Creamed Spinach

Made this for a ‘Steak House’ episode of SAM THE COOKING GUY TV show, and daaaaaamn.

4 bacon slices, diced

¼ cup onion, diced

2-9 ounce packages of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup milk

1 cup whipping cream

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

• Cook bacon in a non-stick pot until about half-way done, remove excess bacon grease, add onions and cook until softened

• Put spinach in the center of kitchen towel, fold up sides and squeeze like a crazy person until all liquid is squeezed out of the spinach

• Add spinach and red pepper flakes to bacon and onions, mix well

• Pour milk and cream into the spinach mixture, add parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste and cook on low heat until thickened.

Mini Hasselback Potatoes (one of the best things ever)

Hasselbacks made with whole, large potatoes are good - but not like these. In fact I won’t make big ones again.

1/2 cup butter

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large clove garlic, or 2 medium - minced

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Kosher salt & pepper

1.5 pounds mini gold potatoes, about 2 dozen

1 tablespoon finely chopped chives

3 tablespoons shredded Manchego cheese

Optional: mayo for serving

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees

• Melt butter and oil in a small saucepan, put in garlic, and when fragrant, add paprika, salt & pepper - mix well, and set aside

• Put potatoes between 2 chopsticks (watch the video) , and using a sharp knife, make slits across the potato (the short way) down to the sticks - which will prevent you from cutting all the way through the potatoes

• Repeat with all potatoes and place on parchment lined baking sheet, or a rack on a baking sheet

• Brush potatoes with the butter mixture, and bake about 30 minutes total, brushing with extra butter every 10 minutes or so until potatoes are tender

• If you want, turn on your broiler to give them a little more color and to crisp

• Remove from oven, season lightly with a little more salt & pepper, then serve topped with chives and cheese

Pepperoni Sheet Pan Pizza

This ain’t fancy, but it is fricking delicious, easy and makes a big ass pizza.

Makes one 13 x 18 pizza

One batch 3 Minute Pizza Dough, or buy a fresh 1 pound ball from the store
15 ounce can whole, peeled tomatoes, broken up into small pieces (can juices included)
1 tablespoon roasted garlic paste, or 1 clove fresh garlic minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
5 ounces sliced pepperoni
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

• If refrigerated, remove ball of dough from fridge about 45 minutes before using, or use a fresh ball after it finishes rising
• Preheat oven to 500
• Put tomatoes, garlic paste or garlic, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes in a bowl and mix well to combine
• Put a little flour on the counter, and start to stretch dough out evenly until about 8x11
• Lightly oil a 13 x 18 sheet pan, put on the dough and continue to stretch and press until it covers evenly all the way to the edges.
• Add approximately half of the tomato sauce, top with cheese and then the pepperonis
• Bake until gorgeously brown about 15 minutes, and a few dark spots are totally desirable
• Remove, sprinkle with the parm, slice and pig out…I mean eat

Steak & Onion Taco

Steak, grilled onions & melty cheese. #justmakeit

Makes 4 tacos

INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup red onion, finely sliced
• 3/4 pounds thinly steak (NY, sirloin, filet, flank, skirt - pretty much whatever thinly sliced)
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, or
• 1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• ½ cup romaine lettuce, finely shredded (preferably from the fatter, crunchier end)
• 4 -6 inch corn or flour tortillas

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce (the ketchup kind)
• 1 tablespoon capers with a tiny drizzle of caper juice
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl, mix well and set aside
2. Heat a medium non stick pan with a tablespoon of oil and add onions
3. Cook over low/medium until golden and beautifully softened, 5-7 minutes, set aside and keep warm
4. Using same pan, turn heat to high, and just before it smokes add a little more oil and the steak, salt, black pepper or steak seasoning – cook a couple minutes stirring quickly
5. In the pan, make 4 piles of the steak and add cheese to each on each, cover with a lid for another 30 seconds
6. Build taco: tortilla, sauce, lettuce, steak/cheese and onions.

