80's Music

Friday, August 31, 2012

Are You Still Ready For Some Football???Oven Cooked Ribs w Pickled Slaw & Chicken Nacho


Oven Baked Ribs w/ Pickled Slaw

Chicken Nachos 


In this second installment of my 3 part series we are now moving to Ribs and Chicken Nachos. These items are dishes that are inexpensive, easy to prepare and a staple at most sports bars. It used to be that TV rooms and bars filled up with men while women joined book clubs and used that free time to just decompress, but not anymore. Football has become just as entertaining for women as it has been for men.

I have plenty of female friends that I debate with and watch football with during the season. Unfortunately some of them are Cowboy fans, but I suppose they are entitled to good food as well as the more cultured and certainly NOT low brow, Redskin fans like myself and I hope all of you. LOL
At the end of the day these events are as much about the food as they are the games. As both Redskin and Cowboy fans should know by now, if not for the food eaten, jokes shared and fellowship is another non playoff season actually worth all of the hoopla??? I leave that for you to answer but as for now..........

On the menu today : Oven Baked BBQ Ribs with Pickled Slaw & Chicken Nachos



BBQ Ribs & Pickled Slaw

As I have stated before tradition is traditional but it can always be tweaked. Grilled ribs are great, they take a long time when slow cooked but man are they worth the wait. Well, here's a secret, I can show you how to make ribs in an oven that are just as good, fall off the bone, less time consuming and better than you would believe.







For the ribs you will need the following:


  • Rack Of Ribs (1 feeds 2-3 pp)
  • Aluminum Foil (1 box)
  • Garlic Powder (1 Tbs)
  • Paprika (1 tsp)
  • Dried Herbs (Thyme, Oregano, Coriander) (1 Tbs)
  • Brown Sugar (1 Tbs)
  • Chili Powder (1 tsp)
  • Kosher Salt + Pepper (1 tsp)
  • Ground Cumin (1 tsp)
  • Olive Oil (1 Tbs)



Make the rub by combining the dry ingredients and rubbing directly on to the ribs. Completely seal the ribs in the oil brushed aluminum foil and place in an oven at 320 degrees for 1.5 hours and check for tenderness. Once cooked and tender either take out of the oven to cool and cut or brush with BBQ sauce and place back in the oven at 375 for 5 minutes.



For the BBQ Sauce :


  • Yellow Mustard (1/4 cup)
  • Rice Vinegar (1/8 cup)
  • Brown Sugar (1/2 cup) 
  • Hot Sauce (3 Tbs)
  • Ginger (1 Tbs)
  • Garlic (1 tsp)
  • Soy Sauce (1 tsp)
  • Chili Flakes (1 tsp)
  • Olive Oil (1 tsp)


Add the olive oil, ginger and garlic to a heated sauce pot and allow to brown. Add all of the wet ingredients and finally the sugar, allowing the sauce to reduce and or thicken to your desire. Add the the ribs as stated above. Be sure to reserve some for just in case someone wants more on their ribs, this sauce is killer......


For the Picked Slaw we will need the following:

  • Red Cabbage (1 head)
  • Jalapenos (4-7 each)
  • Rice Vinegar (1 cup)
  • Yellow Mustard (2 Tbs)
  • White Sugar (.5 cup)
  • Pickling Spices (3 Tbs) Optional 







Slice the cabbage and jalapenos as seen above and place in a bowl. Make the dressing by adding the other ingredients and mixing into the cabbage and jalapenos. Place the slaw in the refrigerator until ready to serve. * Hint, it's better on day 2!!!!




Nachos are about as "no-fuss" as a dish can be, we are not going to fry our own tortillas so the only thing that we are cooking are the chicken breasts, the rest is all just heating up and serving.





For the nachos we will need the following:

  • Tortilla Chips (2 bags)
  • Mexican Cheese (6-10 oz)
  • Smoked Gouda Cheese (2 oz)
  • Black Beans (1 can)
  • Chicken Breasts (2-5 each)
  • Sour Cream (1/4 cup)
  • Jalapenos (2-5 ea)
  • Garlic Salt (1 tsp)
  • Olive Oil (1 Tbs)

Marinate the chicken in the garlic salt and olive oil for 1 hour and then place in an oven preheated to 350 for 35 minutes or until done. Once cooked place in the refrigerator to cool and finally slice as seen above. Drain the can of black beans and rinse in a strainer. Build the nachos by add the tortilla chips to a cookie sheet. Add the black beans, jalapenos, sliced chicken and both types of cheeses. (Be sure to grate the smoked gouda first, of course.) Place in an oven at 350 for 3-7 minutes, remove from heat and serve immediately. I have included sides below. 







Pico De Gallo 



Pico De Gallo:


  • Tomato (2 - 4 each)
  • Onions (1 ea)
  • Jalapeno (1 ea)
  • Cilantro (2 Tbs)
  • Green Onion (2 Tbs)
  • Lime Juice (1 tsp)
  • Salt & Pepper (t t)

Dice the vegetables, mince the cilantro and add together in a bowl with the lime juice and salt, pepper. Refrigerate until ready for service.





Guacamole 


Guacamole:

  • Avocado (2-4 each )
  • Garlic (2 cloves)
  • Onions (.25 cups)
  • Tomatoes (1 each)
  • Cilantro (2 Tbs)
  • Lime Juice (1 Tbs)
  • Salt & Pepper (t t)
Easy Dice Method 

Take Out with a Large Spoon 


Pit the avocados, dice and place in a bowl. Dice the onions and tomatoes, mince the garlic and cilantro and mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate once prepared.



With A Side Of Sour Cream 


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Are You Ready For Some Football.. Lollipop Chicken Wings with Mambo Sauce, Potato Skins & Pepperoni Pizza

Lollipop Chicken with Mambo Sauce.
Potato Skins 

Pepperoni Pizza 


Are you ready for some Football?????? Every year around this time the country is abuzz with expectations for their NFL teams, their NCAA teams, their fantasy teams and just some good ole football. I know that I have been hooked on all of the above since I was a kid, I doubt that it will ever change. For the next three entries to the blog I will do food specific to football, tailgating and America's Real favorite Pastime, so move over baseball, it's football season.

Nothing says football season like hot wings, pizza, steak subs, burgers, nachos and ribs to me, I'll have a recipe for each of them for the next three entries leading up to the big day...

On the menu today: Lollipop Chicken,  Potato Skins &  Pepperoni Pizza.


Chicken Wing & Mambo Sauce.

As a caterer there have been plenty of my customers that were put off by my answer when they asked if I make chicken wings, meatballs or any of the usual trapping for most gatherings. My response is the same, you auntie or friend can make those items and provide them for your affair for free so why ask me to include them in the traditional way. What I tell them then is I can tweak them and make them worthy of your affair and money. This why I do lollipop chicken wings, it's worth my time and your money and it's a conversation starter at most events. If you prefer crispier meat on your drumstick, then this is definitely the way to go.


For the Chicken we will need the following:



  • Chicken Wings (3 Lbs)
  • Oil (Fryer Recommendation)
  • Deep Fryer
  • Peach Juice (1 Cup)
  • Hot Sauce (1/4 Cup)
  • Brown Sugar (1/2 Cup)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar (2 Tbs)
  • Garlic Salt (1 tsp)



Follow the instructions on the video below and once done deep fry until crisp. 






Make the Mambo Sauce by adding the peach juice, sugar, hot sauce, vinegar and garlic sauce to a sauce pot and heating until thickened to your desire. You can either toss the chicken in the sauce or drizzle the sauce on each wing as seen below..







Blue Cheese Dressing  
Carrots  
Celery 




For the Potato Skins we will need the following:


Potato Skins 



  • Russet Potatoes (4-8 each makes 8 - 16 portions)
  • Cheddar Cheese (4-6 oz)
  • Bacon (3 Strips)
  • Sour Cream (1/2 cup)
  • Green Onions (3 stalks)
  • Salt & Pepper (t t)


To make the potato skins wash them and place them in an oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, take out of the oven and allow to cool until you are able to handle. Meanwhile cook the bacon until crisp, then slice along with the green onions. Cut the potatoes in half length wise and carefully scoop the middle out and reserve for later use. Brush the skins with oil and place back in the oven (sliced side up) on HI broil for 3-5 minutes allowing the skin to crispin. Add the "middle" potato with 2 oz of cheese, 1/4 cup of sour cream and salt and pepper to taste. Place the potato mixture in the hole of the potatoes and add the rest of the cheese and bacon and place in the oven at 350 for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Once done add a dollop of sour cream and green onions to serve as shown below.

Potato Skins 
Yummy - Yummy 


For the Pizza, type "pepperoni" in the search menu and it will pop up for you...


Pepperoni Pizza