Carne Adovada may not be well known, but I am hear to tell you this New Mexico dish is a MUST try. Tender, seasoned pork is browned then braised in a delicious purée that includes chili powder, coffee and raisins. This is just so darn good. :)I love finding new dishes to share with you guys and this is a new house favorite!Carne Adovada is amazing in flavor and texture. Layers of deep, rich flavors are what come to mind here. Not one stands out, it's the sum of the ingredients that ... continue reading...
South Carolina Ribs with Mustard BBQ Sauce
For my South Carolina Ribs with Mustard BBQ Sauce the secret is all in the sauce. A golden yellow mustard sauce simmered with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and several other pantry staples that will have you craving more.Sure these pork ribs get cleaned and dry rubbed, then go low and slow in the smoker, but I'm all about the sauce for these.Where Eastern North Carolina BBQ is keen on a thin, red vinegar sauce with it's spicy beginnings coming from Africa, South Carolina likes ... continue reading...
South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
For my South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce I start with a golden yellow mustard simmered with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and spices that will have you craving more. Shake up your typical BBQ sauce!Super easy to make this delivers a punch of surprisingly delicious flavor.All the ingredients get mixed and simmered for 10 minutes, allow it to cool and dip and drizzle away.I think the best is NOT to baste with the mustard sauce and just use as a dipping sauce or drizzle over the ... continue reading...
Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon
My Smoked Potato Salad is a must try and easy to make. Instead of boiling the potatoes I smoked them first then tossed them with the usual ingredients plus bacon for the win. This is so good!There's potato salad and then there's Smoked Potato Salad. Smoked potatoes you say? Yes I did, and it's a wonderful nuanced flavor added to a classic American side dish.After a quick wash and dry, the potatoes are rubbed with olive oil and salt and pepper. On a tray and in the smoker they went. ... continue reading...
Grilled Monterey Chicken
This is my version of the classic Chili's Monterey Chicken recipe where I cook the chicken on the grill instead of stove top and does it ever make a difference! BBQ sauce, bacon, and peppers instead of tomatoes, make this Grilled Monterey Chicken a dinner your whole family will love.I remember I loved to order this recipe from Chili's restaurant years ago, and when I met a friend there recently, I was surprised to find it no longer on the menu. At least at the one near me.So I thought ... continue reading...
Sweet Pork Dry Rub
This Sweet Pork Dry Rub is balanced with dark brown sugar for that extra kiss of molasses, and is tempered with garlic, onion, chili and cayenne powders. It doesn’t over power to let the meat's flavor shine.If you're a long time reader here you know I like to make my own Spice Blends and Rubs.Always better then store bought and when made in small batches keeps a robust flavor.This is perfect on pork chops, pork tenderloins and shoulders.I used this recently on my Grilled ... continue reading...
Grilled Pork Chops and Cherry Salsa
Dry rubbed with a sweet and spicy rub, these grilled pork chops are cooked to tender perfection and topped with a fresh cherry, pepper and honey salsa.I’m excited that today’s post is sponsored by my friends over at Superfresh Growers and Two Bite Cherries!Whether eaten right out of the bowl, roasted to bring out their flavor, sprinkled in salads or chopped and used in a dessert like my Old Fashioned Cherry Crisp or my Cherry Ricotta Bruschetta appetizer, cherries like these HUGE Two ... continue reading...
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
This baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is super creamy with 3 cheeses, lots of chopped Buffalo sauced chicken and a fantastic bleu cheese breadcrumb topping baked to a golden brown. This feeds a crowd, or halve it for a mid-week dinner, too.Buffalo chicken wings are a house favorite for party foods and an appetizer. Way back in the day when we used to go out for drinks with friends we'd meet up at this place that had the best wings. The drinks weren't bad either, but that's another ... continue reading...
Grilled Steak Fajitas
A Tex Mex favorite and staple at many restaurants, Grilled Steak Fajitas are the perfect blend of well seasoned steak charred with bell peppers and onions all wrapped in a warm tortilla.As legend has it, Maria Ninfa Rodriguez, better known as "Mama Ninfa Laurenzo" starting serving fajitas in her Houston restaurant called the Rio Grande Tortilla Co. in 1973. Originally a tortilla factory, she turned it into a restaurant after her husband passed and the rest is history.Tex Mex food takes ... continue reading...
Rocky Road Blondies
Blondies are basically a brownie without the cocoa in the batter. Baked to a golden brown this batch is loaded with walnuts and topped not with a frosting, but with Rocky Road candy. Beware, these can be dangerous!I’m excited that today’s post is sponsored by my friends over at the California Walnut Board. Whether toasted to bring out their flavor, sprinkled in salads, or chopped and used in a dessert like my Rocky Road Blondies, blondies are a favorite go to for a bar type ... continue reading...
