The perfect summer salad; refreshingly light with grilled calamari, ripe cherry tomatoes, and sweet watermelon that can be pulled off in a few minutes with minimal work. I'm a little late posting this as I had every intention to have this on the blog several days before the 4th of July. But hey, for my …
5 Ingredients or Less Recipes
Delicious 10 minute take on a soul food staple featuring no slime okra and tomatoes prepared with one of the most simple cooking methods to allow the okra's natural flavor to shine augmented with lime and fresh mint. We eat okra in so many different ways in my house. But I understand not everyone is …
Crispy smashed sweet potato recipe featuring crispy, rich exterior with a sweet soft, and moist tender center for a perfect way to enjoy one of my favorite vegetables. MOOD MUSIC Duck fat and sweet potatoes are a perfect pairing. I buy duck fat from my local farmers' market from time to time, and then promptly …
I'm not an egg snob, but I do strive for the perfect fried eggs every time I cook them. I emphasize the word "strive" as absolute perfection has been quite elusive for me. Maybe you guys are experts but I'd say I'm more of a work in progress. For me the fun is in the …
Watermelon radish paired with berry cream cheese on toast. This is a flavorful and interesting take on breakfast toasts. It requires little time and cooking so you can get your day started quickly. The combination of fresh peaches, fluffy cream cheese, and peppery crunchy watermelon radishes makes for a wonderful eating experience. MOOD MUSIC I've …
Simple and easy raw shaved fennel salad with basic vinaigrette, radishes, fresh herbs and Parmesan. Do you ever find yourself wanting a simple side or salad to complement your main dish? If so this shaved fennel salad is your dish. You can devote all your time and effort to your main dish while having a …
Roasted Red Onion Flowers - beautiful, tasty, and irresistible vegetable side dish or fancy appetizer for your next party. The onions have a sweet tender center, with crispy outer edges. Onions are a big part of my cooking owing to my grandfather's influence. He always saw what an onion could become if used properly. Whether …
In this flavor-packed post, we explore the vibrant world of zhoug sauce paired with the energizing beats of Rage Against The Machine's song "Bulls on Parade." Zhoug sauce, with its zesty blend of cilantro, jalapenos, and spices, dances on your taste buds, creating a symphony of bold flavors. The song's fiery intensity mirrors the sauce's …
These roasted radishes are a simple, no fuss weeknight or special occasion side dish. This Sous Vide Vegetables recipe requires few ingredients and frees you up to work on your other offerings. You basically set the temperature of the water bath and forget about it. MOOD MUSIC I challenge my kids to be open and …
These simple smoked carrots represent a dish that is so simple to make yet has off the charts flavor. I feel guilty for even including a recipe. Who woulda thought that carrots would make the best smoked vegetables. Net net after about an hour and a half on the grill, these simple dapper orange beauties …
Homemade mango ice cream featuring fresh mangos and roasted red peppers for a tasty sweet and savory dessert combo. Mangos and roasted red peppers in an ice cream recipe? I know, who woulda thunk it? But it actually works. Don't believe me, try it! Its only 5 ingredients and requires very little time and effort …
How many of you are like me and think grilled asparagus is a finger food vs. a side dish? Back in the day, my intention when making grilled asparagus was to get those nice grill marks and then serve it right along with the chicken breasts or steak that I had grilled. My thinking was …
The perfect side for a day of backyard grilling. Whether as an accompaniment to steak, fish, or a vegan item like portobello mushrooms, these grilled bitter greens topped with nothing except a flavorful pear vinaigrette are simple, no-fuss, and delicious. MOOD MUSIC Muddy Water's "Take The Bitter With The Sweet" seems self-explanatory as a song …
Stop playing! Make this baby kale pesto and put it on just about everything you like to grub on. My meal prep is as basic and simple as it gets. I make a few different sauces every Sunday such as this baby kale pesto or my favorite roasted red pepper sauce which you can find …
Grilled scallops are quick, delicious and can go well with just about anything, so I keep them in the rotation especially on nice sunny days. They're golden, as long as you don't overcook them. These are grilled to perfection and topped with a lemony salsa verde made with beet greens and a mix of fresh …
A very simple roasted broccoli recipe dressed flavorfully for an easy weeknight side. Garlic and parmesan are simple adds that deliver big flavor! MOOD MUSIC I find some of the simplest recipes are the best. This roasted broccoli qualifies as such and is one of our favorite staples. It's especially great in a pinch when …
Simple Cucumber Salad that's packed with flavor and super easy to pull together. The salad is a refreshing, pick me up, but I also use it when I need to quickly take the edge off and prevent hangry man from showing up. However, because it presents so well and packs a lot of flavor it …
A roasted beet salad is a regular go-to in our house. This version with black kale is the base version, but it's more than good enough to add to your salad rotation. The heart shapes were Valentine's Day inspired around a heart beets theme, but clearly aren't required for the dish. I know many have …
These Mexican sweet potatoes in their rich and complex spiced syrup make for a very indulgent dessert either for a weeknight or special occasions. I had a version of these Mexican sweet potatoes (camote enmielado) some time ago at an old school Mexican restaurant during my Chicago years. At first bite, I knew I was …
These baked kale chips are as good as they look. Crispy and flavorful they satisfy that similar salty crunchy snack fix of a cracker or potato/tortilla chip. MOOD MUSIC My son when he was much younger came home from school one day and asked if we had any kale chips. My first reaction was what …
Avocado toast recipes seem to be everywhere these days. Admittedly I'm not a "trendy" guy, but I do have those in my life such as my wife and kids, who will on occasion pull me out of the dark ages. This version of avocado toast is one of those times. The idea of using an …
Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar - Without a doubt one of the best roasted Brussels sprouts recipes you'll make; a simple, highly flavorful way to enjoy them! The sprouts are both savory and sweet, highly aromatic, and provides a unique mouth experience for the holidays or easy weeknight side. I never had brussels sprouts as …
Creamy, delicious avocado ice cream paired with a tart and tasty pomegranate sauce for an unforgettable dessert. Lifted by the citrusy lime and balanced with fresh basil the savory avocado is transformed into sweet creamy deliciousness. MOOD MUSIC There is no limit to the amount of effort I'll put into securing damn good ice cream. …
Meatless Monday grilled portobello mushrooms. It's a simple way to get a filling and tasty meatless meal on the table in a matter of minutes. Mushrooms are marinated in a pineapple juice marinade and served with a delicious spinach chimichurri sauce. MOOD MUSIC GRILLED PORTOBELLOS INGREDIENTS GRILLING PORTOBELLOS INSTRUCTIONS Prepare the mushrooms Remove the stems, …
These fiery Peruvian chicken kebabs (anticuchos) are an easy way to transform a simple, cheap cut of meat into something spectacular. Chunks of chicken, marinated in a hot and fruity yellow pepper sauce and quickly grilled on wooden skewers for a game day pleasing appetizer or quick, easy mid-week dinner entree with the family ready …
It's grilling season so I decided to update a family favorite hit - smoked cabbage wedges with an equally delicious pear-lime sauce.
For your next meatless meal try this sweet potato salad recipe or hockey pucks as my son calls the rounds. Cut them round, square, lengthwise or simply nice and fat. These oven-roasted steaks are enhanced by your choice of toppings. You can be as creative or plain as you want but this recipe strives for …
If you ever want to make a recipe "Southern" just fry it or smoke it. I doubled down in my Southernness for this smoked and fried eggplant recipe. The slow smoking of the eggplant infuses it deeply with smokey magic while leaving flesh moist. And because of the long cooking time in the smoker, the …
A mustard greens salad was in order after a recent trip to the farmers market. I hit the jackpot with a medley of mustard greens ranging from the spicy red mustards to the milder peppery mizuna. They make for a beautiful dish with different colors, shapes, and flavors. The apple cider-dijon adds just enough sweetness …
This Mexican Beer Cocktail aka Da Moopbrown is damn good! Hey if Arnold Palmer can have his own drink, why can't I? Make it and thank me later. Fair warning if you don't like beer, this isn't for you, otherwise drink up, responsibly that is. Admittedly, I was slow to the idea of a beer …
Toasted bread, check. Melted cheese, check. Add sausage and you have the makings of this absolutely delicious grilled cheese sandwich with andouille sausage. Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with the addition of smoky andouille sausage! This twist on the classic comfort food combines the gooey goodness of melted cheese with the …
I love whole roasted carrots this time of year, but I love coffee roasted carrots even more. They're great plain or paired with a sauce like the spicy gochujang tahini sauce in this recipe. These are amazing for not only the simplicity of their cooking and prep, but more for the complex depth of flavors …
This is not your average bowl of eggplant stew. It's delicious, made with just a few ingredients, and seasoned with a South African Braai spice rub. The spice rub is made homemade and adds amazing flavor to a very simple dish that you will enjoy No Doubt! FOR THE MOOD Eggplant Ingredients For the eggplant …
Last of the squash blossoms, just in time to make vegan squash blossom tacos! In Texas it's never easy to discern when Fall Season actually starts. The months and days change, but the temperatures not so much. So you have to take the good with the bad. The good and some times the great is …
I know it's fall but we still enjoy a fancy cucumber melon soda! A refreshing and tasty beverage for a hot day or an enjoyable mocktail. MOOD MUSIC SODA INGREDIENTS SODA INSTRUCTIONS Remove seeds from both melon and cucumbers. Chop the fruit roughly and add to a blender along with basil and blend until smooth. …
Asian daikon salad, a most beautiful and tasty thing! One ingredient side salad with a simple but delicious vinaigrette. MOOD MUSIC WHAT IS DAIKON? Typically daikon is white and actually look like a thicker white carrot. They are common to Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese and Japanese. Not only are these daikon beautiful in color, they …
Tailgate with this grilled Corn on the Cob recipe, featuring simply seasoned fresh corn topped with a vegan crema. MOOD MUSIC One of my favorite tailgating songs is "Eye of the Tiger" from the Rocky IV soundtrack, partly because my fondest college football memories are from my days as a player were our intense workout …
Potatoes scream comfort to me! Quick Roasted Mini Potatoes with chili lime sauce that give them that big EXTRA something good! The chili lime sauce is simple, but packs a complimentary punch. The lime juice brightens the potatoes and helps bring out that roasted flavor. MOOD MUSIC WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE ROASTED POTATOES For …
Caribbean mashed boniato, infused with vibrant turmeric, aromatic thyme, and smoky paprika, offers a unique and flavorful twist. This side dish captures the essence of Caribbean cuisine, presenting a delightful blend of earthy sweetness and exotic spices in a creamy mash. Related Potato Recipe Posts: Creamy mashed root vegetables made Caribbean style for an alternative …
Nothing like some raw collard greens chiffonade to get me off that slide! Simply prepared, a tasty way to get collard greens in your life any day of the week. We eat collard greens in one form or another at least once a week in our household. This collard greens recipe made chiffonade style is …