Category: Appetizers, Desserts & Snacks

Nacho Cheddar Saltines

My addiction to flavored saltine crackers is getting worse. It all started a few weeks ago when I made a batch of Fire-Eater saltines. They were packed with heat and flavor. They disappeared in no time at all. I’ve since made several other flavors, all of them great. But these nacho cheddar saltines aren’t great. They’re greater than great. Very similar in flavor to those little old fish-looking crackers, but oh so much better. And easier to make that’s for sure!

Nacho Cheddar Saltines

Make A Bunch. A Whole Bunch.

There’s absolutely no point in making only one sleeve of nacho cheddar saltines. They’ll be gone before the 8 hour ‘resting’ time is up. Make a whole box and you’ll thank me.

You can use something like Kernel Seasons Nacho Cheddar seasoning when you make these crackers. Or grab a big ole jar of cheddar cheese powder and go to town!

Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder, 1LB (Pack...
Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder, 1LB (Pack…
  • Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder is a…
  • How to Use Cheddar Cheese Powder: Sprinkle…
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

Also try my delicious bagel-seasoned saltines.

Nacho Cheddar Saltines
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Nacho Cheddar Saltines

These nacho cheddar saltines aren’t great. They’re greater than great. Very similar in flavor to those little old fish-looking crackers, but oh so much better. And easier to make that’s for sure!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, crackers
Prep Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours
Servings 8 servings
Calories 79kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place crackers in a large resealable bag or container.
  • Pour in the oil.
  • Sprinkle with the seasoning.
  • Seal and gently toss to coat.
  • Let sit (on the counter) for 12 hours to get ‘happy’, tossing gently every once-in-a-while.
  • Serve as-is or with cream cheese for topping.

Notes

Also great served topped with sliced cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Mini Corn Dogs

Ooooh, you dangerous little mini corn dogs you. The original recipe says two of you are a serving. Yeah…. right. You’re too good to only have two.

These are not like scaled-down versions of your typical corn dog. Hot dogs are replaced by tasty Lit’ Smokies, which bring a whole lot more flavor to the game. And they’re fun to eat too!

Mini Corn Dogs

Batter Up!

My rule-of-thumb when making mini corn dogs is: don’t skimp on the batter. Now, if you want yours thinner, go right ahead and I won’t make faces at you. But for me, more is better. You’ll find you’ll perfect your dipping technique after a few dogs. I settled in on a simple method: dip the Lit’l Smokies so they are fully covered, then lift them out of the batter and let the batter run down the sausage and coat the sides and bottom. The result? Nice and even batter.

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.

Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer...
Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer…
  • FAST-HEATING & FAMILY-SIZE: This powerful…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE & VERSATILE COOKING: With…
$58.67 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Also try my mini corn dog muffins!

Mini Corn Dogs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Mini Corn Dogs

Ooooh, you dangerous little mini corn dogs you. The original recipe says two of you are a serving. Yeah…. right. You're too good to only have two.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword corn dogs, deep-fried
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 292kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Trisha Yearwood

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oil to 350 F.
  • Make the cornbread batter in a large bowl by stirring together the mix, buttermilk and egg.
  • Pour some of the batter into a small glass.
  • Working in batches, insert a toothpick into the sausages, leaving enough for a handle.
  • Dip the toothpick into the batter. I like to tip the glass a bit on it's side to get maximum coverage. I stick the sausage into the batter then lift it up and out of the batter (but still in the glass) to let the batter run down the sausage, coating it completely.
  • Transfer to the fryer and fry 1-2 minutes, rotating them as they cook, until golden brown.
  • Transfer to wire rack-lined backing sheet to drain and cool.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

I doubled the amount of cornbread mix that the original recipe called for. I found myself getting a pretty thick coating on the sausages, and I liked that. With just one box you might run out of coating before you run out of sausages.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 699mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 124IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer...
Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer…
  • FAST-HEATING & FAMILY-SIZE: This powerful…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE & VERSATILE COOKING: With…
$58.67 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Mom’s Shrimp Dip

Even though I’m not the world’s biggest fan of horseradish, it is completely impossible for me to eat too much of my mom’s shrimp dip. It’s certainly one of the easiest appetizer recipes you’ll ever come across. And also most definitely one of the best. It’s almost reminiscent of shrimp cocktail, which not surprisingly is also one of my favorites.

