Category Archives: From the Grill & Smoker

Crabmeat Stuffed Oyster Shells

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Think crab cakes. Cooked and served in oyster shells, these are easy to make and fun to eat. I have a real problem containing myself around crab cakes, and these are no exception. Simple ingredients, nothing hides that great crab flavor. I really enjoyed my crabmeat stuffed oyster shells… except that I should’ve made more!

Crabmeat Stuffed Oyster Shells

I used stainless steel reusable oyster shells, which have quickly become my go-to servers for seafood and well, just about anything I can fit into them. Even though they go onto a grill or in the oven, they cool off quickly so you can handle them. Just pick them up and slurp them down, just like you were eating oysters. Fun!

Crabmeat Stuffed Oyster Shells
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Crabmeat Stuffed Oyster Shells

Think crab cakes. Cooked and served in oyster shells, these are easy to make and fun to eat. I have a real problem containing myself around crab cakes, and these are no exception.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 153kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup fresh lump crabmeat
  • 8 oyster shells
  • lemon sliced, for serving

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for direct cooking or preheat an oven to 450 F.
  • Combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay, paprika and breadcrumbs. Gently fold in the crab meat.
  • Divide the mixture between the shells (about 1/4 cup in each).
  • Grill or bake for 10 minutes. If using an oven, place the shells under the broiler and additional 2-3 minutes to brown.
  • Serve with lemon slices.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 404IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cedar Plank Potato Skins

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If you’d ask me what my favorite bar foods are, I’d say wings and potato skins. I can sit and eat either or both for hours (proven!) with a cold beer (or two) and watch a game on the big screen. When I’m at home, I like to make cedar plank potato skins. They’re just as great as my bar favorite, but they have a twist. That hint of cedar aroma, a little taste. Different.

Cedar Plank Potato Skins

There’s one thing that can make a cedar planked potato skin less than stellar, and for me, that’s soft soggy potato skin. It needs to be just a bit crunchy. Don’t be afraid to bake your potatoes just a bit longer than you might normally for baked potatoes. Get that skin a bit crunchier. You’ll be happy you did.

Also try my grilled potato skins.

Cedar Plank Potato Skins
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Cedar Plank Potato Skins

 When I’m at home, I like to make cedar plank potato skins. They’re just as great as my bar favorite, but they have a twist. That hint of cedar aroma, a little taste. Different.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 439kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Wildwood Grilling Outlet

Ingredients

  • 2 large Russet potatoes baked, cooled
  • vegetable oil
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream for garnish
  • 1 green onion sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  • Soak a medium sized cedar plank in water for 30 minutes.
  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking at 400 F.
  • Poke a few holes in the potatoes using a knife. Lightly brush them with oil and season heavily with salt.
  • Grill for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender. Potatoes should reach at least 200 F internal temperature to be done. Remove and let cool slightly.
  • Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out enough of the insides so you leave 1/4"-1/2" thick around the sides and bottom. Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Place the potatoes on the cedar plank and add the cheese and bacon. Grill for 5-10 minutes over indirect heat until the cheese has melted.
  • Garnish with sour cream and green onions and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 1600mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Jalapeno Popper Dip

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If you haven’t tried grilled dips, I strongly recommend that you run out, get you some ingredients, a few disposable pans, and get to it. You can use pretty much any dip recipe that would normally be heated in the oven or on the stovetop. My grilled jalapeno popper dip brings the cheesy goodness you’d expect. And just a little heat. Yep, it lives up to it’s namesake, but without the trouble of stuffing jalapenos with cheese, wrapping them in bacon, and having to mess with them on the grill.

Grilled Jalapeno Popper Dip

Despite having ‘jalapeno’ in the name, this grilled jalapeno popper dip really isn’t that spicy. There’s plenty of other yummy ingredients in it that tame down that heat quite a bit. If you want super spicy, I recommend adding more jalapenos. Or even serranos. You can also substitute habanero jack cheese for the pepper jack cheese. That’ll kick it up.

Also try my jalapeno popper deviled eggs.

Grilled Jalapeno Popper Dip
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Grilled Jalapeno Popper Dip

If you haven’t tried grilled dips, I strongly recommend that you run out, get you some ingredients, a few disposable pans, and get to it. You can use pretty much any dip recipe that would normally be heated in the oven or on the stovetop. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 163kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • 8 ounces pepper jack cheese grated
  • 6 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
  • 4 ounces green chiles not drained
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 large jalapenos seeded, deveined, diced
  • Mexican cheese blend for topping
  • jalapeno slices for topping

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking. You want the indirect heat to be 350-400 F.
  • Combine the cheeses, bacon, chiles, mayonnaise, diced jalapenos in a large bowl.
  • Transfer mixture to a disposable pan you can use on the grill. Spread out evenly
  • Top with the Mexican cheese and jalapeno slices. Place on grill over indirect heat for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly hot.
  • Remove and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 442IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.