Smokey Prime Rib

Couldn't resist the temptation to try it smoked. Ever so tender and perfectly cooked! If you don't have a smoker it can easily be done on any BBQ grill. Great flavor and surprisingly simple to make. The key here is to have an electronic thermometer so you can leave it be until it's ready. 

Ingredients:

4-5lb Prime Rib Roast

1Tbls course ground pepper

1Tbls kosher salt

2Tbls chopped garlic

1Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Let roast sit out at room temperature for about an hour. Preheat smoker / BBQ to 250 degrees. Mix together pepper, salt, garlic, and oil to make a paste. Coat entire roast with the paste. Place a handful of wood chips in smoker (I used apple wood). If you are using a BBQ take a square of foil and fold around wood chips, poke holes in top and set directly on flame. If using, insert thermometer into the thickest portion of the roast and place directly on rack and reduce heat to 225 degrees. Replenish the wood chips every hour. Cooking time will range from about 3-4 hours depending on the size of roast and whether or not you choose boneless or bone-in. After removing roast let it rest for at 15 minutes before carving and do not remove the thermometer until ready to carve.

For rare 125-130, medium rare 130-135, medium well 145-150 anything more and I wouldn't waste the money on prime rib. 

Pizza Night

Great way to spend time with the family and have great pizza! This recipe does take some time but, it is simple to prepare. Try it this weekend. If you dont have a pizza stone or a pizza pan I suggest you get one! Otherwise this can also be done on a BBQ grill.

Ingredients:
4 1/2C all purpose flour
1tsp salt
1 1/2C warm water
2tsp light brown sugar
1 packet active dry yeast
4Tbs olive oil
Toppings of your choice

Directions:
Get all your ingredients ready

Start by dissolving the sugar in 1/2C warm water. Add yeast and set aside. Yeast mixture will become frothy.

Sift together 4C flour and salt. Make a "crater" in the middle of the flour and pour in 1C warm water, 3Tbs olive oil. and yeast mixture.

Mix together with hands until the dough comes together. Flour your work surface and knead the dough about 8-10min. Form into a ball, rub with olive oil and place in clean bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and place in a warm draft free place. Let rise for 1 1/2hrs.

After the dough has risen it should have at least doubled in size. This is a great time to preheat the oven to 500°. If you are using a stone put that in the oven as well.

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Using a rolling pin roll out the dough keeping it circular (remember it should look like pizza). This recipe will make two 12" thin crust pizzas. Try to keep enough dough around the edge to for a nice crust. Brush each crust with olive oil before topping.

Let your imagination go wild or just keep it simple with the toppings. Sauce, cheese, meat, veggies, what ever you want. I recommend sprinkling your pizza paddle or pizza pan with corn meal prior assemlbling (this will help the pizza slide off). Place the ready dough on the paddle or pan. Assemlbe pizza.

Gently slide pizza onto preheated pizza stone. If you're using a pizza pan place in the oven with pizza on it. Bake at 500° on the lowest rack for 15min.

Cut and enjoy!

All Day Pulled Pork

If you have a lot of time this meal is well worth it! I realize not everyone has a smoker but, this can be done on a BBQ, an oven, or even a crock pot.

Ingredients:
4-5lb Boneless pork shoulder
1/4C light brown sugar
1Tbsp garlic powder
1Tbsp Paprika
1Tbsp Chili Powder
2Tsp Salt
2Tsp Pepper

Directions:
First things first get all the ingredients together. Mix together all spices

Rub Pork Roast with the spice mixture.

Get your smoker ready to cook at 230°-250°. I'm using apple wood but hickory works well too.

Put on the meat, sit back and relax. Don't forget to check the water and wood chips periodically. Again optimal temp is  around 230°-250°.

After about 6-7hrs you will have an almost finished product. I like to wrap mine in foil for the last 2hrs. Yes that's 8-9hours. The finished product is well worth it.

After the pork shoulder is removed from the smoker it's time to pull it apart. Done! Stay tuned to see what I do with this. I plan to get about 4 meals out of this roast.

Santa Maria Tri Tip

Since there's hot coals and Red Oak going why not throw on some tri-tip. Just coat with my simple seasoning and cook over medium heat for about 45min turning every 10min.

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Rotisserie Ribs fired over California Red Oak

These are gonna spin for about 3hrs. If you don't have a rotisserie on your BBQ I strongly recommend you get one. You can still get the same quality if you don't, it just takes a little more attention. No rotisserie - flip every 15min and still get great ribs.

