February 23, 2025

Spicy Fried Tofu

Adapted from several different tofu recipes from https://thewoksoflife.com, wanted spicy tofu, but it was a cold day, so I wanted it warmed up. Also, I’ve borrowed the image from one of their recipes, because I forgot to take a picture of the finished dish! I’ll replace it as soon as I make this again. Ingredients 1 Tablespoons oil 1 pound firm tofu 2 heaping teaspoons spicy bean paste (Doubanjiang) 3 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons chili oil/chili crisp 2 teaspoons ground Sichuan pepper 1 Green onion, diced 2 Tablespoons chopped Thai basil or cilantro leaves Directions

April 30, 2024

Chicken Lazone

Ingredients: 1 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts 4 Tablespoons butter 2 Tablespoons flour 1 Tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic (2 Tablespoons, finely chopped) 1 cup whole milk 1 cup sour cream 8 ounces linguine (or other flat noodles) Seasoning: 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons rosemary 2 teaspoons thyme 1 teaspoon ground garlic 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon basil 1/2 teaspoon oregano Salt & Pepper to taste Directions: Combine seasoning ingredients Slice chicken into two halves, if large.

February 28, 2024

Low and Slow Pasta Sauce

Good lazy day sauce, add-ins with what’s on hand. Ingredients: 1 Can (15 oz) whole or crushed tomatoes 1 Can (15 oz) tomato sauce 1 Pound ground beef 4 oz mushrooms (sliced) 1 medium yellow onion (diced) 4 cloves garlic (chopped or grated) Salt and Pepper to taste Directions: Add 1 Tablespoon butter, or oil to skillet Brown beef in a large skillet with salt and pepper, set aside Add 1 Tablespoon butter to skillet Add diced onion, cook until translucent and slightly brown Push onions to perimeter of pan Add 1 more Tablespoon of butter to skillet Add sliced mushrooms, and brown on both sides Add garlic, stir in for a minute Set slow cooker to low Add both cans of tomatoes Add beef, onions, garlic and mushrooms Cook for 6-8 hours Hint, if you don’t have 6 hours, cook on high for 1 hour, low for 3+ hours An hour or two before done, taste and add salt/pepper if needed

November 12, 2023

Beef Bourguignon Two

An easy to prepare, and very flavorful dish. There are a variety of ways to prepare, I consolidated my favorite ideas from a bunch of different recipes. Note, timings are really approximate. You can start this dish in the morning, and cook it for 8 hours if you like, as long as you keep the temp low, and don’t let the sauce turn into paste. Changed a few things up in 2023 to make it easier and or better.

August 13, 2023

Taco Meat Seasoning

Easy, cheaper than a packet, and you can customize to your own flavor profile… Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon chili powder 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp paprika (smoked if you got ’em) 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp cayenne (or go crazy!) Directions: Combine all ingredients, you’re done!

March 23, 2023

Mapo Tofu New

Original recipe from The Woks of Life You’ll find a couple other recipes for Mapo Tofu here, I really like this version, although I had to modify it to add a smaller amount of hot ingredients at the end, since I’m the only one who eats spicy food. update: 07-2024 - I’ve been substituting mushrooms for the pork, and I think I like it better that way! Ingredients: 1/4 cup oil 2 tablespoons chili oil 1 fresh Thai chili pepper, sliced 3 dried red chilies, chopped 1 Tablespoon ground Sichuan peppercorns + some for finishing 3 Tablespoons ginger (grated) 3 Tablespoons garlic (grated) 8 ounces ground pork or 8 ounces chopped crimini or other mushrooms 2 Tablespoons spicy bean sauce, divided in half 2/3 cup chicken broth (or water) 1 package (16 ounces) tofu (cut into 1 inch cubes).

March 22, 2023

Chicken Marbella

Original recipe by Katie Lee Biegel Ingredients: One 4- to 5-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup pitted dates, quartered 1/2 cup pitted Cerignola olives, halved 1/4 cup capers with brine 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 tablespoon dried oregano 8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely pureed or grated 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/2 cup white wine Directions:

March 21, 2023

Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce

Original recipe Ingredients: One 32-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes 3 cloves garlic, smashed 2 sprigs fresh oregano 2 sprigs fresh rosemary Two 2-inch Pecorino-Romano rinds, cut into 2-4 pieces 1 cup grated Pecorino-Romano, for serving 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for drizzling 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 ounces dried pasta, such as spaghetti or bucatini 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Directions:

October 25, 2022

Smoked wings

Since getting a pellet grill, I’ve been doing a lot more smoking than grilling. Here’s my favorite way to do wings on the smoker. I make the sauce optional, since after making these for years, about 10% of my guests prefer unsauced wings. I often make some unsauced, and 3 different sauce heat levels when cooking for a crowd. Ingredients: 2 pounds wings Dry rub (I use this one) Wing sauce (like this one, optional) Directions:

October 9, 2022

Smoked baby back ribs

After years of making baby back ribs, this simple recipe has stood the test of time and methods, and it’s also the easiest. Now that I use a Treager for most of my smoking, it’s even easier keeping a constant temperature. I don’t do any wrapping or flipping or spritzing. I’ve tried, but I’m looking for simple and consistent, and this brings both. Active Prep time: 10 minutes Inactive Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 5-6 hours (approximately) Ingredients: