Tag: Signature Dishes
Rueben Tots
Rueben Tots
Ruebens are one of my all-time favorite sandwiches; and I love tater tots. So why not combine the two to make the ultimate appetizer. I present to you: the rueben tot. Corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, rye breadcrumbs, and potatoes; mixed together and blinded by a couple of eggs; formed into larger-sized tater tots, and baked until crispy on the outside. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Equipment
- food processor
- cheese grater
Ingredients
- 1 cup corned beef
- 2 cups potatoes grated
- 1 cup sauerkraut drained of excess moisture
- 1 cup rye bread crumbs
- 8 oz Swiss cheese shredded
- 2 large eggs
- thousand island dressing for serving
Instructions
- Place the corned beef in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Remove from the food processor.
- Place the rye bread in the food processor and pulse until they are fine bread crumbs.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Form the mix into walnut-sized balls.
- Place the rueben tots on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in a 400° preheated oven; flipping half way through.
- Serve with a side of thousand island dressing to dip them in.
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
You definitely can say that making ribs is my thing. I’m more of a fan of spare ribs, but when I see a nice rack of baby backs, it’s hard to pass up. These were quite meaty being a 3lbs rack and needed to be mine. I typically do everything but straight up traditional bbq ribs, but I felt now was a good time to demonstrate how to do a simple version of ribs on the grill.There are a few things to know when making grilled bbq ribs. First, there is a membrane on the bottom side of the rack. Some people like it removed; others don’t care. Ask your butcher to remove it for you if you desire it off. Second, it is easier to handle half racks of ribs instead of full racks. So cut the ribs in half unless you’re looking for a full rack presentation. Lastly, use your favorite dry rub and bbq sauce. You know what you like. I used a rib dry rub that my girlfriend Val prefers on pork. She also made the homemade bbq sauce for this recipe. If you don’t have a particular dry rub that you like, I recommend salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and a little cayenne pepper if you like spice.The type of charcoal you use makes a difference. While I like using hardwood charcoal for flavor, it burns fast and more will need to be added since these ribs take more than an hour to grill. For these ribs, I used charcoal briquettes. They burn hotter and will last the whole rib grilling process. For the majority of the time, the ribs will be cooked indirectly. After they’re seared, it’s a low and slow process. A 3lbs rack will take at least an hour to grill; flipping every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking; plus at least 15 more minutes of grilling with the bbq sauce on.
Equipment
- chimney starter
- charcoal
- charcoal grill
- brush
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs about 3lbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup rib rub
- bbq sauce
Instructions
- Rub your ribs with olive oil. Aggressively season with your favorite rib rub. Let rest for 2 hours.
- Start your charcoal in a chimney starter until they are grey. Pour them on one side of the grill in a single layer. Place the grate on the grill. Brown the ribs on the top side for 8-10 minutes with the cover on the grill.
- Flip them over and brown 8-10 minutes on the other side with the cover on.
- Move the ribs to the outer edge of the charcoal. Grill for 40 minutes, flipping every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Brush on bbq sauce and grill for 10 minutes with the cover on.
- Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before cutting in between the bones.
Venison Burger with Fried Duck Egg
Spread garlic aioli on both sides of the bun. Top with the burger and fried duck egg.
Duck Egg Frittata
Duck Egg Frittata
Duck eggs have become my new obsession. They are super rich in flavor; being twice the size of a chicken egg, with more yolk than white. They are less uncommon to find and can be bought at just about any grocery store. I fortunately got mine fresh from my dental hygienist who raises chickens, quail, and ducks.This frittata is a great way to try duck eggs for the first time. You can use just about any veggies and cheese of your liking to add in. I used cremini mushrooms, sweet peppers, spinach, and grape tomatoes, plus an herbed shredded mozzarella.
Servings: 6
Equipment
- glass pie pan
Ingredients
- 5 duck eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz cremini mushrooms sliced
- 4 mini sweet peppers sliced
- 4 oz baby spinach
- 8 oz shredded cheese divided
- 8 grape tomatoes sliced in half
Instructions
- Whisk the dug eggs, milk, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms and sweet peppers for 8 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach. Sauté for 2 more minutes.
- Once the spinach has wilted, turn off the heat.
- Grease a glass pie pan. Place the sautéed vegetables in the pan. Pour in the duck egg batter. Stir in half of the cheese.
- Top the frittata with the rest of the cheese. Arrange the halved grape tomatoes cut side up across the top. Place in a preheated 400° oven for 20 minutes until firm.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
