Crispy Honey Garlic Wings

Double fried wings tossed in sticky sweet deliciousness - good lord they’re sooooo good!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup soy sauce

• 3/4 cup honey

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons sriracha

• 2-3 pounds chicken wings

• 1 cup corn starch

• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic

• 3 cups neutral oil for frying

• Sliced green onion & toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

1. Combine soy, honey, vinegar, garlic & sriracha in a small pot

2. Bring to a boil to over medium heat, then turn down and let simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes

3. White it simmers, dry wings well with paper towels and then toss with cornstarch & granulated to coat well

4. Heat oil to 325 degrees and fry wings for 5 minutes in batches so you don’t overload the pan

5. Remove to a cooling rack, and fry the rest

6. Turn heat to 375 and fry winhgs again for another 5 minutes

7. Remove from oil, let dry slightly then toss with sauce (not too much) plate and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

8. En-fricking-joy!

Grilled Veggie Fajitas (using a grill basket)

 Featured on TV episode: We're in the Backyard Day

Makes 4-6 tacos (depending on size of tortillas)

Ingredients

• 10 asparagus spears, 1'' pieces
• 1 medium size yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium size red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 cups shredded Napa cabbage
• 1-2 tablespoons Neutral oil, like avocado
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• tortillas
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1-2 tablespoons Adobo sauce (optional)

Directions

• Heat grill basket on medium/high
• Add asparagus, both peppers and 1 tablespoon of oil, saute for 5 minutes until they begin to soften
• Add onion and continue for another 5 minutes or so mixing well, then add zucchini
• Saute all for another couple of minutes, then the Napa cabbage
• Season with salt, pepper and cumin
• Turn down heat, and warm tortillas
• Place a little sour cream, a tiny bit of the adobo sauce (it can be spicy) and some vegetables on each cooked tortilla and roll up

Quick Chicken Stir Fry

I know, I know - I love a stir fry. There... I admitted it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1lb. chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces
• ¼-½ cup cornstarch
• 1-2 tablespoons neutral oil, like avocado
• 4-6 green onion sprigs, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ½ tablespoon honey
• 1-2 tablespoons Sambal Chili Garlic sauce (depends how spicy you like)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• In medium bowl add chicken and ¼ cup cornstarch, coat the chicken well but shake off excess using a sifter - set aside.
• Heat pan or wok until almost smoking - add 1 tablespoon oil and chicken
• Cook chicken until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes then stir in green onions and cook for  a minute or so; remove chicken and set aside
• Place same pan/wok back on medium heat, add a touch of oil, garlic and ginger - cook until fragrant about 30 seconds, then add soy sauce, honey and Sambal
• In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup water then stir in with soy sauce mixture, cook until sauce starts to thicken
• Add the chicken back in, stir and coat with sauce, cook for a few more minutes
• Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds and serve

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Shiitake Spinach Egg Thing

And by thing I mean stupidly delicious.  Don't ask - just make it.

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2 bacon strips, sliced widthwise
• 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• Pinch each Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 2 poached eggs, see recipe

Directions

1. In a large pan on medium heat, cook bacon until about halfway done, then add mushrooms and cook until softened - 3 to 4 minutes
2. Add chicken broth - continue to cook another minute
3. Next add spinach - sauté until wilted then season with salt and pepper; remove from heat
4. Serve spinach mixture on serving plate and top with poached egg.

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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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Mexican-ish Poutine

Featured recipe on my BACK TO SCHOOL DAY TV episode.