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Roasting Hatch Chilies

If you like green chilies I strongly recommend roasting your own. Most important thing to remember here is "don't be intimidated". Canned chilies are no match for these babies.

This can be done on any open flame. I'm using charcoal but gas works well too. Place chilies on a grill that has been preheated to med-high temp.

Very important to keep turning the chillies. As you can see char marks will begin to show. Don't be alarmed this is normal. Continue roasting until skin is almost completely charred.

As you can see after the roasting there are plenty of char marks.When they come off the grill make sure to cover until they are cool enough to handle. This step is important in order for the skin to easily be removed.

If you are not planning on using right away, place in storage bags and freeze. These will keep in the freezer for up to a year. Just thaw, remove skin and they are ready to use.

Tequila Lime Tilapia

Light, refreshing, and did I mention simple to make?

Ingredients
4 Tilapia fillets
1Tbs olive oil
2tsp simple seasoning (see blog for recipe)
1Tbs margarine
2oz. Tequila
juice from 1/2 lime
2 sprigs cilantro (optional)

Directions
Preheat a large heavy bottom pan to med-high heat. Add olive oil to pan, season each fillet with the Simple Seasoning. Carefully put each fillet into pre-heated pan. Fry on each side for 4mins. Remove fish from pan. Add to pan the margarine, lime juice, tequila and cilantro. Cook sauce until all ingredients come together. Top each fillet with equal amounts of the pan sauce.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Impress your family tonight with this simple chicken dinner. Even if you're pressed for time this is your dish. I made this in 30min flat.

Ingredients
4 Boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2C mayonnaise
1/4C grated parmesan
1C dried bread crumbs
8oz spaghetti
1Tbs margarine
1Tbs olive oil
1Tbs Simple Seasoning divided (see blog for recipe)
1Tbs fresh lemon juice

Directions (for chicken)
Preheat oven to 425°f. Mix together mayonnaise and parmesan. Combine bread crumbs with half the simple seasoning. Coat each chicken breast with mayonnaise mixture and roll in bread crumbs. Cook in preheated oven for 20min.

Directions (for pasta)
Cook pasta according to directions on pasta. Melt together margarine, olive oil and season with remaining simple seasoning. Pour mixture over prepared pasta and finish with lemon juice and grated parmesan (optional).
Serve chicken breast over pasta. Garnish with grated parmesan and serve immediately.

Grilled Black Bean Burger

Don't get any ideas! No I am not turning vegetarian. I saw a picture of a black bean burger in a magazine and was intrigued by how good it looked. Needless to say I was shocked at how good it was.

Ingredients:
1 16oz can black beans drained
1 egg
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4C cilantro
1/4C minced onion
2Tbsp olive oil
1Tbsp Simple Seasoning (See blog for recipe)
1C bread crumbs
4 soft buns

Directions:
Place beans in large mixing bowl and mash. Add all ingredients except bread crumbs and mix together. Add in bread crumbs a 1/4C at a time and continue to mix until mixture has the appearance of ground beef. Separate into four equal parts and form patties. Coat each patty with olive oil and grill on med-high heat for about 5-6min on each side. Lightly toast each bun and serve immediately.

Garnishes:
Guacamole (use instead of mayo)
Tomato
Cucumber
Bean Sprouts

Ass Kickin Fries

Had to change the name. This is a recipe that we love to have at BJ's BBQ. I decided to make my own version at home and might I say they were very tasty!!

Very simple to make and OMG are they delicious!!

Ingredients:

3-4lb pork shoulder

1 bag frozen shoestring potatoes

1 bottle BBQ sauce (use your favorite)

2C shredded cheddar cheese-

sour cream (optional)

sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:

Coat pork roast with rub (recipe follows). Slow cook pork roast on prepared smoker for about 8hrs at 230°- 250°. If you dont have a smoker a slow cooker will definitely do the job. Cook fries according to instructions on package. Heat BBQ sauce. Shred or "pull" pork roast apart. Place fries onto plate or wide bowl. Top with shredded pork, BBQ sauce, cheese, sour cream and onions. Nothing left to do just enjoy!!

For the rub

1Tbsp simple seasoning (posted on my blog)

1/4C brown sugar

1tsp cayenne pepper

Mix together all ingridients

Diner Night

Hot Pastrami and Patty Melts

These are two great dishes that are simple to make.

For the Pastrami Sandwich

You will need a good quality pastrami. I actually make my own but unless you are willing to sacrifice days to make it and then another 12-14 hours in a smoker a good quality store bought pastrami will do. This sandwich is basically like making a grilled cheese.

