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My barbecue game really sucks right now. So until I get that straightened out, I’m using my oven a lot. Oven Roasted Country Style Ribs 6 lbs. country-style pork ribsKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste4 teaspoons light brown sugar4 teaspoons chili powder4 teaspoons sweet paprika or smoked paprika4 teaspoons garlic powder4 teaspoons onion powder2 teaspoons ground…

Who do you like in SB 58? Chiefs? Ravens? Niners? Lions? According to the color scheme of the SB 58 logo, it’s gonna be Ravens/Niners. Oh well. Enjoy the games on Sunday. Blackened Shrimp Nachos Blackened seasoning:paprikagarlic powderonion powderOld Bay or Cajun seasoningdried thymefresh ground black peppercayenne pepperdried oregano Pico De Gallo:4 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced1 small…

It’s Championship Sunday! Go Niners! I amped up this recipe for a crowd. Garlic Bread Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches for 8 Hungry Fans For the Chicken4 Tablespoons olive oil4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (you’ll end up with 8 cutlets)Seasoned croutons, crushed very fineJarred or homemade pestoJarred or homemade meatless marinara16 slices provoloneParmesan (I…

I think you’re gonna need this for the games this weekend. Go Niners! Crispy Sticky Asian Wings For the wings:3 lbs. chicken wings3 tbsp. Rice flourKosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste3 green onions, sliced on the biasLime wedges, for squeezing For the sauce:1 tsp sesame oilKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste1 inch piece of ginger,…

Let’s get serious now, about game-day food. Sausage-Stuffed, Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers 1-pound mild, or hot Italian sausage16-24 slices bacon8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded¼ cup chives, finely diced1-pound jalapeños, sliced in half, lengthwise and de-seeded (about 15 peppers) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment…

I wrote this with a crowd in mind, but you can certainly pare it down to whatever you need. So bust out your panini and get to work. You can even add a drizzle of sherry wine to the toppings and call it a “Sherry Panini” Get it? Spicy Italian Panini 16 slices of good, hearty breadMayonnaiseItalian…

To hell with the cold weather. One good thing about it, is comfort food. It’s gonna be nasty in Nor-Cal this weekend. Comfort your soul with my mom’s chicken and dumplings. I’ll be back in July to bitch about the heat. Ruthie’s Chicken and Dumplings 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, dividedKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste1 fryer…

Braised Squid Stuffed with Chorizo 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil8 ounces fresh chorizo, peeled and crumbled1 cup fresh bread crumbs1 1/2 pounds whole squid with tentacles1 medium onion, chopped4 garlic cloves, chopped2 bay leaves4 strips lemon zest1 cup white wine2 cups fish or chicken stock1 (32 ounce) can whole tomatoes in juiceKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper,…

The NFL Playoffs are here! I’m rooting for two teams tomorrow. The Browns, for my friend Robert Withrow (a.k.a. Robert Christopher) and the Dolphins, for my son Max and because they’re playing the Chiefs. Double this recipe for a crowd. Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich with Blue Cheese and CaramelizedOnions and Mushrooms 1 lb. boneless rib-eye steak2 tablespoons balsamic…

It’s Super Wild Card Weekend. No Niners till next weekend, but good games. Saturday…doubleheader, Sunday…tripleheader, Monday Night Football. Time to plan your game day menu. This is a smoker to fryer recipe. If you fry them only, fry in batches and increase the frying time to 10-12 minutes. Bang Bang Chicken Wings Bang Bang Sauce:1 cup mayo1/4…