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

Ginger Sesame Kale

One of my favorite side dishes and the perfect accompaniment to any Asian main course. Not to mention a great way to learn to like kale.

Serves 4 as a side dish

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 bunch Tuscan kale (aka dinosaur kale), washed
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 
• 1 teaspoon chili sesame oil, or
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil with ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds for garnish 

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut or pull out the thick middle stem of each kale leaf, then cut cross-wise into one inch strips
2. Heat a large pan or wok to medium high, add neutral oil and just when it starts to smoke – add kale
3. Cook kale, stirring a lot until wilted about 2 minutes, then add ginger & garlic – continue stirring another couple minutes
4. Add soy, sesame oil and red pepper flakes if using and cook, stirring one more minute
5. Plate and top with seeds.

WATCH ME MAKE THIS...

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Quick Asian Noodles

5 minutes, 5 ingredients. No stir frying and so damn delicious.

Serves 1-2

Ingredients

• 3 ounces chow mein noodles (or any noodle like spaghetti can work)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ¼ teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions
2. While noodles are cooking, make the sauce - in a small bowl add soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and Sriracha; mix well and set aside
3. Drain noodles, put back in pot and mix sauce with the noodles
4. Top with green onions and cilantro; serve on plate or eat out of the pot like me

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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Brussels Sprout & Bacon Flatbread

If you're a Brussels sprouts hater, there's a very good chance this could change your mind.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bacon strips, sliced widthwise
• 3-4 whole brussels sprouts, sliced thin
• ⅓ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon each Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pita bread
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
• ½ cup fresh baby arugula

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 425 degrees
2. Heat a medium frying pan, add bacon - cook until just the edge of crispy, leave about ½ tablespoon of grease in the pan discarding the rest and add Brussels sprouts -  cook about 6-7 minutes and set aside
3. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic - mix well
4. Spread ricotta mixture evenly on pita, add bacon/Brussels mixture and top with Monterey Jack cheese
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese melts and pita is slightly crispy
6. While flatbread is in the oven, mix arugula with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper
7. Remove flatbread, top with arugula and serve.

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WATCH ME MAKE IT

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Grilled Scrambled Egg Sandwich

How have I not done this before?

Makes 1 sandwich

INGREDIENTS

• 2 strips bacon, sliced thin
• 4 cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 egg
• 2 slices of bread (any you like)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 slice cheese (any you like, I used Jack)
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In small skillet on medium heat cook bacon until almost crispy, remove excess bacon fat and add mushrooms – cook until nicely softened, about 5 minutes
2. Add butter to the bacon mixture then the egg – scramble in the pan until egg cooked through and set aside
3. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on one side of bread, then cheese and the egg mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste – top with 2nd slice of bread
4. Spread top slice with ½ tablespoon mayonnaise, and grill in a non-stick pan until nicely browned – repeat with 2nd sid.

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One Pot Mac

INGREDIENTS

• ⅓ lb bacon, sliced thin widthwise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 ounces macaroni-type pasta (I used orecchiette in this recipe)
• 2 cups milk
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a large pan with high sides, cook bacon on medium heat just until almost crisp and mix in garlic until fragrant - remove bacon in a small bowl
2. Lightly rinse and drain the uncooked pasta to get some of the starch out - set aside
3. Put the same pan back on medium heat - add milk, pasta, mustard powder, butter, ½ cup chicken broth and pepper - give it a little stir to loosen the pasta
4. Bring to a boil, then turn it down and let simmer until milk has reduced into thick sauce; about 10 minutes or so
5. Stir in cheese and bacon - if sauce is too thick, add a little more broth to thin sauce out.

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The Best Deep Fried Shrimp...Ever

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups canola or vegetable oil to fry
• ¼ cup mayonnaise- I used Kewpie (Japanese mayo), but regular mayo can work too
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• ½ lb (21/25 size) raw shrimp-peeled and deveined (dried really well)
• 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
• Chopped green onions, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oil in wide deep pot to 350 degrees
2. In small bowl mix mayo, sweet chili sauce and chili garlic sauce; set aside
3. In medium bowl add shrimp and cornstarch, lightly coat shrimp well but shake off excess - set aside.
4. Gently place shrimp in oil, cook about 30 seconds or until shrimp gets slightly crispy; remove from oil
5. Coat shrimp with a little sauce at a time to your liking, place on serving plate, garnish with green onions.

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Best Grilled Pork & Pineapple Tacos

The spice of the pork and the sweet of the pineapple makes an outrageous combination

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 lbs boneless country style pork ribs
• 1-2 tablespoons oil
• 2 (½ inch) thick slices of fresh pineapple
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped
• 6 “street” size corn tortillas

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl to make the dry rub – set aside
2. Coat pork with 1 tablespoon oil and thoroughly sprinkle the rub mix on every side, reserve at least a tablespoon of the rub mixture
3. Preheat grill on med/high, cook 4-5 minutes on all 4 sides (pork temperature guide: 145 degrees)
4. Drizzle a little oil on each side of the pineapple, cook on grill (about 2 minutes each side)
5. Remove pork and pineapple from the grill
6. Thinly slice pork and dice pineapple into bite size pieces
7. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream with a little rub mix
8. Heat tortillas, spread sour cream then top with pork, pineapple and garnish with cilantro.

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Shrimp Scampi on Polenta

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups boiling water
• pinch Kosher salt
• 1 cup polenta
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1lb fresh raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on (31/50 size)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup Dry Vermouth  
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 lemon, fresh juice
• ½ cup cooked red bell pepper, diced small (optional)
• ½ cup cooked crispy bacon, diced small (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring water and pinch of salt in medium saucepan to a boil
2. Gradually whisk in the polenta, whisk for a minute and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes
3. In the meantime, in a large skillet on medium heat 2 tablespoons of butter, add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add vermouth and lemon juice – season with kosher salt and pepper flakes
5. When shrimp is cooked thoroughly, remove in a plate/bowl, leaving the sauce in the skillet on low heat
6. Slowly stir in 1tablespoon of butter to the sauce, until melted – keep warm
7. When polenta is cooked, take off the heat and thoroughly stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Plate up, with a layer of creamy polenta and top with a few shrimp, garnish with a little red bell pepper and bacon, then drizzle the sauce on top.

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Deep Fried Pizza with Ricotta & Onions

Pizza Fritta is a tad more work but super good and way fun.

Makes 1 individual pizza

INGREDIENTS

• 1 quarter of the 3 minute pizza dough
• 1/2 medium size red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• Neutral oil (like vegetable or canola) to fry dough
• Kosher salt
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese - whatever you have is good
• ½ cup fresh baby arugula
• Extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Make pizza dough according to recipe directions
2. While dough is “resting” make the pizza toppings
3. In a nonstick medium skillet on medium/low heat, add olive oil, butter and onions; cook 8-10 minutes until golden brown - remove from heat; set aside
4. In a small bowl mix ricotta and garlic well and set aside
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
6. Pour about ½ inch of oil into a large heavy pan (cast iron would be ideal) and heat to approx 350-375 degrees
7. Sprinkle a little flour on a working surface and roll out dough into a circle 6- 8 inches in diameter
8. Carefully put the dough into the hot pan - lay it down facing away from you
9. Cook about 1-½ minute on each side until golden brown - flip over carefully using tongs
10. Drain fried dough on paper towels, then place the crust on a baking sheet
11. Spread ricotta mixture evenly over the crust, top with caramelized onion, pinch of salt, red pepper flakes and shredded cheese
12. Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts
13. While pizza is baking, mix arugula with a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt
14. Take pizza out of the oven, top with arugula, slice and serve...

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FEATURED ON MY TV SHOW

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French Toast in a mug

If you’ve got a microwave & a mug, you’ve got French Toast (mostly).

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar (50/50 cinnamon & sugar)
• 3/4 -1 cup stale bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon bourbon, optional
• 1 tablespoon chopped pecans, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter in a mug, and spread all around the bottom & sides
2. Add egg, and beat well
3. Add everything else and carefully mix well making sure all bread is covered
4. Microwave 60-80 seconds
5. Eat

PICKLED RED ONIONS

Whether for a taco, a sandwich or even on top of a few slices of brisket for a little acidic crunch - these are tremendous. And they make an easy, great gift when going to someone’s for dinner.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1   1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 6-10 black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 medium red onion, sliced into thin semi circles

 DIRECTIONS

1. Combine everything except onion in a small bowl and stir well to dissolve the sugar & salt
2. Put sliced onions in a large bowl and cover with boiling water - let sit about a minute then drain well
3. When the onions are cool enough to handle, put as many as you can into a sterilized pint mason jar, and cover with the brine liquid
4. Screw on the lid and when it’s cool, refrigerate
5. They’ll start being good tomorrow, but great after 3 days or so days 

LEMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES

These lemon shortbread are ridiculous – and I mean that in the most delicious way possible.

Makes an 8x8 pan

 INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Zest of one lemon

1 cup salted butter, cold and cut into cubes

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees

• Put flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest in the bowl of a processor and pulse 3 or 4 times to mix

• Add butter and continue to pulse until still crumbly, but you’re able to squeeze a handful together and it will stick

• Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper – enough so it sticks a couple inches past the sides, and press dough evenly into pan

• Lightly score with a knife into the size cookies you want when it’s done

• Bake 45-55 minutes or until just starting to get brown around the edges - you might need to re-score about the 3/4 point

• Remove from oven, and use parchment to remove cookie block from pan

• Cut through score lines to separate cookies, then place on a cooling rack and wait

• And if you can wait more than 3 or 4 minutes…you’re better than me

YOGURT MARINATED CHICKEN

Cumin, turmeric, garlic...mmm.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces plain non-fat Greek yogurt

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 tablespoon avocado oil (extra-virgin olive oil works too)

• 1 tablespoon Sriracha

• 1/3cup chopped fresh cilantro, set aside 2 tablespoons for garnish

• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 1 tablespoon turmeric (if you don’t have you could sub curry)

• 1 pound skinless & boneless chicken thighs (or breasts if you must but it just won’t be as juicy)

Directions

1. Put everything except chicken in a large bowl and whisk well to combine

2. Set aside about ⅓ cup of the marinade, and add chicken to the rest - make sure it’s well coated with the marinade, cover and refrigerate 3 hours up to overnight

3. Remove chicken from fridge about 20 minutes before cooking

4. Pre-heat grill to high

5. Cook chicken until done, approximately 5 minutes a side, serve with extra sauce

Watch how I make it

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Biscuits and Gravy

Making this with hot Italian sausage instead of pork breakfast sausage gives it a great flavor.

INGREDIENTS

• one pound hot Italian sausage
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 to 21/2 cups milk
• Salt & pepper
• 5-6 biscuits, split in half

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook sausage over medium heat in a large pan until just no longer pink - about 5 minutes
2. Sprinkle flour on top of sausage and mix well, cooking for a couple minutes
3. Add milk and cook, stirring often until thickened, 4 to 5  minutes - this is the time to add more milk if you like it thinner
4. Season to taste with salt & pepper and serve over biscuits

Lamb Pitas with Tahini Sauce

Featured on my TV episode, Mediterranean Day.

Tahini Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup tahini paste
• 1 clove garlic
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• Pinch Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped curly parsley
• ½ cup water

DIRECTIONS

1. Put everything but water in a processor and process until smooth
2. Add water - and process - set aside

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Tomato Parsley Salad

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup finely chopped curly parsley
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients, mix well and set aside

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Lamb Meatballs

Makes about 25 small meatballs

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground lamb
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• Pitas

DIRECTIONS

1. Put ground lamb in a bowl and add cumin, oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Mix well and shape into approximately 1 inch balls.
2. Brush lightly with oil and cook on a hot grill until it’s where you like it, about 6 to 10 minutes. Remove from grill, put on a warmed pita with tahini sauce and add some tomatoes. 

WATCH ME MAKE THIS... FULL TV EPISODE 

Asian-ish Israeli Couscous

Featured on my TV episode, Mediterranean Day.

INGREDIENTS

For the dressing:

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

Couscous:

• 1 cup Israeli couscous (aka pearl couscous)
• Neutral oil like vegetable or canola
• 2 cups water
• Kosher salt
• ½ cup each green and red bell peppers, finely diced
• ½ cup white onions, finely diced
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 cups fresh baby arugula

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients; set aside
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and add couscous
3. Cook, stir constantly just to lightly ‘toast’ the couscous - about 2 minutes
4. Add water to the pot to completely cover the couscous along with a generous pinch of salt and bring to a boil - turn down and cook 7-8 minutes
5. While it cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil on medium-high heat in a pana and add peppers and onions - cook until just softened about 3 minutes and add mushrooms
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes then add garlic, cook until fragrant, remove from heat and set aside
7. When couscous is about done, add arugula to the water, stir well and let wilt - remove from heat and drain
8. Mix couscous, vegetables and dressing in a large bowl

9. Serve.