GRILLED HALLOUMI CHEESE & TOMATOES

Serves 3-4

I love this simple appetizer: grilled cheese, literally. You’d seldom think to use an outside grill for cheese because it would just melt all over, but Halloumi is a super hearty Greek cheese that’s just perfect for grilling. And served alongside some grilled tomatoes it’s even better.  

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounce block Halloumi cheese
• 6 roma tomatoes, halved
• Extra virgin live oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Fresh ground pepper
• Baguette, grilled for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat grill to medium
2. Slice cheese in half to make 2 half inch thick pieces
3. Brush both sides of each cheese and grill until well marked on all sides
4. When you flip the cheese, oil tomatoes and add to grill cut side down
5. Cook tomatoes until softened and marked – remove to serving plate with cheese
6. Sprinkle cheese & tomatoes with oregano, drizzle with a little extra oil and serve with bread

Black Eyed Pea Salad

Serves 4

This culinarily ambiguous healthy salad…dip... side dish…or, as the south call it, "Cowboy Caviar" (which was highly recommended to me by my SIL, Danna) is so versatile, it's perfect for any potluck party.

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup green onion, sliced
• 2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 15 oz can black eyed peas, drained
• 11 oz can White Shoepeg Corn (or reg corn), drained
• 2 avocados, diced
• 1/2 cup tomato, de-seeded, diced
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix everything up in a big bowl, eat!

TIP: Make a bunch, keep it in the fridge, it'll be good for 4-5 days. I would serve this with a burger, steak or grilled Tuna. If you don't have BEPeas just use cannellini beans.

WATCH SAM MAKE THIS>>>

The World’s Best Fried Egg Sandwich

Makes 1 sandwich (just double everything for 2)

If I had a restaurant, which I don't, this would be on the menu, you just must make this!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 slices sourdough bread, buttered
• 2 bacon strips
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon Kewpie Mayo (Japanese Mayo)
• 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha
• 3 slices Muenster cheese
• 1/4 cup Romaine lettuce, finely shredded
• 1/4 ripe avocado, sliced
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400, cook bacon for 10 minutes, or until slightly crispy
2. Grill your bread, on both sides, until golden
3. Preheat skillet, on medium, add butter, crack your egg, smash yolk move around a lil bit, flip and layer on cheese, cover with lid, while you cook this bit
4. Spread Mayo and Sriracha on toast. Layer on lettuce, bacon, egg/cheese and spread avocado on other slice toast, season.

WATCH ME MAKE IT

Grilled Shrimp with Horseradish

Serves 4

This was donated by one of our Livecast viewer's, and as my sister-in-law Cheryl would say… this is a "super-duper" party appetizer. Thanks Ben, we love this.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 - 1 tablespoon wasabi paste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tablespoon prepared fresh horseradish (fresh or I got mine from a jar)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
• 12-14 raw large shrimp, 21/25's would be great
• Oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat grill or griddle to high
2. Throw all the ingredients (minus the shrimp) in a bowl and mix well to combine
3. Skewer the shrimp, lightly drizzle with the oil and grill for about 2 minutes each side
4. Dip in the sauce and enjoy

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Baked Sausage & Cheese balls

Makes 24 puffs

A simple trio of ingredients that result in awesomeness! This is a recipe donated by David a longtime viewer of the show, we gave it a go and we loved it.

INGREDIENTS

• 8oz Cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup Bisquick mix
• 1 cup uncooked sausage meat (room temperature)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Put all ingredients in mixer and mix until well blended
3. Roll into roughly 24 one inch balls and place on un-greased baking sheet cook for 30 minutes

Sausage & Mixed Pepper Flatbread

Makes 4 flatbreads

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound hot Italian sausage
• One each red & yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into thin, 1 inch pieces
• 1 large clove garlic
• 5 ounces baby spinach
• 4 Naan bread, flat bread or whatever (instead of pizza) aaprox 4x 8 inches each
• ½ cup basil pesto
• Shredded mozzarella
• 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Cook sausage until almost done and add peppers – allow to soften
3. Add garlic, and when fragrant after about a minute add spinach
4. When spinach has wilted, add salt & pepper to taste and remove from heat
5. Spread ¼ of the pesto on each naan, add some mozzarella, the sausage mixture, more mozzarella and finely the Parmesan
6. Bake until crispy,  melty and gorgeous – about 15 minutes

 

WATCH SAM MAKE THIS...

STUFFED BABY PEPPERS

Serves 3-4

This recipe has only a handful of simple ingredients, which makes them a super easy appetizer – perfect to whip up for a party at the last minute. 

INGREDIENTS

• about 12 baby bell peppers, red, yellow...whatever ya got
• 1 lb pork chorizo
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat broiler to high
2. Cook chorizo in a skillet until cooked through, about 7 minutes
3. Make a T incision in each pepper (don't worry about any little seeds inside)
4. Stuff peppers with some of the cooked chorizo, then broil for 5 minutes cut side down, flip and broil for another 4 minutes
5. Remove peppers, carefully stuff with some cheese then broil again cut side up until melty, about 2 minutes

TIP: You could easily have them done through the point of being stuffed with cheese - then stop. And then when you're ready for them - throw them back in the over for the last couple minutes. #hereforyou

PUMPKIN MULE

Serves 1

This is so awesome... it's ridiculous. And a great way to use up those Thanksgiving pumpkin puree leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup ice
• 2oz Vodka
• 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 bottle Bundaberg Ginger Beer (it's Australian and THE best)
• 1/4 lime

DIRECTIONS

1. Shake pumpkin puree, vodka, ice and pour into glass
2. Top up with ginger beer
3. Stir in a big squeeze of lime

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Stuffing, Mash & Bacon Cake

Serves 4 as appetizer

Kick up your leftover game with this easy recipe. Mashed potatoes, stuffing & bacon – what wrong could there possibly be?

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 pound bacon, diced
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup chilled mashed potato
• 1/2 cup chilled stuffing
• 1/2 cup cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon each butter & oil
• 4 eggs, however you like them
• Salad for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until about halfway done, remove all but about 2 tablespoons of grease and add onion - cook until softened about 4 minutes
2. As it cooks, in large bowl put mashed potato, stuffing, turkey, cooked onion and bacon – mix well to combine - add salt & pepper to taste
3. Lightly oil your hands and form mixture into 4 patties
4. Melt butter with oil in the skillet you cooked the onion in, and add the patties
5. Cook about 4 minutes each side and serve with a little salad (optional) and an egg (not optional)

Curry Mussels

Serves 2

I’m a fan of mussels cuz they’re quick and inexpensive. And now with a little curry & cream thrown in, they’re super delicious too.

INGREDIENTS

• 1lb clean and de-bearded mussels

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 red onion, diced

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 tablespoon curry powder

• 1/2 cup vermouth

• 1/4 cup cream

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS

• Heat deep large skillet on low/medium, add olive oil and cook onion for 5 minutes, add butter, garlic and curry powder and stir in the vermouth, mix thoroughly & bring to the boil

• Stir in the mussels to the sauce, cover and cook on medium for 4 or 5 minutes maximum

• Scoop out mussels and place in a large serving dish

• With remaining liquid in the pan, add cream (to slightly thicken) and cilantro, stir well, then pour over the mussels and serve.

MINI 101 ON MUSSELS

After giving them a thorough wash, and rinse and removing any beards, if any are open give them a firm tap and if they don't start to close up then they need to be discarded as they're already dead. Also, once cooked, the ones that don't open should also be discarded. 

SPINACH, RICOTTA & FETA SOUFFLÉ

Serves 4

This Greek inspired side dish is a most delicious light and puffy soufflé. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 lb spinach leaves
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Heat oil in a large pan or wok and cook onion until softened, about 3 minutes then add garlic & cook for another minute 
3. Add spinach to wok and cook until fully wilted and no more moisture remains - about 5 minutes
4. Put in a large bowl with both cheeses, red pepper flakes and eggs - season well with salt & pepper
5. Mix well to combine everything and pour into greased 8" cast iron pan or oven proof dish
6. Cook for 40 minutes, or until puffy and beautiful
7.  Οπα!