Ingridients:

8 slices rye bread (I prefer dill rye)

1lb Pastrami

4 slices Havarti cheese

pickle slices

margarine

Directions:

Heat a griddle or large frying pan to med heat. Spread one side of each slice of rye bread with margarine. Divide meat and cheese evenly and to make 4 sandwiches making sure margarine is on the outside. Fry each side on griddle on fry pan until crispy an golden brown. Add pickle slices to sandwich and serve alongside some potato chips. Enjoy!!

For the Patty Melt

You need nothing more than to make a grilled cheese out of a burger.

Ingridients:

8 slices rye bread (I prefer dill rye)

1lb ground beef (divide into 4 burger patties)

4 slices American cheese

4Tbls each Ketchup & Mayonaise (for dipping sauce)

margarine

Directions:

Heat a griddle or large frying pan to med heat. Fry each burger patty approx 4 min each side. Remove and set aside. Drain fat from pan or griddle. Spread one side of each slice of rye bread with margarine. Place one patty each on a slice of the rye bread, top each with one slice of cheese. Making sure margarine is on the outside finish with another slice of rye bread. Fry each side on griddle on fry pan until crispy an golden brown. Serve alongside tater tots or fries.

For Dipping Sauce - mix together ketchup and mayonaise (tell no one of the secret sauce).  





Simple Carnitas Tacos

As promised...recipe #2 from a slow cooker pork roast. These are some of the best tacos you will ever have.

Ingredients:

About 1lb of pork meat from slow cooker (recipe follows)
8 corn tortillas
Cilantro
1C Queso Fresco (grated)
Salsa (use your favorite
vegetable oil for frying + 2Tbs.

Directions:
In small sauce pan heat oil to med-high (enough to fry tortillas). Fry each tortilla until crispy on the edges approx. 2min. and drain on paper towels. Heat a large fry pan to med-heat and add the 2Tbs of veg oil. Fry pork until heated through. Assemble tacos starting with pork, cilantro, salsa, sour cream and queso fresco. Enjoy!!!

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Ingredients:
Pork shoulder 5-7lbs
2Tbs Simple Seasoning (Find recipe on front page of my blog)

Directions:
Place a pork shoulder into slow cooker fat side up and coat with Simple Seasoning (do not add any liquid). Turn on low and cook for 8-10hrs or until roast is easily pulled apart. Pull apart roast discard fat cap and put in shallow dish. Add about 1C of the drippings from the roast. Let cool for about 30-40 min. Cover and chill overnight in refrigerator.



BBQ Rib Sandwich

Now this not true BBQ but, I wasn't in the mood to keep my BBQ going for 8hours in almost a foot of snow. So instead I utilized one of my favorite kitchen gadgets.."THE CROCKPOT". How do you make a sandwich out of ribs? Read on to find out how. I'll tell you...not only is this a great sandwich but it's simple too.

Ingredients:

1 rack pork spare ribs (cut St Louis style)

1Tbsp Simple Seasoning (see blog for recipe)

Cole slaw (recipe follows)

4 soft buns

1C BBQ sauce (use your favorite)

Directions:

Season the rack of ribs with the Simple Seasoning and coat with BBQ sauce. Place in a Crockpot and turn on to low for 8 - 10hrs. Very gingerly remove ribs from Crockpot. Let cool enough to handle. Remove by simply pulling them through one side (bones should just slide right out). Divide ribs into for equal portions and place on buns with coleslaw and extra BBQ sauce if you'd like.

Coleslaw

Ingredients:

1/2 head of green cabbage (thinly sliced)

1/2 head of red cabbage (thinly sliced)

1lrg Carrot (shredded)

2-4Tbsp of store bought coleslaw dressing (you can make your own but this is easier)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together adding dressing 1Tbsp at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

The Make It Yourself Hotdog Bar

Probably one of the world's most underappreciated foods...The Hotdog!! Making a "hotdog bar" is a great way to serve a lot of people and satisfy appetites of young, old and everyone in between.
Normally I will do this in the summer time but, hey anytime is a good time for hotdogs.

Start out by buying good quality hotdogs and buns. If you know of a hotdog restaurant in your area they will normally sell them to you uncooked. You can also use an array of different types of sausages such as brats, andouille, polish and/or Italian. The key is the toppings - set up your hotdog bar by having a good variety of them. Get creative.

Here are some topping ideas:
Ketchup, mustard, relish, tomato, chili, jalapenos, cheese, onion, bacon, sauerkraut, crushed Frito's or even pepperoni.

