Author: Mike

No-Burn Rib Rub

I’ve become more and more a believer in cooking ribs over high heat. Now, I still love my low-and-slow smoked ribs, don’t get me wrong, but high-and-fast ribs are great too. They are still tender and still have great taste. Often they have a nice little crust to them that I really like. And that’s where my no-burn rib rub comes in.

No-Burn Rib Rub

High Heat, No Worries

But, you have to be careful what rub you use on ribs when you are cooking them over high heat. Anything with brown sugar in it will burn, and burn bad. That’s why I use this great no-burn rib rub. It packs seriously good flavor. And best of all you don’t have to worry about it charring.

I’m A Celery Seed Addict

I am a huge fan of celery seeds in my rubs. I have to warn you, this rub has a LOT of celery seed in it. If you’re not as big a fan of it as I am, I suggest adding just a bit of celery seed at a time. Taste as you go, until you get the flavor you want.

Store any leftover rub in spice bottles in your pantry.

RoyalHouse 6 Pack 32 Oz Plastic Spice Jars with Red Cap, Clear and Safe Plastic Bottle Containers with Shaker Lids for Storing Spice, Herbs and Seasoning Powders, BPA Free, Made in USA
RoyalHouse 6 Pack 32 Oz Plastic Spice Jars with Red Cap, Clear and Safe Plastic Bottle Containers with Shaker Lids for Storing Spice, Herbs and Seasoning Powders, BPA Free, Made in USA

I apply a generous amount of this rub to the ribs the night before I’m going to cook them. I wrap them in foil to let them get happy in the fridge. This is the perfect rub for cooking ribs on a charcoal grill over direct heat, or on a Char-Broil Big Easy.

Also try my basic BBQ rub.

No-Burn Rib Rub
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5 from 1 vote

No-Burn Rib Rub

You have to be careful what rub you use on ribs when you are cooking them over high heat. Anything with brown sugar in it will burn, and burn bad. That’s why I use this great no-burn rib rub.
Course Spice Rub
Cuisine American
Keyword ribs, seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 batch
Calories 119kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Keep in an airtight container until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2478mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3240IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

AOZITA 14 Pcs Glass Spice Jars with Spice Labels - 4oz Empty Square Spice Bottles - Shaker Lids and Airtight Metal Caps - Chalk Marker and Silicone Collapsible Funnel Included
AOZITA 14 Pcs Glass Spice Jars with Spice Labels – 4oz Empty Square Spice Bottles – Shaker Lids and Airtight Metal Caps – Chalk Marker and Silicone Collapsible Funnel Included

Easy Spiral Zucchini Salad

I recently picked up a spiral slicer. Spiralizer, as I call it. You can take pretty much any large vegetable and turn it into something fun to eat. My favorite veggies to spiralize so far are cucumbers and zucchinis. Heck, I didn’t really even like zucchinis until now. Easy spiral zucchini salad made a believer out of me!

Easy Spiral Zucchini Salad

My Slicer

The slicer I bought has 3 different blades, making spiral cuts from angel hair-sized to large ribbon cuts. It’s very easy to use, just cut the ends off the vegetable you’re going to use so it fits into the slicer, insert it into the device, and get to cranking. In just seconds you convert anything into spiral cuts.
You can easily convert whatever you are cutting into a single, very, very long strand. I don’t recommend this, although I’ve done it once or twice because it is rather fun. I made a 2 foot long cucumber angel hair the other day. It was cool!

Brieftons 5-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer: Strongest-Heaviest Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb/Paleo/Gluten-Free/Vegan Meals, With Extra Blade Caddy, 4 Recipe Ebooks
Brieftons 5-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer: Strongest-Heaviest Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb/Paleo/Gluten-Free/Vegan Meals, With Extra Blade Caddy, 4 Recipe Ebooks

Instead, though, for bite-sized pieces, I first make a cut about 1/2″ – 1″ deep lengthwise into the vegetable. This will ensure that you get great almost-full-moon shaped cuts, perfect for salads like this easy spiral zucchini salad.

My Churchill Downs butterbean and radish salad is another great spiral salad. For another great side dish, try my garlic butter zoodles with Brussels sprouts.

Easy Spiral Zucchini Salad
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4 from 1 vote

Easy Spiral Zucchini Salad

 I didn’t really even like zucchinis until now. Easy spiral zucchini salad made a believer out of me!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword salad, spiral, zucchini
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 26kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 1 handful cherry tomatoes
  • 1 medium carrot sliced (large carrots can be cut into spirals, too!)
  • Your favorite salad dressing

Instructions

  • Cut the tips off both ends of the zucchini.
  • Slice on the spiral slicer using the 1/8" blade.
  • Toss zucchini with the tomatoes and carrot.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

I love serving these with Italian dressing or a Greek vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2835IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer - Vegetable Chopper Onion Chopper Food Chopper Vegetable Spiralizer Mandoline Slicer Cutter Chopper and Grater Slicer Zucchini Spaghetti Maker
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer – Vegetable Chopper Onion Chopper Food Chopper Vegetable Spiralizer Mandoline Slicer Cutter Chopper and Grater Slicer Zucchini Spaghetti Maker

Mashed Cauliflower

I have to admit, I was really surprised about how much I loved this mashed cauliflower. I figured that every food blog that I read saying these mock mashed potatoes were good was stretching the truth. Probably like you’re thinking now. I was wrong. The cauliflower comes out buttery, creamy, and does not have an overwhelming cauliflower flavor.

Mashed Cauliflower

No Gravy Required… But I Did It Anyway

I was afraid I’d find the cauliflower lacking in flavor. So I made a big batch of my mushroom gravy to top it off. I found that the cauliflower didn’t need the gravy at all, but it did make it seem even more like mashed potatoes. Since making this dish it has now become a regular staple in our house. Cauliflower is available pretty much throughout the year, making for an easy side dish at any time.

Blend or mash your ‘potatoes’ until you get just the consistency you’re looking for.

KitchenAid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer - KHM512, Ice Blue
KitchenAid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer – KHM512, Ice Blue

Also try my slow cooker cauliflower and cheese.

Mashed Cauliflower
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Mashed Cauliflower

I have to admit, I was really surprised about how much I loved this mashed cauliflower. I figured that every food blog that I read saying these mock mashed potatoes were good was stretching the truth.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cauliflower
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 51kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Food Network

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the cauliflower and boil for 5-6 minutes or until tender.
  • Drain but do not rinse.
  • Add remaining ingredients, then using a potato masher or immersion blender mash or blend until smooth.
  • Serve.

Notes

Serve with our fantastic mushroom gravy!

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 70mg | 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)

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots 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.

My goodness. I’ve made bacon-wrapped tater tots before, but I had no idea how easy and great they’d be when made on the Char-Broil Big Easy. Crunchy bacon. Cheese. Brown sugar. Spicy rub. You don’t nibble these bacon-wrapped tater tots. You pop them in your mouth and close your eyes, bite down and start moaning in tasty pleasure. They’re just amazingly good.

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Eat ‘Em Like Popcorn

I thought about serving these Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy with some sort of dipping sauce. BBQ sauce. Or maybe mustard. Or Sriracha. But no, I wised up and served them hot off the cooker, as-is. They don’t need anything else on them at all. Make yourself a batch and you’ll see exactly what I mean. If you prefer a little kick, also try my bacon jalapeno tater tots.

A Big Easy Basket Makes It Easier

You’ll need the Big Easy basket that comes with the Big Easy and the add-on bunk bed basket. It doubles the amount of cooking space in your Big Easy. For even more room, check out my Wingin’ator 3000 modification.

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

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!

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots on the Char-Broil Big Easy

You don’t nibble these bacon-wrapped tater tots. You pop them in your mouth and close your eyes, bite down and start moaning in tasty pleasure. They’re just amazingly good.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, Big Easy, Char-Broil, tater tots
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 20 tots
Calories 48kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 20 tater tots frozen, defrosted (You can fit 20 or so on a Big Easy with the bunk bed basket)
  • 7 slices bacon 1 piece for every 3 tater tots
  • brown sugar
  • extra sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
  • your favorite BBQ rub

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy
  • Cut the bacon into 3rds and lay out on a flat surface.
  • Sprinkle the bacon with just a bit of brown sugar and cheese.
  • Place the tots on the bacon and roll them up.
  • Sprinkle the bacon-wrapped tots with the rub and place seam-side down in the Big Easy basket.
  • Lower the basket into the Big Easy and cook for 20-30 minutes or until the bacon has started to crisp (it’ll crisp up further as it cools). Note that the tots on top in the bunk bed will tend to cook sooner, so keep an eye on them.
  • Serve and devour!

Notes

Dip these yummies in remoulade, BBQ sauce, mustard or Buffalo wing sauce!

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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

Sriracha Bacon

I’ve been really enjoying making bacon at home. It has turned out to be much easier than I ever imagined, and definitely tastier than I ever dreamed. Although the process takes over a week, it’s so easy you won’t even notice it. I started by making applewood maple bacon, and have since expanded my bacon horizons, including making this great Sriracha bacon.

Sriracha Bacon

Just The Right Amount Of Spiciness

This bacon isn’t overly spicy, so don’t fear the Sriracha. Sriracha has such a great flavor, and it really isn’t overwhelmingly hot (well, to me at least). The bacon definitely has Sriracha flavor, and color. Add more Sriracha to the recipe if you want it spicier, but I felt the amount I used was just perfect for us.

Sriracha bacon is absolutely fantastic. Not only on burgers, but also on BLT sandwiches. Or for breakfast. Heck, just grab a piece and eat it as a snack.

I prefer to use fruit or nut woods when I smoke unless I want a heavier smoke flavor. Pecan, apple or cherry are my favorites. I used apple for this bacon.

Pecan Wood Chunks 4lb
Pecan Wood Chunks 4lb

Also try my black pepper bacon and my chipotle bacon.

Sriracha Bacon
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sriracha Bacon

This bacon isn’t overly spicy, so don’t fear the Sriracha. Sriracha has such a great flavor, and it really isn’t overwhelmingly hot (well, to me at least). The bacon definitely has Sriracha flavor, and color.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, homemade, spicy
Prep Time 7 days
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 7 days 2 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 4723kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Amazing Ribs

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put the belly into a large resealable bag.
  • Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Add to the baggie.
  • Seal the bag, trying to remove as much air as possible.
  • Place in to a deep flat pan (in case the bag leaks) in the fridge for 7 days, flipping over twice a day.
  • The day you are ready to smoke, fire up your smoker for 225 F cooking over a light wood such as apple.
  • Remove belly from the bag and rinse well with cold water.
  • Place belly onto smoker and smoke for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the meat reaches 150 F.
  • Remove belly from smoker and let cool slightly before placing in the fridge for an hour.
  • Slice bacon as desired. Bake, pan fry, or use however you wish!
  • Store smoked bacon in a plastic bag or container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Scale the recipe for your pork belly. The recipe is for a 2 pound belly.

Nutrition

Calories: 4723kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 86g | Fat: 481g | Saturated Fat: 175g | Cholesterol: 653mg | Sodium: 9329mg | Potassium: 1872mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

D.Q. Curing Salts - Pink Salt - 1 bag, 1 lb
D.Q. Curing Salts – Pink Salt – 1 bag, 1 lb

Buffa-Que Shrimp

If you look around Life’s A Tomato you’ll quickly find that I love chicken wings, from hot-and-spicy Buffalo wings to sweet Bourbon wings. I’ll never burn out on wings, but when I ran across this recipe for making Buffalo wing-like shrimp from Steven Raichlen, I knew I’d have to make it. The recipe for Buffa-Que Shrimp comes from Mr. Raichlen’s book, The Barbecue Bible, which you can find on every BBQ enthusiasts bookshelf.

Buffa-Que Shrimp

More Buffalo-y

Buffa-Que shrimp definitely have that Buffalo flavor. You can serve them with a blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce, or do I like I did and just eat them right off the plate as-is. I cooked the shrimp on a griddle on my gas grill, but you can also cook them directly on your grill grates. Just don’t over-cook them!

Frank's RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce, 12 fl oz
Frank’s RedHot Hot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce, 12 fl oz

Also try my crazy-good crab-stuffed shrimp.

Buffa-Que Shrimp
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Buffa-Que Shrimp

Buffa-Que shrimp definitely have that Buffalo flavor. You can serve them with a blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce, or do I like I did and just eat them right off the plate as-is
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, shrimp
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Calories 286kcal
Author From Steven Raichlen

Equipment

Ingredients

For the shrimp

For the sauce

Instructions

For the shrimp

  • Place shrimp into a resealable baggie or container.
  • Whisk together the remaining shrimp ingredients. Add to the bag, seal, and toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Remove the shrimp from the marinade and place onto the grill over indirect heat.
  • Cook 10-15 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and done.
  • Transfer shrimp to a bowl and toss with the sauce, below.

For the sauce

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
  • Add hot sauce, stir. Keep warm until ready to use.

Notes

No one is going to complain if you add a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 316mg | Sodium: 2426mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 359IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush
Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush

Easy Turkey Roast 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.

Turkey roasts from Butterball are a really great way to cook up turkey in no time at all. They’re pretty much no-fuss. Defrost, season, cook, eat. The roasts are already brined, so you don’t have to mess with that either. That’s what makes this easy turkey roast on the Char-Broil Big Easy so … easy!

Let’s get started!

In keeping with the easy theme, I decided to cook a roast on my Char-Broil Big Easy. It was my first time (I usually cook full turkeys or bone-in turkey breasts), and I have to say, wow, that was easy! I literally just put a seasoned defrosted roast in the cooker and went away for 45 minutes. I came back to dinner. Well, ok, almost dinner. I made a batch of my delicious (and also easy) Cajun gravy, some stuffing, and green beans. Then I had dinner.

Easy Turkey Roast on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Nice and juicy!

You don’t have to worry about this turkey roast drying out on the Char-Broil Big Easy. Just like with all other things poultry, the Big Easy cooks the roast up evenly and without losing all those great juices.

Seasoned to perfection!

I seasoned the roast with my Fire-Eater rub, which might not be for everyone, and is definitely not ‘Thanksgivingy’. Substitute your favorite seasoning. Salt and pepper are great by themselves, so no need to use anything fancy. I also made another turkey roast a few days later that I first injected with Texas butter (any injectable butter-based sauce will do). It was really fantastic too! Whole chicken is just as easy, too.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Better Basket , Silver
Char-Broil The Big Easy Better Basket , Silver

Looking for the perfect dessert to cook in the Big Easy? Try my mini pumpkin cheesecakes. They also take only minutes to cook (they do need to chill before serving), but boy, are they ever fantastic!

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!

Easy Turkey Roast on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Easy Turkey Roast on the Char-Broil Big Easy

In keeping with the easy theme, I decided to cook a roast on my Char-Broil Big Easy. It was my first time (I usually cook full turkeys or bone-in turkey breasts), and I have to say, wow, that was easy!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, turkey
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 3 pounds
Calories 458kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your Char-Broil Big Easy.
  • Remove the roast from the bag. Do not remove it from the twine netting.
  • Sprinkle your rub on all sides of the roast, rubbing it in as you go.
  • Place roast in the Big Easy basket and lower into the cooker.
  • After 45 minutes, begin checking the meat temperature every 5 minutes or so. Once it reaches 165 F remove the roast.
  • Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Remove the netting from the roast carefully. If you just yank on it you will have tiny roast pieces flying all over the kitchen!

Nutrition

Calories: 458kcal | Protein: 98g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 245mg | Sodium: 934mg | Potassium: 1098mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 91IU | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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

Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad

When it comes to salads, Cobb salads are by far my favorite. It’s like having a mini salad buffet, with everything I love all on one plate. This grilled shrimp Cobb salad came out tasting as fantastic as it looked. The grilled shrimp have a really nice spicy kick. The spicy avocado dressing also has a kick, but it also has a cool, creamy consistency. The rest of the ingredients are up to you, but cold artichoke hearts are always a big hit in our house.

Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad

Grilling Adds Flavor

Since I had the grill going to cook the shrimp (I actually cooked them on cedar planks, which really adds a totally different great flavor to the shrimp), I also grilled the corn and bacon for this Cobb salad. Next time, if I have my smoker going, I’ll smoke the boiled eggs. Smoked boiled eggs are a great addition to any salad.

Check out my new site, Dress My Salad, for more great salad dressing ideas!

These little sauce dipping cups are great for serving salad dressings. They keep me from over-dressing my salads, which is something I’m prone to do since I’m a dressing-aholic. They’re easy to clean up, too. And they’re also great for dipping nuggets, tenders or even chicken wings.

(24 Pack, 2 Sizes) Small Sauce Cups, Stainless Steel Ramekin Dipping Sauce Cup, Commercial Grade Individual Round Condiment Cups (12 of - 1.5oz: 12 of - 2.5oz)
(24 Pack, 2 Sizes) Small Sauce Cups, Stainless Steel Ramekin Dipping Sauce Cup, Commercial Grade Individual Round Condiment Cups (12 of – 1.5oz: 12 of – 2.5oz)

Also give my delicious smoked shrimp Cobb salad a try!

Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad

Course Main or Side
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, salad, shrimp
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Author Mike

Ingredients

Your favorite Cobb salad ingredients, I used

  • red and green lettuce chopped
  • artichoke hearts canned, chilled, drained, halved
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Diced radishes
  • Boiled eggs halved
  • avocado chopped

Instructions

  • Arrange all ingredients on a platter.
  • Serve with the dressing.

Notes

Of course you can substitute your favorite dressing and use your favorite salad ingredients!

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)

Teriyaki Jerky

After making homemade bacon on my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker, I figured the next logical thing to try would be making homemade Teriyaki jerky. The curing process for jerky is similar in ways to curing bacon, but it doesn’t take as long. The smoking process is different, since the jerky needs to dry out on the smoker.

Teriyaki Jerky

The Perfect Flavor-Packed Jerky

The end result was fantastic. This Teriyaki jerky has great Asian-inspired flavor. The meat was tender, with a little bit of tug, as you’d expect from jerky. We loved it. Everyone loved it.

A Few Notes

The most important thing to keep in mind when making jerky is to start with a lean cut of meat (I used a lean top round), sliced super thin, and smoke at a fairly low temperature, 150 – 175 F.

Smoked To Perfection

I lit just a handful of charcoal using my charcoal chimney. The easiest way to do that is to turn the chimney upside down, putting the charcoal where you’d normally put newspaper, and putting newspaper where you’d normally put charcoal. I put just enough unlit charcoal in the bottom of the WSM to cover the bottom grate.

To make slicing the beef easier, I sat it in the freezer for about 30 minutes first. Then I used a very sharp knife to get very thin slices.

Jerky on the Weber Smokey Mountain

To fit as much jerky on my Weber Smokey Mountain as I could, I suspended the meat on skewers. I was able to fit 3 pounds of jerky on my 18″ cooker (I made two different flavors). I could’ve probably fit 5 or so pounds on without any trouble.

Pellet Smoker Tube -12" Stainless Steel Wood Tube Smoke for Cold/Hot Smoking for All Electric, Gas, Charcoal Grills or Smokers - Ideal for Smoking Cheese, Fish, Pork, Beef, Nuts, Bonus Brush
Pellet Smoker Tube -12″ Stainless Steel Wood Tube Smoke for Cold/Hot Smoking for All Electric, Gas, Charcoal Grills or Smokers – Ideal for Smoking Cheese, Fish, Pork, Beef, Nuts, Bonus Brush

Also check out my black pepper jerky. It has a really great peppery bite to it, with a little heat.

Teriyaki Jerky
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Teriyaki Jerky

This Teriyaki jerky has great Asian-inspired flavor. The meat was tender, with a little bit of tug, as you’d expect from jerky. We loved it. Everyone loved it.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, Teriyaki
Prep Time 2 days
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 2 days 6 hours
Servings 2.5 pounds
Calories 2621kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Note: Freeze the meat for at least 30 minutes to make slicing easier.
  • Whisk together the remaining ingredients.
  • Place the meat in a large resealable baggie or container. Add the marinade. Stir to coat well.
  • Refrigerate for 2 days, stirring occasionally to make sure the meat gets well coated.
  • Fire up your smoker for cooking 150 – 175 F. Use a light wood, such as apple or pecan.
  • Shaking off any excess marinade. Place the meat on paper towels (use lots of them) and pat dry.
  • Place meat on the smoker (I skewered ours so I could hang it, see the picture above) and smoke for 5-6 hours or until the meat is dry.
  • Let cool for an hour before devouring.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 2621kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 168g | Fat: 185g | Saturated Fat: 70g | Trans Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 644mg | Sodium: 7401mg | Potassium: 3171mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 293mg | Iron: 23mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

D.Q. Curing Salts - Pink Salt - 1 bag, 1 lb
D.Q. Curing Salts – Pink Salt – 1 bag, 1 lb

Old Bay Chicken Wings

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

My wife and I recently spent a few days in lovely Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while attending a conference. I made sure I had my ‘to-eat’ list down before leaving, because one thing you can be sure of finding in Pittsburgh: good food. At the top of my list was dry chicken wings. No, not dry like ‘ewww, this meat is dry’. Dry as in the wings aren’t tossed in sauce after being cooked. Instead they are dusted with seasoning. The end result is almost like roasted chicken, but with much more pronounced flavors. Now that we are back home, I had to make some of the favorites that I devoured in Pittsburgh, like these Old Bay wings, which are just flat-out incredible.

Old Bay Chicken Wings

It’s really hard to beat crispy chicken wings that have the great crab-boil flavor of Old Bay seasoning. I ate these wings like I hadn’t had anything to eat in weeks. They disappeared so fast your head would spin. They are fantastic.

I went with Ranch dressing for the dipping sauce for these Old Bay wings, but seriously, you can eat them dry, as-is, with no sauce. There’s no need to drown them in sauce, the flavor stands on its own.

OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz
OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz

Also try my Cajun bay chicken wings.

Old Bay Chicken Wings
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5 from 1 vote

Old Bay Chicken Wings

It’s really hard to beat crispy chicken wings that have the great crab-boil flavor of Old Bay seasoning. I ate these wings like I hadn’t had anything to eat in weeks. They disappeared so fast your head would spin. They are fantastic.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Old Bay, wings
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 296kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

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