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 …
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Yo, check it! Our chicken salad sandwich is straight fire, packed with flavor that'll make your taste buds groove. Creamy, smoky, and oh-so-fly, flavor-packed chicken salad sandwich on the go. Don't sleep on this flavor! Related Sandwich Posts: I ain't one to boast but I make the best damn chicken salad sandwich period! It packs …
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 …
New Orleans style bbq shrimp appetizer cooked in beer-based glaze. Despite the confusing name, this barbecue shrimp recipe is neither grilled nor does it contain barbecue sauce. There is nothing about it that says barbecue, but it is as delicious as all get out, and will make you forget about such details. These fat, juicy …
This creamy Israeli couscous salad with mushrooms and kale dish is the perfect comfort food. It's a delicious and filling weeknight gourmet dinner option that requires so little effort but nets big returns. Regular granular couscous is more often used as a side. However its more pasta like cousin Israeli has enough heft to …
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 …
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 …
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 …
This vegan BLT sandwich is the TRUTH! Fresh tomatoes and a killer smokey sauce elevate this BLT to the head of the class. MOOD MUSIC Some years ago when I was working for Kraft Foods I had a research assignment where we visited Velveeta Cheese consumers to discuss and observe their Velveeta consumption habits. I …
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 …
This Salmon Poke Bowl recipe is not traditional in the true Hawaiian sense by any means, but it is damn good and more in line with versions you'll see as part of the craze that's going on currently. I used the toppings to put my personal spin on it which skews more towards soul food …
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 …
Purple vegetables make for a silky smooth cauliflower potato soup in this simple dinner soup recipe. Purple cauliflower and purple potatoes are well seasoned, cooked and pureed into creamy goodness then garnished with purple daikon and crushed pistachios to add a bit of crunch. The purple madness in this recipe is the result of all …
There is nothing like a migas breakfast after a long weekend. It's a hearty meal that is uniquely Tex-Mex. I tweaked this classic skillet breakfast by adding another Texas staple, leftover smoked brisket. Migas have long been a staple skillet breakfast option to most Texans, however outside of the Lone Star State they are relatively …
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. …
Related Posts: If you’ve been searching for the perfect recipe to add a touch of Caribbean inspired goodness to your cooking, look no further! Our fantastic Mofongo recipe is sure to tantalize your taste buds and provide an incredible culinary experience. I love mofongo and with its traditional Puerto Rican flavors, this savory dish is …
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, …
This spinach sauce recipe is a great way to sneak fresh greens into any dish while also enhancing the flavor of the dish. Spinach "chimichurri" sauce is one of two sauces that I keep on hand regularly. Both are easy to make, rely on a few ingredients that I regularly have on hand, are extremely …
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 …
Delicious and simple Napa Cabbage Salad with Asian-Caribbean fusion dressing that takes all of about 5 minutes to have a sophisticated and brag-worthy dish on the table. This is a recipe that I adapted from a recipe from Marcus Samuelson's book exploring cuisine from across Africa. The dressing combines Scotch bonnet chilis with peanuts, ginger, …
What better way to showcase delicious mushrooms than in these simple, flavorful vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms. This is a great option for vegans as well as non-vegans who just want to lower their meat consumption. This time of year when family and dear friends are around making it a great time to catch-up over familiar …
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 cucumber sambal recipe will be a great condiment for your holiday celebration whether it's Christmas, Thanksgiving or Kwanzaa. It pairs well with your favorite grilled fish or chicken. I love the refreshing element the cucumber base provides to this relish as well as the mild heat from the serrano chiles. The recipe was taken …
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 …
Enjoy this delicious bowl of smoky butter beans, a perfect Fall side dish. Butter beans or Lima beans as they're known in certain parts are a staple crop in Africa and Peru (particularly in the city of Lima after which they're named. When cooked properly, they are smooth and delicious, yet they have a reputation …
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 …
These poached vegetables represent simplicity in prep and cooking, but AMAZING complexty of flavor! In a unique and loose reinterpretation of a "garden vegetable soup," leeks, fennel, and new potatoes are poached in a smokey ginger lemongrass broth. This is a one-pot dish in which chopping the vegetables is all the work required and cooking …