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!

Hawaiian Pizza

Or at least my version - 'cuz after all I am a Canadian and it was invented by a Canadian. 

But really who cares - just make it.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ready-made flatbreads - I used ones that were approximately 10” x 6”
• ½ cup tomato sauce, see recipe or use jarred (if you don’t care about food)
• ½ - 3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• ¼-½  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3-4 slices deli black forest ham, cut into thin strips
• Approximately ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spread sauce evenly over the flatbreads and then add the pineapple
3. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over all and top with ham and then the cheese
4. Place flatbreads on baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes or until cheese melts and flatbreads get crispy
5. Garnish with cilantro, slice and enjoy.

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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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Pasta with Bacon and Brussels Sprouts

FEATURED ON MY TV EPISODE, "NOT SO HEALTHY DAY"

Even if you hate brussels sprouts, I think you’ll like this.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces bacon, sliced widthwise
• 10 whole brussels sprouts, sliced thin
• 6 ounces pasta - your choice but Iike “Casarecce” for this one
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a large frying pan, add bacon - cook until just the edge of crispy, take bacon out and drain on paper towels
2. Leave about 1 ½ tablespoons of grease in the pan discarding the rest and add brussel sprouts -  cook about 6-7 minutes
3. While it cooks, bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions
4. Add the bacon back in the brussel sprouts pan - then add garlic until fragrant and mix
5. When the pasta is ready, drain (keeping about a cup of the water) and add pasta to bacon and brussels sprouts mixture with parmesan
6. Stir to combine well and if it's too thick, add pasta water about a 1/4 cup at a time until it's where you like it
7. Season with salt & pepper
8. Add red pepper flakes - top with a little more parmesan and serve

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FEATURED ON MY TV SHOW 

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Pork Chow Mein

Get ready for the Chinese New Year with these great noodles - and the quick little black bean sauce makes this ridiculous.

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons black bean garlic sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ½ pound boneless pork (tenderloin or country style ribs work great), thinly sliced 
• ½ tablespoon of neutral oil*
• *(unflavored oils such as canola, vegetable or peanut)
• ¼ pound sugar snap peas sliced diagonally
• ½ pound shitake mushrooms
• 4 oz chow mein noodles, cooked
• green onions, chopped to garnish

 DIRECTIONS

1. Combine black bean and soy sauce, set aside
2. Heat sautéed pan on medium-high, add oil and pork and cook cooked until pork is just done, about 4 minutes ­ - remove pork mixture to a bowl
3. In same pan, heat to high and add a little more oil
4. Add peas and stir fry until crisp tender, about 3 minutes then add to pork mixture
5. Return pan to heat again, add more oil and the shitakes, cook until softened, about 5 minutes
6. Turn heat up to high, add the pork mixture and then the add soy/black bean - stir until heated through
7. Add chow mein noodles, combine well, plate and garnish with green onions
8. Serve

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Spanish Chorizo Hash

Who says hash has to be corned beef? Cuz I certainly don't!

Makes 2 - 3 servings (kinda depends on you)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/2 pound cold leftover cooked potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4-6 ounces Spanish Chorizo, chopped
• Kosher salt
• Eggs poached, fried, scrambled – again, up to you

DIRECTIONS

1. Add butter to a medium sized pan and cook onion until just softened, about 3 minutes
2. Add potatoes and cook another 5 minutes until just getting crispy
3. Add Chorizo, season with salt & cook stirring often for maybe another 5 - 7 minutes, until crispy all around
4. Serve with eggs

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BEST CHINESE STIR FRY SAUCE

This is the 'little black dress' of stir fry sauces – good for chicken, beef, pork, veggies and seafood.

Makes about 1 cup

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped fine

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup chicken broth, vegetable broth or even water

• 1 tablespoon sriracha

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or Tupperware and mix well

2. Stir fry about 2 cups any combination of diced vegetables and/or seafood, chicken or beef until protein is just cooked through

3. When just done, add 1/2 to 2/3 of sauce, mix and let thicken slightly – about a minute and serve

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COUNTRY STYLE PORK RIBS

Featured on TV episode: We're in the Backyard Day >>> WATCH EPSIODE <<<

Boneless, simple and so great. Who says you need a long time marinating?

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 pounds boneless country style pork ribs 
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
• 1 tablespoon celery salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 big pinches Kosher Salt
• 10 grind fresh black pepper
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix dry ingredients to make the dry rub
2. Coat pork thoroughly on every side, cover with foil, marinate 1 hour min or 4 hours if you have time
3. Preheat grill on med/high, cook 5 minutes on all 4 sides with lid open (pork temperature guide: 145 degrees)

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Soy & beer braised pork belly

Serves 2

I crave this all the time. Make it. It's worth it. 

INGREDIENTS

• pork belly (got mine from COOK PIGS RANCH)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup of Soy sauce
• 1 bottle asian beer
• 2 tablespoons 5 spice powder
• 2 smashed garlic cloves
• 2'' block fresh ginger, peeled, cut into coins
• 2 tablespoons Japanese (Kewpie) mayo
• handful Chinese parsley, aka cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Warm up pot – Dutch oven perfect for pork belly
2. Cut belly into a couple of pieces and score the top, cutting through the skin but not through the meat in a diamond pattern
3. Add olive oil to pan and add pork belly for a few minutes enough so that its golden brown on all sides
4. In a separate pan bottle of Asian beer
5. Add pork belly to pan and add enough water so that pork belly is covered
6. Let it boil, and then bring down to a simmer and cover it for about 2 hours
7. Take out pork belly pieces and heat in another pan until sides are crisp
8. Serve in a Hawaiian Kings roll and add in garlic hoisin sauce, Japanese mayo, and Chinese parsley, aka cilantro 

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Tonkatsu with pork

I made this for Pork Day on SAM THE COOKING GUY TV show, I LOVE this dish!