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bag frozen fries (I used waffle fries, but any french fry will work)
• 10 ounces pork chorizo
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 large poblano chile pepper
• ¼ cup chopped fresh green onions
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken (deli rotisserie chicken works great)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven per french fry package instructions; spread the fries evenly onto a baking sheet and bake as package instructs - until browned and crunchy
2. Cook chorizo in a small sized saucepan until chorizo is done, about 5 minutes - add cream and let simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes
3. Roast poblano chile over your stove's open top and keep turning until blackened all around or you can place chile on baking sheet and broil until blackened all the way around - you'll have to turn them a couple times
4. Let the pepper cool, and remove blackened skin or put in a paper bag and seal for 10 minutes to steam then peel off charred skin, remove stem and seeds and dice small - set aside.
5. On a plate layer as follows: fries, chicken, chorizo gravy, poblano peppers and green onions
6. Be sure to get a little of everything in each bite

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Watch how to make this...

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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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Pesto Pizza

So fricking simple and delicious – a great reason to keep pesto in the fridge. It's super easy and quick, and by quick, I mean in about a minute.

Makes 1 Pizza

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Pizza Dough (store bought or homemade)
• All-purpose flour
• 2-3 tablespoons cornmeal
• One 7 oz container pesto sauce (you'll use about half)
• ¼ -½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 fresh mozzarella cheese ball (broken up in smallish pieces)
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees (unless you are using a pizza oven like Uuni)
2. Sprinkle just enough flour to prevent sticking on dough and working surface. Use your hands or a rolling pin to flatten the dough until it is 1/4-inch thick or less
3. Spread cornmeal on baking sheet and lay the pizza dough on top
4. Spoon a few tablespoons of sauce into the center of the pizza and use the back of a spoon to spread it out to the edges.
5. Next sprinkle red pepper and top with mozzarella
6. Drizzle a little olive oil on top, season with salt and pepper to taste
7. Bake 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness, or until the crust is crisp and golden in a regular oven - but in a pizza oven only as long as needed
8. Slice, eat & repeat!

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Sea Bass with Parsley Cream Sauce

...and horseradish - did I mention that?

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 ¼ cup milk

• ⅓ cup chopped curly parsley

• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

• 4 -6oz Seabass fillets, at room temperature

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and bubbles a bit, but don't let it brown - about 2 minutes.

2. Add milk in small amounts, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens. Add pinch of salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Remove from the heat - stir in parsley and horseradish

3. Drizzle each seabass fillet with olive oil and season with salt & pepper on both sides

4. Place seasoned fish fillets in a hot pan face down and sear for about 3 minutes on each side, until opaque

5. Plate fish and top with 2-3 tablespoons of the horseradish sauce

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Sous Vide Rack of Lamb with Mint Gremolata

Using sous vide (a constant temperature water bath) is not just simple, but makes for near perfect meat every time. And if I don’t have to worry about overcooking my lamb, I can worry about other things – like making sure my guests are happy.  

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Rack of Lamb

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Makes: 1 rack of lamb

INGREDIENTS

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Rosemary sprig
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil –
  vegetable, canola etc

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat sous vide cooker to135 degrees
2. Season lamb with salt & pepper, place in a vacuum bag with rosemary, seal and put in the preheated water – let cook 2 hours
3. While it cooks, make the gremolata
4. When the lamb is done, remove from the bag and carefully pat dry with paper towels
5. Add oil to a heavy pan (cast iron is ideal for this) turn on your stove vent and heat until just smoking
6. Start by carefully placing the rack meaty side down, and sear until well browned all over – should be no more than a minute
7. Put on a cutting board, slice into individual ribs and serve with the gremolata. 

Mint Gremolata

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1/3 cup
 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• Zest from 1 small lemon
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the mint, garlic, lemon zest, Kosher salt, red pepper flakes and olive oil in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped then set aside (you can easily make this the day before).

