Category: Holiday Recipes

Lemon & Garlic Baked Lobster Tails

It’s been forever since my last post. I’ve got so much to catch up on but I’m working on it slowly!! Life’s been a little hectic the last 4 months! I made these lobster tails for my Mom, who LOVES her lobster. I try and catch lobster tails on sale at my local grocery story and make them often!! These were on the smaller size, only about 4 oz.

There are many ways to cook lobster. I’ve butter poached, grilled, baked and even put in the air fryer! I was making 4 this time so decided to use the oven.

Garlic & Lemon Baked Lobster Tails

Ingredients:
4 lobster tails (about 4-6 oz each),
4 tablespoons butter (I used salted) , melted
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion (optional)
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons, onion powder
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°.

Prepare the lobster tails by using the butterfly method. Using kitchen shears cut the shell starting at the opening of the tail. Cut a slit down the tail, stopping before you get to the end. Gently open the shell on both sides and pull the meat out and place over the top of the shell. Complete this step with all lobster tails.

In a small bowl add in the melted butter, spices, garlic and lemon juice and mix well. Add the lobster tails to a oven safe dish. Spoon the butter mixture evenly over the lobster tails.

Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes depending on the size of the tail or when the lobster reaches 135°-140°. Remove from the oven, serve immediately with melted butter and a lemon wedge and ENJOY!

Chef Notes: If using salted butter be careful of any extra salt so the lobster doesn’t get to salty. Lobster tails can overcook very easily. Make sure to watch them closely as overcooked lobster is rubbery and not pleasant. Change up the seasoning to your preference. No fresh garlic on hand? Garlic paste works just as well!

garlicandoliveoilveins

Smashed Potatoes (Air Fryer Recipe)

I’m potato lover!! I love any and all potatoes. I love cooking with potatoes because there are so many ways you can make them! Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, gnocchi, pancakes, baked the options are endless! I’m sure you’ve seen smashed potatoes! They are so simple to make and these are even easier than normal! I actually par cooked in the microwave! I didn’t have time to boil the potatoes first so decided to cut down on the time and throw them in the microwave! If you have the time, you can definately boil the potatoes first, but honestly I’ve done it both ways and didn’t notice a differenace.

Use any seasoning of your choice! Here’s the link to some of my favorite! https://www.amazon.com/shop/garlic_and_oliveoil_veins

Give these smashed potatoes a try and let me know how they you like them!!

Smashed Potatoes (Air Fryer Recipe)

8-10 baby potatoes, (I used Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Ranch seasoning
1 Tbsp garlic & herb seasoning
salt/pepper, to taste

Directions: Rinse potatoes under water and remove any dirt. Add the potatoes to a microwave safe plate and cook on high 5-6 minutes until tender. Add the potatoes to air fryer rack. Using the bottom of a heavy glass press down smashing the potatoes. Next drizzle olive oil and season both sides of the potatoes. Preheat the air fryer. (Note: My air fryer preheats at 400° for 4 minutes.) Next add the rack to the top of the air fryer and cook at 400° for 10 minutes, flipping half way. Add or reduce time depending on your desired level of crispiness! Personally, I like these smashed potatoes nice and crisp! Remove from the air fryer and serve with sour cream for dipping or any dip of your choosing or just enjoy on their own. Enjoy!!

.

garlicandoliveoilveins

French Toast Casserole

Hi Hi!! I’m sorry I’m posting so much lately. I’ve got so many past recipes to post! Life has been busy so I’m making time to make sure I share my recipes. I had a brunch over the weekend and I made this French toast casserole. I’m not a huge breakfast fan, but this came out so delicious! I’ve already gotten requests to make again so I’ll be working on different flavors for the next time! This recipe is beyond simple and it’s prefect for lazy mornings or holidays. You make the night before and just pop in the oven the next morning. You really need to give this a try! You won’t regret it!

French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:
1 loaf brioche bread, 16-18 oz- cubed
8 whole eggs
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup half & half
2 cups 2% milk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:
powder sugar
fresh berries
maple syrup

Directions: Spray the bottom and sides of a 13×9 oven safe baking dish. Evenly add the diced bread to the bottom of the pan. In a medium mixing bowl add the eggs and whisk. Next add in both brown and white sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, milk and half & half and whisk all together. Pour the mixture over the bread and using a spoon gently mix to make sure all the bread is coated. Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for overnight.

