McIlhenny’s Chili

I love a good beefy chili. Nothing fancy. Great southwestern flavors. Oddly this McIlhenny’s chili is served with rice. I say oddly because that’s not something I would normally do. I was surprised as to how much I liked having rice in my chili.

McIlhenny's Chili

A Broth Like No Other

The chili itself is just as great as you’d want. Tender meat with a broth that you really do want to drink up with a straw. It’s my favorite part of this McIlhenny’s chili.

The original recipe (which I modified only slightly) came from McIlhenny’s, the creators of Tabasco sauce. You know right then and there that it’s going to be fantastic. I have never had the free time when in New Orleans to go over to Avery Island and take a tour of the Tabasco plant. Next time, though, I will!

I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this chili and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!

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Also try my beef and Italian sausage chili. I love Italian sausage in chili.

McIlhenny's Chili
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5 from 1 vote

McIlhenny’s Chili

The chili itself is just as great as you’d want. Tender meat with a broth that you really do want to drink up with a straw. It’s my favorite part of this McIlhenny’s chili.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, chili
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 568kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Working in batches, heat a tablespoon or so of the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Season the meat and brown on all sides.
  • Remove to a plate.
  • Add the onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  • Add the garlic. Stir and cook another minute.
  • Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and hot sauce. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the broth and canned chiles.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Add the cooked beef along with any accumulated juices.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
  • Serve with cooked rice and desired toppings.

Notes

Also great without the rice!

Nutrition

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1267mg | Potassium: 795mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 928IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

These loaded Italian sausage sandwiches have become somewhat of a tradition in our house around New Year’s and the Super Bowl. I make a nice big batch of them and let them slow cook either on the stove or in a slow cooker, ready to eat at any time. Perfect eats for watching football games, specially college bowl games. Spicy sausage with a flavorful tomato sauce loaded with peppers, onions, and mushrooms. All topped (of course) with ooey-gooey cheese.

Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

My Superbowl Go-To Sandwich

I’m not sure I’ve ever made my loaded Italian sausage sandwiches exactly the same way each year. Sometimes I go the spicy route, sometimes I use sweet sausages. Sometimes I add more bell peppers, sometimes I just add more mushrooms. It just kind of depends on how I feel that day. If you don’t mind spicy, add more red pepper flake and a good amount of hot sauce.

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. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

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Also try my other version of Italian sausage sandwiches, all fantastic: my class version and the deluxe version.

Italian Sausage Sandwiches Version 3.0
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5 from 1 vote

Loaded Italian Sausage Sandwiches

These loaded Italian sausage sandwiches have become somewhat of a tradition in our house around New Year’s and the Superbowl. I make a nice big batch of them and let them slow cook either on the stove or in a slow cooker, ready to eat at any time.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Italian, sandwich, sausage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings 10 sandwiches
Calories 540kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the pizza and tomato sauces into a large pot over medium heat.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat a splash or two of oil over medium-high heat.
  • Working in batches, add the sausages, browning on all sides.
  • Transfer browned sausages to the pot of sauce.
  • Add more oil to the Dutch oven and add all of the vegetables.
  • Saute until just starting to get soft, then transfer to the pot of sauce along with the sausages.
  • Season with salt and pepper, Italian seasoning and red pepper flake.
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Slice the bread in half. I prefer to do this by cutting a ‘V’ down the top of the bread, making a trench for the sausages and sauce. I find that the bread doesn’t split so easily this way. I also remove some of the bread inside just to make more room for the great toppings.
  • Cut bread into lengths a tad shorter than the sausages.
  • Add meat and top with sauce and a little bit of the vegetables.
  • Top with cheese and place on a sheet pan under the oven broiler just long enough to melt the cheese.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins nearby!

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1752mg | Potassium: 1099mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2158IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Italian Hoagie

My wife and I recently returned from the Pittsburgh, PA area. My wife was there for a conference, and I was there for food. Right down the street from our hotel was Pizza Bella. They made the most amazingly good Italian hoagie that as soon as we returned home I had to make hoagies. And here it is in all of its glory. Great meats, cheese, and fresh toppings, all with a fantastic dressing.

