Category: Dave’s Blog

 It’s Round-Up Weekend! Enjoy the Red Bluff Round-Up and a good steak!  

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 fresh-ground pepper

2 cloves garlicfinely minced

1 lemon, zested and halved

Kosher salt, to taste  

Steaks:

Garlic salt and fresh-ground black pepper, to taste

4 rib eye steaks, 2 inches thick  

For the cowboy butter:

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. After the butter is well combine, lay out some plastic wrap and lay out the butter in the middle of the plastic wrap. Wrap the butter tightly in the form of a log and twist the ends. Put the butter log in the fridge to set up until you cook the steaks.  

For the steaks:

Preheat your grill on high. Sear the steaks on both sides, but do not burn them. There’s a fine line between seared and burnt. Lower the grill to medium and cook the steaks to your desired doneness. Flip the steaks as needed as to not char them too much. I pull mine when the internal temp is about 125 degrees. On the final flip, put a couple of pats of your compound butter on top of the steaks to melt. Pull the steaks and top them with more butter if you like. Loosely cover the steaks with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Happy Ex-Spouses Day! Let’s celebrate with a really terrific sandwich.

Marinade:

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 (4 1/2-pound) flank steak, trimmed 

Bacon Horseradish Sauce:

2 teaspoons minced green onion

1 cup mayonnaise

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

12 to 15 onion rolls, split, buttered, and toasted

Arugula, for serving 

For the marinade:

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the soy sauce, oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper. Add the flank steak, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Preheat a grill to medium heat.

Drain the steak, discarding the marinade. Place the steak on the grill. Grill 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until desired temperature. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

For the bacon horseradish sauce: In a small bowl, combine the green onions, mayonnaise, bacon, horseradish, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cover and chill.

To assemble: Spread desired amount of Bacon Horseradish Sauce over the bottom of the rolls. Top with desired amount of arugula. Top with sliced flank steak. Cover with roll tops. Serve immediately.

The weather in Redding this weekend is going to be epic! I say we celebrate the beautiful spring weather with surf-n-turf. 

To prep the grill:

2 large handfuls of mesquite wood chips

Small disposable foil pan 

For the butter:

Kosher salt & fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1 shallot, peeled and cut lengthwise into quarters

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 stick unsalted butter, softened1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

2 teaspoons dry sherry

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest 

For the steak:

Montreal Steak Seasoning, to taste

Bone-in or boneless rib-eyes, 1-1 ½ pounds each

Extra-virgin olive oil Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium-high heat In a small disposable foil pan combine the shallot quarters, oil, and paprika. Drain the chips and add one handful to the charcoal or to the smoker box of a gas grill, and close the lid. When smoke appears, place the foil pan with the shallot over indirect medium-high heat, close the lid, and cook until the shallot is tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for 10 minutes. Mince the shallot, transfer to a small bowl, and add the remaining butter ingredients, including salt and pepper, mixing thoroughly. Lay the butter on plastic wrap. Roll it up to form a log and twist the ends. Place in the freezer for an hour to solidify.Lightly brush both sides of the steaks with oil and season with the steak seasoning. Allow the steaks to stand at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes before grilling. Drain and add the remaining wood chips to the charcoal or smoker box. When smoke appears, sear the steaks over direct medium-high heat, with the lid closed, for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Then move the steaks over indirect medium-high heat, close the lid, and continue cooking to your desired doneness, about12 to 14 minutes more for medium rare. Using a digital thermometer, I like to pull mine off the grill at about 135 degrees. About a minute before pulling the steaks, place a generous pat of the butter on each steak. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm, topped with more butter. 

Oysters & Butter:

12 Raw Oysters, shucked

¼ cup Clarified Butter

1 tbsp Chopped Parsley

2 tbsp. Garlic, minced

2 tbsp Grated Parmesan

1 tbsp Chopped Basil

½ medium Lemon juiced 

As the steaks are cooking, add a cast iron basting skillet with clarified butter. Let that melt, then add your minced garlic to brown for about a minute. Finally, add your parsley, Parmesan, basil and lemon juice. Mix and let simmer for 1 minute, then pull off and let cool. Add your shucked oysters to the grill and *carefully* add a spoonful of the butter to each oyster. Be aware of flare-ups as they can occur with this part of the process. Let the oysters simmer for 30-45 seconds, then pull them off to cool for 2 minutes.

Slice up your steaks, serve with the oysters and enjoy!

I love Hawaii. As soon as you step off the plane, you get leid! 

Wings:

4 lbs. Chicken Wings  

Marinade:

4 cups Soy Sauce low sodium

4 tbsp Brown Sugar

2 tbsp Black Garlic Sauce or garlic paste

2 tbsp Ginger Paste

4 tsp Garlic Powder

4 tsp Smoked Paprika Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste  

Sweet Pineapple BBQ Sauce:

2 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup Pineapple Juice

4 tbsp Sriracha

4 tbsp Honey

3 tbsp Dijon Mustard

3 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar

4 tsp Black Garlic Sauce  

Garnishes:

Chopped Parsley

Sriracha Sesame Seeds  

1. Begin by adding your chicken wings to a food safe bowl/container along with all the ingredients for the marinade. Mix thoroughly then cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.

2. Preheat a grill for medium high heat (around 350) for direct cooking.

3. Pull the wings out of the fridge and discard any excess marinade. Place the wings over the flames about 6-8” away from the heat and cook until they reach 175 internal temp (about 20-25 minutes). Once they are done, pull them off and let them cool for 2-3 minutes.

4. While the wings are cooking, heat up a basting skillet over the fire. Add all your ingredients for the Sweet Pineapple BBQ Sauce. Let simmer over the flames until it thickens and is well incorporated (about 20 minutes). Pull off the heat and set to the side. When the wings are done, pull them off and toss them in the BBQ Sauce. You can also garnish them with sesame seeds, more sriracha and chopped parsley.

5. After the wings are ready, serve ‘em up and enjoy!

Happy Taco Tuesday! Let’s stay on that Hawaiian Chicken jag.  

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Tacos  

• 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

• Corn tortillas, warmed or charred on a grill or gas flame

For the marinade:

• 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar

• 1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce

• 1 teaspoon Minced Fresh Ginger

• 1 teaspoon Minced Fresh Garlic

• 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice

• 2 tablespoons Ketchup

• 2 teaspoons Sriracha Sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

• Lime wedges, for squeezing  

For the Pineapple Pico de Gallo:

• 1 cup Pineapple, chopped (fresh or canned)

• 2 tablespoons Chopped Red Onion

• 1/2 cup red, yellow or orange Bell Pepper, diced

• 1 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro

• Juice from one lime  

Mix all Pico ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until using.

• Prepare the marinade by combining the sugar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, pineapple juice, ketchup, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce together, add ingredients to a large resealable plastic bag and whisk together.

• Add the chicken to the bag, seal, and store in the refrigerator to marinate for 2-4 hours.

• After marinating, preheat a grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes. Then flip and cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°

• Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove from grill. Set on a cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes to cool slightly. Chop the chicken into strips or cubes.

• Make the tacos by filling the corn tortillas with the cut-up chicken, top with the pineapple Pico de Gallo and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Happy Monday. Five more days of workin’ for the man. Make dinner easy tonight.  

HAWAIIAN STYLE TERIYAKI CHICKEN  

3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

1 cup of soy sauce

1 cup of pineapple juice

1 cup of brown sugar packed

5 cloves of mashed garlic.

1 inch knob of fresh ginger, grated on a micro-plane grater  

In a large bowl, mix the pineapple juice and soy sauce and add in the sugar to be dissolved. Add the desired amount of ginger and garlic then add in the chicken. You can soak the meat in the marinade for up to 3 days, if you are in a hurry, you need to soak it for at least 24 hours. If you can’t wait, boil the chicken in the sauce right after you make it. Bake the chicken in a 425 oven for 50 minutes, brushing with sauce every 10 minutes. When in doubt, pull out your digital thermometer. The chicken is done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165.

It’s National Burrito Day! I like mine like I like my…well, you know. 

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Mexican oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

3/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, in sauce divided

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (or you can use a Mexican blend)6-8 10 inch flour tortillas

2 cups re-fried beans, with

1/4 teaspoon cumin, added1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce1 (18 ounce) jar home-style beef gravy 

FOR SERVING

sour cream

chopped onion

salsa

jalapeno

chopped lettuce

chopped tomato

fresh cilantro 

Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic, making sure to chop ground beef into very fine pieces while cooking. Drain off any fat from browning.

Add Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, chili powder, cumin, pepper, and half of the can of tomatoes with sauce, and simmer for 5 minutes.

While meat is simmering, heat beans with 1/4 tsp. cumin, and make the gravy.For gravy, combine enchilada sauce, beef gravy, and the other half of tomatoes, and heat until almost boiling.

Soften tortillas in moist paper towels for 20 seconds in microwave.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Assemble burritos.On each tortilla, layer some of the meat mixture, the bean mixture, and the cheese.

Fold sides of burrito in, then roll from the other sides until you have a “package”.

Place seam side down in a 13×9 baking dish.

When all burritos are assembled and in the baking dish, pour sauce mixture over all and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and burritos are heated through.

Serve each burrito with extra sauce from pan spooned over the top.

Have sour cream, chopped onions, salsa, jalapenos, chopped lettuce, cilantro and chopped tomatoes available to sprinkle on as desired.

Happy Taco Tuesday & April Fool’s Day!  

Chili Gravy

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 Tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon Mexican or regular oregano

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken broth. More, if needed  

Tex-Mex Enchiladas

1 twelve-ounce block cheddar cheese, shredded

12 corn tortillas

1 twenty-eight-ounce can red enchilada sauce.

1 white onion, chopped

Handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped  

Make the Chili Gravy Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. When browned add chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Stir until mixed evenly. Add the flour and stir in with the seasoned ground beef. Pour in the broth and bring it up to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It smells really good at this point. When it thickens up, then it is ready to pour over the cheese enchiladas. If the gravy is too thick for your liking, add a little more broth.  

Heat The Tortillas In a skillet, heat the enchilada sauce to barely boiling, then turn down to a slight simmer. Submerge each tortilla in the hot enchilada sauce to make it soft and pliable before adding the cheese and rolling it.  

Tex-Mex Enchiladas Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Ladle about a half cup of the chili gravy into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Add about 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on the lower third of the sauced tortilla.

Then tightly roll the tortilla around the cheese and place seam side down in the 9×13 baking dish. Repeat until you have rolled all enchiladas. Pour the remaining chili gravy over the enchiladas, and sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top of the enchiladas. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Serve the enchiladas hot, and top with chopped onions and chopped cilantro just before serving.

Hi-O, Hi-O, It’s Off To Work We Go. Another five days of workin’ for the man!  

Roasted Garlic Butter Rib-Eye Steaks 

4 Rib-Eyes

Olive oil

Montreal Steak Seasoning, to taste 

Roasted Garlic and Herb Butter

1/2 shallot, diced

1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped

1 tablespoon thyme, chopped

Kosher salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

2 bulbs garlic

4 tablespoons olive oil 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the tops off the head of the garlic bulbs (enough to expose the top of the garlic cloves) and remove any loose papery outer layers.

Place garlic cut side up on enough foil to wrap the garlic. Drizzle oil on the exposed surface of the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Wrap the sides up and place the foil wrapped garlic onto a baking tray.

Roast in the preheated oven until golden and soft, about 45 minutes or up to 60 minutes. Roasting time will vary based on the size and type of garlic.

Set aside to cool, then squeeze out the soft cloves.

While the garlic is roasting, season the steaks with Montreal Steak Seasoning and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Get a stick of softened, unsalted butter in a bowl and begin adding the roasted garlic (8 or so cloves), rosemary, thyme, shallots, and salt & pepper. Mix and set aside.

Grill, BBQ or air-fry the steaks to your preferred doneness. I like mine medium-rare.

On the last flip of the steaks, top them with a teaspoon, or so, of the roasted garlic butter. Remove the steaks when done and top them with more butter. Tent them with foil and let them rest for 10 minutes, enjoy!

Happy Opening Day! The Giants open their season in Cincinnati, the A’s are in Seattle and the Dodgers host the Tigers. Bust out the brats and enjoy! 

Opening Day Beer Brats 

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)

2 pounds of brats

2 onions, halved and sliced into half moons

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 bottles of a good craft beer

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup Stone Ground mustard1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons cider vinegar 

In a large skillet on medium high heat brown the brats on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the other 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the skillet and cook the onions on medium heat until soft and lightly browned. Add the garlic, nutmeg and caraway seeds and cook until fragrant, and then add the beer, and mix in the mustard, vinegar and honey.At this point, if you want to do a smoker or grill version, put everything into an aluminum foil pan and set your smoker or grill to 250. Let everything stew and cook for about an hour.Add the brats back into the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes or until brats are done.

Remove the brats to a serving platter and then bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Boil until onion mixture is thickened – stirring frequently.

Serve on brat buns or hoagie rolls topped with the onion mixture.