Taco Burgers

My version of one of my favorite taco places. Tacos don't get any more gringo than this. I know it sounds funny but giv'em a try. You'll love how tasty and simple they are to make.

Ingredients:
oil for frying
corn tortillas
1lb ground beef
1C grated cheddar
2Tbs mayonaise
1Tbs mustard
shredded lettuce
diced tomato
hamburger dill pickle slices
Grated parmesan (in a can)
Simple Seasoning (see blog for recipe)

Directions:
Heat large fry pan to med-high heat. Divde ground beef into four equal portions and form patties to match the size of the tortillas. Season each patty with Simple Seasoning. Fry in pan for 2-3mins flip and continue to cook until juices run clear about 3min. Remove from pan, cut in half to make a semi-circle and set aside. Heat oil in small fry pan and fry eight corn tortillas until almost crispy. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle each tortilla with grated parmesan. Mix together mayo and mustard. Assemble tacos by spreading the mayo-mustard mixture on each tortilla, add a half patty, cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato. Enjoy!!

Crispy Fried Salmon w/Bernaise

I had some leftover bernaise sauce and of course what better to have it on than Salmon? Serve with your favorite rice (I served mine with a rice pilaf and sliced tomatoes). So simple yet so good! Give it a try!

Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets
2Tbsp olive oil
Simple Seasoning (see blog for recipe)
1packet Knorr bernaise sauce (why make your own when there is one this good)

Directions:
Make sauce mix according to directions on packet. Heat a heavy bottom pan to medium high heat. Season each fillet with a good sprinkle of Simple Seasoning. Pour olive oil into pan and slowly place salmon fillets in flesh side down. Continue to cook for about 5min. flip and cook for another 4-5min. Remove from pan and top with bernaise sauce.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. This day is not complete without a great meal. I was able to earn some points here.

Crispy Pork Sandwich

This is a great way to utilize the slow cooker again. Sometimes I'll put a large roast in a slow cooker and use it for a 2-3 different meals.

Ingredients:
About 1lb of pork meat from slow cooker (recipe follows)
4 kaiser rolls
1Tbsp vegetable oil or non-stick spray
Topping options - cabbage, tomato, onion, mayo, avocado and mayonnaise

Directions:
Heat large fry pan or griddle to med-high heat. Form pork into patties by pressing together. Add oil to pan or griddle and fry pork until crispy about 3min, flip over and fry for another 2-3min. Toast each bun and assemble sandwich with optional toppings.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder 5-7lbs
2Tbs Simple Seasoning (Find recipe on front page of my blog)

Directions:
Place a pork shoulder into slow cooker fat side up and coat with Simple Seasoning (do not add any liquid). Turn on low and cook for 8-10hrs or until roast is easily pulled apart. Pull apart roast discard fat cap and put in shallow dish. Add about 1C of the drippings from the roast. Let cool for about 30-40 min. Cover and chill overnight in refrigerator.

*Stay tuned for the next recipe to use the rest of the pork

Simple Seasoning

Every household needs a go to seasoning and by making your own you know exactly what's in it. This season can be used on almost anything. Make your own today!!

1Tbls Garlic Powder
1Tbls Onion Powder
1tsp Thyme
1tsp Oregano
1tsp Kosher Salt
1tsp Cracked Black Pepper

Cassoulet and Cornbread Waffles

A dish that sounds complicated but, trust me it's not. This was made in a slow cooker and ready when I got home from work. Big, bold and full of flavor.

Ingredients (cassoulet):
1lb Great Northern Beans (soaked overnight)
1 smoked ham shank
4-6 chicken thighs
1qt low sodium chicken broth
1/2 - 1qt water
1Tbs Simple Seasoning (recipe below)
2 carrots sliced (about 1/2inch slices)
1/2C diced onion

Directions (cassoulet):
Season chicken thighs with Simple Seasoning and place in a slow cooker along with the ham shank. Add carrot, onion, beans and pour in chicken broth. Use water to cover beans until they are submerged by a 1/2inch. Cook on low for 6-8hours or until beans are tender.

Ingredients (waffles):
3C corn bread mix (I use Marie Calendars)
3 lrg eggs
1 1/2C water
1tsp vanilla

Directions (waffles):
Mix all ingredients and prepare according to your waffle makers instructions.

*If you don't own a waffle iron just serve with cornbread.

Simple Seasoning:
1Tbs garlic powder
1Tbs onion powder
1tsp thyme
1tsp oregano
1tsp kosher salt
1tsp cracked black pepper