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Fried Pickles

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable oil to fry
• ½ cup mayo
• ½ teaspoon chili powder 
• ¼ wedge of a lime
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten 
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 dill pickle spears (slice lengthwise to make 8 thinner spears)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oil to 350 degrees
2. In a small bowl combine mayo, chili powder, lime juice and garlic-set aside
3. Put the flour, eggs and seasoned panko with salt and pepper in 3 separate bowls 
4. Dip each pear in the flour (shake off any excess) then in the beaten egg and in the panko, repeat with the remaining pickles
5. Fry a few pickles at a time until golden brown or about 3 minutes-lay on paper towels to drain
6. Finish the fried pickles with a little salt as they come out of the fryer and serve with dipping sauce

FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

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Fresh Tomato Sauce

The only way this gets easier is if someone makes it for you.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 vine-ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup red wine (any wine you enjoy drinking will do)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade (stacked, roll like a cigar and then thinly sliced lengthwise)
• Kosher salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat and add onion - cook about 5 minutes
2. Add garlic and cook another minute or so - just until fragrant
3. Add tomatoes, turn heat up and let cook a minute or two
4. Next add wine and tomato paste, mix then bring sauce to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer about 10 minutes
5. Add the basil then season with salt and pepper to taste
6. Serve on everything - pasta (of course), toast, eggs, polenta, pizza, grilled bread, chicken... did I say on everything?

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RICOTTA BACON FLATBREAD

We showed you how to make your own pizza dough... and now we show you what to do with it. You're gonna like this.

Makes 1 flatbread

INGREDIENTS

• 1 quarter of the 3 minute pizza dough
• Olive oil
• ¾ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onions
• ½ cup cooked bacon, crispy & crumbled
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher Salt
• 1/3 cup diced fresh tomatoes to garnish

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven 425 degrees
• Sprinkle a little flour on working surface and roll out dough into approximately an 8x11 flatbread
• Place on lightly oiled baking sheet pre-bake about 7 minutes
• In a small bowl combine ricotta cheese and olive oil, mix well
• Spread the ricotta on the pre-baked dough
• Top with onions, bacon, red pepper flakes and salt to taste
• Put back in oven and bake 5 more minutes
• Remove, top with tomatoes and serve

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Tomato Soup

Yum - this version is made with canned San Marzano tomatoes - and if ur gonna use canned, these ones are the best.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1-28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano, recommended)

½ teaspoon Kosher salt 

¼ teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan, add half the onion and cook until softened 

• Put in garlic and stir until fragrant, then add tomatoes, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes and oregano, mix well and simmer 5 – 10 minutes

• Use a blender or immersion blender to puree soup - keep warm

Joe’s Special

I know eggs, ground beef and spinach may not sound like a winner, but his old-school San Fran restaurant item is ridiculous. And by ridiculous I mean effing great.

Makes 1-2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ cup white onion, diced
• ¼ pound ground beef
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 ounces cooked chopped spinach (squeeze out liquid)
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
• Baguette or any bread of your choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a small skillet over low to medium heat, add onions and cook until soften about 5 minutes
2. Add the beef, breaking it up along the way
3. Just when beef is almost done, add the garlic, cook until fragrant
4. Add the spinach and mix in well, season with salt and pepper
5. Add the eggs to the pan, cook slowly, stirring often making sure the eggs don’t stick to the pan
6. When the eggs are about halfway done, mix in parmesan and continue stirring until eggs are cooked though but still creamy
7. Serve with baguette.

FEATURED RECIPE ON STCG "ONLINE" SHOW

FEATURED RECIPE ON MY TV SHOW

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Buffalo Chicken Fries

Should be self explanatory - but even if they're not...just make em.

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 28 ounce bag of sweet potato fries
• 1 cup Franks Red Hot Wings Sauce or the regular – both are great
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
• 1 cup pre-cooked deli chicken, shredded
• parsley leaves, chopped for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook fries according to package directions – but get 'em extra crispy
2. While they cook, combine hot sauce, honey and butter over low heat – stir to combine
3. Toss fries a portion at a time in some of the sauce (don't over sauce though), plate, add some chicken, drizzle with blue cheese dressing and a little more buffalo sauce
4. Top with chopped parsley.

