to 3 weeks. 5. After the 2- 3 weeks, scoop out contents back into a saucepan, reheat till honey becomes liquid.6. Pour honey through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar. 7. Store in a cool dark cabinet.How to use: For coughs and colds, put 1 teaspoon of thyme honey into 1 cup of hot water and stir. Add some fresh lemon if desired.
Ep. 026 Parmesan Honey Pork Roast
07-03-2023
Ep. 026 Parmesan Honey Pork Roast
On the Menu Today: Parmesan Honey Pork RoastThe ladies catch up on a variety of techniques and thoughts about roasting pork, the annoyance and joy of the small of garlic and the differences between fresh and fermented garlic, plus we talk about Yvonne talks about the ironic addition to her farm while cooking pork. Parmesan Honey Pork RoastIngredients 1 (3 - 4 pound) boneless pork roast⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese (yes, the powdered kind in the shaker canister)½ cup honey3 tablespoons soy sauce1 tablespoon dried basil2 tablespoons minced garlic2 tablespoons olive oil½ teaspoon saltFor Thickening Sauce - 2 tablespoons cornstarch- ¼ cup cold water Cooking Instructions:NOTE:  The original recipe did not call for the roast to be seared first on the stove-top in a little oil, but I had already done so and it turned out great.  So, it's up to you. 1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place roast in slow cooker. 2. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, honey, soy sauce, basil, garlic, oil and salt.  (I found the mixture to be a little too thick to pour over the roast [as instructed in the next step of the recipe], so I added in a tad bit of water to the mixture - maybe 1/2 - 1 cup.) Pour over pork. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 - 7 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160°. 4. Remove meat to a serving platter and keep warm. (I cover mine with a little foil.)5. Skim fat from cooking juices, if needed or desired.  6. Transfer to a small saucepan.  7. Bring liquid to a boil.  8. Combine cornstarch and the 1/2 cup water until smooth.  9. Gradually stir into pan.  (I found that I did not need all of the cornstarch slurry.) 10.  Bring to a boil.  11. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.12. Slice roast and serve with gravy.  (I didn't use all of the sauce.)
Ep. 023 Swedish Meatballs
14-02-2023
Ep. 023 Swedish Meatballs
On today's menu: Swedish MeatballsThe ladies discuss the wonderful world of meatballs as Yvonne makes up the Swedish ones. They chat about different varieties of meatballs, Jen’s meatballs symbiotic moment, as well as Jen’s big admission. Swedish Meatballs Recipe by Natasha BullMeatballs:- 1 pound ground beef- 1 pound ground pork- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs- 1 large egg- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder- 1 teaspoon salt- Pepper to taste- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)Sauce:- 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)- 1/3 cup flour- 3 cups beef broth- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce- 1/2 cup sour cream full-fat- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped Cooking Instructions:1. Get all ingredients ready prior to starting.2. Add all the meatball ingredients (except for the olive oil) to a fairly large prep bowl.Using your hands, mix it together and then form 1 1⁄4 - 1 1⁄2-inch meatballs (use about 2 1⁄2 tbsp meat/meatball and it'll make approx. 25-30 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up.3. Add the olive oil to a large and deep skillet or a Dutch oven/pot and let it heat up for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs in two batches until all sides are browned (about 5-7 minutes/batch). It's easiest to turn the meatballs with tongs. You may need to add a splash more oil for the second batch. Transfer meatballs to a plate.4. Pour out most of the fat from the skillet, but keep the brown bits in for extra flavor (don't wipe it out).5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once it’s melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, for a few minutes until the roux starts to turn golden.6. Slowly whisk the beef broth in, and ensure the flour has dissolved into the sauce.7. Whisk in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.8. Add the meatballs back to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes or until themeatballs are cooked through and the gravy thickens to your liking (it's not meant tobe a super thick gravy).9. Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream. I add it right into the skillet, but you couldtake out some of the sauce and add it to a cup and mix the sour cream in there first ifthat's easier for you.10. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serveimmediately.
Ep. 022 Thai Green Curry
08-02-2023
Ep. 022 Thai Green Curry
On today's Menu; Thai Green Curry. Jen cooks up a delicious chicken and eggplant Thai green curry as the ladies reminisce of their time in Korea dining on Thai food. The ladies discuss adventures of thrift shopping in order to surprise your kids, the mishaps of cooking when the power is out and the cost of being forgetful. Thai Green Curry - 2 Chicken Breasts thinly sliced(almost paper thin)- 1 medium Eggplant cubed(can use Chinese eggplant if preferred) - 1 small Onion cut into slices- 1 packet of Snow Peas cut as desired- 1 Tbps oil - 1 packet of Green Curry Paste (approx 2 tbsp)- 1 tbsp Lemon Grass finely diced- 2 inches Ginger finely diced - 3 clove Garlic diced- 1 Thai Chili finely diced (add more or less as desired) - 1 14 oz can of Coconut Milk- 14 oz Water- Cilantro to taste- Juice from Lime to taste1. After the eggplant has been cubed, salt the eggplant to draw out the water, let stand for about 5-10 minutes. 2. Dabbed the eggplant with a paper towel to remove extra moisture. 3. In a pan on medium high heat add oil and eggplant and let cook until the oil is expressed from the eggplant (the eggplant will first absorb all the oil and once cooked it will release it) then remove from the pan and set aside. 4. To the oil add the green curry paste, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and chilies to the pan allowing them to become aromatic for about 1-2 minutes.5. After about 1-2 minutes add the chicken to the pan, covering it with the paste, mixing until cooked through. 6. Add the onion and snow peas to the chicken. Once the onion is beginning to be translucent, add back the eggplant and mix together. 7. Add in the coconut water to the pan, followed by equal parts water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and allow to cook for about 5 minutes. 8. Serve in bowls over different varieties of rice.9. Garnish with cilantro and lime juice to taste. 10. Enjoy!
Ep. 020 Lamb Shawarma
05-07-2022
Ep. 020 Lamb Shawarma
Today on the menu; Lamb Shawarma. The ladies' dear friend Rachel joins them as they make one of her home's regular dinners. The ladies share about where they all met, they chat about stepping out of their comfort zone by adventuring solo to foreign lands, or foreign spices. Reminder that this is the Season Finale and they ladies will be taking a break for a few weeks. The hectic schedules both Jen and Yvonne have for the next few weeks has left it difficult for them to record, but they will be back in August/early September with many more delicious recipes and more opportunities to enjoy life to the last bite. Lamb ShawarmaIngredients1 Lamb Leg or Shoulder 2.5-3kgs(5-7lbs) with bones2tsp Black Peppercorns5 Cloves1/2 TSP Kardamom Pods1/4 TSP Fenugreek Seeds1tsp Fennel Seeds1 tbsp Cumin Seeds 1 Star Anis 1/2 Cinnamon Stick1/2 Nutmeg Grated 1/4 TSP Ground Ginger1tbsp Paprika (sweet)1tbsp ground Sumach (buy online or Turkish supermarket I can send a picture of ours so you know what to look for)3/4 tbsp Sea Salt25g Freshly Grated Ginger 3 Garlic Cloves Crushed40g Coriander/Cilantro chopped 60ml Lemon Juice 120ml Peanut Oil or Olive Oil 1 cup of Boiling WaterCooking Instructions1. Roast Peppercorns, Cloves, Kardamom Pods, Fenugreek Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Star Anis, and Cinnamon Stick in a pan without any oil for 1-2 minutes on a middle to high heat to let the flavours develop being careful not to let them burn. 2. Add the nutmeg, ginger and paprika and allow to bloom for a few seconds. 3. Grind the roasted spices in a spice mill or pestle and mortar mix them with all the other ingredients apart from the lamb 4. Score the lamb with 1.5cm deep cuts all over the meat to allow the marinade to penetrate the whole joint. Put the meat in a big roasting pan (Dutch oven or Roman pot is best so you get the oven in an oven effect) rub the marinade all over the meat and really massage it in.5. Cover with foil and sit in the fridge for a few hours or better overnight. 6.Heat the oven to 170°c (350°F)7. Remove the foil and roast with the fatty side up for 4.5 hrs. (for boneless about 2.5 hours) or until internal temp is 165F8. After 30 minutes tip a cup of boiling water into the pan and every hour baste the meat with the roasting juices if necessary add more water so that there is always 1/2cm of fluid in the pan.9. After the first 1.5hrs cover with foil or the lid of the pan when finished allow to rest for ten minutes before serving10. Serve it with rice and roasted vegetables (peppers, zucchini, and eggplant) or with a tomato salad hummus and pita with a fresh herb yoghurt dip, tzatziki and pita bread.