Category Archives: From the Grill & Smoker

Cedar Plank Jalapeno Popper Twice Baked Potatoes

Posted on by
Reply

I never met a baked potato I didn’t like. It started as a kid, going to a steakhouse with my parents. Ordering a loaded baked potato was like a right of passage. As important as the steak, the potato was always something I remembered. Now, I make all sorts of variations on the classic, like these cedar plank jalapeno popper twice baked potatoes. Yep, saying them is a mouthful. And yep, I devoured mine by the mouthful too. Packed with all sorts of great flavor, a great kick, and creamy potato goodness, these potatoes give classic bakers a run for their money.

Cedar Plank Jalapeno Popper Twice Baked Potatoes

If you’re afraid of the spiciness from the jalapeno, you can omit them and still have fantastic potatoes. But, I have found that cooked jalapenos tend to be less spicy, adding a wonderful pepper flavor without a lot of heat. You can substitute poblano but you’re going to have a hard time explaining your cedar plank poblano popper twice baked potatoes!

Cedar Plank Jalapeno Popper Twice Baked Potatoes
Print Pin

Cedar Plank Jalapeno Popper Twice Baked Potatoes

I never met a baked potato I didn’t like. It started as a kid, going to a steakhouse with my parents. Ordering a loaded baked potato was like a right of passage.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 715kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from I Am Homesteader

Ingredients

For the potatoes

  • 6 large baking potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt might need a bit more

For the filling

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded , divided
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 3 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix 1 1/2 (1 ounce) packets of store-bought seasoning
  • 4 medium jalapeno peppers seeded, diced, divided
  • 4 slices bacon cooked, crumbled, divided
  • 2 tablespoons green onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F. Rinse and dry the potatoes. Poke each several times with a knife. Pour a little oil on each potato and coat on all sides. Sprinkle liberally with the salt.
  • Cook potatoes for 1 hour or until tender. Remove and let cool enough to handle.
  • Lay the potatoes on their sides. Cut a slice off the top of the potato.
  • Using a spoon, carve out the center of the potatoes, transferring the potato insides to a large bowl. Transfer the now-hollow potatoes to a baking sheet.
  • Add the filling ingredients to the potato, reserving 1/2 cup of the cheddar and enough of the diced jalapeno and bacon for topping later. Mix well.
  • Transfer the potato filling to the hollow potatoes. Top with remaining cheddar and bacon.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Sprinkle with reserved jalapenos and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 715kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 2190mg | Potassium: 1718mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1281IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 429mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Baby Potatoes

Posted on by
Reply

Grilled baby potatoes are one of my favorite grilled side dishes. The potatoes come out tender in the middle, with just a slight crust on the outside. For me, yellow potatoes are the best since they also taste a bit buttery. All you need is a few spices out of the pantry and in no time you have perfect potatoes with a hint of garlic, a hint of smoke, and just a nice subtle spiciness to offset some of the potato sweetness.

Grilled Baby Potatoes

You can use this recipe for grilled baby potatoes for just about any grilled vegetable, from broccoli to cauliflower to asparagus. You can skip partially cooking smaller vegetables in the microwave since they will grill quickly. Just check that they are nice and tender before removing from the grill.

Print Pin

Grilled Baby Potatoes

Grilled baby potatoes are one of my favorite grilled side dishes. The potatoes come out tender in the middle, with just a slight crust on the outside. For me, yellow potatoes are the best since they also taste a bit buttery.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 100kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Alton Brown

Ingredients

  • 1 pound small potatoes red or yellow, all about the same size (cut in half if too large)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch red pepper flake or more

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for medium-high cooking.
  • Place potatoes in a large microwavable bowl and microwave on high for 5-10 minutes until slightly softened, stirring occasionally.
  • Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over the potatoes. Toss to coat.
  • Transfer the potatoes to a grill basket (you can also skewer them if preferred) and transfer to your grill.
  • Grill for 10 minutes. Stir and grill another 10 minutes or until the potatoes have a nice char on them.