Moms Shrimp Dip

Wonderful Shrimp Flavor

I strongly recommend that you at least double this recipe. It won’t last, even if you don’t have a big crowd to entertain. It just won’t last. I like a little texture to the shrimp, I want to know they’re in mom’s shrimp dip, so I don’t go crazy shredding or chopping them too much. This is a shrimp dip after all. Not a shrimp puree!

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Regular Mayonnaise 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Regular Mayonnaise 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
  • Real Mayonnaise Made Like Homemade: Time-honored…
  • A History of Delicious: Our simple…
$6.60 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Even though the recipe starts with four teaspoons of horseradish, I always end up adding more. I will caution you that the flavor becomes stronger the longer it sits in the fridge, so for your first batch I’d start with what the recipe calls for.

Also try my hot holiday broccoli dip and my pizza dip.

Mom's Shrimp Dip
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Mom’s Shrimp Dip

Even though I’m not the world’s biggest fan of horseradish, it is completely impossible for me to eat too much of my mom’s shrimp dip
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dip, shrimp
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 1339kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

To shred the shrimp, use the end of a fork. It’s a bit tedious but worth it. You can chop them instead if you’re in a hurry, just don’t over-chop them.

Nutrition

Calories: 1339kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 128g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 499mg | Sodium: 2609mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Hot Holiday Broccoli Dip

This hot holiday broccoli dip is different, at least for me. I can’t recall ever making a dip with broccoli. Maybe I just don’t get out enough because the dip was fantastic. I wouldn’t say it was healthy, but maybe healthier than a lot of dips you’ll find during the holidays. Probably healthier than most dips I make! It’s deliciously creamy for sure, and has a great crunch from the broccoli!

Hot Holiday Broccoli Dip

Hearty And Good

Hot holiday broccoli dip is thick, so you can’t serve it with some wimpy chips or crackers. Get the thick, hearty stuff because you’ll want to dig deep and load up.

Oddly, or maybe not, this dip is really good just as it is as a side dish. You might want to leave the broccoli whole and not chop it.

I haven’t tried it, but I think you could make this dip with cauliflower too. Or instead. I’d make sure that the cauliflower pieces are chopped very small, like the broccoli.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Get the real stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline...
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…
$28.97
Buy on Amazon

Also try my mom’s shrimp dip and my pizza dip.

Hot Holiday Broccoli Dip
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Hot Holiday Broccoli Dip

This hot holiday broccoli dip is different, at least for me. I can’t recall ever making a dip with broccoli. Maybe I just don’t get out enough because the dip was fantastic. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli, dip
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 172kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 10 ounce broccoli frozen, thawed, drained, lightly chopped
  • 2 ounce pimentos drained

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine the mayonnaise, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, and all of the remaining ingredients.
  • Pour into the baking dish and spread out evenly.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Pizza Dip

What it lacks in food sexiness this pizza dip more than makes up for with fantastic flavor. It’s seriously just like having a big bowl of pizza goodness, perfect for dipping big ole tortilla chips. I made a big ole batch of pizza dip and took it to a family get-together. Watched it disappear in no time (after I sneaked a bowl of it for myself). It’s crazy good and crazy easy.

Pizza Dip

Its Party Time!

You can make this pizza dip ahead of time and keep it warm in a slow cooker. Just set the heat to low. This is a perfect dip for a party. If you are going to warm it for a long period of time you may want to add a bit more marinara or pizza sauce to keep it from getting too thick. Warm the sauce just slightly before adding, then stir.

You can serve (but not cook!) this dip in a fondue pot!

Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set, Nonstick Interior...
Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set, Nonstick Interior…
  • 3-QUART FONDUE SET: This 3-quart capacity…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE PROBE: The fondue set…
$98.93 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Also try my mom’s shrimp dip, Rio Grande dip and my hot holiday broccoli dip. Oh, my favorite, a copycat of Frito’s hot bean dip!

Pizza Dip
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Pizza Dip

What it lacks in food sexiness this pizza dip more than makes up for with fantastic flavor. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dip, pizza
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 330kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Drain.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add in the pepperoni and cook until the fat is rendered out. Drain.
  • Add the seasonings and marinara sauce. Stir.
  • Add the cheese cubes.
  • Stir and heat until melted.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1386mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 305mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce

I must have had a bad fried green tomato experience as a child because I have not eaten them in years and years. My wife and I were in the produce section at the store and saw some really nice looking green tomatoes. My wife loves fried green tomatoes. So I grabbed a few to make fried green tomatoes with spicy Ranch dipping sauce.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce

Now I Get It

We headed home with the tomatoes. And I have to say, any bad memories I have of fried green tomatoes are now long gone. They were fantastic. Crunchy and tasty, and with a nice lightly spicy sauce for dipping.

Extra Crunchy

I used Panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy coating on these fried green tomatoes with spicy Ranch dipping sauce. If you like yours a little less crunchy, just substitute regular bread crumbs. For extra kick, mix a little cayenne (or my favorites, smoked paprika or chipotle powder) into the bread crumbs first.

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.

Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer...
Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer…
  • FAST-HEATING & FAMILY-SIZE: This powerful…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE & VERSATILE COOKING: With…
$58.67 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Also try my jalapeno bottle caps.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce

I have to say, any bad memories I have of fried green tomatoes are now long gone. These were fantastic. Crunchy and tasty, and with a nice lightly spicy sauce for dipping.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, tomato
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 7
Calories 248kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Fried Green Tomatoes

For the Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce

Instructions

For the Fried Green Tomatoes

  • Heat a few inches of oil to 350 F in a deep fryer or Dutch oven.
  • Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper.
  • In 3 separate shallow bowls or pie pans place the flour, the buttermilk and Panko.
  • Working in batches, dip the tomatoes in the flour, covering on all sides.
  • Shake off the excess flour.
  • Next, submerse the tomatoes in the buttermilk.
  • Finally, coat the tomatoes in the bread crumbs.
  • Fry 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.

For the Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce

  • Combine the ingredients.

Notes

The dipping sauce is great for all your favorite fried treats!

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer...
Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer…
  • FAST-HEATING & FAMILY-SIZE: This powerful…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE & VERSATILE COOKING: With…
$58.67 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Smoked Hazelnuts

I’ve made the ‘usual’ smoked nuts a number of times. You know, peanuts. Walnuts. Pecans. Those things. This was my first time smoking Hazelnuts. In fact, I’d never even thought about making them until I ran across a picture someone posted of a big batch of smoked Hazelnuts. They looked so amazing I could almost smell and test them. I’ve always loved Hazelnuts, so I figured I’d love them smoked even more and I was right!

Smoked Hazelnuts

Just Nuts

You can shell and eat these nuts just as they are. And I certainly devoured a few handfuls. But, my main reason for smoking them was to use them in recipes. First up? A smoked Hazelnut butter for baked sweet potatoes!

As you can tell from the recipe, I didn’t add anything to the nuts before I put them on my smoker. They don’t need it. No oil, no salt and pepper. Just put them on ‘au naturale’ and let them smoke on the smoker for a while.

I used my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker for these nuts. It doesn’t get any easier than it for smoking nuts, ribs, chicken, pretty much anything you can think of.

Sale
Weber® Pecan Wood Chunks, Outdoor Cooking Fuel...
Weber® Pecan Wood Chunks, Outdoor Cooking Fuel…
  • Pecan wood chunks
  • Provides a rich & Sweet flavor
$10.98 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Smoked pistachios are also amazing! Try them too!

Smoked Hazelnuts
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Smoked Hazelnuts

You can shell and eat these nuts just as they are. And I certainly devoured a few handfuls.
Course Appetiser
Cuisine American
Keyword nuts, smoked
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 356kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Hazelnuts raw, in shell

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for 225-250 F cooking. Use hickory or a fruit wood.
  • Add the nuts to the smoker. Don't crowd them. Smoke for 1 hour.
  • Remove and let cool completely before shelling.

Notes

Store smoked nuts in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12'' Smoker Tube for...
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for…
  • 【BILLOWING SMOKE AND BIG CAPACITY】 The pellet…
  • 【UNFORGETTABLE FLAVORS FOR HOT AND COLD…
$9.95
Buy on Amazon

Rotisserie Roasted Peanuts

For years I thought “Why in the world do I need a rotisserie for any of my grills?” Well, my 20 year old gas grill reached the end, and I decided to get a rotisserie with my new grill. And boy howdy am I so glad that I did! Besides making (of course) chicken and ham, I also get to make really cool treats, like these rotisserie roasted peanuts! These nuts are perfectly roasted, with just the right crunch and just the right grilled flavor.

Rotisserie Roasted Peanuts

The Perfect Snack

You can make rotisserie roasted peanuts on either a gas or charcoal grill. If you’re using a gas grill don’t be afraid to add a few chunks of wood to get a bit of a smoky flavor. Don’t go crazy with it, though. You can also use a smoke box loaded with wood pellets or wood shavings. You can soak the shavings in water for 30 minutes before to keep them smoking longer.

I have a Weber rotisserie. To make these peanuts I purchased a rotisserie basket. I’ve found it to be a must-have with a rotisserie. It’s perfect for potatoes, chiles and of course, peanuts! The link to the basket can be found below the recipe.

Sale
onlyfire Stainless Steel Universal Rotisserie...
onlyfire Stainless Steel Universal Rotisserie…
  • Construction: Durable Stainless Steel. In patent…
  • Fits for rotisserie grill with 1/2″ or…
$52.99
Buy on Amazon

Also try my smoked peanuts.

Rotisserie Roasted Peanuts
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Rotisserie Roasted Peanuts

These nuts are perfectly roasted, with just the right crunch and just the right grilled flavor.

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword peanuts, rotisserie
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cool time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 485kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill with the rotisserie. You want the temperature at the rotisserie to be around 350 F.
  • Place the peanuts in your roasting basket and place onto the grill.
  • Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the shells start to turn darker in color. Do not let them get dark brown.
  • Remove and sprinkle with salt.
  • Let cool slightly then serve.

Notes

Use caution removing the peanuts from the rotisserie as the basket is very hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 8g | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

onlyfire 6042 Stainless Steel Flat Spit Rotisserie...
onlyfire 6042 Stainless Steel Flat Spit Rotisserie…
  • Made of great durable stainless steel…
  • Dimentions: 13.9″X 7.48″ X 2.2″, Length With…
$35.99
Buy on Amazon

Smoked Pecans

My goodness, me, there went my self-control. Again. Good thing I made two big batches of these smoked pecans because a lot of them were sacrificed in the name of ‘quality control’ and ‘cooks treats’. The nuts are smoked just enough. There is a such thing as too much smoke on nuts. You don’t want it to be overwhelming, but you do want to still taste smoke. Otherwise, you can’t call them smoked pecans! These had the spot-on perfect amount of smoke. Enough to tell they’re smoked. Enough that you get the aroma, and a taste of smoke. Without being too strong. It’s nut perfection!

Smoked Pecans

Change Them Up

I used two different spice mixtures for the smoked pecans. The first batch I made a somewhat sweet, southwestern-inspired mix. It was a great balance of flavors, and one enjoyed by everyone. The second version I went a bit spicier (but not too spicy) route. It’s the same as the first mix, but with cayenne instead of cinnamon. People often shy away when they see ‘spicy’, but I found them to have just a hint of a kick and a little sweetness.

