Teriyaki Mushroom Mushroom Burger

Makes 4 burgers

I shot a show at the San Diego Zoo – wait, make that ‘world famous’ San Diego Zoo.  I felt like cooking with anything 'meat' would have been in poor taste and my sister in law Cheryl suggested I make something with Portobello mushrooms cuz they taste meat-like but aren't.  So I did…and I loved it and you will too.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound sliced mushrooms
• 4 Portobello mushrooms, the big guys right?
• Olive oil
• 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 4 whole wheat buns
• 8 slices Monterey jack cheese
• 2 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into 8 slices
• Mayo

DIRECTIONS

1. Put sliced mushrooms in a pan and cook over medium heat until softened – add teriyaki sauce, mix and turn off heat
2. Heat grill to medium/high
3. Lightly oil Portobello’s, place on grill & cook 3 - 4 minutes on each side until softened, add 2 slices of cheese to each mushroom – and put the buns on the grill
4. While cheese melts and buns toast – heat the teriyaki mushrooms
5. On the bottom buns once toasted, put some mayo and a little teriyaki and mix, top with tomatoes, Portobello’s and then the sliced mushrooms and the top bun

Chicken Peanut Butter Stew

Serves 4

Using a deli-roasted chicken let’s you make this recipe in very little time.  And yes using tomatoes, sweet potatoes and peanut butter sounds very odd – but it's damn fine. 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, 1/2'' diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 inch piece fresh ginger, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 – 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander (aka ground cilantro seeds)
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1.5 cups deli-roasted chicken, shredded
• For serving, fresh rice, crushed peanuts and chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat oil in a large pot on medium, add sweet potatoes and onion, cook for 3-4 minutes

2. Add the ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute
3. Add stock, tomatoes, coriander and the peanut butter (yes, peanut butter!) stir well
4. Add chicken, stir well, cover and simmer on low about 10 minutes (stirring occasionally) or until sweet potatoes are cooked though

5. Serve on rice topped with crushed peanuts and cilantro.

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

The Hawaiian Dog

Serves 4

This tangy hot dog packs a punch full of flavor – dogs will never be the same again.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 red onion, sliced thinly

• 8 strips bacon, cooked, crispy & crumbled

• 4 slices fresh pineapple, 1/2'' slices cut lengthways 

• 4 Kosher beef hot dogs, sliced down middle leaving a hinge – aka butterflied

• 4 hot dog buns

• 6 tablespoons Kewpie (Japanese) mayonnaise

• 4 tablespoons thick teriyaki sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. In large skillet on medium heat add oil and cook red onion about 10 minutes, or until beautifully softened

2. Pre-heat griddle or skillet on medium heat, and cook hot dogs and pineapple slices, until each have good grill marks – about 5 minutes each side

3. Grill buns in pan until golden then build hot dogs: bun, 1.5 tablespoons kewpie mayo, tablespoon of teriyaki, hot dog, pineapple, bacon and top with red onions

4. Eat happily, and thank me later…

Chili Dog

Serves 4

Of course you can always put fries on a hot dog (and should) but there’s something about crispy hash browns that changes things. And then to combine them with sour cream and melty queso makes the whole thing ridiculous – in a good way of course.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 hot dogs
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 ½ cups chili, heated
• 1 cups cooked, hot, crispy, hash browns 
• 4 hot dog buns
• 1 jar Salsa Con Queso
• 4 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS

• Cook hot dogs your favorite way – mine would be to grill them to perfection 
• Open each bun, butter and cook on a flat griddle until golden brown
• Remove lid from cheese jar and microwave until melty smooth – about a minute
• Build the dog in this order:

1. Bun
2. Sour cream
3. Chili
4. Hot dog
5. Hash browns
6. Drizzle queso over the top

Greek Hot Dogs

Makes 4

Yes the tomato and cucumber are nice, refreshing & certainly delicious.  But what really makes this is the quick tzatziki. It adds a crazy amount of flavor that had us wanting a 2nd & 3rd.  

INGREDIENTS

• 4 hot dogs
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup cucumber, finely diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 wedge lemon
• Pinch of Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and diced small
• Butter
• 4 hot dog buns

DIRECTIONS

1. Make small diagonal slits on all sides of the dogs and cook in a non-stick pan
2. Combine yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice & salt - mix well
3. When dogs are almost cooked (and you'll know cuz the slits will open and it'll get gorgeous and slightly brown) butter buns and cook on a flat griddle until lightly brown
4. Spread tzatziki sauce on a bun, then place a dog, then add tomato & olives
5. Eat

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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. 

Bucatini with Asparagus and Prosciutto

Serves 2

A perfect and satisfying lunch or dinner that you can make in under 20 mins.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb Bucatini pasta

• 1 pound asparagus, thick ends removed

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 1/2 lemons, juiced

• Pinch Kosher salt

• Fresh ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

• 4 thin slices Prosciutto

• 2 eggs

• 2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions

1. Bring 2 pots of water to a bowl

2. Cook pasta according to package instructions in one, and the asparagus in the other until just starting to get tender

3. Immediately plunge asparagus into a large bowl filled with water & ice - (this will stop it cooking), drain on paper towels - cut into 2 inch lengths

4. Whisk lemon juice, Dijon, olive oil, Kosher salt and pepper in a small bowl, set aside

5. Crack eggs into 2 small dishes being sure not to break the yolks

6. Stir vinegar into a 3rd pot of just simmering water, and using a spoon, stir water in a circular motion to create a mini whirlpool, then carefully slide egg into the center of the pot

7. Cook uncovered about 4 minutes or until poached

8. Drain pasta, return to pot with asparagus and some of the vinaigrette - mix well

9. Plate pasta, top with torn pieces of prosciutto, Parmesan and finally the poached egg

Lobster Pasta

Serves 3-4

Yum

Ingredients

• 2 lobster tails, uncooked
• 1/2 large yellow or white onion, diced
• 1 small green pepper, diced
• 1/2 pound shell type pasta
• 1 large clove, or 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• 1/3 cup cup parsley, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Extra virgin olive oil, for finishing

Directions

1. Steam lobster tails about 12 minutes or until done, let cool slightly, remove meat and cut into bite size pieces
2. Cook pasta until done
3. While the lobster steams, cook onion and green pepper in a little oil until softened
4. Put in garlic, and cook about 1 minute
5. Add red pepper, butter, lobster and season with salt & pepper
6. Stir well then put in parsley & lemon zest
7. Combine and heat through, then finish with a drizzle of olive oil

Old School Chocolate Wafer Log

Serves 6-ish

My mom used to made this years ago and I thought she was a genius for it. But when I went to make it the first time myself, I realized the recipe was right there on the wafer box. And even though she's still a genius, I think mine is a little better because I add Bailey's to the whipping and sliced almonds and shaved chocolate to the top.

Ingredients

• 1 pint whipping cream
• 2-3 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream
• 1 box Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• Chocolate for shaving

Directions

1. Put cream & Bailey's in a mixer and beat until stiff, yeah I said that
2. Spread some of the whipped cream on a serving plate as a base to hold the wafers
3. Spread a layer of cream on one side of a wafer, stack another wafer on top, add cream, another wafer and so on until all the wafers are used
4. Lay the wafer stack on it's side on the plate, and fully cover with remaining cream
5. Cover loosely with saran and refrigerate overnight
6. Remove from fridge, and top with almonds and shaved chocolate
7. Now this part is critical: cut the log on a diagonal to expose the wafer & cream layers

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Chocolate Sauce from Grandma Ruth

Makes about a cup

My Grandma Ruth was a master in the kitchen - and this is an example of her simple perfection. Try it on vanilla ice cream topped with busted peanut butter pretzels...wow. We freeze what we dont use, then simply microwave to re warm.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 2 ounces Bakers unsweetened chocolate

• 6oz evaporated milk

• 3/4 cup sugar

Directions

1. Put butter and chocolate in small pot on low heat and stir until melted

2. Stir in milk and slowly add sugar

3. Bring to a low boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring often

Croissantinis

Serves 4

Flaky, delicious and small enough you won’t feel guilty eating them – unless you eat 12.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• cream cheese
• raspberry jelly
• butter

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400
2. Cut parchment paper to fit baking sheet
3. Dust surface and rolling pin with flour, rollout pastry sheet until about 16'' square
4. Cut into 12 triangles and roll towards the point and bend into traditional shape
5. Lay on sheet and brush on egg wash, then bake for approx 10 minutes or until golden
6. Serve warm with butter, cream cheese and raspberry jelly

Italian Sausage Burger

Makes 2

Jeez, we all really love this. Just make it – no questions...

Ingredients

• 1 large red pepper, diced
• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• 3/4 pound hot Italian sausage
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 large basil leaves, chopped fine
• 1 big clove garlic
• 2 slices provolone cheese
• 2 Ciabatta rolls

Directions

1. Heat non-stick pan, add red pepper, onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil & salt and pepper – cook until well softened, 6-7 minutes – keep warm
2. Mix sausage well with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt & pepper – form into 2 patties
3. Cook until done on both sides (145 degrees is fine), and add cheese when you flip
4. While it cooks, combine mayo, basil & garlic – stir well and set aside
5. Grill or toast bun and build: bottom bun, basil/mayo, burger, pepper/onion mix, top bun
6. Oh damn...

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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!

Pork² Burger

Makes 4 burgers

While a ground pork burger with bacon mixed in is potentially overkill, this is a way delicious burger. And considering there's a fried egg on this... way delicious.

Ingredients

• 1lb ground pork (I used 95% lean)
• 1/3 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 big clove garlic, crushed
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs, Panko if possible
• 4 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 eggs
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons green salsa
• 4 English muffins (or any hamburger bun)
• Butter
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup alfalfa sprouts

Directions

1. Combine pork, bacon, garlic, salt, pepper and bread crumbs - mix well and make into 4 patties
2. Pre-heat griddle or non-stick pan to medium
3. Lightly oil patties and cook 3 minutes then flip, add cheese and 2-3 more minutes until done
4. Butter the muffins and toast or grill along side eggs in another pan
5. Mix sour cream and green salsa
6. Build the burger: muffin on bottom, generous amount of sauce, burger, fried egg, sprouts and top muffin

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WATCH ME MAKE THIS

Creamy Chipotle Tequila Shrimp

Serves 2-3

So good, creamy & wonderful. Positively dreamy. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon each butter & olive oil
• 1 pound, raw peeled & deveined shrimp
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tequila, silver would be most appropriate here
• 1/3 cup Mexican crema
• 1-2 chipotle chiles, minced
• 2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add butter, oil & shrimp
2. Season with salt & pepper and cook until about 1/2 way done
3. Pull pan off heat and add tequila - slowly slide back as it will likely flame (you want this)
4. Let the flame burn down - it will only take a few seconds and put in garlic
5. Stir well about 30 seconds and add crema and chipotle - stir well to combine
6. Let thicken, add cilantro.
7. Serve this on rice, pasta or by itself.

Chipotle Compound Butter

Makes 1/2 cup

A simple and most delicious way to dial the flavor of almost any protein (steak, chicken, pork, seafood) way the hell up

Ingredients

• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 chipotle peppers, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients really well in a bowl
2. Put mixture in the middle of a large piece of saran or wax paper, roll into a tube and twist ends to make tight
3. Can store in fridge 2 weeks or freezer 3 months

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.

Chris' Sand Bass Bacon Tacos

Makes 8

Named for my friend Chris, but not because he cooks - because he can't...or doesn't (same thing really). But he can fish so that partially makes up for it.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup green salsa
• 1 lime, cut in half (one half left whole and the other into wedges)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 pound Sand Bass fillet, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 corn tortillas
• 3/4 cup green cabbage, shredded
• 12 strips bacon, cooked until just crispy & crumbled
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Mix sour cream, salsa & juice from ½ the lime, set aside
2. Heat non-stick pan to medium high, and add oil, onions and bass
3. Cook until the onion has softened and the bass is just evenly cooked – about 5 minutes
4. While fish cooks, warm tortillas until just starting to get a little crispy
5. Build the tacos: tortilla, salsa cream, cabbage, fish, avocado slices, bacon and finally add a squeeze of fresh lime juice