Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

  Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage for an Easy, Hearty Dinner A bubbling pan of baked penne pasta with sliced smoked sausage brings tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and golden cheese to the table in one dish. Brown the sausage first, keep the sauce generous, and cook the penne a little shy of tender. Those small steps help the casserole stay moist and full of flavor. Use jarred sauce for a quick dinner, then add vegetables or spice to make it your own. Why Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage Satisfies Smoky sausage, hearty sauce, and melted cheese Penne’s ridged tubes catch sauce, while its centers hold little pockets of it. Smoky sausage adds a savory note that pairs well with tomato sauce, and mozzarella melts into a soft, stretchy topping. A sprinkle of Parmesan brings a sharper, salty finish. This sausage penne bake is filling enough to serve as a main dish. Add a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the rich sauce and cheese. Garlic bread wor...

Omelet Breakfast Pizza Skip making a pizza crust. Instead, use only eggs! Are you tired of having the same old boring thing for breakfast? Why not prepare an omelet breakfast pizza? Today, I prepared a pepperoni and cheese omelet pizza with red banana peppers. This recipe took me maybe eight to ten minutes to prepare and part of that time was just on prepping.  Ingredients: 5-6 large eggs, whisked 1 small package of pepperoni ½ cup of cheese (I used Velveeta cheese because it melts quicker) Sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, seasoning salt, and smoked paprika 1 red banana pepper, diced Add-ins: Cooked ground sausage, cooked Italian sausage, diced onion, etc.. Instructions: First, gather up all the ingredients and dice the red banana pepper because this recipe is fairly fast once you get started cooking the egg layer.   Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray really well, or use a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil. Place the non-stick skillet over mediu...

  Baked Homemade Mac & Cheese with a Creamy Center and Golden Top A pan of baked homemade mac and cheese brings together tender pasta, smooth cheddar sauce, and a crisp, golden top. The key is to pull the macaroni from the water a little early, so it stays tender after baking. This recipe uses a simple stovetop cheese sauce and a short oven bake. Warm milk, freshly grated cheese, and a watchful eye keep the sauce creamy instead of grainy or dry. Make it for a weeknight dinner, a family meal, or a comforting side dish. You’ll also find easy cheese swaps, topping ideas, and make-ahead tips below. Build Big Cheese Flavor With Simple Ingredients The classic combination of pasta, cheddar, and a creamy milk sauce gives this casserole its familiar taste. Each ingredient has a job, but you can adjust the seasonings and cheese to suit your table. Choose Pasta That Holds the Sauce Elbow macaroni is the classic choice, while small shells, cavatappi, or ridged shapes also catch plenty of s...

Hashbrown Breakfast Pizza Ingredients: 2 potatoes, peeled and grated 12 pepperoni slices 4 eggs 1/4 cup of grated American cheese 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder 2 tablespoons of canola oil for the skillet Instructions: Peel and rinse 2 large potatoes (I used Russet potatoes). Then grate them. Place the grated potatoes in a bowl of cold ice water for ten minutes to soak. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil for the skillet and allow it to get hot over medium-high heat. Drain the water off the potatoes. Then pat them dry with a clean paper towel. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder over the grated potatoes. Flip the potato pieces with your hands so that the spices are mixed well. Then transfer the seasoned potatoes to the skillet. Allow the bottom of the hashbrown to brown even...

Skillet Breakfast Pizza Today, I would like to introduce to you all my mouthwatering Skillet Breakfast Pizza! This unique dish is sure to bring your family together for a delicious meal. Picture this: country sausage gravy as the sauce, scrambled eggs, and cheese all piled on top of a homemade country-style biscuit crust. It's simply irresistible and a definite favorite in my family. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this breakfast pizza! Ingredients: 1 cup of self-rising flour, plus 2 tablespoons for the gravy 1/4 cup of cold butter 1/3 cup of evaporated milk for the dough, plus 1 cup of evaporated milk for the gravy 1/2 pound of country sausage 6 eggs, scrambled 1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Instructions: In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of self-rising flour, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the 1/3 cup of evaporated milk until a soft dough forms. Press the dough into a well-gr...

Homemade Stuffed Pockets My stuffed pocket recipe is highly adaptable, giving you the freedom to personalize the filling with your preferred ingredients. Below, I have curated a selection of filling options to spark your culinary imagination. Enjoy exploring various combinations to craft delectable homemade stuffed pockets! Ingredients for the dough: 4 cups of all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon extra 2 teaspoons of instant yeast 2 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning salt 4 teaspoons of granulated Splenda, or sugar 4 tablespoons of olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons extra 1 1/3 cups of warm tap water Ingredient options for the filling: It is essential to thoroughly cook any raw meat, eggs, or other ingredients before adding them to the dough. This step is crucial to ensuring the safety and quality of the final product. By precooking these ingredients, you can enhance the flavor and texture of your dish while also reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Remember to always follow proper cooking techn...

Yummy, Southern-Style Deep Dish Pizza This Southern-style pizza's dough does not need yeast to rise. In fact, the dough only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Imagine a quick and easy way to create a mouthwatering homemade pizza without the need to wait for the dough to rise. It's simply fantastic! Ingredients for the pizza crust: 2 cups of self-rising flour 2 1/2 cups of water 1 teaspoon of Splenda, or sugar 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt 1 tablespoon of olive oil Peizza sauce (to be added on top of the pizza dough before baking) Optional ingredients for the pizza toppings: Diced onion Minced garlic Oregano Basil Italian seasoning Smoked paprika Chopped bell peppers Chopped jalapeno peppers Sliced banana peppers Black olives Sliced mushrooms Canadian bacon Pepperoni Cooked Italian sausage Anchovies Shredded, cooked chicken Cooked ground beef Shredded cheese Instructions: Begin by combining 2 cups of self-rising flour, 2 1/2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of Splenda or sugar, 1 teaspo...

Catfish Stew With Potatoes and Diced Onions for a Hearty One-Pot Dinner Tender catfish, creamy potatoes, and sweet diced onions make a warm stew with very little fuss. This catfish stew with potatoes and diced onions cooks in one pot, making it a strong choice for a busy weeknight. The key is timing. Build flavor with softened onions and seasonings, simmer the potatoes until nearly tender, then add the catfish near the end. That order keeps the fish moist instead of tough. The result is an easy catfish stew with a savory broth, soft potatoes, and flaky fish in every bowl. Makes: 4 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Build Flavor With the Right Catfish Stew Ingredients This recipe uses a light, savory broth that lets the mild flavor of catfish shine. Butter or oil carries the seasoning, while potatoes add body and onions create the base. You can add cream, hot sauce, or extra vegetables after learning the basic method. 1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets, nuggets, or bonel...