Category: American

Meat Sauce

Meat Sauce

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INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup (8-oz) onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground chuck beef
1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15-oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6-oz) tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
¼ – ½ cup dry white, or dry red wine (optional)
2 tsp fish sauce (optional)
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried ground fennel
¼ tsp dried thyme leaves
2 whole cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves
½ tsp fresh ground pepper to taste
1 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil until shimmering; add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent and tender.  Add meat and cook until no longer pink.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, wine (optional), and fish sauce (optional); add remaining herbs, spices & seasonings. Simmer covered on low heat for 30 minutes and uncovered for 15 minutes.

Remove bay leaves prior to serving.  Sauce is best when made a day more in advance and reheated. 

To serve, boil desired pasta as directed; drain retaining a some of the pasta water in a separate bowl.  Place enough warmed meat sauce to coat pasta in a serving bowl and stir in a small amount of pasta water; add pasta and stir to coat.  Serve topped with extra meat sauce and freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (or both).

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Nuggets

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INGREDIENTS
4-5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

Marinade
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp salt
1 tsp MSG
1 egg, lightly beaten

Batter
1 ½ cups flour
2 tbsp powdered sugar
3 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp MSG
½ tsp baking soda

Oil for deep frying

DIRECTIONS
Combine marinade ingredients; stir in chicken.  Marinate for 30 minutes to 3 hours.

Heat oil to 350°.  Mix together batter ingredients.  Remove chicken from marinade an place in bowl with batter ingredients.  Stir to coat chicken.

Deep fry in small batches for 2-3 minutes.  Serve with Honey Mustard Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce.

Crio Bru-Spiced Pork Tenderloin (Sous-vide)

Crio Bru-Spiced Pork Tenderloin (Sous-vide)

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Sous-vide is a method of cooking in vacuum-sealed plastic pouches placed in a water bath at an accurately regulated temperature. This method cooks the item evenly, ensuring that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside.  The result is ridiculously moist, perfectly cooked food every time!  

Crio Brü-Spiced Pork Tenderloin is perfect served over Red Cabbage and Wild Rice Slaw!

INGREDIENTS
2-3 tbsp Crio Bru
1 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp onion powder (optional)
2 lb pork tenderloin
prepared mustard

DIRECTIONS
Prepare sous-vide and preheat water to 57˚C.

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except pork and mustard.  Rinse tenderloin and pat dry with paper towels; rub with a very thin layer of mustard (just enough to help spice mix to stick).  Press spice mix onto all sides of tenderloin.  Once evenly coated with the rub mixture, place tenderloin in a vacuum seal bag and vacuum seal.

Fully submerge sealed tenderloin in preheated sous vide bath for about 90 minutes (up to six hours).

Heat a cast iron frying pan and brown on all four sides for about one minute per side.  Rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing into ¼ slices (against the grain).

(*Note:  Click here to order less common ingredients or recommended tools for this recipe.)

Prime Rib

Prime Rib

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PrimeRib1 prime rib roast
prime rib seasoning

Remove prime rib from refrigerator at least two hours prior to cooking.  Rub exterior with prime rib seasoning; let stand for at least one hour.  Place in a 500° oven for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 325° and cook until interior temperature reaches +/- 120°.  Remove from oven and allow the prime rib to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing (internal temperature should reach about 130°).  First slice ribs from the roast and then slice roast and serve.

Shawarma Burgers

Shawarma Burgers

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Another family favorite, shawarma (or shoarma) burgers bring the great taste of shawarma to our backyard barbecue.  While the goat cheese brings a tangy burst of flavor to these tasty burgers, my kids prefer them stuffed with fresh mozzarella.  Next time I make these I am going to try stuffing them with feta.   The sauces (links at the end of the recipe) are an absolute necessity! 

2 lbs ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tbsp sambal oelek
1 tbsp garlic, chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp salt
1 3/4 tbsp shawarma spice mix
Juice from 1 lime
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
goat cheese

Combine all ingredients except goat cheese and refrigerate for at least one hour. Form into patties and stuff with goat cheese; grill. Serve in a pita topped with shawarma sauce, garlic sauce, garden fresh tomatoes, and butter lettuce. These can also be made using ground turkey, but be sure to grease the grill grate to avoid sticking.

Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Slow Cooker Roast Beef

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Although I am not generally a fan of cooking with pre-packaged mixes, this recipe makes for an easily prepared meal that’s surprisingly good.  Even the kids loved this one…

1 beef roast
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1 pkg zesty italian dressing mix
1 pkg brown gravy mix
1/2 cup water

Place roast in slow cooker.   Stir together contents of packaged mixes; sprinkle over roast.  Pour water into slow cooker.  Cook on low for 7+ hours.  Pour the sauce from the slow cooker into a bowl and dip off oil; use for gravy.

Crab Cakes

Crab Cakes

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1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat
1/4 cup onion, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Old Bay
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
vegetable oil
lemon (or lime) wedges

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crabmeat, red pepper, onion, scallions, parsley, and garlic.

In a small mixing bowl, combine egg, mustard, Old Bay, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce.  Gently fold into the crabmeat mixture; then gently mix in 1/4 cup bread crumbs.  Form into 8 patties.  Coat the patties with the remaining bread crumbs and refrigerate for one hour.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonstick frying (don’t overcrowd).  Fry until golden brown (+/- 5 min per side).  Serve hot, accompanied by lemon wedges.

Kalua Pig

Kalua Pig

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imagepicnic shoulder pork roast sea salt
Mrs. Dash Original Blend
water
green onion
mesquite liquid smoke

Rub entire roast with sea salt and sprinkle all sides with Mrs. Dash. Place in crock pot; add a small amount of water. Cook for several hours (time depending on size of roast). During the last hour of cooking, add green onions to taste and liquid smoke (1 tbsp for small roast, 1⁄2 bottle for large).

Cranberry Chicken

Cranberry Chicken

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6 chicken breasts, boned & skinned
2 tbsp butter
2⁄3 cup orange juice concentrate
1⁄2 cup water
2 tbsp orange zest
1⁄2 bag (6 oz) cranberries
1⁄2 cup honey
2 tbsp corn starch
1⁄8 tsp ground cloves

In a large frying pan, melt butter; add chicken breasts. Cook about 10 minutes, or until juices run clear. In a medium saucepan combine remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thickened. Spoon sauce over chicken.

Country-style Chicken

Country-style Chicken

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6 lg chicken breast, pounded to 3⁄4”
1 egg
1 tbsp water
1 pkg Lipton onion soup mix
3⁄4 cup Italian bread crumbs
3⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1⁄4 cup butter

Combine cheese, soup mix and bread crumbs. In a separate bowl, combine egg and water. Dredge breasts in egg mixture and then coat with dry mixture. Place breasts in a greased 9×13 pan and sprinkle with remaining dry mixture. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake, uncovered at 350º for 25-30 minutes, or until juices run clear.

Breaded Salmon

Breaded Salmon

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4 salmon fillets (+/- 6 oz. each), skinned
2 tbsp flour
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 tbsp prepared horseradish, divided in half
2 cups seasoned dry breadcrumbs (croutons or stuffing crumbs work)
1⁄4 cup olive oil
1⁄3 cup light sour cream
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp lemon pepper
juice from 1⁄4 of a large lemon

Lightly coat salmon fillets in flour. Place the egg, 1 tbsp of horseradish and +/-1 tbsp water in a shallow bowl. Beat together. Dip salmon fillets into mixture. Coat fillets evenly in breadcrumbs. Heat oil in large frying pan. Cook filets for 3 minutes on each side, or until just tender and golden brown.

Combine remaining horseradish, sour cream, herbs, lemon pepper and lemon juice in a bowl. Serve over salmon.

Braised Baby Back Ribs

Braised Baby Back Ribs

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Main Ingredients
2 baby back rib slabs
8 parts light brown sugar 3 parts kosher salt
1 part chili powder
1 part spice mixture

Spice Mixture
1 part ground black pepper
1 part cayenne pepper
1 part jalapeño seasoning
1 part old bay
1 part dried thyme
1 part onion powder

Combine ingredients for rub. Place each slab on a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil with the shiny side down. Pat rub liberally on each side. Fold top down and sides in and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour (over night better).

Braising Liquid
1 cup white wine
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp honey
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped

Combine in a microwaveable bowl and cook for 1 minute. Remove ribs from refrigerator and open one end of each slab. Divide liquid equally into the foil of each slab; crimp ends and distribute liquid. Bake at 225º for 21⁄2 hours. Check for doneness. If done, pour juices from slabs into a skillet and reduce to a thick sauce by cooking over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Baste the convex side of the meat with a thin layer of the glaze and brown under the broiler until the sugar in the glaze begins to caramelize (burns easily). Serve with remaining glaze.

Beefy Onion Burgers

Beefy Onion Burgers

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1 packet beefy onion soup mix
2 lbs ground beef
1⁄2 cup water

Combine ingredients. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and onion to hydrate. Form into patties; barbecue.