The next morning preheat the oven to 350°. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the center is fully set. Remove from the oven and let set 5 minutes. Cut a piece of the casserole and top with powder sugar, fresh berries and syrup and enjoy.

Note: You can use any bread you like or have on hand. White sandwich bread, French loaf bread or the brioche bread I used. You can also add the berries to the top of the casserole to bake. I prefer the fruit fresh personally as it give it a nice bright flavor.



garlicandoliveoilveins

Air Fryer Oreos

I’m still loving my air fryer! It was probably one of the best items I’ve purchased recently. I love kitchen items, obviously! But this gadget is awesome! I decided to give Oreos a try in the air fryer. I personally don’t like the idea of the ones with crescent dough. I feel like it would be a little on the doughy side for me. I made mine with pancake mix and I loved the way they came out. Do they taste like a fried Oreo you get a carnival or state fair… probably not. BUT these are delicious nonetheless! If you are looking for a “fried” treat with no guilt this is it! Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Air Fryer Oreos

Ingredients:
1/2 cup complete pancake mix
1/3 cup water
10 Oreos (or other chocolate sandwich cookes)
cooking spray
powder sugar, to taste

Directions: Preheat air fryer. (Mine preheats at 400 for 4 minutes) In a small bowl mix together pancake mix and water until combined. If the mix seems to wet you can add more pancake mix. You want it to be thicker and not to runny. Spray the air fryer rack with cooking spray. Dip the cookie in the pancake mix and make sure it’s fully covered. Lay on the air fryer rack. Complete with all Oreos and make sure they are not touching. Place in the air fryer and cook at 400 for about 7-8 minutes flipping halfway through. Remove from air fryer and sprinkle with powder sugar. You can use parchment paper for a smoother bottom! I just put on the rack vs using the parchment paper.

garlicandoliveoilveins

Baked Lump Crab Dip

This lump crab meat dip is a huge hit at gatherings or just making for the family at home for game day. It’s made with real lump crab meat and is full of delicious flavors. It’s one of my favorite go to recipes!

Give this recipe a try!

Baked Lump Crab Meat Dip

Ingredients:
8 oz lump crab meat
2 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup mayonnaise
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup Romano cheese, finely grated
2 t dried parsley
salt, sprinkle
pepper, sprinkle
1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
1/2 T olive oil

Directions: In a medium bowl add in the cream cheese and mash completely with a fork. Next add in the mayo, lump crab meat, green onions, Romano cheese, garlic, lemon and seasoning and mix well until everything is blended.

Add dip into an oven safe bowl. Top the dip with the panko breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake at 375° for 25-35 minutes until dip is hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let set for 5 minutes. This dip is great to make ahead of time, just bake about another 10 minutes if the dip is refrigerator cold. Serve the dip with crackers, pita chips, pita bread or veggies!

garlicandoliveoilveins

Apple Pie Nachos

I love these apple pie nachos!! They remind me of apple pie but much easier to make! These whiskey apples can literally be eaten on their own and they are delicious. I just add some sweetened up tortilla chips and some ice cream to take this dish over the edge.

Apple Pie Nachos

Ingredients:
4 flour tortillas cut into triangles
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 T granulated sugar
1/2 T cinnamon
Cinnamon whiskey apples, recipe below
vanilla ice cream

Directions: Make cinnamon whisky apples according to recipe below. Heat oven at 400°. Add tortillas to a large baking sheet. Brush the tortillas with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake in oven for 7-8 minutes, flipping half way through. Bake until the tortillas are crispy. Note: The tortillas will crisp up more once they sit outside the oven.

To assemble the nachos add tortilla chips to a plate and serve with warmed cinnamon whiskey apples and vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Whiskey Apples
Ingredients:
2 cup apples, peeled and diced
3/4 cup lite brown sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/2 stick butter
1 t xanthan gum (or 2 t white flour)
3 T cinnamon Whiskey, optional

Directions: Heat a medium sauté pan on medium high heat. Add in the butter and once almost melted add in the apples. Sauté about 5-6 minutes until start to become slightly tender. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Next slowly pour in the cinnamon whiskey and mix together well. Let cook until a few minutes until it starts to bubble.

Add in the xanthan gum and cook about 3-4 minutes mixing often. The apple mixture will become thicker. The apples should look like they are in thicker sauce not in liquid. Once cooked use as so desired. Or let cool completely before storing in the refrigerator. Note: If you are storing these for later, make sure you heat the apples completely before use, that will thin out the sauce as it will thicken once cold.

garlicandoliveoilveins