Category: Dave’s Blog

Fish Piccata   4 Fresh Filets of Tilapia, Snapper, or any meaty, white fish 2 Cloves of Garlic, minced 2 tsp of Olive Oil Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste Flour, for dusting the fillets Capers, to taste 1/2 Cup of White Wine Zest and Juice of One Whole Lemon Fresh Chopped Parsley 1 Tbsp of Butter   Place the fish fillets on a large plate and season each side with salt, pepper and a light dusting of flour. Flip it over and do the same on the other side. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and allow it to heat up. Add the seasoned fish and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Add the garlic and cook for a few seconds. Add the wine, lemon zest, lemon juice and capers and cook for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add butter and parsley. Cook just until the butter melts. Serve immediately!

The NFL playoffs continue this Saturday and Sunday and the Rams and Vikings meet tonight. I think I’ll change gears and root for the Rams, for my friends Rick Richard Healy and Tom Cummings. Too bad the Rams and Lions can’t square off in the Super Bowl. Good luck Chuck and Jake. Chicken Parm Sub with Italian Salad 1 jar of marinara sauce2 large chicken breasts1 large yellow onionGarlic cloves, to taste, I use 418 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese6 French or Sub Rolls1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese + more for toppingKosher salt and fresh-ground pepperGarlic PowderOnion PowderItalian seasoningOil for cooking Halve your onions, then peel and slice into half-moonsCut your chicken breasts into bite sized chunks.Mince the garlic.Add some oil to a skillet, then preheat your oven to 375 degrees.Add your onions, chicken and garlic to the skillet and sauté , stirring occasionally until fully cooked.Season with the salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders and Italian seasoning. I do not measure, Just season to taste.Pour in the jar of marinara, I add a little water to the jar, shake and add to the pan as well. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-30 minutes.Drizzle some oil or butter on the split rolls and toast in the oven until slightly toasted, take out, add two slices of cheese and back in oven to toast.When chicken is done simmering, turn off heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese.Remove rolls from oven, turn off oven and turn on broiler, add the chicken to each roll, sprinkle of Parmesan and another slice (or two) of cheese to the top, sprinkle with seasonings if you like, and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.Serve with Italian salad. Recipe follows. Italian Salad1 head of iceberg lettuce1 medium red onion1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes8 slices of provolone cheese6 to 8 peperoncini plus a splash of juice from the jarItalian seasoning, to taste1 tablespoon of mayo1/2 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheeseKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste Wash and air dry your iceberg lettuce and cut and tear into bite sized pieces. I like to leave it in the bowl in the fridge for a bit so it gets ice cold.Slice your red onion and add to the lettuce.Add your peperoncini to the bowl and drizzle a little of the juice from the jar on the salad.Chop your sun dried tomato into small pieces and sprinkle over the salad.Dice your Provolone and add to the salad.In a jar add your salad dressing and the mayo and whisk or stir until well combined and creamy.Season the whole salad with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper.When ready to serve, drizzle with the dressing and add the Parmesan cheese.

Happy Friday! I am obsessed with my Ninja Air Fryer. Air Fryer Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken For the Teriyaki Marinade:1/2 cup soy sauce1/4 cup pineapple juice1/4 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons rice vinegar2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger2 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon sesame oil1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening) For the Chicken:4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs1 tablespoon vegetable oil Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. If you want a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook over medium heat until thickened. Allow it to cool.Place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour half of the teriyaki marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. Reserve the remaining marinade for basting and serving.Preheat your air fryer to 360° for about 5 minutes.Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Lightly brush the chicken with vegetable oil to help with browning.Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook at 360° for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° and is golden brown.Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice the thighs into strips. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if you like. Serve with rice and the reserved teriyaki sauce on the side.

Air Fryer Ribs with Smoky Bourbon-Peach BBQ Sauce 1 rack of ribsDry rub (recipe follows)BBQ sauce (recipe follows) Preheat the air fryer to 380°Peel off the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Season the ribs with the dry rub on both sides.Cut the rack of ribs in half to fit in the air fryer. Place meat side down in the air fryer tray and cook for 20 minutes, turning the ribs over halfway through the cooking.After the 20 minutes is up, pull out the basket and baste the ribs on both sides with BBQ sauce. Return them, meat side up, to the air fryer. Crank up the heat to 390° and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are a bit charred on top. Brush with additional BBQ sauce and serve. Smoky Bourbon-Peach BBQ Sauce1/2 onion cut into wedges2 cloves garlic, minced1/2 cup bourbon1/2 cup peaches, pureed1 cup ketchup2 tablespoons tomato puree4 tablespoons cider vinegar2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce1/8 cup brown sugarA few dashes of hot sauceKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste Add the onion, garlic, peach puree and bourbon to a small saucepan. Simmer on low for 10 minutes until the bourbon reduces by half.Add all additional ingredients and stir well.Bring to the boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool.Strain the sauce through a sieve into a bowl.Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Dry Rub2 tablespoons brown sugar2 tablespoons paprikaKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste3 teaspoons chili powder3 teaspoons onion powder2 teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon dry mustard Mix all spices together until well combined.