Serves 3

INGREDIENTS

• pork tenderloin (my pork was from COOK PIGS RANCH)
• 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup (Japanese) Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup All Purpose flour
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Fresh black pepper 
• steamed white rice for serving

TONKATSU SAUCE:

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• big pinch white sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut medallions, place in a piece of wax paper with a rolling pin or bottle flatten out the pork to even thickness
2. Season pork both side with Kosher salt and pepper 
3. Breading station: 3 bowls for flour, beaten eggs, Panko
4. Coat pork with flour, egg, then Panko
5. In a small bowl mix oyster sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and sugar
6. Preheat oil in deep skillet to 350 degrees (test: dip a chopstick into the pan, if  the oil bubbles it’s ready)
7. Cook breaded pork in oil for 3 minutes each side until golden brown, drain on paper towel
8. Slice pork, serve on bed of rice, top with Tonkatsu sauce, garnish with green onions. 

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FEATURED RECIPE ON PORK DAY EPISODE OF SAM THE COOKING GUY TV SHOW. RELEASE DATE: JUNE 7th 2015

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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Herbed Pork Tenderloin

Serves 4-6 (or a bunch more if you used this for sandwiches)

Super simple, delicious (and really inexpensive) pork tenderloin that you will love.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pork tenderloins (I like most of the fat removed)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2-1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 tablespoons mustard (I used Honey Truffle Mustard!)
• 1/2 cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1 teaspoon dried Thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried Rosemary
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Season pork with generous pinch of Kosher salt and pepper on both sides
3. Coat the loins with mustard
4. In a large bowl mix Panko, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder
5. Add the tenderloins into the dry mix and coat generously, really pack it on.
6. Cook on a rack for 25 minutes or until 140-145 degrees

LAMB MOUSSAKA

Serves 6

Essentially Greek Shepherd’s Pie, this is not only is this stupid good, but takes me back years ago to a Greek restaurant in Vancouver where I’d have it. It’s perfect shitty weather food. Bring on the rain.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large globe eggplants
• Olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced small
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 
• 2 pounds ground lamb 
• 2 cups tomato sauce 
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/3 cup chopped Italian parsley
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
• 5 tablespoons butter 
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 3 cups milk, warmed 
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Slice eggplants to get 12 – ¼ inch slices, put them on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt & pepper and bake 20-25 minutes or until nicely softened 
3. While the eggplant cooks, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium in a large pan and put in onions and garlic – cook until softened, about 10 minutes
4. Add lamb and cook until no longer pink – pour off any fat that accumulates
5. Stir in tomato sauce, cinnamon and parsley - combine well and turn off heat
6. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat, then add flour and stir well until it makes a thick smooth paste – 3-4 minutes
7. Add the warm milk one cup at a time and whisk continuously until smooth
8. Bring to a boil, season with nutmeg, salt & pepper and cook for 2-4 minutes or until thickened
9. In a buttered 9x12 baking dishing, put a layer of eggplant, the ground lamb mixture, rest of the eggplant and then the white sauce 
10. Smooth sauce over the top and scatter wit breadcrumbs
11. Bake about 45 minutes or until getting golden brown, let cool a few minutes and serve

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

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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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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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

Maple Chops

Serves 4

If you don't have maple syrup - you can use pancake syrup. If you don't have pancake syrup - what? You don't have pancake syrup? What's going on in your house?

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops - bone in or out (I like it in)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 clove garlic, minced

Directions

1. Pre-heat BBQ
2. Combine syrup, soy and garlic - mix well
3. Marinate chops in 3/4 of the mixture as long as you have - 15 minutes or up to overnight
4. Grill until done - baste with reserved sauce during cooking - but save a little extra to drizzle on top when they come off the grill

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Makes 12

You're probably tired of me telling you that there are things you should keep in your freezer for last minute appetite supression. Scallops are one of them because they freeze really well and defrost quickly. Sea scallops are the big ones and bay scallops are the little guys - this recipe uses the big boys.

Ingredients

• 1 pound sea scallops, defrosted
• 12 slices 'ready bacon' - the already cooked and ready to go kind
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 long metal skewers - or 2 long wooden ones
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Preheat bbq or grill pan on high
2. Wrap each scallop with a slice of bacon and skewer - 6 to a skewer, make sure they stay tightly wrapped
3. Spray bbq or grill pan with non-stick spray, and lay down the skewers - don't move 'em
4. Let them get cook for 2-3 minutes until really good grill marks develop, then flip over
5. Brush top with sauce and grill 2nd side about 2 more minutes or until that side looks equally as cool
6. Remove and brush just cooked side with sauce
7. Put on a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving

Chili Pork Pot Pie

Serves 8

Hearty and delicious – and it works just as well with ground beef or turkey – a great affordable family dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lb ground pork
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• Kosher salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 - 16-ounce jars black bean salsa
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup Bisquick
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. In a large pot over medium heat, put in oil and pork - cook until no longer pink
3. Add green pepper, chili powder, salt and garlic - stir well and cook a couple minutes more
4. Mix in salsa well and pour into a 9x13 casserole dish and top with cheese
5. Beat egg and mix with Bisquick, milk and chili powder - pour over chili and bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown