Recipes Archives - Life's A Tomato

Sous Vide Corned Beef

This is not my first time making corned beef using sous vide. It is my first time cooking at a higher temperature, and for a shorter time. I was after a little different texture than my ‘usual’ cooking technique. Normally, I go for a final product that slices a little thicker and holds together. This time, I wanted something I could slice super thin and I was ok if it was more ‘crumbly’, but not dry. And that’s what I got. I found this approach to make for the perfect sandwich. Just the right texture, just the right thickness, and the real winner, absolutely fantastic flavor. For sandwiches, this is how I will sous vide corned beef from now to eternity!

Easy And Delicious Results

There is nothing fancy, nothing complicated about making sous vide corned beef. Into the bag with the seasoning packet contents, and into hot water. That’s it. I’ve seen where people add beef stock, or other spices. And that’s fine. For me, I found that I didn’t need it. I got pure, great corned beef flavor in the end. I was able to slice it so thin I could practically read a newspaper through it. And it made for fantastic sandwiches. I couldn’t ask for more!

Reheating Leftovers

I do recommend that you steam your leftovers when re-heating. Don’t reheat the corned beef using any technique that might dry it out, like in an oven. The second (and third) days it will be fall-apart tender. The slices do not stick together, but a little moisture when re-heating doesn’t hurt. Not much, just a little.

I use an Anova sous vide cooker. It’s my immersion circulator workhorse!

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

Make yourself some southern corned beef sandwiches with your tasty results!

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Sous Vide Corned Beef

Perfect for slicing.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword corned beef, sous vide

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10 15

Servings

Calories 225kcal

Equipment

Immersion circulator

Ingredients

3 pound corned beef along with the spice packet

Instructions

Heat a water bath to 180 F.
Rinse the corned beef and pat dry.
Sprinkle the spice packet over all sides.
Transfer to a large baggie and seal with a vacuum sealer.
Place in the water bath and cook for 10 hours.
Remove from the water bath and let rest for 15 minutes.
Remove the corned beef from the bag, discarding the liquid.
Slice the corned beef against the grain.

Notes

Pile it high for the best sandwiches!

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

Quick Fix Woodfired Garlic Potato Chips

Life is way, way too short for boring, tasteless potato chips. Time after time I’ve been disappointed with store-bought chips that advertised themselves as ‘outrageously good’ or ‘fantastic and new!’. Well, no longer. My quick fix woodfired garlic potato chips bring flavor in every bite. Wonderful garlic that has a lightly smoky flavor from being roasted over fire, not in an oven. Such wonderful depth of flavor. A little chili and paprika round out a great seasoning that makes potato chips perfect.

Ready In Minutes. Gone In Seconds.

These quick fix woodfired garlic potato chips really take no time at all. They’re easy, too. The only ‘tough’ part is making sure that you’re gently tossing the warmed chips with the seasoning. Those chips didn’t do anything to you, so don’t toss them around like bean bags. Nice and easy and they’ll stay together. With a little patience you’ll get each chips nicely seasoned and ready for devouring.

Kinder’s Organic Woodfired Garlic Rub, Premium Quality Seasoning, MSG Free and USDA Certified Organic, 3.5 oz

Also try my quick fix rotisserie chicken-seasoned potato chips. No, really. They’re fantastic! (They don’t taste like chicken).

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Woodfired Garlic Potato Chips

These quick fix woodfired garlic potato chips really take no time at all.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword potato chips, quick fix

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Servings

Calories 452kcal

Author Inspired by a recipe from Simple Comfort Food

Ingredients

4 cups wavy potato chips A few good handfuls worth. I recommend ruffled chips, and no need to get the expensive stuff, store brand is fine
½ tablespoon Kinder's Woodfired Garlic Rub more or less, to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 275 F.
Spread chips out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. You should see that the oils in the chips have come to the surface.
Gently transfer chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning. Use a spatula to carefully stir to coat.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the chips.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools

Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Quick Fix Black Cherry Chipotle Potato Chips

Wow. Just wow. I’ve had my share of different flavors of potato chips but these quick fix black cherry chipotle wings are different and then some. Tart and sweet, I could not stop eating them. The seasoning is from Kinder’s. They make quality stuff. Make sure to load them up on the seasoning because these chips are delicious.

Head To The Spice Aisle

I found this seasoning near a bunch of other seasonings in the store. This is why it pays to look around and think to yourself ‘would that be good on potato chips?’. The answer is often yes. It was a definite ‘yes’ when it came to these quick fix black cherry chipotle potato chips.

Surprise!

If you’re looking to get some looks of happiness and surprise, serve these chips next time you’re watching the big game with friends. They’ll be more than pleasantly surprised at just how good and different they are.

Kinder’s Black Cherry Chipotle Seasoning Premium BBQ Barbecue Spice & Rub 2 pk Choice Bundle (12 oz) + BBQ Guide & Keychain Bottle Opener (4 Items)!