Happy Friday! Let’s get this in the crock-pot tomorrow. Chicken Tortilla Soup 12 small corn tortillas 6-inch, cut into ¼-inch strips2 tablespoon olive oil2 onions chopped6 cloves garlic large, minced2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped4 teaspoons cumin4 teaspoons chili powder28 ounces crushed tomatoes20 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel, 1 can8 cups chicken broth30 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed2 cups frozen corn kernels4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Cook onion, garlic and jalapeño in olive oil. Add to the bottom of a slow cooker.Add remaining ingredients (except tortillas and oil) to the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours.Shred chicken and add back to the pot. Serve with tortilla strips.Crispy TortillasHeat oil over medium-high heat a small pan. Add tortilla strips in small batches and fry until crisp. Drain on paper towels and salt immediately. ToppingsCilantro, rough choppedSour creamTortilla stripsHot sauceLime wedgesPickled jalapenoChopped onionChopped tomatoAvocado, diced or slicedGrated cheese

Here’s another leftover prime rib idea. Happy Friday! Prime Rib Sliders Slices of leftover prime rib1 package King’s Hawaiian Rolls12 slices Swiss cheeseOnion powderGarlic powderMelted butter, for topping rolls Caramelized Onions:4 large sweet onions halved and cut thinly1/4 cup butterKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste4 tbsp balsamic vinegar4 tbsp brown sugar6 fresh rosemary stems2 bay leaves Horseradish Cream Sauce:2 tbsp prepared horseradish1/4 cup sour cream2 tsp Worcestershire sauce2 tsp Sriracha Caramelized Onions:Cut the onions in half, then slice them thinly.Melt the butter in a large skillet, then add the onions.Cook over low-medium heat until the onions are softened. About 20 minutes.Then add the rosemary stems and bay leaves. Mix. Cook for about 20 more minutes, until the rosemary has wilted.Once the rosemary has wilted, remove it and the bay leaves. You will likely have to remove stray rosemary leaves.Stir in the balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.Continue cooking until the liquid is all gone, and the onions are caramel colored and soft. Be very careful not to burn the mixture, so stir often. Horseradish Cream Sauce:Combine the horseradish, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce and Sriracha. I like to use a hand blender to make the sauce nice and creamy. Putting it all together:Pre-heat your oven to 350Cut the entire pack of rolls in half horizontally, keeping each half intact and connected. Place the bottom half of the rolls on a foil lined baking sheet. Top with the roast beef (about 1 slice per roll). Dollop the beef with the horseradish cream sauce. Spread the onions in an even layer over the top, then top with the cheese. Place the top layer of rolls over the cheese. Brush the top of the rolls with the melted butter. Sprinkle with the garlic powder and onion powder.Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is melted and the rolls are lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes more. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Our Chief Engineer at Q97, Barry, brought a crock-pot of tri-tip soup. It is fantastic! Job well done, Barry! He doesn’t have a recipe, so I thought of a bunch of good ingredients and wrote my own recipe. I hope it’s good. It sounds good. Grilled Tri-Tip Soup 1/2 C all-purpose flour (optional)One 3 lb. tri-tip, seared and cubed3 Tbs olive oil1 bag frozen pearl onions8 cloves garlic, peeled2 Tbs balsamic vinegar2 Tbs tomato paste2 C dry red wine4 C beef broth1 bay leafDried thyme4 large carrots, peeled and cut into one-inch pieces4 stalks celery, trimmed and cut into one-inch pieces2 cans kidney beans1-pound white button mushrooms, quarteredFresh parsley, choppedKosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste Season the tri-tip with salt and pepper. Sear the tri-tip on your grill just until it gets good color, about five minutes, or so.Remove the tri-tip and place on a plate, to drain and cool. Cube the tri-tip. Reserve the juicesPlace the flour in a large resealable plastic bag and season it with salt and pepper. Add the tri-tip cubes to the flour, close the bag, and shake to coat well. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the tri-tip from the flour, shaking off any excess and carefully add it to the hot oil. Brown the tri-tip, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove the tri-tip from the pot and set it aside.Add the onions and garlic to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the vinegar and scrape up the brown bits from bottom of the pot. Add the tomato paste and cook for one minute more. Place the onions and garlic mixture in a crock-pot. Add the tri-tip to the pot, with the juices. Add the wine, beef broth, reserved cooking juices from the tri-tip, bay leaf and thyme. Stir to combine. Cover the pot with a lid and cook on low for about 4 hours.After 4 hours of cooking, add the carrots, beans, celery and mushrooms. Cover and cook another 2 hours or until the vegetables are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.