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 651mg | Potassium: 504mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Grilled Cajun Shrimp

Posted on by
Reply

Kosmo’s Q makes some seriously good wing dusts. I picked up a few packets, including their Kickin’ Cajun. Sure, I made great wings with it. And then I made these easy grilled Cajun shrimp. And they were crazy good! And danged spicy, too! Good thing I had some chilled cocktail sauce on the side for dippin’. The combination made for a fantastic easy dinner that I’ll make again.

Easy Grilled Cajun Shrimp

Kosmo’s Q Kickin’ Cajun wing dust isn’t messin’ around, so I suggest you taste a bit first to see just how much you want to put on your shrimp. You can always add more but you can’t take it away. Well, not easily at least. It’s mighty tasty stuff, it’s not just about the heat. I found it to be quite enjoyable with a nice spicy kick!

Easy Grilled Cajun Shrimp
Print Pin

Easy Grilled Cajun Shrimp

Kosmo's Q Kickin' Cajun wing dust isn't messin' around, so I suggest you taste a bit first to see just how much you want to put on your shrimp.
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 116kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for direct cooking.
  • Toss the shrimp with the oil and seasoning in a large bowl.
  • Grill 2-4 minutes per side until translucent. Alternatively, if you want you can skewer the shrimp. I recommend skewering if you're afraid of the shrimp falling through your grates.

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 912mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Twice Baked Planked Potatoes

Posted on by
Reply

Wow. These twice baked planked potatoes were absolutely amazing. The mashed potato recipe is fantastic by itself (I’ll make them for Thanksgiving!). The added step of then baking them on a cedar plank on the grill adds a subtle yet unbelievably good flavor. The outsides get the slightest crust, the insides stay incredibly light and fluffy and moist. These are the best potatoes… ever!

Twice Baked Planked Potatoes

I went light on the char on my cedar plank the first time I made twice baked planked potatoes. I really wanted the potatoes to be the star of the show, and they were. You can char the plank more before adding the potatoes if you want a stronger cedar flavor and aroma. You can also use a different wood, such as hickory for a completely different tastee experience.

Twice Baked Planked Potatoes
Print Pin

Twice Baked Planked Potatoes

Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Calories 1018kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Mike Lang

Ingredients

  • 4 medium russet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary minced, or substitute 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1/3 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 green onion sliced
  • 1 cedar plank soaked in water for 1 hour

Instructions

  • Fill a medium pot fitted with a steaming basket with a few inches of water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • Scrub the potatoes and chop into 1/2" cubes, leaving the skin on if desired. Transfer to the steaming pot and cover.
  • Steam the potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until tender when poked with a fork.
  • Drain the potatoes in a colander. Empty the water from the pot and wipe dry. Return to the stove but turn off the burner.
  • Add the butter to the pot and let it start softening. Then add the potatoes.
  • Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes while adding the milk. Don't add all of the milk unless you need it. Add just enough to get them the consistency you are looking for. A thicker mashed potato will stay on the cedar plank. A thinner mashed potato will have a tendency to run off the plank, so aim for a thicker version.
  • Stir in the sour cream, garlic and rosemary.
  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking at 350 F. Note: If you prefer, char the plank over direct heat first.
  • Mound the potatoes onto the plank and add the cheese and green onion. Grill for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are hot.
  • Note: If you are using refrigerated potatoes, heat them for 10 minutes on the plank without the cheese and green onion first. Then, add the cheese and onion and heat another 20 minutes.

Notes

I found these potatoes to be best when made the day before. Then, the next stay, just spoon them onto the plank, add the cheese and onion, and heat on the grill.

Nutrition

Calories: 1018kcal | Carbohydrates: 170g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 3989mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1103IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 676mg | Iron: 8mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms with Artichokes

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve made my share of stuffed mushrooms. All sorts of different ingredients have found their way into my mushrooms. But never artichokes. These bacon-wrapped mushrooms with artichokes are divine. They’re different and they’re highly addicting. Pearl onions? In a mushroom? Brilliant!

Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms with Artichokes

If you can’t find fresh pearl onions (I was surprised that I did), you can get away with frozen (thawed) ones. Or you can just add a bit of chopped white onion. The onion does add a nice contrast to the creamy artichokes and bacon. I wouldn’t skip adding some sort of onion. You’ll love bacon-wrapped mushrooms with artichokes just as much as we did!

Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms with Artichokes
Print Pin

Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms with Artichokes

These wonderful bites will disappear in no time!
Course Appetiser
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 324kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Patio Daddio BBQ

Ingredients

  • 12 medium portabella mushrooms
  • 15 ounces artichoke hearts small sized, drained
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 12 slices bacon sliced thick
  • 12 pearl onions
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoons chile powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking. You're aiming for around 350 F. You can also make these in an oven preheated to 350 F.
  • Remove the stems from the mushrooms. Using a spoon, carefully scrape out the gills. Do not puncture the sides of the mushrooms. You want to create a cavity for the filling.
  • Finely dice the artichoke hearts. Place in a bowl and stir in the olive oil, chile powder and cayenne.
  • Fill each mushroom with the artichoke mix so that's it's just even with the edges of the mushroom.
  • Cut off the ends of the pearl onions and remove the skin. I found it easer to just use my fingers to do this, but a small sharp knife will work also.
  • Gently push each onion into the stuffed mushrooms, leaving about half of the onion exposed. Sprinkle with the garlic salt.
  • Wrap each mushroom in a piece of bacon. Depending on the size of your mushrooms you may want to use slightly less than an entire piece of bacon. You want just enough of the bacon to overlap that you can stick a toothpick through it to secure it to the mushroom.
  • Take a sharp knife and make 4 small slices in the bacon above each mushroom. You're going to make a '+' sign. Don't skip this step, it makes for a better presentation in the end as the bacon will better form around the mushrooms instead of pulling away from them.
  • Sprinkle each stuffed mushroom with plenty of pepper and place on the grill or in the oven.
  • Bake for 60-90 minutes or until the bacon is just starting to crisp up.
  • Put the mushrooms on an oiled broiler pan and into a preheated 350º oven. Bake for approximately 90 minutes, or until the bacon around each mushroom is just barely crisp.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before removing the toothpicks and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 1351mg | Potassium: 796mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Garlic-Roasted Potatoes

Posted on by
Reply

Oh my goodness I so loved these garlic-roasted potatoes. Tender, almost buttery, yellow potatoes with a hint of garlic and rosemary, drizzled with an incredible balsamic vinegar reduction. I almost added red pepper flake (and you could, really) but I opted for a slightly sweeter no-heat version instead. Red potatoes would work just as well.
Garlic-Roasted Potatoes You can make the reduction ahead of time. I recommend making extra and keeping it on hand. Then, any time you need a quick and easy side when grilling, just toss the potatoes on and in no time you’ll have a big helping of garlic-roasted potatoes.

Print Pin

Garlic-Roasted Potatoes

Oh my goodness I so loved these garlic-roasted potatoes. Tender, almost buttery, yellow potatoes with a hint of garlic and rosemary, drizzled with an incredible balsamic vinegar reduction. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Calories 539kcal
Author Based on a recipe from the Weber Art of the Grill

Ingredients

  • 1 pound baby potatoes red or yellow, all about the same size (you can cut the larger ones in half if needed)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary about 6 sprigs, chopped
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Place the potatoes into a large microwavable bowl and microwave on high until just starting to soften, about 10 minutes, stopping to stir every once in a while. Remove the bowl carefully as it will be hot.
  • Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the garlic, salt and pepper and the rosemary. Pour over the potatoes and toss to coat.
  • Transfer potatoes to a grill basket (I put the basket over a plate or bowl to catch any dripping oil mixture), or thread them onto skewers.
  • Place onto the grill and grill until lightly charred, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, turning occasionally
  • Meanwhile, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan over high heat and reduce until you are left with two tablespoons, stirring often.
  • Pour remaining olive oil onto a serving platter and spread out evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Add the potatoes.
  • Drizzle with the reduce balsamic vinegar and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1099mg | Potassium: 2092mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 392IU | Vitamin C: 93mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.