Author: Mike

Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I rarely eat baked potatoes as a side. Instead, I prefer to cook up a big ole Russet potato, load it up with all of my favorite toppings, and eat it as the main course. They are truly one of my favorite foods. I like my potatoes done perfectly, with a slightly crunch skin. If I’m cooking them indoors, in the oven, I follow the recipe for the Best Baked Potatoes. They always come out fantastic. This time I decided to see if I could get the same great results cooking potatoes on my Char-Broil Big Easy. And boy, did I ever get great results. These potatoes were as great as (if not a bit better than) the potatoes made in the oven. Creamy insides, slightly crunchy skin, just absolutely perfect.

Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Delicious Perfection

I didn’t want to bury the flavor of these great baked potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy, so I topped them simply: a bit of crumbled cooked bacon, a little butter, a dollop of sour cream, cheese, and a few green onions. Perfection. These bakers go great with my Big Easy all-American meatloaf.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Want to make bakers on a regular ole grill? You can!

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack
Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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2.34 from 3 votes

Baked Potatoes on the Char-Broil Big Easy

These potatoes were as great as (if not a bit better than) the potatoes made in the oven. Creamy insides, slightly crunchy skin, just absolutely perfect.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, potatoes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 168kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Rinse the potatoes under cold water and brush off any dirt. Dry well with a paper towel.
  • Pierce each potato 4 times with a sharp knife.
  • Lightly brush the potatoes with oil.
  • Sprinkle some salt onto a plate and roll the potatoes in the salt.
  • Place potatoes into the Big Easy cooking basket.
  • Bake until potatoes are done (210 F internal temperature, or tender all the way through when poked with a knife), 40-60 minutes depending on their size. You can also test for doneness by squeezing the potatoes (with potholders on). If they give easily, they are done.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

The Big Easy cooks potatoes perfectly!

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Jalapeno Bottle Caps with Blue Cheese Dip

We love deep fried mushrooms. And deep fried pickles. It was just a matter of time until we made deep fried jalapeno slices. Oh my are we ever glad we did. These little jalapeno bottle caps with blue cheese dip are crazy good. They are not very hot but they do have a bit of a kick. If you’re leery of heat, fear not. They have great jalapeno flavor and a little crunch from the breading. I served them with a great, cool blue cheese dip.

Jalapeno Bottle Caps with Blue Cheese Dip

Great Breading For Anything

The deep fry mix in this recipe for jalapeno bottle caps with blue cheese dip can be used for anything from mushrooms to pickles to jalapenos to shrimp. Make a big batch of it and keep it on hand in an air-tight container in your pantry. You never know when you’ll get the hankerin’ to fry up some yummy appetizers!

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Also try my Nashville hot pickles and fried green tomatoes.

Jalapeno Bottle Caps with Blue Cheese Dip
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5 from 1 vote

Jalapeno Bottle Caps with Blue Cheese Dip

We love deep fried mushrooms. And deep fried pickles. It was just a matter of time until we made deep fried jalapeno slices. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, dipping sauce, jalapeno
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 356kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Food Network

Equipment

Ingredients

For the jalapeno bottle caps

For the deep fry mix

  • 3 cups self-rising flour or combine 3 cups all-purpose flour with 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ cup self-rising white cornmeal or combine 1/2 cup regular cornmeal with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

For the jalapeno bottle caps

  • Heat a few inches of oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 375 F.
  • Add beer to the fry mix and mix until smooth. You might have to add more beer. Don’t make it too thin, you want it to stick to the jalapenos.
  • Add in the jalapenos and cover in the batter.
  • Working in batches if needed, deep fry the jalapenos 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
  • Serve hot with cool blue cheese dip.

For the deep fry mix

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Store unused deep fry mix in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Stew

Oh my goodness. There’s just about every taste I love in one bowl. I could eat this green chile mac and cheese stew all day long. Spicy Mexican chorizo. Beefy broth. Tomatoes with chiles. Beans. All with a lot of kick. This is not a wimpy savory bowl of stew here. Nope, it’s not for the faint of heart (or stomach). But it is the perfect dish for a cold day. It’s gonna warm you up for sure!

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Stew

A Bit Of Everything In One Bowl

Just about any cheeses can be used in this green chile mac and cheese stew, but I kept the spicy theme going and topped it with a freshly shredded habanero jack cheese. There’s nothing wimpy about it. This dish has some serious kick in each every spoonful!

I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this stew and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue

For a nice twist, substitute a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes for the tomatoes with chiles.

Also try some Chet’s Truckers stew.

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Stew
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5 from 1 vote

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Stew

Oh my goodness. Just about every taste I love in one bowl. I could eat this green chile mac and cheese stew all day long. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword stew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 365kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Chile Pepper Magazine, December 2015

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the chorizo into a large pot over high heat.
  • Cook until done.
  • Add the onion.
  • Cook until tender, 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the beef broth, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, and pepper flake.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Add pasta, stir and reduce to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 7-8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente (just slightly undercooked).
  • Add the green chile sauce and Velveeta.
  • Cook until the cheese is completely melted, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve garnished with Habanero Jack cheese and chopped fresh cilantro.

Notes

This stew has a nice spicy kick to it.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1323mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 879IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red
Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

I have a slow cooker (er, crockpot) for the same reasons everyone else does. I on occasion like a great, easy meal that I can toss into the pot and not have to fuss with. A Dutch oven over low heats works just as well, specially if you need to brown something first. For this slow cooker spicy spaghetti and meatball soup it doesn’t matter whether you go low-and-slow in the crockpot or Dutch oven, the end result is great. It’s like having Campbell’s SpaghettiOs™ but with much better, richer flavor, and a nice kick. And really big meatballs. Who didn’t want more meatballs in their SpaghettiOs™ when they were a kid? I sure did. I probably threw fits about it, too! Well, problem solved!

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

A Great Meal For A Crowd

I used packaged frozen meatballs for this slow cooker spicy spaghetti meatball soup. Our homemade Italian meatballs (made on the stovetop or in the Char-Broil Big Easy) would be great too. Outstanding, even. Either way, this makes a good batch of soup. Plenty for a small crowd.

You can leave out the red pepper flake, but I think you’ll want to add at least a little. And don’t be shy with the basil either.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

If you’re feeling adventurous, try out my homemade SpaghettiOs. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

I have a slow cooker (er, crockpot) for the same reasons everyone else does. I on occasion like a great, easy meal that I can toss into the pot and not have to fuss with
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, meatballs, slow cooker, soup, spaghetti, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 118kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Plain Chicken

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except the pasta into a slow cooker. Add more basil or red pepper flake as desired.
  • Cook on high for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Set slow cooker to high and add the pasta. Cook for another 20 minutes.
  • Serve with more Parmesan cheese as desired.

Notes

Great served with a slice or two of garlic bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Fire-Eater Chicken Meatballs

I was looking for something a little different for an appetizer to serve for the Super Bowl. I’ve done the beef and pork meatballs, and those are great, but I wanted something new. I thought, let’s try chicken and turkey meatballs instead. But let’s make sure they aren’t bland. These fire-eater chicken meatballs are definitely not bland. They are tender and tasty by themselves, but made even more perfect with a kicked-up dipping sauce that also has a bit of sweetness to it.

Fire-Eater Chicken Meatballs

Meatball Sandwiches, Anyone?

I am definitely going to use the meatballs in other dishes. I’m already planning to make meatball sandwiches with them. A hoagie bun, a few fire-eater chicken meatballs, a little of the sauce and some melted habanero cheese and I’m happy! Or, serve them over pasta with a spicy Alfredo sauce (made spicy by adding it a bit of the sauce).

Did you know you can buy a tool to help you make a big ole batch of meatballs in just minutes? People think of everything!

Meatball Master
Meatball Master

I used my fire-eater spice rub to give the meatballs and the sauce a great kick. You can substitute any spicy mix you like. Just don’t be shy with it. Also try my sweet-and-spicy meatballs.

Fire-Eater Chicken Meatballs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Fire-Eater Chicken Meatballs

These fire-eater chicken meatballs are definitely not bland. They are tender and tasty by themselves, but made even more perfect with a kicked-up dipping sauce that also has a bit of sweetness to it.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Main
Keyword chicken, meatballs, spicy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 20 meatballs
Calories 169kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Little Spice Jar

Equipment

Ingredients

For the meatballs

For the sauce

Instructions

For the meatballs

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place the meatball ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
  • Form into balls. Depending on how you want to serve them, make smaller or bigger balls. The cook time is for balls that are golf ball-sized so you might want to adjust the cook time depending on how large you make yours.
  • Place balls onto the baking sheets. Do not crowd them.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they reach 165 F internal temperature.
  • Brush the meatballs with a bit of the sauce and return to the oven for 2-3 more minutes to ‘set’ the sauce.
  • Serve with more sauce on the side for dipping if serving as appetizers.

For the sauce

  • While the meatballs are cooking, place all of the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan.
  • Bring to boil then reduce to a simmer, whisking often, until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat until ready to use.

Notes

Also great on sub sandwiches!

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken

My wife reminded me of this recipe the other day. It was a favorite of ours years ago, when we started our first blog, Crossroads Of America. I was just starting to learn how to cook. This recipe for slow cooker creamy Italian chicken was simple enough for me to not mess up. But it’s still great tasting and looking. Over the years I’ve changed it up a bit. That same great creamy texture and Italian flavor is still there, though. As simple as it is, it’s a great recipe. I still make it now even though I sure have cooked a lot since starting our first blog so many years ago.

Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken

Customizable Tastes

The original recipe for slow cooker creamy chicken calls for using a packet of Italian salad dressing mix. And that’s perfectly fine. Since first making this dish I have come up with my own mix. I think it has a bit more flavor. Making your own also lets you adjust the flavors to your tastes. For me that means adding more garlic salt or onion powder, or just more basil (I love basil).

I like to serve this over rice or pasta. With lots of the sauce.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my slow cooker Buffalo chicken sliders.

Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken

 This recipe for slow cooker creamy Italian chicken was simple enough for me to not mess up, but still great tasting and looking. Over the years I’ve changed it up a bit, but that same great creamy texture and Italian flavor is still there.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, creamy, crockpot, Italian, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 481kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Taste of Home

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chicken into slow cooker set to low.
  • Combine the dressing mix and water and pour over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook for 3 hours.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the mushrooms and sauté until just starting to soften. Remove and let cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl combine the cream cheese and canned soup. Whisk until smooth.
  • Fold in the mushrooms and pour mixture over chicken.
  • Cover and cook another hour or until chicken is done.

Notes

If you use thicker chicken breasts you may need more cooking time. Slice them thin or butterfly them for a quicker cooking time.
You can substitute 1 1/2 pounds fresh chicken tenders for the breasts.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 536mg | Potassium: 1276mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 838IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Snow Crab Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Oh, how I dream back to the day that I cooked Alaskan King Crab legs on my Char-Broil Big Easy. Wow, that was great eatin’. I don’t ever need an excuse to chow down on some crab legs, so as I was wandering through the grocery store the other day and came upon a big ole package of Canadian wild-caught snow crab legs, I grabbed them.

Snow Crab Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

No-Fuss Deliciousness

The beauty of cooking snow crab legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy besides the fact that they taste fantastic is that they cook (well, warm up… they are already cooked) in absolutely no time at all, with no fuss at all. In no time you are devouring crab meat. Oh, and grab a bib if you’re as messy as I am when you eat crab legs.

You can fit a few pounds of crab legs into the Big Easy. As long as you don’t cram them in the basket really tightly they’ll cook up just fine. I like to add a few lemon slices for squeezing over the cooked legs, and I make a little clarified butter for dipping.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Also try my Big Easy Old Bay crab legs.

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack
Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Snow Crab Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Snow Crab Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The beauty of cooking snow crab legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy besides the fact that they taste fantastic is that they cook (well, warm up… they are already cooked) in absolutely no time at all, with no fuss at all. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, crab legs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 222kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds Snow crab legs and claws, cooked (if frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first)
  • Olive oil
  • 2 Lemons 1 juiced, 1 halved
  • Clarified butter for serving, if desired

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Squeeze a little lemon juice into some olive oil and brush the legs and claws.
  • Place legs and claws in the Big Easy basket along with the remaining lemons (halved first).
  • Place basket in the Big Easy and cook for 6 minutes. Larger legs or more legs might take longer. I pulled a small leg out after 6 minutes for a quick test and found it to be perfect.
  • Serve hot with the roasted lemons and clarified butter for dipping.

Notes

The legs are already steamed, so you’re just using your Big Easy to reheat them. Do not overdo it or they will become tough.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1898mg | Potassium: 612mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Three-Meat Spicy Chili

I’m pretty much in cold weather cooking mode this week. Time-to-hunker-down, it’s-brrrr-cold-outside cooking mode. Anything I make is gonna have to warm me up and keep me warm. Time to make three-meat spicy chili! Great meaty flavor, beans, and of course, a spicy kick. I know it’s not ‘traditional’ but I love Italian sausage in chili. Love it! It adds so much more flavor than using boring ground beef!

Three-Meat Spicy Chili

Spicy Smoky Greatness

This chili also is full of one of my other favorite flavors: chipotles in adobo. Chipotles add that great smoky flavor, and just enough heat that you’re going to notice it. The chili comes out rich and flavorful, absolutely perfect for a cool fall day. I make sure to make a big batch of three-meat spicy chili and freeze some of the extra in single-portion containers for easy lunches throughout the week.

I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this soup and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue

Also try my McIlhenny chili. It’s flat-out fantastic too.

Three-Meat Spicy Chili
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Three-Meat Spicy Chili

I’m pretty much in cold weather cooking mode this week. Time-to-hunker-down, it’s-brrrr-cold-outside cooking mode. Time to make three-meat spicy chili! 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 417kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Nancy Fuller

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the meats into a large Dutch oven or pot over high heat.
  • Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned.
  • Drain any fat that accumulates, if desired.
  • Reduce heat to medium-high.
  • Add the minced garlic, bell peppers, chipotles, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  • Stir, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the peppers and onion have started to soften.
  • Add the tomatoes and beer.
  • Bring to boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and let simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Add more salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Add the beans and heat through, about 10 minutes.

Notes

Serve with cornbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 443mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1222IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red
Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red

Texas Sriracha Wings

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

Stubb’s recently came out with a line of marinades and what they call anytime sauces. Our local grocery store had them all on sale, so I grabbed two or three bottles of each and headed on home with thoughts of the many things I was going to use them in. First up? Wings, of course, so I grabbed a bottle of Stubb’s Texas Sriracha anytime sauce and went to work.

Texas Sriracha Wings

I cooked up a batch of wings (that I had first dusted with my Fire-Eater rub) on my charcoal grill using the Vortex insert. I then tossed the wings with a generous pour of Texas Sriracha sauce and proceeded to absolutely devour them. My goodness me oh my, Stubb’s Texas Sriracha sauce is goooood! It’s like the Rooster sauce (er, Sriracha) we all love, but with fantastic southwestern spices and flavors thrown in. I could drink it straight out of the bottle.
The heat from the sauce isn’t overpowering. Great flavor and a bit of a kick. It’s what I’d call the perfect bottled sauce, and absolutely the best thing for wings (or grilled chicken, or steak for that matter). It makes for the perfect (kicked up) substitute for the ‘normal’ Sriracha sauce you already use.

The Presto Fry Daddy is perfect for making smaller batches of food. It only uses a few cups of oil and comes to temperature quickly. Clean-up is easy too!

Presto Fry Daddy 4-Cup Electric Deep Fryer, Aluminum
Presto Fry Daddy 4-Cup Electric Deep Fryer, Aluminum

If you have a Char-Broil Big Easy you’ll also love my Texas sriracha roast chicken!

Texas Sriracha Wings
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Texas Sriracha Wings

The heat from the sauce isn’t overpowering. Great flavor and a bit of a kick. It’s what I’d call the perfect bottled sauce, and absolutely the best thing for wings (or grilled chicken, or steak for that matter).
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword spicy, wings
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 292kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Buffalo Wild Wings Milder Variety Bundle: Parmesan Garlic, Medium, Honey BBQ, Asian Zing: 12 Ounces Each
Buffalo Wild Wings Milder Variety Bundle: Parmesan Garlic, Medium, Honey BBQ, Asian Zing: 12 Ounces Each

Nashville Hot Chicken

There’s good and then there’s great. Nothing beats Nashville hot chicken when it comes to great fried chicken. The best, light, crunchy coating that you can imagine. Tender, moist chicken. And of course, heat. Plenty of heat. I could make and eat Nashville hot chicken any day of the week.

Nashville Hot Chicken

I Dream Of This Chicken

Because I prefer chicken wings over say, split chicken breasts, I used wings for this dish. They were crazy good. No need for blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce, either. Just pick them up and get to eating.

Nice And Spicy

I don’t recommend being too shy with the spicy coating that you brush on the chicken just before serving. It’s hot, trust me, but I didn’t find it to be so hot that I couldn’t stand it. But don’t get me wrong, your eyes will water. At the minimum.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

You’ll find that the coating is so good you’ll want to use it for other things, like chicken nuggets or fingers.

Also try my Nashville hot pickles.

Nashville Hot Chicken
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5 from 1 vote

Nashville Hot Chicken

There’s good and then there’s great. Nothing beats Nashville hot chicken when it comes to great fried chicken. The best, light, crunchy coating that you can imagine. Tender, moist chicken. And of course, heat. Plenty of heat. I could make and eat Nashville hot chicken any day of the week.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, deep-fried, spicy
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 532kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the dry brine

For the dip

For the dredge

For frying

For the spicy coating

For serving

Instructions

For the dry brine

  • Season chicken and place into a baggie or resealable container.
  • Seal and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours.

For the dip

  • Whisk together the milk, eggs and hot sauce in a pie pan or shallow bowl.

For the dredge

  • Whisk together the flour and salt in a pie pan or shallow bowl.

For frying

  • Heat a few inches of oil (enough to cover the chicken) in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 325 F.
  • Working in batches, dredge the chicken in the flour. Shake off excess.
  • Dip chicken into the milk mixture. Shake off the excess.
  • Return the chicken to the flour and dredge again. Shake off excess.
  • Transfer chicken to the hot oil and fry until done (165 F internal temperature), flipping occasionally, 10-15 minutes.
  • Place on a rack to cool and drain. (I kept my chicken in a hot warming drawer while I finished cooking the rest of the chicken.)

For the spicy coating

  • When you're done frying the chicken, ladle 1/2 cup of the hot oil into a small saucepan and whisk in the spicy coating ingredients.
  • Brush mixture over the chicken. The more you brush on, the hotter it’ll be.

For serving

  • Serve with dill pickle and white bread slices, if desired.

Notes

Use your favorite chicken cuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 3593mg | Potassium: 532mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 958IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel