Category: Dave’s Blog

I’m on to Reno…have fun…keep thinkin’ young! I think I’ll leave this recipe out for Beth, so when I get home Sunday…dinner is served! Have a great weekend and wish me luck!

Dr. Pepper-BBQ Riblets in the Crock Pot

4 pounds pork riblets

1 tablespoon cumin

Garlic salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 small yellow onion, halved and sliced into half-moons

1 (18 ounce) bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce. I like a honey-based barbecue sauce for this.

1 can Dr. Pepper, or more, as needed. You want plenty of liquid, but not so much that it overflows during cooking.

Slice the ribs to a manageable size. I usually slice mine in half, or thirds, depending how big they are.

Combine cumin, pepper, garlic salt, poultry seasoning, onion powder and garlic powder and rub onto riblets.

On your barbecue, grill the riblets on each side, just enough to give them some good color and a little char.

Layer the onions and riblets in your crock. Add the barbecue sauce and Dr. Pepper. Be sure to coat all of the meat evenly.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove riblets to a serving platter and coat with the cooking sauce.

I’ve got shrimp. I’ve got rolls. So let the games begin.

Louisiana Shrimp Po Boy with Rémoulade

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Vegetable oil for frying

2 pounds medium shrimp (16/20), peeled, tails removed and deveined

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

4 8”-long French rolls, split horizontally

Rémoulade (recipe follows)

Shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, dill pickles, sliced red onion, Crystal hot sauce or Pick A Peppa

Whisk first 7 ingredients in a small bowl to blend.

Attach a deep-fry thermometer to side of a heavy wide pot. Add enough oil to measure 2” or use a deep fryer. Heat oil to 350°. You can also air fry the shrimp.

Meanwhile, place shrimp and 2 Tbsp. spice mix in a medium bowl and toss to coat. Pour buttermilk into another medium bowl. Whisk flour and cornmeal in another medium bowl.

Dip seasoned shrimp briefly in buttermilk, then coat with flour mixture. Working in batches, fry shrimp, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Open rolls and spread cut sides with rémoulade. Top with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and shrimp. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.

Rémoulade

1 1/4 cups mayonnaise

1/4 cup mustard (Creole mustard if possible)

1 Tbsp sweet paprika

1-2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

1 teaspoon pickle juice (dill or sweet)

1 teaspoon Crystal hot sauce

1 large clove garlic, minced and smashed

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl. The remoulade is better if left for a few hours to let the flavors meld. Keep refrigerated.

Already a Wednesday? Feels good! Bone in, skin on chicken thighs are on sale this week at R&R Quality Meats & Seafood. My son, Andrew, developed this peanut sauce recipe, as an assignment, when he was taking culinary classes at Shasta College. He got an A! It is a good one. Give it a go.

Grilled Asian Chicken Thighs with a Spicy Peanut Sauce

8 bone in, skin on chicken thighs, excess fat trimmed

6 cups water

1/2 cup chili-garlic sauce

1 cup honey

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup sweet soy sauce

3 Tablespoons sriracha sauce

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup minced ginger

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Toasted (in a dry skillet) sesame seeds, for garnish

Green onion, minced, for garnish

Peanut Sauce, for dipping, recipe follows

Lime wedges, for squeezing

Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Trim the excess fat from the chicken thighs, but leave the skin on.

In a large glass bowl, combine water, salt, chili garlic sauce and the honey. Stir until the salt is dissolved. Add the thighs to a gallon size Ziploc bag then pour the marinade over the chicken and chill for 1 hour or up to 4 hours.

To make the basting sauce, in a small bowl, combine the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, sriracha, honey, vinegar, and ginger and mix well.

Heat the grill to medium high. Pat dry the thighs with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper. Grill the thighs 15-25 minutes, turning as needed. Do not let them catch on fire and burn. Do not walk away from the grill! Watch them carefully. When the thighs reach a golden color, around 155 F, baste them with sauce, turning as needed until the thighs are glossy, well coated and reach 165 F.

Remove to a serving platter and garnish the thighs with the toasted sesame seeds, cilantro leaves and green onions. Serve with the peanut sauce, for dipping and the lime wedges, for squeezing.

Peanut Sauce

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

4 Tbsp sesame oil

1 1/2 tsp grated ginger

1–2 tsp Sriracha, or to taste

3 Tbsp light brown sugar

2–4 Tbsp warm water, for thinning, if needed

In a bowl add all the ingredients, except the water and whisk to combine.

If the mixture needs to be thinned, add 2-4 Tbsp of warm water and stir to combine

Store the mixture in an air tight jar for up to 2 weeks. Does not need to be refrigerated.

I grilled some beautiful top sirloin steaks last night with corn on the cob, grilled shrimp and watermelon, but my mind was on chicken.

Grilled Garlic-Ginger Chicken Thighs and Grilled Shrimp

8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

1 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced, peeled ginger

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup fresh tangerine or orange juice

Fresh-ground pepper, to taste

Vegetable oil, for the grill

Combine the chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, juice and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal and shake to coat the chicken with the marinade. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat a grill to medium high and oil the grate. Grill the chicken skin-side down until marked, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 more minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Grilled Shrimp with Garlic

3/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons freshly chopped thyme leaves

1 1/2 tablespoons ancho chili powder

6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped or pressed through a garlic press

24 large shrimp, tail on, shelled and deveined

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Special equipment: Wooden skewers soaked in water

Heat the grill to medium.

Whisk together 1/4 cup of the oil, 2 tablespoons of the thyme, ancho powder and chopped garlic in a small bowl. Skewer the shrimp and brush with marinade.

Place the remaining 1/2 cup of the oil in a small saucepan, add the sliced garlic and cook until the sliced garlic is lightly golden brown. Remove the garlic slices with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve the oil.

Increase the heat of the grill to high.

Remove the shrimp from the marinade, season with salt and pepper and grill until golden brown on each side, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skewers, transfer to a platter and drizzle with some of the reserved garlic oil and the garlic chips. Sprinkle with the remaining thyme and garnish with oregano leaves.

I hope you have a happy 4th. God bless the men and women of our armed forces and God bless America! Here’s a complete 4th of July menu for ya.

Mustard-Glazed Mushroom Burger

2 pounds ground chuck

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

6 slices Swiss or Gruyere cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 ounces button or cremini mushrooms

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 good quality buns

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Form the beef into 6 burgers; sprinkle with salt and pepper. To make the glaze, mix together the mustard, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl.

Grill the burgers until desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare, brushing the burgers with the glaze about halfway through. A minute before removing the burgers from the grill, top with the cheese.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the mushrooms until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme and garlic and cook until the mushrooms are soft, about 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

Toast the buns and serve the burgers with the mushroom topping.

Garlic Fries

3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips

4 teaspoons vegetable oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking spray

2 tablespoons butter

8 garlic cloves, minced (about 6 teaspoons)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, tossing to coat.

Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning after 20 minutes.

Place butter and garlic in a large nonstick skillet; cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add potatoes, parsley, and cheese to pan; toss to coat. Serve immediately

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter

12 ears fresh corn, unshucked

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

4 limes, zest finely grated

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1/2 pound queso fresco, finely grated

1/4 cup Ancho Chile Rub, recipe follows

Soak the corn in a large container of water for 1 hour. Prepare the grill. Put the soaked cobs on the hot grill and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, turning frequently. The corn is done when it feels soft when you press on it.

While the corn is grilling make the lime butter: In a small bowl add the butter, lime zest, cilantro, and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well and spread onto a large plate. Spread the queso fresco onto another plate.

Take the corn off the grill and carefully peel back the husks (it will be hot). Remove the corn silk and tie the husks in a knot so you can hold on to it like a handle. Roll in the lime butter and then roll in the queso fresco; sprinkle with the Ancho Chile Rub. Place on a large platter and serve immediately.

For the Ancho Chile Rub:

4 ancho chiles, seeded and hand-torn into pieces

1/4 cup chili powder

2 tablespoons ground coriander

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons sweet paprika

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Toast the ancho chile pieces over low heat in a dry skillet until fragrant, shaking the pan so they don’t scorch. Put the chiles in spice grinder and pulse to a powder. Add the remaining ingredients and buzz again to combine.

Spicy Pasta Salad With Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

16 ounces of your favorite pasta shells

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup white vinegar, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotles

1 10-ounce package grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/2 pound smoked gouda cheese, cut into small cubes

24 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water until no longer hot; set aside.

Mix the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste and the adobo sauce in a small bowl.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta, dressing, tomatoes and gouda. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed, and even an extra teaspoon or 2 of vinegar, if necessary. Stir in the basil at the end. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Another fun thing to do with your Blackstone, is smashing stuff.

Smash Chorizo Tacos with Guacamole & Quick Pickled Red Onions

Chorizo:

2 lbs. ground chorizo or links removed from casings

Guacamole:

4 Large Avocados, halved, peeled, pit removed and diced

1 small red onion, diced

Handful fresh cilantro, chopped

3 medium Limes, juiced

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate, until use.

Taco:

Corn Tortillas

Chopped Cilantro

Pickled Red Onions (recipe follows)

Favorite Salsa

Sour Cream

Cotija Cheese

Preheat your grill or Blackstone to medium high heat (about 350F) for direct cooking. Add a cast iron skillet to the grill 2 minutes before cooking.

Add about 2 oz of the ground chorizo to the skillet or Blackstone and top with a tortilla. Smash the tortilla into the ground chorizo (get them as flat as possible!) so that it lays flat and cook for 3-4 minutes until the chorizo is heated through. Flip the tortilla over and cook for 30 more seconds on the opposite side, then pull off and keep warm. Repeat this for the rest of your chorizo smash tacos.

To serve, add the guacamole, pickled red onions, favorite salsa, sour cream, cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve and enjoy!

Quick Pickled Red Onions

1 large red onion, halved, peeled and sliced into thin half-moons

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1–2 tablespoons sugar

Heat the vinegar mixture. In a small saucepan, stir together the vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a simmer.

Combine in a jar. Place the thinly-sliced onions in a mason jar. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, screw on the lid, and shake the onions briefly until they are evenly coated with the vinegar mixture.

Marinate. Let the onions marinate for 30 minutes. Serve immediately, or refrigerate the onions in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

I’ve been told, these are “Hands down the best ribs ever!” I can’t take all the credit. Oh. OK. I guess I will. Remember, have a fifth on the fourth!

Best Ever Baby Back Ribs & Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Feta & Honey-Lime Dressing

2 racks of baby back ribs

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

Kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper, to taste

Cayenne pepper, to taste

1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Preheat your oven to 275°F

Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. It can be tough and chewy if left on.

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.

Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs. Make sure to really massage it into the meat.

Wrap each rack in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the ribs are tender.

While the ribs are baking, prepare your BBQ glaze by mixing the BBQ sauce with the apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally.

After the ribs are done baking, remove them from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil. Watch out for the steam!

Brush the ribs generously with the BBQ glaze.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes, turning and basting with more glaze every few minutes, until the ribs are caramelized and slightly charred.

Remove from the grill, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve!

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Feta & Honey-Lime Dressing

For The Honey-Lime Dressing

4 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

pinch of salt

For The Watermelon Salad

1 watermelon peeled, cut into cubes

1 red onion, halved & sliced into thin half-moons

2 English or Hot House cucumber, cubed

2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped or torn basil

1 cup crumbled feta cheese, more to your liking

Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, olive oil and pinch of salt. Set aside.

Make the Salad: In a large bowl or serving platter, combine the watermelon, cucumbers, onions and fresh herbs.

Top the watermelon salad with the dressing and gently toss to combine. Top with the feta cheese and serve!

Man, I am really in the mood for spag & balls! When I had Tappan Out Pizza, I would do my deep cleaning on Sundays or Mondays, when we were closed. Often, I would do some cooking while I was there. So, let’s take my Tappan Out pizza sauce and make spaghetti.

Tappan Out Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sauce:

Four 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes

6 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, cut into strips

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

4 tbsp. minced garlic (Christopher Ranch minced garlic in the jar)

1/4 cup red wine (Carlo Rossi)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 medium carrot, cut into thirds

1 large stem fresh basil

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley or basil (or a mix of the two)

Meatballs:

Nonstick cooking spray, for rack

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground pork

4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped fine

1/3 cup Parmesan or Pecorino, grated

3 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley

2 teaspoons minced garlic (again, I like the Christopher Ranch)

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1 pound box spaghetti

Parmesan, grated for serving

Fresh basil, torn for serving

For the sauce: In a large bowl, use your hands to break up the tomatoes, squeezing them into small pieces. Set aside.

Place the pancetta in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook gently until the pancetta releases its juices and browns, about 15 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve.

To the rendered fat in the pan, add the olive oil and when hot, the onions and salt and pepper. Cook until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook just until it releases its fragrance, about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes and oregano, cook for a minute or two, and then add the red wine. Cook until the wine is reduced and the alcohol smell is gone, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the pancetta to the pan, along with the tomatoes and their juices, the carrots, and the basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently, stirring frequently, until thickened and reduced by one-half to two-thirds, about 4 hours.

When the sauce has thickened and reduced, remove the carrots and basil, and puree to the desired smoothness using an immersion blender. Stir in the parsley.

For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and place over a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Combine the panko and buttermilk in a large bowl and let sit, mashing occasionally with fork, until a smooth paste forms, about 10 minutes. Add the eggs, ground beef, ground pork, prosciutto, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, pepper and salt. Gently mix with your hands until thoroughly combined, then lightly form into golf ball-size meatballs (about 24 balls).

Place the meatballs, evenly spaced, on the prepared rack and roast until browned, about 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through.

When the sauce is ready, gently add the meatballs to the pot and simmer, covered, over low heat until the meatballs are fully cooked and firm, about 30 minutes.

Bring a large pot of well-salted to boil (the water should taste salty like the ocean.) Add the pasta and cook until just al dente. Drain, but do not rinse and reserve two cups of the pasta water, then return the pasta to the pot.

Ladle approximately half of the sauce into the pasta and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, to let the pasta absorb some of the sauce. Thin the pasta and sauce with the reserved pasta water, if need be.

Using tongs, portion the pasta into individual pasta bowls. Top with 3 to 4 meatballs per serving and finish with more sauce. Garnish with torn basil. Serve extra Parmesan separately at the table along with good, crusty garlic bread for sopping up all the goodness. Cin Cin.

Happy Friday! The next time you’re in the mood for Italian, give my roll-ups a go. I got this recipe from an old, retired stripper named, Bettie Cracker. I here she’s doing very well now, as a street performer at the Fremont Street Experience in Vegas. Enjoy!

Meat-Lovers’ Lasagna Rolls

1 16 oz. box dry lasagna noodles

1lb ground beef

Kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1package mild or hot Italian sausages, casings removed

1small yellow onion, diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce or marinara

8 oz. mozzarella, grated

2 containers (15 oz each) ricotta cheese

1 box (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry

1 egg

In a large stock pot, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package in heavily salted water. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, sausage, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

In large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, spinach, basil and egg. Spread about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture over each cooked lasagna noodle to within 1 inch of one short end. Spoon about 1/4 cup meat mixture over ricotta mixture on each. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Layer the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with a thin layer of pasta sauce. Place each lasagna roll in the baking dish, seam side down.

Heat oven to 350. Pour 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce over and around rolls in each baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; bake 30 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle the rolls with the mozzarella. Bake uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I’m cooking for a crowd on Sunday. It’s a family Mexican pot-luck to celebrate my brother Bud’s and Sister-in-Law Cheryl’s 60th wedding anniversary! I know what you’re thinking. Dave, how can you be so much younger than your only sibling? I was a big, bouncing bundle of oops!

Marinated Tri-Tip Tacos

3 whole dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed

3 whole dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed

2 whole dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed

2 whole chipotle peppers, canned in adobo

Juice from 2 to 3 oranges

Juice from 2 to 3 limes

1 small yellow or white onion, peeled, halved and sliced into half-moons

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 small bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems only, divided

6 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

Kosher salt, to taste

2-3 pounds tri-tip, trimmed and sliced and cut into small cubes

Warm corn or flour tortillas, lime wedges, diced onion, fresh cilantro, hot sauce or Siracha, Pico de Gallo and cotija or queso fresco, for serving.

Place dried chiles in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a soft boil. Remove from heat, cover and let the chiles steep for 20 minutes. Transfer to the jar of a blender and add chipotle peppers, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cilantro, garlic, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Blend until a smooth sauce has formed, about 1 minute. Taste and add more salt, if needed.

Add the chopped tri-tip and sliced onions to a large Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Squeeze out all the air zip it and marinate in your fridge for 2 hours to overnight. Reserve some of the marinade for cooking.

Fire the Blackstone, griddle or large cast-iron skillet and cook the meat thoroughly. Pour some of the reserved marinade over the meat while cooking. If using a skillet, cook the meat in batches so as to not crowd the meat.

Warm your tortillas; add your meat and build your tacos with your favorite toppings!