It’s a good idea to make a not-so-spicy version of nuts if you’re also going to serve a spicy one. You want to give people a choice. Well, that’s if you’re serving these to others, of course. Me, I would be happy enough with just the spicy ones. You can load me up with that heat. I can take it. Usually.

A grill basket makes getting these little yummies on and off my grill easy.

Weber Crafted® Roasting Basket, Stainless‑Steel...
Weber Crafted® Roasting Basket, Stainless‑Steel…
  • Create food never thought possible in a grill with…
  • Designed to perfectly roast small, delicate food…
$99.98 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

If you just finished smoking ribs, pork, whatever, on your smoker and still have some fire, smoked pecans are a great way to use up the rest of that smoke time. Never waste it, I say!

Also try my smoked pistachios.

Smoked Pecans
Print Pin
3.67 from 3 votes

Smoked Pecans

My goodness, me, there went my self-control again. Good thing I made two big batches of these smoked pecans because a lot of them were sacrificed in the name of ‘quality control’.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword nuts, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling time 30 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 769kcal
Author Steven Raichlen

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shelled raw pecans
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted

Spice mixture

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoke for 250 F. Use a fruit wood, such as apple, or pecan. Since the smoking time is short compared to say, smoking ribs, I recommend using extra wood to generate more smoke than you might usually.
  • Place the nuts in a disposable aluminum pan. Drizzle with the melted butter and stir to coat.
  • Combine the spice mixture ingredients and sprinkle over the nuts. Stir to coat.
  • Place the pan onto the smoker and smoke 60 minutes. Stir the nuts every 15 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the smoker and let the nuts cool completely before serving. On the off chance you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container.

Notes

For a spicy version, substitute cayenne pepper for the cinnamon.

Nutrition

Calories: 769kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 77g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1167mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 746IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12'' Smoker Tube for...
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for…
  • 【BILLOWING SMOKE AND BIG CAPACITY】 The pellet…
  • 【UNFORGETTABLE FLAVORS FOR HOT AND COLD…
$9.95
Buy on Amazon

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

I could not resist when I saw beautiful, ripe red strawberries at the grocery store. As many dishes as I could use them in, my mind instantly went to creamy, yummy, delicious homemade strawberry ice cream. This ice cream is so smooth, but it also has nice little bites of crazy good strawberry. It tastes so fresh, it’s hard to stop eating it.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

This Is Not The Low-Calorie Version

I often change recipes when I make them. And I often cut back on things like, oh, cream or sugar. But not when I make homemade strawberry ice cream. This is not the time to be skimpy or try to make a dish super-duper healthy. This is decadent goodness. It’s supposed to be that way.

I don’t have a fancy fru-fru ice cream maker, but it more than does the job. It’s a real workhorse.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, Ready in...
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, Ready in…
  • SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Mixing paddle makes frozen…
  • COOL FEATURE: Double-insulated freezer bowl…
Buy on Amazon

Also try my chocolate peanut butter ice cream. And my homemade blueberry ice cream.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

I could not resist when I saw beautiful, ripe red strawberries at the grocery store. As many dishes as I could use them in, my mind instantly went to creamy, yummy, delicious homemade strawberry ice cream.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade ice cream, strawberry
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 525kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from A latte food

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the diced strawberries into a large bowl.
  • Add the honey, sugar and lemon juice.
  • Stir to coat then let sit on the countertop for 15-20 minutes or until the juices from the strawberries has been released. There should be a good bit of juice in the bottom of the bowl.
  • Use a potato masher or fork to mash the strawberry mixture until all of the larger chunks have been mashed. But don't go crazy on it if you prefer some occasional strawberry pieces in your ice cream.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, half and half and vanilla extract.
  • Transfer to your ice cream maker and process per manufacturer's instructions.
  • Freeze overnight.
  • Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

Nutrition

Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 1318IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon