My first grilling recipe of the spring is this Cedar Plank Salmon. However, the black tea (Lapsang) rub is a special one and elevates a really simple dish. It's a 20-minute recipe that tastes like hours of work.
Technique
Kicking off what is essentially "Harissa Month" with these game day worthy spicy chicken wings. These are fiery and hella tasty.
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.
These grilled prawns are as quick and gourmet you can get in about 5 minutes. We serve them as weeknight appetizers, but they're snazzy and unique enough to pull-off at a fancy party. Make the sauce ahead of time and be sure to make enough to use for a few other recipes.
Fried bologna sandwiches were a staple of my childhood, and I'm sure for many it still is. I refer to it as a "hood classic" as every kid from the hood has a story and a recipe version for bologna sandwiches. Though a humble sandwich made with basic ingredients, it along with other humble dishes have played a significant role in Black History as a means of survival, show of resourcefulness, and example of innovation. My grandparents told me stories of The Negro Motorist Green Book which was essentially a guide for black road trippers to find safe havens in the form of restaurants, gas stations, and hotels given the hatred and related dangers they faced in Jim Crow South. Shoebox lunches were also the norm, and bologna sandwiches were prominent in these pack lunches which were brought along for those stretches on the road where you were not likely to find a restaurant that served "coloreds." Enjoy the sandwich and learn a lil black history in this post.
February kicks off Black History Month, and I'm excited to be participating in a Virtual Potlock with 27 other food bloggers. My contribution is this Nashville Hot Shrimp Sandwich which is a mashup of Japanese and Southern cultures. Look closely and you'll notice an actual plump shrimp cutlet instead of fried chicken thigh. The fried shrimp is then dipped in a spicy chili oil for additional flavor. And oh yeah, there is a history lesson in this post. Did you know as early as the 1500s Japanese had an African Samurai?
I'm having way too much fun with my new InstaPot. I'm still learning, but have been to churn out some good recipes, mostly traditional classics that I've converted for pressure cooking. This Southern classic black-eyed peas recipe is made vegan, so I had to do a little extra to replicate the smoke from what would have been smoked meat. I think I figured it out. I went deep into the classic rock vault for some inspiration. Enjoy.
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 …
I've probably had plank smoked fish 121 times and in all the years of perfecting my plank game, I never strayed from fish until recently. I guess you can say I was ready for a change. In the process I learned that what works for salmon and trout, also works for portobello mushrooms. Even better you can stuff them with things like couscous and simple, flavorful vegetables for easy, filling meatless Monday night. Or if you aren't ready for that much change, have your meat protein and make the stuffed portobellos as a side accompaniment.
Celery Root is definitely not the prettiest vegetable at the market, but what it lacks in good looks it more than compensates with inner beauty, dynamite taste and ease of prep/cooking. If you're not familiar with celery root or celeriac as it's known, it's beyond worthy of your consideration. This celery root steak recipe is a great introduction. We enjoy it in our house as one of our many meatless nights. It also presents well enough to be on your holiday menu. Don't worry it's tastes nothing like celery, is easier to handle than it looks, and is low calorie and low carb.
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
Belgian Fries - the perfect side, period! Pillow soft, moist and deliciously crispy with a golden brown color and enhanced flavor from duck fat. Full disclosure these fries are highly addictive. Before figuring out a recipe, I've on more than one occasion brainstormed ways of getting to Brussels, hence the song choice - Kari Faux's "Law of Attraction." Enjoy, and after you've tried them, feel free to give me a shout and let me know your thoughts.
Baked Whole Black Sea Bass Recipe with Beet Greens Salsa - an easy and delicious baked fish recipe with step by step instructions for choosing and cooking whole fish. I eat a lot of beets including smoked beets, roasted beets, and even lightly pickled beets. Because of this and the fact that I hate wasting …
Super tender, flavor that's fire, and visually stunning this whole roasted cauliflower is perfect as a rut breaking main dish or a show-stopping appetizer at a dinner party. Cauliflower recipes don't have to be boring and basic. I like a nice mashed cauliflower, but cauliflower is destined for so much more. Roast it and enjoy …
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 …
Sheet pan roasted vegetables - a no fuss, no mess way to cook delicious sides while multi-tasking or devoting time to your main dish. The beans and potatoes are well seasoned and roasted directly in a sheet pan. Take out two birds with one stone with this easy dish! MOOD MUSIC What main dish goes …
Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash - flavorful, low carb way to get your pasta fix. The squash is backed by a tasty homemade basil pesto recipe. Some years ago when I was working for Kraft Foods we were doing a lot of research on low carb diets. This was near the height of the low carb …
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 …
Are some of your favorite recipes the most minimalist? This whole roasted cauliflower recipe fits the bill and is probably the best simple recipe you'll ever have. The cauliflower is seasoned extremely well both inside and out. In most cauliflower recipes, cauliflower plays a supporting role. For this one, it's actually the star in a …
The beauty of tacos is you can make them with any ingredient including oxtails. These braised beef oxtail tacos are da bomb! Slow-cooked in a smoky, complex and mildly spicy sauce made from dried Mexican chilis. I made these tacos with leftover oxtails from a Mexican braised oxtail recipe. MOOD MUSIC OXTAIL TACOS INGREDIENTS COOKING …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …