Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup yellow mustard

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons Heinz chili sauce, or something similar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon garlic powder

Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

• Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix well to combine

• Use the hell out of it!

Brisket Burgers with Poblanos & Onions

If you can find ground brisket for half of this, you'll be very happy cuz it'll add a ridiculously good beefy flavor.

Makes 6 burgers

INGREDIENTS

• 3 poblano peppers
• 2 - 1/2” thick slices yellow onion
• Olive oil
• 2 pounds ground beef, or
• 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground brisket (ask a butcher, you’ll be so glad you did)
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• Ground cumin
• 1/3 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 large clove garlic, minced fine
• 6 slices Muenster cheese
• 6 buns - and use something good like a brioche

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat grill to medium high
2. Lightly oil peppers and onions slices, and place on the grill
3. Cook until peppers are fully blackened and onions are well marked - remove
4. Let peppers sit until cool enough to handle, then using a paper towel, pull off blackened skin, cut in half and remove seeds
5. Rough chop peppers and onions together - set aside
6. While they cook, combine beef with brisket if using and season with salt & pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin and shape into 6 patties
7. Put burgers on a medium hot grill and cook until desired temp (which should be medium rare, just sayin) adding cheese in the last few minutes of cooking
8. Combine mayo, cilantro, garlic, pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon cumin - mix well
9. Lightly oil buns, and place on the grill for color
10. Build by putting some sauce on a bun, the burger with cheese, some of the peppers and onions and the top bun

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MUSTARD RIBS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 racks pork ribs

• 1/3 cup white vinegar

• 2 Tablespoons butter

• 1 small yellow onion, diced small

• 3 large cloves garlic, minced

• 3/4 cup yellow mustard

• 3/4 cup whole grain mustard

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup hot sauce (Cholula is ideal btw)

• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350

• Place ribs in their racks (I just mean do not cut them) on a large baking sheet, add vinegar and cover tightly with aluminum foil

• Bake 75 minutes or until very tender – but while they cook

• Melt butter in a small pot and add onions & garlic – cook until soft, about 5 min

• Add mustards, brown sugar, vinegar, hot sauce and season with s & p

• Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes

• Remove ribs from oven and carefully lift off tin foil - watch out for steam

• The ribs are now fully cooked and just need to be 'sauced' finished' and you have 2 options:

OPTION 1:

• Heat bbq to medium and place ribs meat side down without sauce but you can baste the back with the sauce

• Cook until they start to develop grill marks, and turn over - now baste the top

• You could stop here after they grill a bit on this side, or you could baste them a bit more and then give them a couple more minutes meat side down - that's what I do, or

OPTION 2:

• Heat broiler to high and place ribs on a baking sheet about 4 inches from the heat source and brush top of the ribs well with the sauce and cook until they start getting a bit brown - then flip to the back, sauce and cook some more. Flip back to the top (sauce again) and cook until they get that beautiful rib look

• Then, no matter how you cooked them, give 'em one extra baste them after they've been removed and just before you serve them

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SALMON BURGER

If you are looking for a non-beef burger, this is it. Fresh and light perfect for your summer bbq. Don't let the salmon throw you - this is so damn good I could have eaten five of them.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 raw salmon fillet, finely diced
• 1/4 cup sprouts
• 1 red pepper, big chunks
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 3 teaspoons capers
• 2 tablespoons mayo
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• good pinch Kosher salt
• 4 grinds fresh black pepper
• 2 burger buns
• 2 tablespoons butter

Sauce: 

• 1 tablespoon Sriracha
• 2 tablespoons mayo or Japanese mayo

DIRECTIONS

1. In hot skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil, cook peppers, 2 minutes each side until charred and blackened, put to one side
2. Mix in bowl: raw salmon, lemon juice, mustard, capers, mayo, panko, Kosher salt and pepper - form into patties, chill minimum 1 hour, but could do overnight
3. Heat skillet or flat griddle to high, add oil, cook patties 2 minutes each side or until golden and crispy
4. Butter and grill buns until golden
5. Get layering: bun, sauce, red peppers, sprouts, burger, bun top. OMG!

WATCH ME MAKE IT>>>

Grilled asparagus

Super simple! Healthy grilling.

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS

• 1lb asparagus 
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 lemon
• 2-3 grinds fresh black pepper
• 1 big pinch Kosher salt

DIIRECTIONS

1. preheat your grill to high
2. Remove 1-2" bottom of the stalks
3. toss in 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4. grill 3-4 minutes, keep turning
5. dress asparagus: squeeze of lemon juice, drizzle 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, pinch salt and fresh black pepper and grated Parmesan

Stuffed and Braided Pizza

This is the epitome of outstandingness! 

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can refrigerated thin pizza dough crust
• 10 Spanish Chorizo slices
• 6 Provalone slices  
• 1 packed cup, spinach
• 10-12 slices Genoa Salami  
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• big pinch Kosher salt  
• 3-4 grinds fresh black pepper  
• 1 cup marinara sauce (I used my EVERYDAY TOMATO SAUCE) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Stretch out the pizza dough to rectangle, about 10" on short ends
2. Get layering a single column  in the center of the dough: overlap Spanish chorizo, overlap Provolone, spinach, overlap salami, sprinkle on oregano, dust on the garlic powder evenly, load on mozzarella 
3. On both sides, make diagonal slices from edge of the filling, to dough edge, every 1/2" all the way down (see photos), get braiding one over the other
4. Brush lightly with olive oil, season generously with Kosher salt and pepper, cook for 15 minutes
5. Heat through tomato sauce
6. Slice and dip, devour!

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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.

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THE LAST ITALIAN DRESSING RECIPE YOU'LL EVER NEED

Makes about a cup

Look, there’s really no need to go store-bought again - this should become your everyday.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 1 large garlic clove, crushed

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire

• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

• 1/2 tablespoon soy, optional but shouldn’t be

DIRECTIONS

1. Put everything into a jar, deli container, dressing shaker, sock - anything you can shake and not have it spill all over you. Ok, so maybe a sock is a bad idea

2. Shake until everything is mixed really well

3. Use - like right now, not tomorrow (though that’s ok and for about a week will be) but what the hell are you waiting for?

Tortilla Chip Chicken

Serves 2-4

This super super simple appetizer, donated by loyal viewers, Lisa and Jeff. Trust me, make this – its juicy and delicious and it just doesn't get any easier than this!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1  1/2 cup crushed White Tortilla Chips
• 1  1/2 oz hot taco seasoning
• 10-12 chicken wings
• 2 tablespoons Cholula hot sauce
• 1/3 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees and grease a large baking sheet
2. Mix chip crumbs and seasoning ingredients
3. Rinse chicken in water and drain (don't pat them dry) then coat in oil
4. Coat them generously in the dry mix
5. Cook for 40 minutes, then serve with sour cream mixed with Cholula – easy!

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

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

Kalua Pork

Serves 4

Bruddas & sistas – I made this when on vacay in Maui. It’s way damn delicious – and simple of course.

INGREDIENTS

• 3-5 lb pork butt or shoulder, it’s the same thing

• 2-3 tablespoons Hawaiian Alea Salt or Kosher Salt

• 2-3 tablespoon liquid smoke

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325

2. Cover pork with liquid smoke and apply salt generously

3. Cover in tin foil and place on baking sheet cook for or 4 1/2 - 5 hours, until approx 200-205 degrees

4. Serve everyway you can think: in a sandwich with crispy cabbage, as a taco, the filling for a cheesy quesadilla or in place of the ham on a benedict – it’s all good

Turn them into Kalua Pork Sliders - why the hell not!

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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Tri Tip with Tomato Pepper Sauce

Makes approx one 2 pound tri tip

This trip tip is crazy good by itself, but served with the tomato/pepper stuff...it's insane.

Ingredients

• One trip tip, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds

• 1 tablespoon each: Kosher salt, ground pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried rosemary and celery salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 green pasilla (poblano) pepper, diced

• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced

• 10 strips ready bacon, diced

• 1 large garlic clove, crushed

• 1 - 14oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes

Directions

1. Remove tri tip from fridge 30 minutes before cooking, let come to room temperature

2. Combine all herbs in a small bowl, mix well

3. Rub oil into tri tip, then rub well with herb mix

4. Cook over direct heat 4-5 minutes a side to sear, then move to indirect heat and continue cooking until 130 degrees for medium rare

5. While it cooks, put one tablespoon of oil in a medium pan and add onion and diced pepper - cook until softened, about 5 minutes

6. Add bacon, cook until a little crispy

7. Then stir in garlic and cook about 30 seconds or until fragrant and add tomatoes

8. Stir well, turn down and let simmer, about 10 minutes

9. When beef is done, remove, cover with foil and let rest 10 minutes before slicing & serving with tomato/pepper sauce

Caprese Salad

This is one of the favorite salads in our house - even the kids love it. A second option would be to substitute small yellow 'pearl' tomatoes and red 'grape' tomatoes along with the tiny rounds of mozzarella.

Ingredients

• Ripe red tomatoes
• Ripe yellow tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella rounds
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Fresh ground pepper
• Kosher salt

Directions

1. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4 inch slices
2. Alternate slices of red, yellow and mozzarella on serving plate
3. Place basil leaves in between tomatoes
4. Drizzle olive oil over the top and mix gently
5. Drizzle very gently with vinegar
6. Add a few good grinds of pepper and salt

Cedar Plank Salmon

Serves 6

This is very impressive looking when done, not to mention easy. I know I say that a lot but it really is. You can find the untreated cedar planks at your local lumberyard.

Ingredients

• 1 Cedar plank (dimensions are up to you, but about an inch thick and big enough to fit the salmon with at least an inch of border, but not too big to fit in your barbeque)

• 1 whole salmon fillet

• Olive oil

• Kosher Salt and fresh ground pepper

• 1-2 tablespoons of Sriracha sauce

• 2-3 tablespoons of Kewpie (Japanese mayo, regular mayo will work too) 

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• Spray bottle of water, just in case

Directions

1. Soak plank in water 1 to 2 hours.

2. Heat grill to medium

3. Place salmon on plank and rub top lightly with oil

4. Sprinkle well with salt and pepper

5. Spread Sriracha and mayo evenly over salmon

6. Sprinkle brown sugar over the salmon

7. Place board with salmon on heated grill and close lid.

8. For a filet about an inch at its thickest and depending on how good your barbeque is, it will grill for about 10 - 15 minutes.

9. The plank sides may flare up during cooking this is no big deal as long as you keep the salmon about an inch away from the edges.

10. Remove and serve.

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Grilled Lobster Tails

Serves 4

There's this big mystique about lobster being hard to cook. Frankly it's no more difficult than a grilled peanut butter and jelly - it's just more expensive. Try it and see.

Ingredients

• 4 lobster tails
• 1/4 cup Finlandia butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Juice of 1 whole lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients except tails in small pot over low heat until melted
2. Using kitchen shears or really good scissors - cut right up the middle of the shell to towards the tail, but don't cut through the tail
3. Using the cut as your guide, take a good knife and cut all the way down through the meat but do not cut through the bottom shell
4. Pull back the sides of the shell to expose the meat and brush well with the butter mixture
5. Heat grill to medium high and grill meat-side down for approximately 5-6 minutes, then turn and cook another 3-4 minutes or until done
6. Serve with extra butter sauce