Author: Dave Tappan

  • Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs

    Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs

    Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs

    4 Tbsp soy sauce

    4 Tbsp brown sugar

    2 Tbsp sesame oil

    One inch knob fresh ginger, grated

    2 tsp garlic powder

    4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2″ pieces

    One 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained

    1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

    Skewers

    In a shallow glass dish, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder. Stir the chicken pieces and pineapple into the marinade until well coated. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

    Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers. Grill 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, basting with bbq sauce or until chicken juices run clear.

  • Maple-Mustard BBQ Chicken

    Maple-Mustard BBQ Chicken

    Maple-Mustard BBQ Chicken

    2/3 cup maple syrup

    1/2 cup Dijon mustard

    1/4 cup whole-grain mustard

    2 tablespoons cider vinegar

    1 tablespoon soy sauce

    3 pounds bone-in, skin-on thighs and legs

    2 tablespoons vegetable oil

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    1. Place the maple syrup, Dijon, whole-grain mustard, vinegar, and soy sauce in a small, nonreactive bowl and whisk to combine. Equally divide the sauce between 2 small bowls; set aside 1 bowl for serving and the other for brushing onto the chicken while it cooks on the grill.

    2. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place on a baking sheet. Coat all over with the oil and season with salt and pepper.

    3. When the grill is ready, place the chicken (skin-side down), cover the grill, and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces over, cover the grill, and cook until grill marks appear on the second side, about 4 minutes more.

    4. Flip the chicken again and generously brush the pieces using the sauce. Move the chicken to a cool part of the grill and continue to cook. Flip and brush the chicken occasionally until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece reads 160°F to 165°F and the meat near the bone is no longer pink. Remove the chicken to a clean serving platter and serve. Mix up more sauce if you want to baste the chicken at the table.

    Parmesan Garlic Grilled Corn

    4 ears of fresh corn

    2 tablespoons butter

    2 cloves garlic, grated

    1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

    1 tablespoon freshly chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

    Preheat grill to 400°. Remove husks and silks from corn. Combine grated garlic and butter in a small saucepan and melt slowly. Do not let the butter brown!

    Grill corn until lightly charred and deep, bright yellow (about 15 – 20 minutes). Brush garlic butter over corn and sprinkle over Parmesan cheese. Garnish with Italian parsley.

  • Weekend Hot Dog Bar

    Weekend Hot Dog Bar

    Weekend Hot Dog Bar

    For the Tex-Mex:

    1 cup corn salsa

    1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

    2 jalapeño peppers, sliced and grilled

    For the lime-cilantro mayonnaise:

    ½ cup mayonnaise

    juice of ½ a lime

    1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

    For the County Fare:

    4 pickles, sliced lengthwise

    1 cup beef chili, warmed

    1 cup shredded sharp Canadian cheddar

    ketchup, prepared mustard and relish for garnish

    For the Pizza Dawg:

    1 cup pizza sauce

    1 cup sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers

    ½ cup sliced green olives

    1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

    2 tablespoons green onion, chopped, for garnish

    For the Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese:

    8 slices bacon, cooked

    1 cup macaroni and cheese, warmed

    ½ cup crumbled blue cheese

    1 cup creamy coleslaw, for garnish

    Prepare the hot dogs: Preheat grill to 500°F. Using a paring knife, cut small 45° slits along the length of the wieners, marking every half-inch and going about halfway deep. Transfer the wieners onto the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they’re uniformly cooked. Use wieners in one or more of the following ways:

    For the Tex Mex: Open buns on work surface and spoon equal amounts of corn salsa onto each, spreading it out evenly. Place one cooked wiener onto each bun. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack then add slices of grilled jalapeños. Place prepared hot dogs into an oven-safe casserole or rectangular baking pan. Transfer to preheated 250°F oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and bun is toasted. Combine mayo, lime juice and cilantro and add to hot dogs as garnish.

    For the County Fare: Open buns on work surface and line each side with pickle slices. Place one cooked wiener onto each bun. Add a helping of chili on top of each, spreading it across the hot dog. Sprinkle with cheese. Place prepared hot dogs into an oven-safe casserole or rectangular baking pan. Transfer to preheated 250°F oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and bun is toasted. Garnish with ketchup, mustard and relish.

    For the Pizza Dog: Open buns on work surface. Add a helping of pizza sauce onto each, spreading it across. Place one cooked wiener onto each bun. Sprinkle a small handful of olives on one side of hot dog. Add some of the sautéed vegetables across the other. Sprinkle with cheese. Place prepared hot dogs into an oven-safe casserole or rectangular baking pan. Transfer to preheated 250°F oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and bun is toasted. Garnish with chopped green onion.

    For the Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese: Open buns on work surface and line each side with a rasher of bacon. Add a helping of macaroni and cheese onto each, spreading it across. Place one cooked wiener onto each bun. Sprinkle with cheese. Place prepared hot dogs into an oven-safe casserole or rectangular baking pan. Transfer to preheated 250°F oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and bun is toasted. Garnish with a generous helping of coleslaw, distributing it across the hot dog.

  • Honey-Sriracha Salmon Lettuce Wraps

    Honey-Sriracha Salmon Lettuce Wraps

    Honey-Sriracha Salmon Lettuce Wraps

    4 (4 ounce) salmon fillets, pin bones and skin removed

    Kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    For the Honey Sriracha Sauce:

    oil for the pan

    4 garlic cloves, minced

    1 cup water

    4 tablespoons Sriracha

    4 tablespoons honey

    6 tablespoons soy sauce

    2 tablespoon sugar

    2 tablespoon cornstarch stirred into 1 tablespoon cold water (slurry)

    For the Lettuce Wraps:

    10 leaves of butter lettuce, separated

    2 carrots, thinly sliced into matchsticks

    Cilantro leaves, torn

    Green onions, sliced

    Lime wedges

    Sriracha, for serving

    Place a frying pan over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan lightly with neutral oil like canola. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season them well with salt and pepper. Sear the salmon about 3-4 minutes per side, or until browned on the outside and cooked to medium on the inside.

    Meanwhile, to a small saucepan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil and saute the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the water, Sriracha, honey, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then gradually whisk in the cornstarch and water mixture, stirring until thickened, forming a glaze. Remove from heat.

    Spoon some of the glaze over the salmon fillets, coating them. Reserve any remaining glaze to drizzle over the lettuce wraps. To assemble wraps: flake the salmon in large chunks with a fork. Fill each lettuce cup with salmon. Top with carrots, cilantro, and green onions. Serve with lime wedges, Sriracha, and remaining glaze.

  • Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers & Onions

    Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers & Onions

    Slow Cooker Sausage, Peppers & Onions

    4 sweet Italian sausage links

    4 hot Italian sausage links

    1 red bell pepper, sliced

    1 sweet onion, sliced

    1 green bell pepper, sliced

    1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite marinara or pasta sauce

    8 good quality hoagie rolls

    1 bunch fresh basil, leaves removed and torn

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausages, turning to brown all sides, 4 to 5 minutes.

    Place browned sausage in slow cooker. Add the peppers, onions, garlic, and jarred sauce to the slow cooker; stir. Turn to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours.

    Serve in the rolls with plenty of sauce and garnish with fresh basil.

  • Crock-Pot Thai Peanut Chicken

    Crock-Pot Thai Peanut Chicken

    Crock-Pot Thai Peanut Chicken

    2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

    1 cup canned coconut milk, shake well

    4 cloves garlic, minced

    1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

    3/4 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter

    2 tablespoons honey

    Juice from one lime

    3 tablespoons soy sauce

    2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

    Red pepper flakes, to taste

    2 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp water, for thickening.

    Cilantro, for garnish

    Cooked rice or rice noodles, for serving.

    Peanuts, for garnish.

    Lime wedges, for squeezing

    1. Prepare the Chicken

    Place the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker. Ensuring the chicken is evenly spread out will allow it to cook uniformly.

    2. Mix the Sauce

    In a medium bowl, combine the coconut milk, minced garlic, minced ginger, peanut butter, honey, lime juice, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-integrated.

    3. Pour the Sauce

    Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring each piece is well coated. Use a spoon to spread the sauce if necessary.

    4. Cook

    Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should become tender and easy to shred.

    5. Thicken the Sauce

    About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, stir in the cornstarch-water mixture to the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Re-cover and allow it to cook for the remaining time.

    6. Shred the Chicken

    Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring to combine it thoroughly with the sauce.

    7. Serve

    Serve the Thai peanut chicken over a bed of cooked rice or rice noodles or even as a taco. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for added crunch.

  • Ruthie’s Cheesy, Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Ruthie’s Cheesy, Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Ruthie’s Cheesy, Stuffed Bell Peppers

    6 green, red, yellow or orange bell peppers. Or a combination of.

    1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

    1/2 lb. chorizo

    1 yellow onion, chopped

    3/4 cup cooked rice

    1 egg

    2 (15 ounce) cans Italian stewed tomatoes, divided

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    1 teaspoon garlic powder

    1 teaspoon onion powder

    1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    8 ounces of grated cheddar cheese, divided

    Cut off portion of tops of bell pepper, and remove seeds, and membranes.

    Place the peppers in a large roaster or stock pot with salted water and boil.

    Cook 10 minutes so they will be only partially done.

    Drain and set aside to cool.

    In a large skillet, brown ground beef, chorizo and onion. Add rice, egg, 1 can tomatoes, Worcestershire and seasonings, and simmer for 5 minutes.

    Remove from the heat and add 1 cup cheese and mix well.

    Stuff peppers with mixture and set upright in buttered baking dish (you may have to trim little slivers off bottoms of peppers so they will sit upright.).

    Pour remaining can of tomatoes over top and around peppers.

    Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

    Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheese on top and return to oven for 10 minutes.

  • Rib Eye Steaks with Assorted Sauces & Butters

    Rib Eye Steaks with Assorted Sauces & Butters

    Rib Eye Steaks with Assorted Sauces & Butters

    Cowboy Butter:

    2 sticks salted butter, softened

    ¼ cup Gorgonzola crumbles

    1/3 cup finely minced fresh parsley, plus more if needed

    1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

    A couple of turns of freshly ground pepper

    2 cloves garlic, finely minced

    1 lemon, zested and halved

    Kosher salt, to taste

    Well in advance, make the cowboy butter. Place the softened butter in a bowl and mix with a hand mixer. Whip the butter until it’s fluffy. Add the Gorgonzola, parsley, red pepper flakes, black pepper, garlic, lemon zest and the juice of half the lemon. Mix it until it’s totally combined, scraping the sides as needed. Taste and add more ingredients as needed to your liking.

    Dave’s Famous Cream Sauce

    1/2 cup heavy cream

    1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

    1/2 cup prepared horseradish

    2 tablespoons chives

    1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    In a medium bowl, whisk heavy cream until thickened, but not yet at soft peaks.

    Fold in crème fraîche, horseradish, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes before using, or transfer to airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

    Blue Cheese & Onion Cream Sauce

    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    1 stick softened butter

    1 large yellow onion, sliced

    1 cup heavy cream

    3 to 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

    3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

    Melt a 1/2 stick of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and then saute the onions until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Pour in the cream, a dash of salt and pepper and the Worcestershire sauce. Let it bubble up, then add the blue cheese and stir together to melt, adding more pepper or Worcestershire sauce as you wish.

    Roquefort chive sauce

    1 1/2 cups heavy cream

    2 ounces French Roquefort cheese, crumbled (4 ounces with rind)

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

    Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has become thick and creamy, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, add the cheese, salt, pepper and chives and whisk rapidly until the cheese melts.

    Whiskey Butter

    1 cup unsalted butter, softened

    2 shallots, minced soaked in whiskey

    3 teaspoons minced parsley

    1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

    1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    3 teaspoons whiskey

    Kosher salt, to taste

    White pepper, to taste

    Combine butter, shallot, parsley, mustard, Worcestershire, Jack Daniel’s, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Drop butter in spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Roll in plastic and smooth out to form a round log. Refrigerate until hard and easy to cut, at least 3 hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

    Horseradish Compound Butter for Steak

    2 sticks Unsalted Butter, Softened

    1 clove Garlic, Minced

    1 teaspoon Freshly Grated Lemon Zest

    2 Tablespoons Prepared Horseradish, Squeeze Out The Moisture

    2 teaspoons Fresh Parsley, Minced

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    Compound Butter:

    In a bowl, mix and mash together butter, garlic, lemon zest, horseradish, and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon onto plastic wrap. Gently form into a small log. Refrigerate until firm.

    Compound butter ideas:

    Blue Cheese

    Gorgonzola

    Chili Powder and cumin

    Parsley

    Cilantro

    Roasted red pepper

    The possibilities are endless!

  • Untitled post 47187

    Happy Valley White Sauce

    1 cup Mayonnaise

    1/4 cup bottled Italian dressing

    Juice from one lemon

    2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard

    1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

    1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

    1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

    1 teaspoon Onion Powder

    Garlic salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

    In a medium-sized bowl whisk all the ingredients together until smooth.

    Continue to adjust the spices and seasonings to your taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more vinegar and Worcestershire sauce until you get the consistency you like.

  • Baked Pasta with Sausage and Ricotta

    Baked Pasta with Sausage and Ricotta

    Baked Pasta with Sausage and Ricotta

    1 1/2 lbs. mild or hot Italian sausage, (casings removed)

    3 cloves garlic, chopped

    1/2 small onion, diced

    28 oz. can whole tomatoes (San Marzano are best) hand crushed

    6 leaves fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp. dried basil)

    Red pepper flakes, to taste

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    1 lb. rigatoni, penne, or ziti pasta

    Ricotta Mixture:

    1 cup ricotta cheese

    1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

    3 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

    Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

    1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, for topping

    Preheat oven to 425 F.

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

    On the stove-top, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add loose sausage and cook, stirring regularly, until cooked through and browned in spots. Remove to a plate and set aside.

    To the same skillet, over medium heat, add the onion and cook, stirring until softened. Add garlic and cook and additional 30-45 seconds. Add the hand-crushed tomatoes, chopped basil leaves and a healthy sprinkling of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

    Add sausage back to the skillet and cook a few minutes, to blend the flavors and warm the sausage again. Taste the sauce and add additional salt and pepper, as needed. (If the flavors seem flat, it needs more salt!). Turn off heat and let stand until pasta is ready.

    When pasta is cooked, add to the skillet with the tomato sauce and sausage. Stir to combine. Spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture randomly on top. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

    Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.