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Bangers and Mash with Guinness Onion Gravy

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb pork sausages (preferably British bangers, though a good pork sausage would do)
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces beef broth
• 1-12 ounce bottle Guinness (only using 8 ounces, but you drink the rest)
• 1 teaspoon each of Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1-2 cups cooked mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring one medium-size pot of water to barely a simmer; add the sausages and cook for 20 minutes
2. Meanwhile in a large non-stick pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add onions; cook until nicely caramelized,  5-7 minutes
3. Add flour to onions, stir well and cook for another minute or so
4. Slowly add beef broth and 8 ounces of Guinness, letting the sauce come to a low simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened - season with salt and pepper to taste and keep warm
5. Heat a medium non-stick pan over medium, and a little oil and sear on all sides until nicely golden brown
6. To serve, place a small scoop of mashed potatoes onto a plate, top with sausages and spoon the Guinness gravy over the top
7. Boom!

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Salmon & Fresh Veggies One Sheet Pan Passover Meal

Spend more time this Passover enjoying family and traditions with this easy one sheet pan salmon and fresh vegetables meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Makes four servings

Ingredients

• 6 ounces green beans
• 10 ounces tomatoes
• 12 small-ish carrots, ends trimmed
• 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 2 leeks, white & light green parts only – cleaned and thinly sliced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 6 ounces sugar snap peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced fine 
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• Four 6 – ounce salmon fillets 
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1/4 cup finely chopped basil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Put green beans, tomatoes, asparagus, baby carrots, leeks, red pepper and sugar snap peas in a large bowl. Add garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes & oil – mix well to combine.
3. Season salmon with salt, pepper and top with pesto. Place salmon among the veggies and put baking sheet into the oven. Cook 15 minutes, then turn to broil and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until salmon is nicely golden.
4. Plate vegetables & salmon and top with chopped basil.

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Rack of Lamb One Sheet Pan Easter Meal

Easter has enough fun family traditions to occupy your time that the last thing you need is to be caught in the kitchen. So here is an easy sheet pan recipe to make your holiday dining simple and still delicious.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Makes four srvings

Ingredients

• 6 medium tomatoes, cut into 6 wedges each
• 2 Japanese eggplants, each cut into ½ inch semi-circle pieces 
• 1/2 large red onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 zucchinis, diced 
• 1 pound fingerling potatoes, each sliced lengthwise
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard, plus more for lamb
• Juice of one lemon juice
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons each finely chopped fresh thyme & rosemary
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 rack of lamb, excess fat removed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Put tomatoes, eggplant, red onion, red pepper, zucchini & potatoes in a large bowl.Combine olive oil, garlic, Dijon, lemon juice and salt & pepper – mix well and add to veggies, toss and then place everything on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with thyme and rosemary, add lemon slices and put into oven – cook about 10 minutes.
3. While it cooks, brush lamb with Dijon mustard and season with salt & pepper then add to the sheet pan..Continue to bake until vegetables are done and lamb is 140 degrees – about 25 minutes longer.
4. Remove pan from oven, slice rack into individual chops and serve with vegetables.

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Homemade Hummus

Doesn't get much better than this.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• Juice of 1 small lemon
• ⅓ cup tahini
• 1 - 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained (reserve the liquid)
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• ½ tablespoon fresh parsley, rough chopped
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Paprika
• Pita

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a food processor with the metal ‘S’ blade, add garlic and lemon juice
2. Process about 1 minute, until garlic is minced then scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula
3. Add tahini, garbanzo beans and cumin
4. Continue to process another 2 to 3 minutes - add reserved liquid until hummus is relatively smooth and scoop into a serving bowl
5. Make it pretty with a little parsley, a good drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of  paprika
6. Serve with pita bread/chips, vegetables...whatever your heart desires

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Quick Asian Chicken Broth

My go to drink of choice when I’m sick, trying not to snack on shitty, unhealthy stuff or just want something delicious.   