Italian Hoagie

Oh, What A Hoagie!

I hope I never have to decide between which is my favorite: hoagies or muffulettas. They are both fantastic sandwiches, both with a lot of Italian influence in the ingredients. One thing is for sure, though. The next time we are in the Pittsburgh area we’ll swing by Pizza Bella and grab more hoagies.

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Also try my other version of hoagie dressing and my Italian grinders. And my Philly style Italian hoagies are great too!

Italian Hoagie
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5 from 1 vote

Italian Hoagie

Here it is in all of its glory. Great meats, cheese, and fresh toppings, all with a fantastic dressing.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Italian, sandwich
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1525kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the hoagie

  • 4 Hoagie rolls 12" long
  • ½ pound deli ham thinly sliced
  • ½ pound capicola thinly sliced
  • ½ pound Genoa salami thinly sliced
  • ½ pound Provolone cheese
  • Hoagie dressing from below
  • 4 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 2 tomatoes sliced thin
  • 1 medium white onion sliced thin (soak in cold water first if desired)
  • Hot peppers or sweet

For the hoagie dressing (makes enough for 4 or more hoagies)

Instructions

For the hoagie

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Slice bread rolls horizontally. Do not cut all the way through.
  • Brush insides of bread with dressing.
  • Add meats and cheese.
  • Wrap in foil and place in oven for 12 minutes or until hot and the bread is a little crunchy.
  • Remove from foil. Add remaining ingredients, plus a little more of the dressing.
  • Serve.

For the hoagie dressing

  • Whisk together all ingredients.

Notes

The dressing is great on any sandwich, sub or hoagie!

Nutrition

Calories: 1525kcal | Carbohydrates: 153g | Protein: 77g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 5005mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 1434IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 515mg | Iron: 46mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Smoked Brisket Texas Chili

The North End Barbecue & Moonshine restaurant in Indianapolis was definitely one of my favorite restaurants. They had a fantastic menu, but for me, the best dish by far was the Texas red chili. It’s simple, spicy, and oh so packed with flavor. Smoked brisket, homemade bacon and a red sauce that I could just slurp up with a (big) straw. I can’t make it to North End BBQ (because they closed! Grrrrr!), so I decided to make my own (slightly different) version of their Texas chili. I was absolutely pleased with it. Nice and spicy, with a bit of smokiness.

Smoked Brisket Texas Chili

Brisket For The Win

Now, you could make this smoked brisket Texas chili with just cubed chuck that has been lightly browned in the Dutch oven first. Nothing wrong with that, not one bit, but if you have smoked brisket, it really gives the chili a completely different flavor than just regular ole chili.

I roasted a few jalapenos on the grill and chopped them to use as garnish. They added even more bite and flavor to what was already a great bowl of chili.

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My green chile mac and cheese chili stew is also out-of-this-world crazy good. Give it a try too! Or if you’re craving more Texas-style chili, my classic version is a real winner also.

Smoked Brisket Texas Chili
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Brisket Texas Chili

This chili is simple, spicy, and oh so packed with flavor. Smoked brisket, homemade bacon and a red sauce that I could just slurp up with a (big) straw.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, chili, smoked
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 dried chiles I used guajillo, but just about any chile will work
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • cup onion finely chopped
  • 3 large cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef broth plus more if needed
  • 2 cups water plus more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons masa harina if you don’t have any masa, take a handful of plain tortilla chips and grind them in a food processor or by hand using a mortar and pestle
  • 2 pounds smoked brisket cubed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
  • garnishes sour cream, roasted jalapenos, grilled lime edges, etc

Instructions

  • Toast the chiles in a hot skillet over medium-high heat 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Remove to a large bowl and cover in hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes, turning once.
  • Remove chiles (do not discard the water). Cut off the stems and remove the seeds.
  • Chop lightly and transfer to a food processor.
  • Add the cumin, pepper and a few pinches of salt, along with 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid. Process until smooth. If needed add a bit more of the water.
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Add the broth and water. Bring to a simmer.
  • Whisk in the masa harina and add the processed chile paste.
  • Add the brisket and stir. Cover.
  • Let simmer for 2 hours or until the beef is tender, adding more broth if necessary.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar and add more salt to taste. Simmer another 10 minutes.
  • Serve with the desired garnishes.

Notes

Serve with cornbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

The tastiest burgers are cooked on a flat-top griddle or in a hot skillet. Unlike a grill, the fat doesn’t drip down into the fire below. Instead, it stays on the burger, keeping it moist. And the added plus of a griddle is that you get that wonderful char. These Oklahoma fried onion burgers would be your standard fantastic griddle burgers, but they have a very tasty twist: onions that are griddled into the patties. The result is divine.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

Griddled Burgers Are Divine

I use a griddle insert from Weber that fits into my charcoal and gas grills to griddle burgers like these Oklahoma fried onion burgers. It not only gets super hot, it gets hot consistently across the entire griddle. This ensures that I get nice evenly cooked burgers no matter how many I am cooking at once. I absolutely love making burgers on my griddles. They don’t get that great live-fire flavor but they make up for it with that wonderful burger crust.

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Also try my super-cheesy queso burgers.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers
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5 from 1 vote

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

These Oklahoma fried onion burgers would be your standard fantastic griddle burgers, but they have a very tasty twist: onions that are griddled into the patties. The result is divine.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 610kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the onion slices in a large bowl.
  • Toss with 1 teaspoon of salt and let rest for 30 minutes to extract as much liquid out of the onions as possible.
  • Transfer the onions to a towel or a few sheets of paper towels, roll up tightly and squeeze to remove as much liquid as you can.
  • Divide the onion slices into 4 equal piles on a cutting board or flat surface.
  • Divide the beef into 4 patties and form into balls.
  • Place beef on top of the onions and, using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a small skillet, flatten the beef into patties. The onions will stick to the bottom of the patties. That’s what you want.
  • Season patties with salt and pepper.
  • Heat up a griddle or cast iron skillet on your stove top or grill over medium-high heat.
  • Add the butter and swirl it around to coat the griddle or skillet.
  • Add the patties, onion side down, and cook for 6-8 minutes. You’ll see the onions starting to turn golden brown and get crispy around the sides.
  • Flip and continue cooking until the burgers are done, about 2 more minutes.
  • Top with cheese and remove.
  • Toast the buns, if desired.
  • Add the patties, mayonnaise, mustard, and pickles.

Notes

The key is to dry the onions so they get crispy, not sauté.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 323IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Grilled Bell Pepper Pizza

My wife and I love pizza, but we are also watching our carbohydrates. These grilled bell pepper pizzas solve that problem and then some! All of our favorite pizza toppings served on a wonderful bell pepper ‘crust’. I grilled the pizzas until the peppers were just starting to soften so they still had a bit of crunch to them. They were fantastic!

Grilled Bell Pepper Pizza

Low Carb And Still Delicious!

Grilled bell pepper pizzas will definitely become a staple in our house. They aren’t exactly zero carbs (the peppers and sauce have a few grams of carbs), but they are mighty low in carbs and that’s good enough for us! I don’t have to feel guilty about carbs when I eat too many of these. That’s not to say they’re healthy but they’re good!

I recommend that you use a grill basket when making these ‘pizzas’. It makes cooking easier and you don’t have to worry about anything falling through the grates. And cleanup is easier too!

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You don’t have to grill these ‘pizzas’, either. Just pop them in a 425 F oven instead.

Also try my sausage-stuffed grilled sweet peppers and my grilled French bread pizzas.

Grilled Bell Pepper Pizza
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Bell Pepper Pizza

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • Bell peppers various colors
  • Olive oil
  • Pizza sauce
  • Your favorite toppings black olives, crumbled cooked sausage, pepperoni, red pepper flake, etc
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat.
  • Cut the peppers so that they form little bowls. I found that cutting them in half made for deeper bowls than I wanted (too much bell pepper!) so I trimmed them down so that there was a 1/4″ – 1/2″ deep bowl.
  • Remove any seeds.
  • Brush the outsides of the peppers with the oil.
  • Add your favorite toppings up to the top of the pepper ‘bowls’.
  • Add cheese and place onto the grill.
  • Grill for 10-15 minutes or until the peppers have started to soften and the cheese is melted.

Notes

Do not overcook the peppers until they become soft. You want them to hold up to the toppings and still have a slight crunch to them.

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Pulled Pork Hot Pockets

Looking for the best way (well, one of the best ways) to use leftover BBQ pulled pork? Make hot pockets! They’re crazy easy. Just about as easy as making a pulled pork sandwich. Light crispy dough. Hot oozing filling. You can even pick these pulled pork hot pockets up and devour them like little meat pies if you want.

Pulled Pork Hot Pockets

Almost Any Dough Will Do

Just about any dough can be used, from homemade to pizza to even crescent roll dough (pinch two triangles of the dough together to form one ‘pocket’). These also freeze well, making them great for a quick lunch. Just pop them into the microwave until hot (beware of the hot filling!) and it’s time to eat! Of course you can substitute smoked brisket or chicken instead. Just shred fine and you’re good to go!

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. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

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Also check out my really delicious broccoli cheddar pockets. They’re just as easy to make as pulled pork hot pockets.

Pulled Pork Hot Pockets
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4 from 1 vote

Pulled Pork Hot Pockets

Looking for the best way (well, one of the best ways) to use leftover BBQ pulled pork? Make hot pockets! They’re crazy easy. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword pockets, pulled pork
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 130kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
  • Lightly flour a flat surface.
  • Divide the dough into 4 equally sized pieces and roll out into 6″ x 8″ rectangles.
  • Divide the pork, onion and cheese between each piece of dough, placing the ingredients in the center.
  • Fold the 2 shorter sides of the dough over the filling, stretching to cover.
  • Fold the 2 long sides over like a burrito and pinch the edges to seal.
  • Place the pockets seam-side down on the baking sheet.
  • Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon warm water in a small bowl or glass.
  • Brush the pockets with the egg wash.
  • Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Notes

You can freeze these and reheat later.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Bacon Weave BLTs

It was a beautiful spring day here. That had me wishing it was summer and fresh tomatoes were available. I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to make a few BLTs, even if the tomatoes weren’t perfect. Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do. But to make up for the tomatoes I decided to make a simple bacon weave. Bacon Weave BLTs are elevated BLTs. Other BLTs are jealous of them.

Bacon Weave BLTs

The Bacon Bite Guarantee

I made these bacon weave BLTs two days in a row. I will never make them any other way again at least as far as the bacon goes. Making a weave out of the bacon is not only easy, the bacon stays together better. No chunks flying off when you take a bite. And the best part? You’re guaranteed bacon in every single bite. You can’t beat that.

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.

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Want all the flavor of a BLT in an appetizer? Try my chipotle BLT bites. Or go for the gusto and make a pretzel bacon cheese sandwich!

Bacon Weave BLTs
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5 from 1 vote

Bacon Weave BLTs

I will never make BLTs any other way again at least as far as the bacon goes. Making a weave out of the bacon is not only easy, the bacon stays together better. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, sandwich, tomato
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 1 sandwich
Calories 534kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 385 F.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  • Cut the bacon in half.
  • Make a bacon weave. If you’re unsure exactly how to do this, click this link to see the original post (with great step-by-step pictures) on Chin Deep.
  • Lay out 3 halves of the bacon in a square. Make sure the pieces are together tightly.
  • Lift up and fold back the ends of every other one on one side of the baking sheet. Place a bacon slice perpendicular (vertically) to the horizontal rows of bacon, directly on top of the bacon strips that you did not fold back. Unfold the folded bacon to cover the strip that you just placed on the baking sheet.
  • Lift up and fold back the ends of the horizontal bacon strips that are now under the vertical bacon strip to the side of the baking sheet. Place a bacon slice right next to the first vertical bacon strip, directly on top of the bacon strips that you did not fold back. Unfold the folded bacon to cover the strip that you just placed on the baking sheet. Repeat the process of alternating the vertical and horizontal bacon strips till you reach the other end of the horizontal bacon strips.
  • Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until crispy. Carefully remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Slather bread with mayonnaise.
  • Add bacon weave, lettuce, and tomato and salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

You have to make these at least once for the  ‘wow’ factor.

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 821mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Chicken Salad Crescents

The original recipe for chicken salad crescents on the Plain Chicken blog was for small bite-sized rolls, perfect for a party appetizer. I decided to go big and serve them as the main course for lunch, and they were perfect! The super-light crunchy dough makes for the perfect wrapper around chicken salad. You can use your own chicken salad recipe of course. However, I was particularly fond this version, which has Worcestershire sauce in it. The Worcestershire really added a great flavor dimension along with the extra sharp cheddar. They were fantastic!

Chicken Salad Crescents

Chunky Chicken Salad Is Better

If you do use your own chicken salad recipe to make these chicken salad crescents, you might want to cut down on the mayonnaise. You want the salad to be thick. Not too thick, but thick enough to stand up to 20 minutes in the oven. Too thin and it’s going to run all over the place, leaving you with a pan of sadness!

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.

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Also try my creamy smoked chicken salad sandwiches.

Chicken Salad Crescents
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4 from 1 vote

Chicken Salad Crescents

You can use your own chicken salad recipe of course, but I was particularly fond this version, which has Worcestershire sauce in it. The Worcestershire really added a great flavor dimension along with the extra sharp cheddar. They were fantastic!
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken salad, crescent rolls
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 rolls
Calories 115kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • In a bowl mix together the chicken, celery, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and mayonnaise.
  • Open crescent roll cans and separate dough into triangles.
  • Add a half slice of cheese to the center of each piece of dough.
  • Top with 2 tablespoons, more or less, of the chicken salad and roll up the dough as you would a regular crescent roll.
  • Sprinkle rolls with poppy seeds.
  • Transfer rolls to parchment paper- or Silpat-lined baking sheets and bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

These are great made with rotisserie chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco Melts

What makes a great patty melt? Well, melted cheese, of course. And a tangy sauce. A perfectly seasoned and cooked patty. Well-toasted thick slices of bread. But the most important thing is they have to be messy. Very, very messy. I want stuff dripping out. All over the plate, all over my shirt. Into my lap. Onto the table. You get the point. Messy. That’s a great patty melt, and that’s what these copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco melts are: great.

Copycat Steak n Shake Frisco Melts

Turn It Into A Frisco Melt Dip!

I go the extra mile to get these copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco melts even messier. I make a little extra sauce and put it into some small sauce bowls and dip my sandwich in it. Yep, Frisco Melt Dip. Perfect. No point in being halfway messy. Take it to the messy extreme!

There’s nothing fancy going in here. Just great flavor. I’m pretty sure that Cuisinart designed my Griddler just for these sandwiches. Sure, I could’ve gotten out a skillet and toasted these little beauties. But I appear to be challenged at flipping sandwiches in a skillet. It’s the sides that throw me off. The Griddler is just that, a griddle. Wide-open flat spaces. Plenty of room for me to flip and flip well!

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Also try my copycat of Applebee’s classic Patty Melt.

Copycat Steak 'n Shake Frisco Melts
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4 from 1 vote

Copycat Steak ‘n Shake Frisco Melts

What makes a great patty melt? Well, melted cheese, of course. And a tangy sauce. But the most important thing is they have to be messy. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, copycat, sandwich
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 980kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the Frisco Sauce

For the melts

  • ½ tablespoon canola oil
  • ½ large sweet onion sliced thin
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 8 slices sourdough bread I used Italian bread
  • 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

Instructions

For the Frisco Sauce

  • Combine the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the melts

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and caramelize, cooking for about 20 minutes, stirring often. The onions should turn a nice golden brown. Remove from the pan.
  • Divide the beef into 4 equally-sized patties. Cook them as desired in a skillet or on the grill.
  • Add 1 slice of Swiss cheese and 2 slices of American cheese to each patty and let melt.
  • Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until the butter has melted and the bread is golden crispy.
  • Make sandwiches by spreading Frisco sauce on the unbuttered sides of the bread. Add the patties and onions and top with another piece of bread. Serve.

Notes

Try to flatten your patties out so they cover the bread as much as possible.

Nutrition

Calories: 980kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1573mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 661IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 662mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.