Spanish Style Beans

I am not exaggerating when I say that everyone thought that these Spanish style beans from Drick’s Rambling Cafe are the best they ever had. They have a great southwestern zing to them. They are packed with so many flavors. And they are definitely out-of-the-ordinary crazy delicious. I know there are a lot of ingredients in these beans. But they are oh so worth the effort. You’ve never had beans like these before.

Spanish Style Beans

Not Just A Bowl Of Beans

These Spanish style beans are not only great as a side, but also great on hot dogs or as a dip (get a bag of those big Frito Scoops and dig in!). The flavors are amazing. These are not bland beans by any stretch of the imagination.

This recipe calls for Ranch Style beans. Our local Meijer grocery store did not carry them, but Kroger did. They are basically pinto beans in a well-seasoned sauce. I always keep a few cans on hand for recipes like this.

Also try my enchilada beans.

Spanish Style Beans
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Spanish Style Beans

Great as a side, on dogs, or as a dip!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword beans
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 35kcal
Author Drick’s Rambling Cafe

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F.
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot.
  • Saute the onion, bell pepper and jalapeño until tender.
  • Add the garlic and saute another 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the bay leaves, oregano, liquid smoke (if using), beans, paprika, bouillon, and ham. Stir. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Cover and place in oven. Cook until hot and bubbly, 30-35 minutes.
  • Stir in the vinegar and garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

Add water if the beans are too thick.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 338IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Baked Beans and Smoked Sausage

We had one of those odd cool days the other day. Not too cool, but enough to put me in nesting mode. And that means stick-to-your-ribs food for dinner. So I threw together something super simple – easy baked beans and smoked sausage with a little corn bread on the side. I wasn’t going for fru-fru fancy stuff. I just wanted something to fill me up and warm me to the bone. This was it.

Easy Baked Beans and Smoked Sausage

The Perfect Cold Weather Dish

I’ll be making this again this fall. As much as I hate to kiss summer goodbye, I sure love those fall meals. Easy baked beans and smoked sausage not only fills you up, it’ll keep you warm on those cool fall days for sure.

Also try my easy-to-make cowboy beans.

Easy Baked Beans and Smoked Sausage
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4 from 1 vote

Easy Baked Beans and Smoked Sausage

We had one of those odd cool days the other day. Not too cool, but enough to put me in nesting mode. And that means stick-to-your-ribs food for dinner. So I threw together something super simple – easy baked beans and smoked sausage with a little corn bread on the side.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword baked beans, easy, sausage, smoked
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 424kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 1 pound smoked sausage kielbasa works fine too, cut into 1/2″ thick coins
  • ½ medium white onion chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 jalapeno peppers diced
  • 1 55 ounce baked beans
  • 1 8 ounce pineapple chunks drained
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup ketchup plus more
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Lightly brown the sausage in a Dutch oven or large skillet. Remove
  • Saute the onion, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper until tender.
  • Combine the beans, pineapple, brown sugar, ketchup and dry mustard in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the sausage, peppers, onion, and jalapeno.
  • Pour into a 9×9 baking pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour.
  • Check and stir after 30 minutes. If the mixture is too dry, add a few squirts of ketchup, stir, and continue baking.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

You can substitute hot dogs for the smoked sausage.

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1016mg | Potassium: 364mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 268IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Roasted Pig Pecans

I’m a huge fan of Louisiana Cookin’ magazine (and it’s new sister publication, Louisiana Kitchen and Culture). Although I’m as far as you could possibly get from being Cajun or Creole, I find the foods from the area to be my favorite. And these roasted pig pecans are a great example of that. These are the pecans I dream of. This is how every pecan wants to be. Delicious. Crunchy. Amazing.

Roasted Pig Pecans

Pecan Heaven

A recent issue had a recipe for a simple roasted pig pecans. I made a very minor change to it, made it and… wow, loved it. Fortunately, my dad has several pecan trees. Every year he picks grocery sack after grocery sack of nuts and shells them. He then gives us a few bags of only the best ones. It’s like heaven.

Roasted pig pecans are fantastic right out of a bowl. They are truly wonderful in my butter pecan ice cream.

Prefer walnuts instead of pecans? Try my cheddar walnuts.

Roasted Pig Pecans
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5 from 1 vote

Roasted Pig Pecans

Unbelievable divine snack that will disappear in a snap.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword nuts, roasted
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 212kcal
Author Adapted from Tammy Algood

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecans halves
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 4-6 slices bacon chopped into 1/2″ pieces (use less bacon if using thick-cut)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • pinch cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 350 F.
  • Place the nuts in a bowl. Drizzle with the butter and add in the bacon.
  • Toss to coat and mix.
  • Pour mixture out onto a baking sheet and spread out evenly.
  • Bake for 25-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the bacon is done.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Combine the sugar, salt, and cayenne and sprinkle over nuts.
  • Stir to mix.
  • Let cool completely before serving.

Notes

Use your favorite nuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Ancho Chile Butter

This ancho chile butter is absolutely over-the-top on grilled corn-on-the-cob.  It is also great on crostinis, or really, anywhere you’d normally use butter. But on corn, that’s where it really shines. This is butter on steroids, with a pretty serious kick to it. Use it lightly or go all-in. It’s the perfect contrast to the yummy sweetness of fresh corn-on-the-cob.

Ancho Chile Butter

Add Some Heat

If you prefer a sweeter butter for your corn, try my grilled corn with honey butter. Or make ancho chile butter and honey butter and have a little heat and a little sweet!

Here in central Indiana, nothing beats My Dad’s Sweet Corn. We grab it whenever we can while it’s in season. It’s something special!

Ancho Chili Butter
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Ancho Chile Butter

Kicked-up butter.
Course Sauce
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword butter, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 1529kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat oil over high heat. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
  • Add in the chili powder, paprika, cumin and cayenne. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add in the water and whisk until the mixture becomes very thick. Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes.
  • Place butter in a blender or food processor. Add in the chili mixture and Worcestershire sauce. Blend until smooth.
  • Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as desired.
  • Spoon into a container with a lid and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Soften slightly before serving.

Notes

Soften any refrigerated leftover butter before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 1529kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 167g | Saturated Fat: 110g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 364mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7364IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pig Shots

Pig shots (and variations) are a common treat at BBQ competitions. I’ve never tried them. So I thought I’d give them a shot throw a few on my smoker when doing my last smoke. Sausage, bacon, cream cheese and seasonings make for a great treat. It’s important to have a few little treats to snack on as a day’s worth of smoking goes on. A lot of these little delicious morsels became cook’s treats. Those are the bites that the cook gets to take before everyone else. That’s one of the best things of being the cook.

Pig Shots

Easy To Make. Even Easier To Eat.

Pig shots are incredibly easy to make. You can use different combinations of creamed cheese and rubs to make your own flavors. You could even have a ‘pig shot’ flight. A combination of savory, sweet and spicy ones! That’d be awesome!

Also try my smoked Scotch eggs!

Pig Shots
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Pig Shots

Great one-bite shots filled with smoked pork flavors, creamy cheese and a hit of spice.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword smoked, treats
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 32
Calories 141kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat your smoker to 225 F.
  • Cut the bacon pieces in half in the middle.
  • Cut the sausage into coins that are half as thick as the bacon is high when stood on edge.
  • Wrap the bacon around the sausage and secure with a toothpick. You want the bottom of the sausage to be even with the bottom of the bacon. This will form a level edge on the bottom, and a little ‘cup’ at the top for the remaining ingredients.
  • Spoon some cream cheese into each 'cup'.
  • Sprinkle with brown sugar and your favorite BBQ rub.
  • Place on smoker until the bacon is done and just starting to crisp up.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

Best served immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 71mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Four-Pepper Chicken Fried Rice

I’ve been subscribing to Chile Pepper magazine (no longer in publication) for quite some time now. Though I certainly don’t consider myself to be a Chilehead, I do like some heat in my dishes, like this four-pepper chicken fried rice. A lot of people are afraid of using peppers or hot sauces in their dishes, but I’ve found that if you experiment with them you can get a better tasting dish, and one that doesn’t burn off the roof of your mouth.

Four-Pepper Chicken Fried Rice

Fried Rice With A Twist

I found this recipe for four-pepper chicken fried rice in the November 2009 issue of the magazine. It came out absolutely fantastic. You can use whatever peppers you have really. I had some roasted chicken left from a cookout on my Char-Broil Big Easy. It worked just great in this meal. Rotisserie chicken would be fantastic, too.

I’d make this again in a heartbeat.

Also try my grilled Kung Pao chicken with egg-fried rice.

Four-Pepper Chicken Fried Rice
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5 from 1 vote

Four-Pepper Chicken Fried Rice

Fantastic flavors with a little kick to boot!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword fried rice
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 349kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 pound green beans fresh, trimmed, and cut into 1" lengths
  • 3 jalapenos seeded if desired, cut into strips
  • 2 red bell peppers cut into strips
  • 2 poblano peppers can sub green bell peppers, cut into strips
  • 6-8 dried chiles
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce I used Cholula, my favorite
  • 2 cups chicken roasted, chopped
  • green onions chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook rice per package instructions.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet.
  • Add the green beans and cook until slightly tender, about 8 minutes.
  • Add in the peppers and dried chiles and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the vegetables to a large bowl.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add the eggs and scramble. Cook until done.
  • Remove to the bowl with the vegetables.
  • Add the remaining oil. Increase the heat to medium high.
  • Add in the rice and toss to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add in the chicken, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Stir.
  • Cook until the chicken is heated.
  • Add the vegetables and eggs back and heat.
  • Serve garnished with green onions and a little extra soy sauce on the side.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken is great in this dish!

Nutrition

Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 499mg | Potassium: 739mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3379IU | Vitamin C: 153mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Self-Serve Halloween Pumpkin

We usually do something new and different each Halloween. Last year, I painted a large pumpkin with blackboard paint and let the kids sign their names on it when they came up to the door to say ‘Trick-or-Treat’. It was a big hit. This year, we’re trying out a self-serve Halloween pumpkin full of suckers.

You just take a pumpkin, clean it out, and drill small holes into it at a slight angle so that the lollipops don’t slide out on their own. Let the pumpkin dry for a day or two then insert lollipops into the holes. Place by your front door and you have a self-serve trick-or-treat pumpkin! We found that the kids absolutely loved the idea, and we didn’t have any problems with anyone “going to town” and taking armfuls of candy (we live in a great neighborhood).

Self-Serve Halloween Pumpkin

Here are the pumpkins we carved this year. My wife and I always carve up a few pumpkins. It’s a fun thing to sit around doing the night before Halloween. Halloween is and always has been one of my favorite days of the year. If the weather is nice we’ll sit out on the porch and hand out candy to the kids… except when we’re using this self-serve version!

If you end up with leftover lollipops, use them to make my sugar cookie Dum-Dums!

Halloween Pumpkin
Halloween Pumpkin

Halloween Pumpkin
Halloween Pumpkin

Have a Happy Halloween!

PS: I like to roast my pumpkin seeds on Big Easy! They’re crazy delicious!

Hot Dogs with Onion, Chili, and Slaw

I was drooling over Chris’ Tennessee Smoky Hot Dogs post over on Nibble Me This, and thinking… boy, that sure sounds and looks great. But, I was in a bit of a hurry, so I changed it up to be a bit easier. These hot dogs with onion, chili, and slaw hit the spot. Just like slaw on pulled pork sandwiches, I love slaw on a hot dog. Add in some hot chili and crunchy onions and I’m in hot dog heaven.

Hot Dogs with Onion, Chili, and Slaw

Not Fancy. Just Good.

My hot dogs with onion, chili and slaw are not quite the same as Chris’, but the inspiration is there and so is the great flavor! Cool slaw really makes the show here. That creamy crunchiness contrasts the grilled dogs and chili perfectly.

Also give my hot dogs with spicy sauce and grilled onions a try!

I also like making these hot dogs with my homemade chili dog sauce.

Hot Dogs with Onion, Chili, and Slaw
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Dogs with Onion, Chili, and Slaw

Great loaded dogs!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 258kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet onion cut into 1/4″ rings
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ teaspoon your favorite BBQ rub or use Creole seasoning
  • 1 can chili without beans
  • 14 ounces coleslaw mix
  • 1 slaw dressing I used Marzetti’s
  • 8 hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • handful sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat grill.
  • Put onion slices on a sheet of aluminum foil.
  • Top with the butter and seasoning.
  • Seal and place over indirect heat on the grill for about 20 minutes or until the onion gets soft.
  • Remove.
  • Warm the chili.
  • Mix coleslaw vegetables and dressing.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Grill the dogs and toast the buns as desired.
  • Serve dogs topped with onion, chili, cheese and slaw.

Notes

I like to cut a thin slit down the lengths of my hot dogs before cooking. The cut will open slightly, holding toppings better when you take a bite.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 537mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 61IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

This is my take on a grilled Chicago hot dog. Now, don’t email me telling me I’ve broken some cardinal rule by grilling these (on my Weber grill!). I’ve had “real” Chicago dogs and love them. But if it’s not -45 F outside, I’m going to fire up a grill when I make some hot dogs. Nothing beats that great grill flavor. It just can’t be reproduced indoors. And that grill flavor comes thru in every bite. So yeah, these aren’t the true Windy City classic. But boy oh boy is it ever delicious!

Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

This grilled Chicago hot dog really came out great. I loved the fresh veggies on it. That cold crunch really added a lot to the taste. And it’s a great fresh contrast to the smoky grilled hot dog. This is a great twist on the classic.

Also try my southwestern hot dog.

Grilled Chicago Hot Dog
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

Boil the dogs for a classic version, or grill them for a little more pop!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 284kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Grill or boil the dogs.
  • Lightly toast the poppy seed buns.
  • Top the buns with the remaining ingredients, sprinkling with the celery salt last.

Notes

If you can’t find poppy seed buns in the store, lightly brush or spritz regular buns with olive oil and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Place under the broiler or on the grill to toast them up for just a few seconds.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 2039mg | Potassium: 445mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 790IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Memphis-Style BBQ Hot Dogs

Nothing beats a good ole hot dog off the grill. And there’s no need to just heap on the mustard or relish and call it done. You can throw just about anything that’s in your fridge on a dog (including mayo!). These Memphis-Style BBQ hot dogs have that great down-south flavor from smoky bacon and barbecue sauce, topped with gooey cheese, and kicked up with green onions and jalapeno slices.

Memphis-Style BBQ Hot Dogs

Choose A Good BBQ Sauce

I used a spicy BBQ sauce on these Memphis-style BBQ hot dogs. You can go with sweet or smoky, or whatever suits your fancy. To stick to the Memphis theme you’ll want a smoky sauce, preferably with hints of hickory. To really stick with that theme, you’d want to serve the sauce on the side as many Memphis BBQ joints do.

Also try my crazy-good muffuletta dogs.

Memphis-Style BBQ Hot Dogs
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4 from 1 vote

Memphis-Style BBQ Hot Dogs

Great take on two American classics, BBQ and dogs
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue, BBQ, hot dogs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 270kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wrap the hot dogs in the bacon and grill over medium heat, turning often, until done.
  • Lightly toast the buns.
  • Top the buns with the dogs.
  • Add the BBQ sauce, green onion, jalapenos (if using) and cheese and enjoy!

Notes

Cut a long narrow slit in your dogs before cooking to give the toppings a great place to go!

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.