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 green onions cut into 2 inch lengths 
• 10 or so sprigs of cilantro
• Four 1/8 inch slices ginger (skin in is fine)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled & rough smashed
• 15 or so Sichuan pepper corns
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 

DIRECTIONS

1. Put everything in a pot and bring to a low simmer, then cover and leave for 10 - 15 minutes 
2. But check a couple minutes after being covered to make sure it’s not boiling - it does that after it gets covered sometimes
3. To drink, I remove the peppercorns, ginger & garlic but leave in the greens 

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Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries

Not to be a broken record…but these are totally simple & delicious. 

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, rinsed (no need to peel)
• 2 teaspoons neutral oil - like vegetable or avocado
• ½ teaspoon each Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin  and/or curry powder
• 1 teaspoon curry powder, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spiralize sweet potato using the small noodle blade, then place the spiralized potato in a large mixing bowl
3. Add oil, salt, pepper and cumin and/or curry powder if using (which you should be) to the potatoes and mix well so the seasonings incorporate evenly
4. Place spiralized potatoes on a baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes (toss fries halfway through) or until nice and golden brown

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French Toast Waffles

INGREDIENTS

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Pinch of Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier (optional)
• Two ½ inch thick slices Brioche bread
• Butter
• Syrup (optional)
• Powdered sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat waffle iron
2. In a shallow medium sized bowl beat the eggs with the milk, salt and Grand Marnier (if you choose to)
3. Dip each side of the bread slices into the egg mixture (but don’t soak it too long) and place in the waffle iron
4. Cook waffles until golden brown
5. Top with butter, syrup and powdered sugar

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Bourbon Peach French Toast

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 tablespoons butter
• 1 Peach, diced small
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1 ½  tablespoons bourbon, separated
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons granulated white sugar
• Two-Four 1 ¼ inch thick slices of bread (any you like, but get a good one)
• Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat non-stick pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add peaches, cooking just to soften
2. Add brown sugar to the peaches, mix until sugar melts and add lemon zest; then stir in 1/2 tablespoon whiskey, cook out the alcohol- about a minute, set aside
3. In a shallow medium sized bowl beat the eggs with the milk, white sugar and 1 tablespoon bourbon
4. Preheat a separate nonstick skillet on medium heat until butter melts and starts to sizzle
5. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture (be sure cover both sides AND the ends) and place in the skillet
6. Cook until golden brown (about 3 - 4 minutes before turning) on each side and be sure to cook the ends too
7. Put on a plate, top with peach mixture and sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve

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Polenta Bruschetta

Serves 6-8 as an appetizer

Ingredients

• 4 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced small

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

• 1 Polenta Chub (makes about 20 rounds)

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil (use what you have but I used avocado oil)

• ½ cup goat cheese, soften

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil - pinch of salt and pepper to taste; set aside

2. Open Polenta and remove rounded ends

3. Slice polenta into ½ inch slices

4. Brush oil onto polenta slices and season with salt and pepper

5. Grill on each side for 3-5 minutes until they get really good grill marks

6. Remove polenta from the grill

7. On each grilled polenta round, spread a little goat cheese, top with bruschetta mixture and serve.

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Baked Chipotle Chicken Taquitos

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/3 cup salsa verde (green salsa)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese - Monterey Jack, cheddar or even a mix…it’s up to you
• 1-2 tablespoons finely minced chipotle peppers
• 10 flour tortillas, approximately 6 inches in diameter

Toppings for serving

• sour cream
• shredded lettuce
• guacamole (my recipe)
• diced tomatoes

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 425
• Combine chicken, salsa, cheese and chipotles in a bowl - mix well to combine
• Heat tortillas slightly to make them pliable, add some filling and roll up tightly
• Place seem-side down on a greased baking sheet and brush or spray with neutral oil
• Bake approximately 25 minutes or until golden and crispy
• Plate, add toppings and serve - yum.

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Mayo Cheese Bread

My mom's old school recipe never fails.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup diced yellow onion
• 1/3 cup shredded asiago cheese (or a combo of shredded Monterey jack & cheddar)  
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 sourdough baguette  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Combine mayo, onion, cheese & parsley - mix really well
3. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt, stir through
4. Cut baguette horizontally and spread on cheese mayo mix
5. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly
6. Slice into pieces and serve

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Cheesy Breakfast Grits

So so easy and delicious - ok, we complicate slightly but deliciously by adding sausage and a fried egg.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups water
• big pinch Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup quick cooking grits
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I like Monterey Jack, but use whatever you like or have)
• 6 ounces pork sausage
• 2 eggs 
• 2 greens onions, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil water and add salt & grits - stir well and turn down to low
2. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened
3. Add butter, milk and cheese, stir until creamy & well combined - cover and keep warm
4. Cook sausage in a non-stick pan until just no longer pink and keep warm
5. Cook eggs however you like - over easy, sunny, poached it’s up to you
6. Put 1/2 the grits into each of 2 bowls and add some sausage, green onions and top with the egg
7. Boom

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Artichoke Hearts

FEATURED ON PANTRY DAY TV EPISODE

Serves 1-2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (15oz) whole artichoke hearts, drain, cut in half and dry on paper towels
• Avocado oil or any high retention oil to cook
• Kosher salt and fresh black ground pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a wok or pan on high with about 2 tablespoons oil and add artichokes- let sit about a minute or until artichokes get some “charred” coloring
2. Add pinch of salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic and stir-fry about 30 seconds or so - add fresh parsley, stir and serve with squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top

Note: This is a fast cooking dish...prep all your ingredients beforehand

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Black Bean Burger

Makes 2 big burgers or 3 smaller ones

1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup red onion, diced

2 Holland peppers pepper, diced

1/2 cup sliced, loosely packed shiitake mushrooms

1 - 15 ounce black beans, well drained

1 egg

1 teaspoon each: cumin, garlic powder and chipotle chili powder

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs, divided

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided

Kosher salt & pepper to taste

2 or 3 burger buns toasted - just something good though ya hear me?

3/4 cup guacamole, recipe here

2 or 3 slices pepperjack cheese

• Heat non-stick pan, add butter and oil and add onions - cook over medium heat stirring often, about 20 minutes or until golden, remove to a plate but don’t clean the pan

• ‘Dry cook’ onion, peppers and mushrooms in a non-stick pan until just softened and dry, 5-7 minutes

• Do the same with the beans in another pan until beginning to stick

• Put onions, peppers, mushrooms and black beans into the bowl of a processor, pulse 3 or 4 times then add the cumin, garlic powder, 1/3 cup of the panko, 2 tablespoons of the flour & salt & pepper

• Process until really well combined, form into 2 large, or 3 medium patties and put on a parchment covered plate, and refrigerate 30 minutes

• Coat the patties (in this order) using 3 separate bowls for remaining flour, eggs and remaining panko

• Heat the pan you cooked the onions in, add a little more oil and cook patties until crispy and brown on each side (about 3-4 minutes per side)

• Add cheese when you flip them over, let cheese melt

• Toast buns lightly and build: bottom bun, guacamole, pattie with cheese, onions, bun top.

Sardine Avocado Toast

FEATURED ON PATRY DAY TV EPSIODE

Serves 1-2

Ingredients

• 4 slices french baguette - about ¼ inch thick
• Olive oil
• 1 ripe avocado, slightly mashed
• 4-6 grape tomatoes, sliced
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 can sardines (I like the ones in olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Heat a flat griddle or pan on medium-high
2. Brush each baguette slice with olive oil and toast until lightly golden
3. Spread a little avocado on the toast, then layer with a few slices of tomatoes - season each slice with pinch of salt, fresh ground pepper and a little bit of the red pepper flakes (if you want)
4. Top with sardines and garnish with parsley

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These small, little bites of deliciousness are always welcome - and easy to make especially if you keep frozen, precooked meatballs in your freezer.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 pound ready made mini meatballs (in the freezer section)
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 green onions, white & light green parts only, thinly sliced on an angle
• sesame seeds for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a pot and heat on the stove over medium heat until sauce comes to a slight boil - then turn down heat and simmer
2. Place the meatballs in the pot, simmer 10-15 minutes until heated through
3. Serve over rice, garnish sesame seeds and green onions on top.

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