Also try my quick fix roasted garlic and herb potato chips.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Black Cherry Chipotle Potato Chips

The solution to boring potato chips.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword potato chips, quick fix

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Servings

Calories 452kcal

Author Inspired by a recipe from Simple Comfort Food

Ingredients

4 cups wavy potato chips A few good handfuls worth. I recommend ruffled chips, and no need to get the expensive stuff, store brand is fine
½ tablespoon Kinder's Black Cherry Chipotle seasoning more or less, to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 275 F.
Spread chips out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. You should see that the oils in the chips have come to the surface.
Gently transfer chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning. Use a spatula to carefully stir to coat.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the chips.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools

Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts using Sous Vide

To say that I am new to the world of sous vide would just about be an understatement. But, I’m learning. And I’m happy to say these red pepper Brussels sprouts are exactly why I started down the path of sous vide. They are absolutely delicious, the best sprouts I’ve had or made. And they’re crazy easy to make, too. This is the kind of wonderful side dish I can throw together with little preparation or hassle. I like that. A lot. It felt fancy serving it and it tasted delicious.

Spice ‘Em Up A Bit

If you like a little kick in your red pepper Brussels sprouts using sous vide, don’t be afraid to add a few pinches of red pepper flake to your red pepper Brussels sprouts just before serving. A little Parmesan cheese doesn’t hurt, either. Or just some fresh ground black pepper.

I use an Anova sous vide cooker. It’s my immersion circulator workhorse!

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

You can use this same recipe for making asparagus, but with a change to the time and temperature. Just break off the woodsy parts of the stems and cook them as you would the Brussels sprouts except at 185 F for 14 minutes. If your asparagus is thin, back down on the cook time by a few minutes.

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4 from 1 vote

Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts using Sous Vide

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Brussels sprouts, sous vide

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 59kcal

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts fresh, loose leaves removed, halved if large
kosher salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons garlic minced
2 pieces bacon thin-sliced, cut into 1/2" pieces
½ cup roasted red peppers chopped

Instructions

Heat your sous vide water to 183 F.
Place Brussels sprouts in a vacuum bag.
Add salt and pepper to taste, along with the garlic. Seal.
Add the bag to the sous vide and cook for 40 minutes.
Remove bag. Open and drain.
Cook bacon in a Dutch oven or large skillet until just crispy. Remove and drain.
Add the sprouts and let char just slightly.
Add the roasted red peppers and heat thoroughly.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve topped with the cooked bacon pieces.

Notes

Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

Sous Vide Shrimp Cocktail

I’m very new to using sous vide. I was intrigued with it from the first time I heard of it because I knew it would (at the very least) help me with certain dishes that I’ve always had trouble getting cooked to perfection. Like cocktail shrimp. Sure, I can boil shrimp or roast them and I do a pretty good job. But sometimes I might over-cook them. That’s where sous vide comes to the rescue. There’s no such thing as me messing up with it.

Cooking Time And Texture

Before tackling sous vide cocktail shrimp, I suggest you read this wonderful link about the best cook times for the shrimp. It’s not just a matter of getting the shrimp done, but what texture you want. In the recipe below I use the time and temperature that worked best for me. You may want your shrimp to have a little more ‘bite’. Or less. That’s why I highly recommend you read the link (here it is again) before jumping in. And once you have the desired time and temperature, make a note of it for the future.

I use an Anova sous vide cooker. It’s my immersion circulator workhorse!

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

I really loved the flavor that the bay leaf and lemon gave to the shrimp while they cooked in the vacuum bag. This is the easiest shrimp cocktail recipe you’ll ever make.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Sous Vide Shrimp Cocktail

Sure, I can boil shrimp or roast them and I do a pretty good job. But sometimes I might over-cook them. That’s where sous vide comes to the rescue.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword shrimp, sous vide

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Cool time 15

Servings

Calories 58kcal

Equipment

Immersion circulator

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp large, deveined, shells left on
2 large bay leaves
3 slices lemon plus more for serving
cocktail sauce chilled, for serving

Instructions

Pre-heat your sous vide water to 140 F.
Place shrimp in a sealable or vacuum bag. Do not let the shrimp overlap each other.
Add the bay leaves and lemon.
Remove all of the air from the bag and close, or vacuum seal tight.
Transfer to the sous vide and cook for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, create an ice bath by placing ice and water into a large bowl.
When the shrimp are done remove from the sous vide and transfer the bag (unopened) to the ice bath. Keep submerged until the shrimp are chilled, 10-15 minutes.
Open bag and remove shrimp. Serve with cocktail sauce and lemon slices.

Notes

Nutritional value does not include cocktail sauce.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

Quick Fix Roasted Garlic And Herb Potato Chips

If you buy any amount of potato chips I’m going to make a bold prediction. You’re bored. Bored of the same flavors. Bored of chips that claim to be bold or better or whatever and never live up to the promises. Well stop it. I did. Now I but plain ole chips. Ruffled usually. And wavy. And then I season them my way. Like these quick fix roasted garlic and herb potato chips. These aren’t boring. Not even close to it.

Heat ‘Em. Spice ‘Em. Eat ‘Em.

It’s literally that easy to make these quick fix roasted garlic and herb potato chips. The seasoning comes from fine folks over at Weber. I know I can trust them. I own over 15 Weber grills. I’ve got a pantry full of Weber sauces and seasonings. They don’t mess around. This seasoning proves it. It’s full of garlic flavor. And delicious herbs. The chips taste great. You can see the seasoning. And the cool part is I can add a little or a lot. I’m in control here.

Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning, 12 Ounce Shaker

Also try some quick fix rotisserie chicken-seasoned potato chips. Oh yes, they’re different. And they’re great!

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Roasted Garlic And Herb Potato Chips

The solution to boring potato chips.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword potato chips, quick fix

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Servings

Calories 452kcal

Author Inspired by a recipe from Simple Comfort Food

Ingredients

4 cups wavy potato chips A few good handfuls worth. I recommend ruffled chips, and no need to get the expensive stuff, store brand is fine
½ tablespoon Weber Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoning more or less, to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 275 F.
Spread chips out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. You should see that the oils in the chips have come to the surface.
Gently transfer chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning. Use a spatula to carefully stir to coat.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the chips.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes find their way on our dinner menu with some regularity. Sometimes they are served up as side dishes, but often they are the main course. They’re easy to make, and pretty fuss-free depending how crazy you go when you top them. These quick fix broccoli and cheese baked potatoes are about as easy as you can get. Just bake some potatoes, heat some frozen broccoli and cheese, and boom! A fantastic baked potato is served! Well, ok, I added some bacon bits too but those aren’t that hard either! I just opened the bottle!

Super Easy, Super Delicious!

I use Green Giant’s frozen broccoli and cheese to top these quick fix baked potatoes. I’ve also been known to make them using my utterly fantastic slow cooker cauliflower (which can also be made with broccoli). If you’re a cheese-aholic like me, you’ll want to try that too.

Try Other Toppings Too

Feel free to peruse the frozen vegetable section in your grocery store. You might find other cheesy vegetables that would be just as good on a baked potato! And if they don’t include a cheese sauce, don’t fret. Just heat them as instructed and then top them with some freshly shredded cheese. Shredding your own is so much better than the pre-shredded stuff!

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Are the bacon bits optional? Maybe. But probably not.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potatoes

I use Green Giant's frozen broccoli and cheese to top these quick fix baked potatoes,

Course Main or Side

Cuisine American

Keyword baked, broccoli, cheese, potatoes, quick fix

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 392kcal

Ingredients

2 large Russet potatoes
vegetable oil
kosher salt
1 Green Giant Simply Steam Broccoli & Cheese Sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
ground black pepper
bacon bits for topping, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Rinse the potatoes under cold water and brush off any dirt. Dry well with a paper towel.
Pierce each potato 4 times with a sharp knife.
Brush potatoes with oil.
Sprinkle some salt onto a plate and roll the potatoes in the salt.
Place potatoes directly on the oven center rack. You might want to put a baking sheet lined with foil beneath them to catch any drippings.
Bake until potatoes are done (210 F internal temperature, or tender all the way through when poked with a knife), 40-60 minutes depending on their size. You can also test for doneness by squeezing the potatoes (with potholders on). If they give easily, they are done.
While the potatoes cool prepare the broccoli per package instructions.
Cut the potatoes open. Fluff the insides with a fork if desired. Add butter, and season well with salt and pepper.
Divide heated broccoli with cheese sauce between the potatoes and serve topped with bacon bits.

Notes

Don’t be shy when seasoning your potatoes, they need plenty of salt and pepper!

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools

Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale

The Best Vortex Fried Chicken Recipes

I absolutely love making fried chicken on my charcoal grill using the Vortex insert. With no or little oil, I can make chicken that seems like it was deep-fried. The flavors are amazing. The crunchy skin is amazing. Fried chicken on the Vortex is even better than deep-fried!

Kentucky Kernel ‘Fried’ Chicken using the Vortex

Perfectly juicy, crunchy skin, crazy good fried chicken flavor without all of the oil.

Easy And Delicious Results

Reheating Leftovers

Sous Vide Corned Beef

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Ready In Minutes. Gone In Seconds.

Quick Fix Woodfired Garlic Potato Chips

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Head To The Spice Aisle

Surprise!

Quick Fix Black Cherry Chipotle Potato Chips

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Spice ‘Em Up A Bit

Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts using Sous Vide

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Cooking Time And Texture

Sous Vide Shrimp Cocktail

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Heat ‘Em. Spice ‘Em. Eat ‘Em.

Quick Fix Roasted Garlic And Herb Potato Chips

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Super Easy, Super Delicious!

Try Other Toppings Too

Quick Fix Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Don’t Forget The Salt And Pepper

Quick and Easy Cold Cut Sub Sandwich

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

The Simple Steps To Chip Success

Quick Fix Frank’s RedHot Original Seasoning Potato Chips

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition