Holiday/Special Occasion

This smothered green beans and potatoes recipe gets all kinds of flavor from andouille sausage and Haitian seasoning. Andouille sausage is ground using a food processor and cooked with the green beans.  Haitian epis, which is the seasoning base for most Haitian recipes similar to a Caribbean sofrito, French mirepoix, or Creole holy Trinity. Epis …

Indulge in the creamy richness of the best smoked mac and cheese, a delectable symphony of flavors that perfectly complement Prince's iconic music from "Sign of the Times" album. Each bite is a harmonious blend of smoky notes and cheesy goodness, taking your taste buds on a flavorful journey through time and music. Related Posts: …

You ready to savor a taste of Southern comfort one pot meal like never before? Gather 'round, my friends, as we dive into the world of slow-cooked perfection with our irresistible Dutch oven pot roast recipe made with tender beef brisket. This here is a dish that'll warm your heart and soothe your soul, just …

Get ready to elevate your hot dog game with this mouthwatering sausage dog recipe featuring spicy, smoky andouille sausage! Perfect for cookouts, game day, or a quick weeknight meal, these sausage dogs are packed with bold Cajun flavors. The rich, savory andouille sausage pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings like grilled onions, mustard, or …

Make these juicy coffee-rubbed and broiled lamb chops, easy gourmet in less than 15 minutes! The rub, made with coffee and ground ancho chile powder, works well with the broiled lamb as it provides a strong contrast to the rich strong flavor of the lamb. Cooked via reverse searing technique nets tender, juicy and succulent …

These extra tender smoky bones of succulent meat that highlight the sweet heat of the exotic and earthy rub. These smoked pork ribs are surprisingly easy to make, even for a first-timer, and outrageously good. The grainy dry rib rub forms a delicious crust around the meat, making them savory, tender, and just straight-up fun …

Related Posts Have you had really good Texas style brisket from one of your favorite bbq joints and thought it be great to make your own, but you had no clue where to start? Or perhaps like everything else, you hate how expensive things have gotten so you prefer to do it yourself. Either, this …

This grilled cedar plank salmon will wow with its color, fragrance, and flavor. The cedar smoke combined with the hibiscus based rub makes this easy grilled dish everything that is everything. The fish has got it all. The flavor of the hibiscus combined with the chili powder is powerful, but not so much that it …

Juicy and tender scallops, brined to perfection and delicately smoked, provide some serious flavor in each bite. This dish elevates seafood with just a touch of smokiness love, making it some serious grub. Related Scallops Posts: Extraordinary smoked scallops recipe that’s perfect as a starter or main dish. Scallops are slow-smoked but still tender and …

There are some recipes that are so easy to make yet so delicious you keep them in heat rotation, likely weekly. For us these jerk marinated roasted onions qualify. Thick cut onion slices are marinated in a wet jerk seasoning mix and then slow-roasted to deliciousness. This roasted onions recipe was stolen from the mental …

This air fryer Brussel sprouts recipe is the easiest and most delicious Brussel sprouts recipe you will ever make. Less than 5 ingredients prep and cooked in under 20 minutes. This is one of those recipes your guests will be asking you for the recipe. It has restaurant quality taste, but any average home cook …

Whole smoked cauliflower is a delicious side dish that is perfect for any occasion. This versatile vegetable can be cooked in a smoker, on the grill, or in the oven. So if you're looking for something new and delicious to add to your menu, be sure to try smoked cauliflower! Smoked cauliflower is a great …

Duck alert! Duck confit recipe via sous vide, so good it’ll make your eyes roll back and your toes curl up. Think I’m lying? Try it! The duck leg is seasoned well with salt and pepper then slowly cooked over a day at a low temperature rendering silky smooth, tender and rich, flavorful duck. And …

Sorry I'm a little late with this post, but it's actually an annual Kwanzaa celebration recipe. After hosting Christmas dinner, mentally I'm content to ride with leftovers for a few days. However, with Kwanzaa, there is no rest for the weary. Therefore I go with simple, low involvement recipes such as this Piri Piri Shrimp. It's usually an appetizer on my menu, but can easily be made for a fancy weeknight main dish.

These mashed potatoes are made with sour cream which aid the creaminess and adds an additional bit of tanginess. You’ll get light and fluffy with a big dose of decadence. The potatoes are topped with a SICK sausage gravy. The gravy is actually good enough to be eaten on its own with a spoon. Mashed …

This Southern Fried Jerk Chicken is the type of dish I make during days of gluttony, such as the Super Bowl or in this case March Madness. But this post also has big application for Sunday Dinners. In addition to this delicious, dope recipe I include and critical list of tips for making extra crispy fried chicken. Enjoy

With Black History Month getting a lot of attention here in the States, I continue to explore the African Diaspora and the culinary traditions of black people worldwide. This recipe for Haitian Soup Joumou took me a while to develop as far as getting it to the standards that truly honor the heritage, tradition, and spirit of the people of Haiti. I don't know that I nailed it, but I definitely appreciate the history lesson and connection it fostered. I love the flavor and the focus on local ingredients in bringing this dish to life. Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list, execution is simple and easy as long as you have time and patience, taking things step by step. Enjoy!

Tender vegan braised collard greens cooked with aromatic spices, offering a flavorful twist on a classic Southern dish. Related Collard Greens Posts: Braised vegan collard greens recipe, a quick and tasty way to get a soul food staple on the weeknight menu! It's only 5 ingredients and made with ingredients you're likely to have on …

Roasted Acorn Squash with Honey Ancho Chile Glaze are outstanding in both their taste and simplicity! Make this sweet and savory squash for your Thanksgiving meal, Sunday family gathering or even a weeknight dinner. They are naturally sweet but the glaze amplifies the flavor. Surprisingly I don't cook a lot most Thanksgivings. Between volunteering as …

These roasted sweet potatoes are a lab recipe gone well. I was literally toying around with Thanksgiving sweet potatoes recipes and stumbled into this one. It's easy, quick, no fuss and damn good. Don't feel like you have to wait til the holidays though. Its perfect on plain old weeknights and weekends too.

Put these smoked lamb chops on the menu for your next dinner party of date with that special someone. Slow-smoking an entire rack of lamb nets better flavor than simply grilling. This one is easy - marinate, rub, and smoke. That's it!

A smoked cherry tomatoes salad may sound a bit unorthodox, but take a leap of faith and trust me on this one. The tomatoes work well as a stand-alone salad, vegetable poppers, or as an ingredient in another recipe.

NCAA College Basketball's Sweet Sixteen is set! As the countdown to the Final Four continues, add these sticky wings to your gameday appetizer menu. These are made with an Asian-Jerk fusion sauce that takes them over the top.

Quick Tapas Dish Fast! Shishito or Padron peppers are my go-to eat while cooking dish or tide me over appetizer or fancy party finger food.

Change up your gameday menu and find a way to get some smoked ham hocks in your life via these pork nachos. Don't fret, just start your New Year's resolutions after the bowl season or just reward yourself with a cheat day.

Sous Vide short ribs braised 72 hours would likely be my last meal; intensely rich and flavorful with a tenderness that is nothing short of perfect. Cuts like short ribs are high in collagen fibers, which is the secret to their tenderness and flavor. When collagen is heated the fibers shrink and all that contracting …

For a nice change-up to sweet potato Thanksgiving recipes try this simple, low prep hasselback sweet potatoes dish. This doesn't have to be a special occasion dish, as it easily works for a weeknight side. I've been experimenting more with ghee (claried butter) lately in some of my dishes. Ghee is a great cooking oil that I jokingly refer to as super butter since its both lactose and casein free, has a high smoke point (aka you can cook it at high heat levels without it browning/burning), and is rich and complex in flavor. Celebrate the life of the great Roy Hargrove with me by cooking to my favorite track "Strasbourg/St. Denis" which is my favorite song by his quintet.

Had the chance to team up with Parmigiano Reggiano brand cheese for this cheesy whole roasted cauliflower recipe. I like this dish personally because, besides being easy to make, it's versatile as both a side dish and meatless main entree. With the focus being on real Italian cheese, I thought it appropriate to call on Aretha Franklin's version of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." Enjoy

Tailgating Recipes Round-up It's that time of year again, football is back! Whether you are supporting your local college or NFL team, Saturdays or Sundays are fun filled, often gluttonous affairs. For me here in Austin there is no other team besides the Texas Longhorns which means for home games, me and crew tailgate hard …

Related Scallop Recipes: Today, we gather to celebrate the marriage of delicate, buttery pan-seared scallops and the bold awakening of a robust coffee vinaigrette. In this divine union of land and sea, a harmonious blend of textures, aromas, and tastes awaits, promising an unforgettable soulful experience that will leave you yearning for more. Many people …

Grilled Vegetable Salad - select ripe summer vegetables blistered over hot flames and then tossed in simple yet complex tasting citrus herb vinaigrette! This delicious simple vegan salad is ready in minutes. Summertime is the best! You can't beat the wide selection of fruits and vegetables available for your pleasure. I made use of as …

For those who want to enjoy Summer's best fruit beyond a cold slice or fruity drink, this is a great alternative. With the appearance of Ahi Tuna, the texture and mouthfeel of a medium rare ribeye, this finished roasted watermelon steak is a great fancy appetizer and main ingredient for a summer salad. Summertime doesn't …

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 …

Post updated 11/12/2019 Related Posts The bright, garlicky flavors of Puerto Rico shine through in this quick and easy grilled pork chops recipe. You ever find that one thing you like and then try to figure ways to get that thing into your life more often. A few weeks ago I made a crazy large …

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 …

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 …

Badass collards shouldn't be reserved for just Sunday soul food dinners and holidays. These silky-smooth meatless braised collard greens were meant to be enjoyed on weeknights as well. Musical Inspiration for Wine Braised Collard Greens If I could only eat one food, it'd likely be collard greens. My love affair with this dark cruciferous aphrodisiac …

Flavorful duck gumbo with deep smokey undertones, thickened with both okra and file, and complimented with a simple and easy dark oven-baked roux. MOOD MUSIC The first time I made this sausage and duck gumbo recipe was the first night spent in a new house in Chicago. I had decided during the closing process that …

It's grilling season so I decided to update a family favorite hit - smoked cabbage wedges with an equally delicious pear-lime sauce.