Potato Chorizo Balls

Serves 4

These will be amazing if you chill the mashed potato, but if you don't it could be a big mess – but without doubt these are worth the effort.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups chilled pre-made mashed potatoes, seasoned with green onion and cholula
• 1 cup chorizo
• 1/2 cup jack cheese
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat your deep fryer, use peanut or canola oil
2. Cook chorizo for 5 minutes in skillet
3. Fill two large plates, one panko, one eggs
4. Keep mashed potatoes in fridge until the last minute
5. Grease your hands with olive oil
6. Make a rough 3'' patty from mashed potato, place a teaspoon of chorizo and a pinch of jack in center and bring in the edges of potato to form a ball
7. Roll in the egg, cover in panko then deep fry in small batches until golden.

Or, you could be like I was on the show... just eff it, mix the mashed potato and chorizo, roll into balls and do egg wash and panko and deep fry until golden.

Cheese Pull Apart Bread

Serves 6

This is a viewer recipe sent in from Neil & Alana, and is simple and ridiculously good. But in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit I modified it slightly by adding the bacon.  So sue me…

INGREDIENTS

• 1 round bread loaf, sourdough is ideal for this

• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 6 green onions, white & light green parts only, diced

• 8 pieces of bacon, cooked & crumbled

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons sriracha

• 1 teaspoon each oregano and garlic powder

• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350

2. Score the loaf crosswise and lengthwise into 1 inch squares, cutting almost through to the bottom, but leaving it intact

3. In a small bowl put both cheeses, garlic, green onions and bacon – mix well and stuff mixture in between all of the cuts (some of it coming out of the top is just fine)

4. Melt butter in the microwave or a small pot – and add Dijon, sriracha, seasonings and salt & pepper – mix really well and drizzle evenly over the bread, especially over the cuts

5. Wrap loaf in a couple layers of aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes

6. Remove from the oven and remove foil to expose the top of the bread

7. Turn oven to broil and put back in the oven and cook until lightly brown, and the cheese is bubbly

8. Remove, maybe wait a minute to let it cool and then go nuts eating it

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Welsh Rarebit (aka fancy Cheese on Toast)

Serves 4 as an appetizer

THE best cheese on toast EVER, recommended by Kate, a lovely British woman. 

INGREDIENTS

• 6 slices bacon, uncooked and chopped

• 1/3 cup diced green onions

• 2 tablespoons butter + plus extra for bread

• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 3/4 cup whipping cream

• 6oz grated white cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup dark beer

• 1 teaspoon each smoked paprika, garlic powder & cayenne

• Kosher Salt

• Fresh black pepper

• 8 thick slices crusty artisan bread

• sprinkle flat leaf parsley, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook bacon in a medium pot medium heat in a medium pan until about 1/2 way cooked - then add green onions and cook 2 minutes

2. Add 2 tablespoons butter, and when it melts add flour, whisk well and cook 2 minutes

3. Then add mustard & Worcestershire, then gradually add the cream, cheese, beer and spices - stir until smooth and beautifully thickened

4. Butter the bread, grill or broil until golden

5. Ladle over the cheese sauce, garnish with pinch more paprika, some black pepper and parsley

Fried Rice Pancakes

Serves 4

Fried rice – fantastic. 
Fried rice pancakes – ridiculously fantastic, in a weird ‘east meets west’ sorta way.   

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons peanut oil or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 
• 1 cup leftover chilled fried rice
• 1 cup prepared pancake mix (I use "just add water" kind)
• Hoisin sauce for serving
• 2 green onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Re-heat rice
2. Pre-heat non-stick skillet, add some oil and ¼ cup of the rice, spread out slightly
3. To about a 4 inch circle
4. When it starts to sizzle, pour just enough pancake batter slowly over the top to cover
5. Cook a couple minutes or until just set on the bottom, then flip and cook until done
6. Serve rice side up with a little drizzle of Hoisin sauce and green onions for garnish

Glossy Asian Wings

Serves 4

These are so simple, and the longer you marinate them the better… I suggest you whip this up in the morning, throw 'em in the fridge, then they'll be tender and perfect to cook when you get home from work.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs raw chicken wings

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 cup soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 2 green onions, white & light green parts, chopped fine

• Toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat broiler

2. In a large bowl combine brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil – mix well

3. Put the wings and most of the marinade (save about 1/3 for basting) in a zip lock bag and refrigerate an hour up to overnight

4. Place skin side up on backing sheet & put under broiler about 4-5" from the element and cook 10 minutes, flip and cook until done – about another 10

5. Plate wings, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds

(Shortcut version: You could make this with frozen raw wings, just coat with sauce then cook according to packaging)

Grilled Polenta with Crab

Serves 4 as appetizer

Perfect summer appetizer – totally delicious & simple crab salad on grilled polenta, you can have this on the table n 20 minutes, easy! 

INGREDIENTS

• Makes about 20 rounds
• 1 polenta chub
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 green onion chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• Kosher salt & pepper
• 1  1/2 cups fresh crab meat
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS

• Pre-heat grill pan to medium/high
• Slice polenta into 1/4 inch thick rounds
• Lightly drizzle with olive oil, season with Kosher salt and pepper & cook on grill pan until crispy and well marked, 5-7 minutes on each side
• In a bowl mix diced green onions, red pepper, chili sauce, lime juice, pinch salt and crab meat
• Spoon some crab mixture on each round, top with a slice of avocado and wee bit of cilantro. 

Ahi Slider

Makes 2 sliders

It's a small burger with giant flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• 2 tablespoons Kewpie (Japanese mayo) or Miracle Whip

• 1 tablespoon Chili Paste

• 1/4 cup Jicama, cut into matchsticks

• 3 green onions, white & light green parts shredded lengthwise

• Approx 6 ounces fresh ahi - cut into 2 small fillets

• 2 King's Hawaiian Rolls

• Kosher salt

• Fresh black pepper

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Half an avocado, in thin slices

Directions

1. In a medium bowl combine hoisin, mayo & chili paste - mix well and set aside

2. Mix jicama and green onion - set aside

3. Pre-heat a griddle or non-stick pan or fire up the grill outside to medium

4. Lightly oil ahi, season with Kosher salt and pepper, cook or grill until 1/4 of the way done up the side, then flip and repeat – this will keep it rare in the middle

5. While it cooks, slice Hawaiian rolls, lightly oil and grill until brown on both sides

6. Build: grilled bun, hoisin mix, avocado slices, ahi, jicama slaw and top bun, enjoy!

Gochujang Salad Dressing

Serves 4

Take a step away from your salad-dressing-comfort-zone, I really think this will become a new favorite, like has become mine.

Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1/2 english cucumber
• 20 baby orange tomatoes (from Speciality Produce, or regular baby toms are ok)
• handful sugar plum tomatoes
• 1/2 cup english peas, raw
• Dressing:
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tablespoon soy
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean Red Pepper Paste)
• pinch kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, add quartered and thickly chopped romaine lettuce.
2. Remove skin from cucumber, cut lengthways and slice thickly, add to bowl. Add orange tomatoes whole. Slice baby sugar plum tomatoes. Add peas.
3. In another bowl mix up your salad dressing and pour over salad, toss until all evenly coated.
4. Done.

Grilled Corn, Onion & Goat Cheese Quesadilla

Makes two 8 inch quesadillas

You've got the juicy crunch of the corn, the beautiful sweetness of the onion and the not too melty tangy goat cheese... what can I say?

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ear corn, husk removed
• 1 medium red onion
• 8oz goat cheese crumbles
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 pinch Kosher Salt
• 4 - 8 inch tortillas

Directions

1. Have your grill ready on medium heat.
2. Peel onion and slice into 1/2 rounds
3. Lightly brush red onion and corn with olive oil and place on grill
4. Cook until well marked on both sides - the onion shold take about 7 minutes, and the corn about 25
5. Cut kernels off the corn and dice onion
6. Put both in a bowl with goat cheese, red pepper flakes and salt
7. Cover two tortillas with 1/2 the mixture then top with other tortillas - press down
8. Gently place on the grill, cook for 2 minutes, then turn 90 degrees, then flip over and do same to other side
9. Cut into wedges and enjoy.