WATCH ME MAKE THIS

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Green Goddess Dressing

It’s 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather accepts the Best Actor Award for Marlon Brando in The Godfather, All in the Family was huge on TV and Green Goddess Dressing was all the rage – and still should be.  

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley 
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, coarsley chopped
• 2 green onions, white & light green parts coarsely chopped
• Juice of one lemon
• 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 3/4 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS

1.  Put all ingredients in a processor and blend until smooth 

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Spicy Honey Shrimp

Spice…honey & shrimp. Three of my favorite things all in one recipe. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

INGREDIENTS

• Canola oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 4 green onions, cut into 1 inch lengths
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Asian chili sauce
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled & deveined

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook onions, red pepper and green onions in a tablespoon of oil in a hot wok or pan until starting to soften - about 3 minutes
2. While it cooks, combine honey, soy and chili sauce in a small bowl - mix well and set aside
3. Add ginger and garlic to vegetables and stir through for about a minute - remove vegetables to a plate
4. Put pan back on the heat, allow to get very hot, add a little more oil and then add shrimp - cook about 2 minutes or just until they’re almost done
5. Add vegetables and sauce - stir through to heat everything and let sauce thicken a bit
6. Serve on rice, noodles or just eat right of the pan.

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Finlandia Napoleons

Wait till you see how easy and crazy delicious these are. Made with #Finlandia Creamy Gourmet Cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• Finlandia Sweet Lemon Creamy Gourmet Cheese*
• Raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Roll out a defrosted sheet of puff pastry to make it approximately 30% larger, and poke all over with a fork 

3. Then cut into 2” x 3” rectangles, place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown,15-20 minutes - remove and let cool
4. Using Finlandia Sweet Lemon Creamy Gourmet Cheese spread a 1/8” inch layer on one rectangle, top with another rectangle, add another layer of cheese and finally a layer of raspberry jam – 
5. To serve, add a final dusting of powdered sugar.

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*Finlandia Butter can be found at Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Finlandia Cheeses are also available, in Southern California at Costco and other fine retailers.

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Turkey: THAWING & BRINING

Thawing & Brining

Thawing

You have 2 choices:

Refrigerator Thawing - Keep the turkey in it’s wrapper (I like to put it in a large roasting etc in case it leaks) and thaw breast side up - it will take 1 day of thawing for every 4 pounds of turkey

Cold Water Thawing - Keep the turkey in it’s wrapper and thaw breast side down, in a bucket, cooler, sink with a stopper with enough cold water to cover the turkey completely. Remember to change the water every 30 minutes - it will take 30 minutes for every 1 pound of turkey

brining

A brined turkey is a juicy, more flavorful turkey. Ideally you want to brine for 24 hours before cooking - but if you don't have that much time try for at least an hour a pound. Here, you have 2 choices:

Wet Brine

1/2 gallon apple juice

1 gallon water

2 tablespoons each dried sage & rosemary

5 cloves garlic, minced

1.5 cups Kosher salt

1.5 cups brown sugar

2 yellow onions, peeled & cut in quarters

• Combine all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 15-20 minutes partly covered

• Allow brine to cool completely

• Put unwrapped, rinsed turkey (without the bag of giblets etc) into a brining bag (like a huuuuge zip lock) or non-reactive pot and add the cooled brine to cover

• (Or, buy a brining kit and follow directions)

• Seal bag or cover pot and refrigerate up to 24 hours

• Remove from fridge about 2 hours before cooking, rinse, pat dry and roast as usual

Dry Brine (this is preference btw)

Let me just say I’ve done both wet & dry brining, and dry is so much easier with almost no mess and the results are virtually the same.

• Unwrap turkey, remove bag of giblets, neck etc and pat dry

• Season with Kosher salt - using approximately 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 pounds of turkey - being sure to cover the entire outside and and refrigerate uncovered 24 hours

• Remove from fridge about 2 hours before cooking, do not wipe off salt and roast as normal

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