Thursday, May 28, 2026

Garlic Steak & Mushroom Gravy over Cheesy Mash


This is the kind of dinner that makes a regular evening feel like a special occasion. You’ve got a beautifully seared steak with that buttery, garlicky aroma, a mushroom gravy that’s rich and savory in the best “stick-to-your-ribs” way, and a pile of creamy mashed potatoes that practically begs for a spoonful of sauce on top.

It’s cozy, comforting, and honestly a little dramatic — in the best way. Perfect for a weekend dinner, a date-night-in, or anytime you want a meal that feels like something you’d order at a steakhouse… but you get to eat it in comfy clothes. From verjrecipes.com .




Garlic Steak & Mushroom Gravy over Cheesy Mash


Ingredients:

For the Steak:
• 2 ribeye, filet mignon, or sirloin steaks (about 1 inch thick)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste (if tolerated)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

For the Mushroom Gravy:
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef broth (low sodium without problem ingredients)
• ½ teaspoon onion powder (if tolerated)
• Salt and pepper, to taste (if tolerated)
• Fresh parsley or thyme (for garnish)

For the Mashed Potatoes:
• 1.5 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup whole milk, warmed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:

1) Make the mashed potatoes first.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and cook for 15–20 minutes, until they’re fork-tender. Drain well, then mash with butter and warm milk until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm — this is your cozy base.

2) Prep and season the steaks.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels (this helps you get that gorgeous crust). Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3) Sear the steaks.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the steaks and sear for 3–4 minutes per side for a medium-rare vibe (adjust to your preference). During the last minute, add butter and your fresh herbs if using. Spoon the melted butter over the steak — it’s simple, but it feels like a chef move.

4) Let the steaks rest.
Transfer the steaks to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes. This keeps them juicy and tender when you slice in.

5) Make the mushroom gravy.
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the mushrooms and let them cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re browned and a little glossy. (This is where the deep flavor happens.) Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant.

6) Thicken it up.
Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring as you go so it stays smooth. Add onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens into a rich gravy.

7) Assemble and serve.
Spoon mashed potatoes onto each plate. Top with the rested steak, then pour that mushroom gravy over everything like you mean it. Finish with fresh parsley or thyme for a little color and freshness.

Presentation
• Serve the mashed potatoes as a soft “pillow,” then place the steak right on top so the juices sink in.
• Spoon the mushroom gravy over the steak and let it drip onto the potatoes — that’s the whole point.
• Garnish with a pinch of fresh herbs and a few extra sautéed mushrooms on top if you want that steakhouse look.
• A side of roasted green beans or a simple salad balances the richness beautifully.


Thursday, May 21, 2026

Baked Cream Cheese Chicken


Savor the Creamy Goodness of Baked Cream Cheese Chicken – a Delightfully Easy Dinner Recipe! From cookingwithmartha.com .




Baked Cream Cheese Chicken


Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (if tolerated)
1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder (if tolerated)
1⁄2 tsp salt (if tolerated)
1⁄4 tsp black pepper (if tolerated)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chicken broth (without problem ingredients)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)


Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil and set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.

4. In the prepared baking dish, arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer.

5. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast.

6. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken breasts, avoiding pouring directly on top of the cream cheese mixture.

7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cream cheese topping from browning too quickly.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

9. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cream cheese topping is bubbly and golden.

10. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes.

11. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, then serve.


NOTE:

To make the chicken more tender, you can pound the breasts to an even thickness before baking.


Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Grandma's Pound Cake


The Philadelphia Cream Cheese adds flavor and texture to this old fashioned dessert! From kraftheinz.com.




Grandma's Pound Cake


Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 pkg (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 eggs


Directions:

Step 1: Heat oven to 350ºF.

Step 2: Mix flour and baking powder; set aside. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until blended.

Step 3: Pour into 12-cup fluted tube or 10-inch tube pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Step 4: Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 min. Loosen cake from sides of pan with knife. Invert cake onto wire rack; gently remove pan. Cool cake completely.


Friday, May 8, 2026

Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken


This is the kind of slow cooker dinner you make when you want something warm, creamy, and comforting at the end of the day. From facebook.com.




Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken


Ingredients:

3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sear chicken first if you’d like it browned)
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup chicken broth (without problem ingredients)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt, to taste (if tolerated)
Black pepper, to taste (if tolerated)


Directions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Sear first if you’d like it browned

2. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and dried parsley.

3. Add the cream cheese on top of the chicken, then pour in the chicken broth.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender.

5. Gently stir the sauce until smooth and creamy. Spoon sauce over the chicken before serving.