Tag: #delish

Posted in From My Kitchen

52 Cheap & Easy Grilling Recipes That Won’t Break The Bank

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you think of planning a summer cookout, you might immediately think you’ll have to drop serious $$$. But we’re here to say that balling on a budget does not mean you have to skip out on any of the barbecues you plan or attend this season Hardly! With a few (quite delicious, might we add) swaps, you’ll have a full spread of barbecue sides, appetizers, and grilled favorites that more than deliver (without breaking the bank). Making a few of these 51 cheap & easy BBQ recipes might be the best budgeting has ever tasted, TBH.

Newsflash: Some of your favorite BBQ recipes are already pretty affordable! Pasta salads, potato salads, slaws, and pretty much everything with beans will not only save you a few bucks at the store, but also are always first to go at the cook-out. So do yourself a big favor and make a double batch of antipasto potato salad, Thai-style slaw, and Hawaiian macaroni salad. When in doubt, building a dish based around affordable summer produce (like watermelon, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini) will guarantee you won’t go too wild at the grocery store.

When it comes to grilling, there’s a ton of protein options that are budget-friendly, too. Chicken thighs and drumsticks, pork tenderloin, and grilled chuck roast are great cuts to consider for the carnivores on your invite list. And it’s just not a BBQ without hot dogs, so we love jazzing up regular franks with our Big Mac hot dog toppings. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you probably know that going full meatless is the easiest way to eat well on a budget. Not gonna lie, we’ve even seen a few of our omnivore friends preferring our BBQ tempeh sandwiches and copycat Shake Shack shroom burger, so be sure to make a few extras!

Recipe here!

Posted in From My Kitchen

Copycat Dave’s Hot Chicken Cauliflower Sliders

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Dave’s Hot Chicken has been on a roll since its humble beginnings as a parking lot pop-up in Los Angeles. With its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, cult-like following, and celebrity investors like Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, and Maria Shriver, it’s no wonder they now boast over 100 locations across 4 countries. A few years into their meteoric rise, they debuted a vegetarian option, swapping out the chicken for cauliflower. Dubbed “Dave’s Not Chicken,” this dish offers all the bold flavors and textures of their classic hot chicken—minus the meat. If you don’t live near a Dave’s or simply want to re-create the experience at home, this recipe is your answer.

Cauliflower tenders:
For the cauliflower “tenders,” which are essentially steaks, I used 2 small heads, 1 to 1 1/2 lb. each, to ensure they fit neatly on the bun. When cutting the steaks, make sure to cut them from the center where the stem holds the florets together. Save the loose florets to bread and fry as bonus bites! If only large cauliflower is available, cut 2 center steaks, then halve them.

Crispy crust:
For maximum crunch, I went with a double dredge—it takes a bit more time but is totally worth it. Each steak gets dipped in the buttermilk mixture, dredged in seasoned flour, then the process is repeated. Letting the coated cauliflower rest for 30 minutes at room temperature helps create a sturdy, crispy crust.

Spice level:
Dave’s also stands out for its seven spice levels, ranging from “No Spice” to the daring “Reaper,” which features the Carolina Reaper, the world’s hottest chile pepper. For context, the Reaper is twice as hot as the infamous ghost pepper! For this recipe, I went light on the spice, using 1 Tbsp. cayenne in the spice blend to achieve a medium-hot heat. Want more heat? Add 1 to 2 more Tbsp., or turn it up even further with a spicier powdered chili. Maybe you can get your hands on some of that fiery Reaper chili powder if you really want to bring the heat.

Storage:
For ease, prep components like the kale slaw and creamy sauce ahead of time. The slaw keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, while the sauce lasts up to 5 days.

delish!

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

Copycat Chicken Big Macs

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The highly anticipated, limited-time release of the Chicken Big Mac came and went in the blink of an eye, leaving many fans scrambling to get their hands on one before it disappeared. If you missed out, don’t worry—I’ve got some great news for you! I’ve taken matters into my own hands and created a copycat that’s just as delicious and much easier to enjoy at home. This homemade version is similar to the iconic Big Mac, with two key differences: crispy fried chicken patties swap in for the traditional beef, and the onions have been eliminated (no crying over here). Aside from that, everything else stays the same, so you can still enjoy all the Big Mac goodness, but with a delicious, chicken-filled twist.

The chicken:
The Chicken Big Mac patty is essentially a larger version of a McNugget, so I used that as the blueprint. Ground chicken is combined with a bit of flour to absorb moisture, making it easier to form patties, and seasoned with onion and garlic powder for extra flavor. Here’s a helpful tip: Keep a bowl of water nearby when forming your patties. Dipping your hands in the water will keep the chicken from sticking and make the process much smoother.

Once shaped, the patties are popped into the freezer for a brief chill. This step helps firm them up, making it easier to dredge and batter them later. For the batter, McDonald’s describes it as “tempura-style,” so after checking their ingredient list, I decided on a blend of flour and fine-ground cornmeal, a touch of baking powder for leavening, and ice-cold water for a light and crispy texture.

delish!

Posted in From My Kitchen

Snickerdoodle Cobbler

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This isn’t your average cobbler recipe, but it is probably one of the easiest ones you can find. Instead of a layer of fruit, you’ll find a buttery sauce that makes itself (!!) while the cobbler is baking. The topping is similar to warm, fluffy snickerdoodles, making it the best parts of a cookie and a cobbler combined. This entire dessert magically comes together in the oven, so it’s just the thing to serve when you don’t feel like rolling and baking off individual cookies.

The process of this cobbler might feel a little strange. Pouring hot water over the top of batter will feel wrong, but trust the process. When the cobbler is done baking, the water and butter will turn into a sauce that keeps the batter soft. Serve this cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you won’t hear a single complaint.

This cobbler can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or 2 to 3 days. Similarly, you can pop a whole or leftover cobbler into the freezer for up to 3 months! Just be sure to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.

delish

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

50 Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas For A Special Night In

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Creating a Valentine’s Day to remember can be a minefield. But it doesn’t have to be! Whether you just hate crowds, missed the boat on a reservation, or simply want to show off your cooking skills, these romantic dinner recipes practically shout, “I love you.” Pinky promise, it’s never been easier to impress with our special chicken, steak, seafood, or pasta dinners for a cozy night in this Valentine’s Day. All these recipes are a step above usual weeknight fare without being too complex or time-consuming, so you can instead put all your energy into making sure your sweetheart feels extra loved. This Valentine’s Day, get inspired to cook something spectacular at home with this list of our 50 best romantic dinners. They’re certainly a recipe for romance, that’s for sure. 😉

But what if you’re not a chef? Don’t worry, we got you. Everyone loves being cooked for, and remember, it’s the thought that counts! Stick with something simple and classic, like our linguine with clams, our Greek salmon, or our chicken Alfredo, or make a night out of cooking something more involved together. No matter the outcome, if you put some love into it, your meal will come out delicious and memorable.

Hoping to give your boo that nice steakhouse experience but without the sit-down meal upcharge? Check out our tomato butter roast chicken our lobster risotto, or our steak au poivre. They only look difficult to pull off at home.

Craving comfort food? V-Day is smack dab in the middle of winter, after all. Try our one-pan cheesy sausage gnocchi, our spaghetti & meatballs, or our Detroit-style pizza. They’re sure to warm your bones (and your heart!).

Got a vegetarian or vegan sweetie? They’ll be so impressed at how thoughtful you are when you serve them something like our mushroom piccata pasta, our polenta with wild mushroom ragú, or our Thai red curry coconut noodles. These dishes are also a little lighter than your average fare, meaning you can really go all out for dessert. 😍

Want more ideas for impressing your beloved this Valentine’s Day? Try serving a fun cocktail or the perfect bottle of wine with your meal—check out our guides to both reds and whites. And don’t forget about snacks and apps to keep your bae busy while you cook too.

delish!

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”