Cheddar Bacon Burgers

I grill my share of burgers. The combinations are endless so I never, ever get bored with them. Today I made some cheddar bacon burgers. These aren’t complicated, either. But they sure are great! Lots of cheese. Juicy flavor-packed patties. Bacon. Onion. And a simple but delicious sauce. Every bite is great. Except the last one, when you wish there was more!

Cheddar Bacon Burgers

Double Cheesy

These cheddar bacon burgers have twice the cheese. Cheese IN the patties. Cheese ON the patties. You know that’s gonna be good. I used good-ole straight up sharp cheddar. You can use any cheese you like. A smoky cheddar would go great with the smoky bacon. Or go with pepper jack and get some kick (note: there’s a bit of a kick in the sauce, but it’s not crazy hot!).

Bacony Greatness

You can cook the bacon on your grill before you start the burgers. I actually like to bake my bacon. I feel like I have better control of the doneness that way. And I can cook a huge batch all at once. I freeze it for later use, like on these burgers. I just grab a few pieces out of the freezer and toss them onto the grill for a minute or two to heat them back up and they are perfect!

Grillin’ And Chillin’

It doesn’t really matter which grill you use to cook these burgers. They’ll turn out great no matter what. For that matter, you don’t have to even grill them. Fry them up in a skillet if that’s what you have. I prefer to cook my burgers on a charcoal grill, but sometimes I don’t really have even the little extra time it takes to get the charcoal going so I turn to a gas grill instead. Or a flat-top griddle. Inside or out, these are flavor-packed patties that you’ll love no matter how you cook them!

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Also try my crazy-good cheddar jalapeno chicken burgers with tasty guacamole!

Cheddar Bacon Burgers
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5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Bacon Burgers

Deliciously juicy burgers with a fantastic (yet easy) sauce!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 975kcal

Ingredients

For the burgers

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • kosher salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 2 slices red onion separated into rings
  • 8 strips bacon cooked

For the sauce

Instructions

For sauce

  • Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the burgers

  • Preheat your grill as needed.
  • Combine the beef, cheese, salt and pepper and form into 4 equally-sized patties.
  • Grill the burgers as desired. Top with sliced cheese and let melt slightly.
  • Toast the buns too!
  • Slather the buns (top and bottom) with the sauce. Add bacon, the cooked patties and red onion.

Notes

Don’t be shy with the sauce!

Nutrition

Calories: 975kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 78g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1149mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole

I’m not saying that I’ve given up on beef smash burgers. But with burgers like these cheddar jalapeno chicken burgers with guacamole, I find myself eating them a bit less and less of the beef versions these days. These chicken burgers pack crazy wonderful flavor in every bite. And a little heat. The patties are tender and juicy. As a bid to my beefy smash burgers, I like to get a bit of a ‘crust’ on the outsides. A little crunchy texture to offset that great chicken. Some guacamole to cool off from the jalapeno. These burgers do not disappoint. They’re easy to assemble, easy to cook and darned easy to eat.

Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole

To The Moon

I kept the toppings on my cheddar jalapeno chicken burgers with guacamole pretty simple. Guac. Onion. Done. I could’ve kept going. Pile it on. You can do whatever you want. Cheese. Lettuce. Sour cream. However you like. The patties are so flavorful that I didn’t want to hide them.

Depending on your ground chicken, you might want to add a bit of breadcrumbs to the meat mixture to help firm it up. Don’t go crazy with it. I form my patties and put them in the fridge overnight to help them ‘set up’. Otherwise they tend to fall apart as I put them on the grill. I handle them fairly gingerly. Unlike my beef patties, which I can kind of manhandle without worries, the chicken patties can fall apart fairly easily. And they like to stick. But with a little patience and care, they always turn out fantastic!

You’ll want to be careful flipping your burgers. Let them get a good char on them before the first (and last) flip. Don’t go flippin’ crazy. Just once is all they need. The more you flip, the better the chances of burger disaster. So do it once, gently, and let them do their thing.

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Serve these burgers with some of my super-cheesy Velveeta Tex-Mex rice on the side!

Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole
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5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole

Add a bit of breadcrumbs if your patty mixture is too moist.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken burgers, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 334kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chicken burgers

  • 1 pound ground chicken I prefer 85/15. If you use leaner chicken you might have to add a bit of breadcrumbs to help form patties.
  • ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons jalapeño seeded, finely chopped. I used an entire medium jalapeno for extra heat.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • cup cheddar cheese finely shredded
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • guacamole

Other toppings

  • sour cream
  • lettuce chopped or pieces
  • red onions sliced
  • salsa
  • bacon

Instructions

  • Heat a grill or griddle over medium heat.
  • Place chicken into a medium bowl.
  • Add remaining ingredients up to the buns. Using your hands, gently mix everything together. You want the ingredients to be distributed evenly throughout but try to not overwork the chicken.
  • Form chicken into 4 equally-sized patties. They'll end up around 5 ounces each.
  • Grill burgers for 5-7 minutes per side or until temperature reaches 165 F as measured in several spots.
  • Toast buns as desired.
  • Slather cut sides of buns with guacamole. Now is not the time to be shy with it.
  • Add patties and any other desired toppings and serve.

Notes

Don’t be tempted to smash these burgers like you would beef burgers. The chicken won’t hold up to the pressure! Just put them on the grill and leave them alone for 5-7 minutes per side, flipping them gently when it’s time to flip them!

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 710mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing (Copycat Recipe)

Boy, oh boy, did this Marzetti Classic Original slaw dressing copycat recipe ever hit the spot. I was looking for that great Marzetti flavor but in a homemade version that, if I wanted to, I can play with a bit. A little less vinegary perhaps. A little sweeter maybe. Or just like the original. I can make the call. This is good stuff and it makes for a mighty good coleslaw, whether I make it the ‘right way’ or ‘my way’.

Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing (Copycat Recipe)

Mighty Good

This Marzetti Classic Original slaw dressing copycat recipe is much like the great dressing you can find in your grocer’s refrigerated section (by the packaged salads and refrigerated salad dressings). Creamy with a bit of that vinegar ‘tang’ and a little sweetness. This recipe makes enough for a 14-ounce bag of slaw mix. By ‘makes enough’ I mean the slaw will be nicely dressed but not overly so. If you like a coleslaw with a whole lot of dressing, you’ll either have to make more or grab some at the store!

I like to use the slaw mix that has carrots and stuff in it. But you can go with the straight-up cabbage mix instead. Or for that matter, you can shred your own cabbage. Add what you want. Leave out what you don’t want!

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Cold. Really Cold.

I have a thing about my coleslaws. I like them cold. Not like ‘sorta cold’ but really, really cold. So I make sure my dressing spends some quality time in the fridge first before I use it.

Go Light

It’s ok to use a light mayonnaise and a sugar substitute in this slaw. The dressing may end up being a little thinner, though. For the full-on Marzetti greatness, though, use the real stuff.

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Also try my McAlister’s deli potato salad copycat recipe!

Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing (Copycat Recipe)
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5 from 1 vote

Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing (Copycat Recipe)

Best served chilled.
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword coleslaw, copycat, dressing
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 472kcal

Ingredients

For the dressing

For the coleslaw

  • 14 ounces coleslaw mix with carrots, etc.

Instructions

  • For the dressing
  • Place all ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Add the coleslaw mix and fold until well-combined and the sugar is dissolved.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe)

You know the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, that’s what I first thought after making this Outback Steakhouse blue cheese vinaigrette copycat recipe. I mean, heck, it isn’t the most attractive dressing ever. But then I poured it over my fresh homemade garden salad and thought “Yee haw! Now THAT’S good!”. Two great flavors (a classic vinaigrette and blue cheese) come together to make me one happy guy. Give me extra, because I really love this dressing!

Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe)

Is There A Such A Thing as Too Much Blue Cheese?

As much as I am a fan of blue cheese, I actually have a ‘blue cheese limit’. I just cannot do the big chunks. That’s the beauty of making this Outback Steakhouse blue cheese vinaigrette copycat recipe at home. I got the blue cheese crumbles to be just my size. Perfect on a salad.

That Self-Control Thing

I used to bring a fru-fru bottle of dressing to the table when I had salads. You know, some fancy glass thing. The dressing looked pretty. The salad looked pretty. And next thing you know, the bottle’s half empty. It’s borderline embarrassing to admit, but it is the sign of a great dressing and salad. To try and help myself with this ‘problem’ I use little condiment cups instead. I fill a cup with the dressing in the kitchen. I keep the bottle of dressing in the kitchen. So in theory, I just use what’s in that cup. It’s a good-sized, normal serving of dressing.

However…. the kitchen’s not that far away…. And sometimes the dressing’s just so delicious (like this one) that I ‘accidentally’ wander back in and put a little more dressing into my cup.

I’m a work in progress, what can I say!

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This dressing is super-easy to make. You can use your store-brand Italian dressing mix if you want.

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Also make and devour my Outback Steakhouse Ranch dressing!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
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5 from 2 votes

Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Vinaigrette (Copycat Recipe)

A totally different take on a blue cheese dressing.
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, salad dressing
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 28kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all but blue cheese into a small blender or a Mason jar. Pulse or shake a few times to combine.
  • Add the cheese crumbles and pulse or shake a few more times.
  • If dressing sits for a while before using, give it a quick stir or shake before serving.

Notes

Substitute gorgonzola for a creamier, milder dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 25mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Nacho Cheese Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

I found my Kryptonite. I go weak in the knees when I toss my popcorn in some nacho cheese ranch popcorn seasoning. I start speaking funny. I lose track of time. There’s only one thing that matters: getting the popcorn from the bowl and into my mouth. No small bowl, either. None of this ‘single serving’ stuff. I’m going in big and I’m not going to feel guilty about it either. I love this seasoning. It’s the right amount of cheesy goodness and the right amount of ranch deliciousness. I can’t get enough of it!

Nacho Cheese Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

You Don’t Need Much!

You can ‘dust’ your popcorn with nacho cheese ranch popcorn seasoning. You know. ‘Show it’ some flavor. I wouldn’t. I’m just saying you could. Me, I’m going for maximum flavor and maximum orange fingers. You know what I’m talking about. That moment you wait for after you eat the last popcorn kernel. The moment that you can lick your fingers! Oh yeah!

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Also try some smoky nacho cheese popcorn seasoning.

Nacho Cheese Ranch Popcorn Seasoning
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5 from 1 vote

Nacho Cheese Ranch Popcorn Seasoning

A wonderfully tasty popcorn seasoning that's guaranteed to turn your fingers orange!
Course Seasoning
Cuisine American
Keyword popcorn, seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 49kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • To use, sprinkle or spoon over hot popped popcorn and stir or toss.

Notes

Add a little cayenne for a little kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 5mg | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.01mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Blimpie’s Roast Beef and Provolone Sub In A Tub

I’ve been on a ‘sub in a tub’ journey lately. I just love the ease and flavor from a quick salad that mimics my favorite sandwiches. I can make them the night before in just minutes. They’re great at home, at the office, on a picnic… anywhere! Today I had a Blimpie’s roast beef and provolone sub in a tub. I use a mix of 50/50 iceberg and green leaf lettuce to start with. I add a little chopped onion and tomato. And then comes the sliced roast beef sandwich meat and provolone cheese. Topped with my favorite salad dressing, this is my kind of lunch!

Blimpie's Roast Beef and Provolone Sub In A Tub

Eating Out Of A Tub Is Fun

I don’t know why I love eating my Blimpie’s roast beef and provolone sub in a tub out of a tub so much. Heck, I was eating at home. I have salad bowls and plates. Too many of them in fact. But there’s something about eating out of a tub. One thing I’ve noticed is that the salad and dressing seem to mix better. Easier. Nothing is flying off my plate as I stir, getting that dressing on every salad ingredient.

Prep Ahead For Easy Salads

I spend a few minutes a few times a week preparing the ingredients I need for my subs in a tub. In one container I place a mix of lettuces, chopped to bite-sized pieces. In another, chopped Roma tomato. Why Roma? I’ve found them to be tastier and easier to chop. And cheaper. I just make sure that they are good and ripe. Last, I have a container for chopped onion. I cut the sandwich meat and cheese when I make the salads, though I could easily prepare them ahead of time too.

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Also try a delicious Subway rotisserie-style chicken sub in a tub.

Blimpie's Roast Beef and Provolone Sub In A Tub
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Blimpie’s Roast Beef and Provolone Sub In A Tub

Eating out of a tub is fun!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword sub in a tub
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 103kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce.
  • Slice the cheese and add to the lettuce along with the tomato and onion.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

This salad can be made a day ahead. Just cover and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1269IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Buffalo Rib Tips

Sure I love smoked ribs. My favorite are St. Louis-style, or trimmed spareribs. Nice and meaty and a little fatty. I can definitely eat my share of them. But my favorite part of spareribs is the rib tips. Those little end pieces that most people don’t pay attention to. They’re fantastic. A bit fattier than the ribs themselves. Crazy tender. And oh so flavorful. Usually I have them sauced up in BBQ sauce. But not today. Today was even more special. It was time to make Buffalo rib tips. Just like the Buffalo wings that I also love so much, but made with rib tips. These are easily some of the best things I’ve ever had.

No Picky Tips

I am not that picky when it comes to trimming my rib tips. I cut them off the ends of the rack of spareribs and into bite-sized pieces. I barely trim them. That part is up to you. They can be fairly fatty, and some could probably use a little trimming. I don’t mind if some pieces are big and some are small. If consistency is your thing, feel free to cut them all equally-sized. It won’t change how great these Buffalo rib tips taste. They’re amazing.

A Sports Bar Favorite?

I’m convinced that these would make for the perfect bar food. Heck, I’d head down to my local sports bar watering hole and order a basket of these and watch the game on the big screen. I might even order a beer or two with them. And I’d have one heck of a great time, too, because they’re amazing. Better than wings? Hmmmmm. Let’s say just as great and leave it at that. They really should be on everyone’s menu!

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Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

Buffalo Rib Tips
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5 from 1 vote

Buffalo Rib Tips

Tender delicious bites with just the right amount of heat!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, rib tips
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 278kcal

Ingredients

For the smoker

For the deep-fryer

For the Buffalo sauce

Instructions

For the smoker

  • Fire up your smoker for smoking at 250 F. Add a few chunks of wood. I prefer fruit woods for rib tips, but post oak and hickory are great too.
  • Place the rib tips in a large bowl and season well. Toss to make sure they are coated evenly with the seasoning.
  • Add rib tips to the smoker and cook for 2 hours. They will turn a deep brown color and will be nearly cooked through.
  • Remove and let cool while you set up the deep-fryer and make the Buffalo sauce.

For the deep-fryer

  • Heat a few inches of oil to 350 F in a deep fryer or Dutch oven.
  • Cut the rib tips into smaller bite-sized pieces if desired.
  • Working in batches if needed, fry the rib tips for 2 1/2 minutes, turning as they fry. The edges will crisp up a little as they fry.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain then transfer to a large bowl.

For the Buffalo sauce

  • Place butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Once melted, stir in the hot sauce, cayenne and chicken bouillon.
  • Stir until smooth.
  • Pour over rib tips and stir or toss to coat.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping!

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1141mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1149IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Beer-Battered Fried Radishes

It’s not uncommon for me to have deep-fried foods in my thoughts. I had just finished off a great batch of smoked deep-fried wings. I was looking for the next thing to immerse in hot oil. I’ve done all the ‘usual’. Pickles. Jalapenos. You know. But… I hadn’t tried beer-battered fried radishes. I used my go-to beer-batter. For dipping, I made a roasted garlic aioli but blue cheese or ranch dressing would’ve sufficed. The radishes have a little heat to them. Not like jalapenos of course, but they’d definitely make for a great treat for those that can’t take that heat. They keep a little of that crunch and there’s extra crunch from the batter. They’re easy, fun, and delicious!

Beer-Battered Fried Radishes

Crunch Selected

How you slice your radishes helps determine how crunchy your beer-battered fried radishes are going to be. Thinner means less crunch, thicker means more. Fry time also comes into play. Longer time in that oil can make the batter crunchier but the radishes not so much. And last, there’s the drain and cool time. Don’t let them sit out too long before serving. Serve them hot, but not scalding.

I know, it sounds like a lot of rules. But it’s easy. Try a few and see what you think. Maybe you want them thicker. Or thinner. Maybe you want them fried longer. Or less. If I made it sound complicated, it’s not because they’re great no matter what and it all comes down to personal preference!

These radishes are the perfect side for my batter-fried pork tenderloin sandwiches.

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Of course there’s nothing wrong with some good ole beer-battered mushrooms too!

Beer-Battered Fried Radishes
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Beer-Battered Fried Radishes

Tasty and different!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, radishes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Get happy time 12 hours
Servings 4
Calories 363kcal

Ingredients

For the radishes

For the garlic aioli (make first)

Instructions

For the garlic aioli (make first)

  • Heat oven to 400 F.
  • Trim off the top of each head of garlic and remove any loose outer skin.
  • Place garlic heads on a piece of foil, cut-side up.
  • Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Wrap heads up in foil and bake 50-60 minutes or until the garlic is soft.
  • Remove, unwrap and let cool.
  • Squeeze the heads to remove the garlic cloves. Mash with the back of a knife.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper and mashed roasted garlic.
  • Refrigerate for 12-24 hours.

For the radishes

  • Heat 2-3" of oil to 375 F in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the beer, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper and parsley flakes until a batter forms. You may have to add more beer if it's too thick but don't add too much! Just a little at a time. If the batter gets too thin add a little flour and whisk.
  • Add in the sliced radishes and toss to coat.
  • Working in batches, deep fry the radishes until golden brown.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet with a wire rack to drain.
  • Serve with the garlic aioli for dipping.

Notes

Make the garlic aioli the day ahead.
You might have leftover aioli. It’s great on hamburgers!
Depending on the size of the radishes and how thick or thin you cut them, you might have extra batter. Just deep-fry more of them!

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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BBQ Velveeta Smash Burgers

There was a block of Velveeta cheese sitting in my fridge. Most of it was gone. But not all. What was I going to do with the last 3 inches of Velveeta? Put it on crackers, maybe? That’s not a bad idea. But BBQ Velveeta smash burgers are a much, much better idea. Velveeta’s job in life is to melt and get gooey good and a smash burger is a darned good place to do that. These aren’t complicated burgers. But the combination of BBQ sauce and Velveeta works for me. These make for an easy, quick and delicious meal!

BBQ Velveeta Smash Burgers

Need More?

You can put whatever you want on these burgers. Me, I like them simple. But anything that works for you will work on these burgers. Bacon. Lettuce. Tomato. Mayonnaise. Yeah, mayonnaise (in my opinion, an often-overlooked great addition to any burger). Go for it!

It’s Really Easy

These BBQ Velveeta smash burgers are pretty easy to make. And they’re fun. And mighty tasty. We aren’t doing anything fancy here. We make some burgers, top them with Velveeta, get that melty, and slap them on some buns slathered with BBQ sauce. Oh, and add a few red onions for a little crunch.

If you want more toppings, go for it. They’re your burgers. Sometimes I keep them simple, like these so I get the simple (but great) tastes of beef, cheese and BBQ sauce.

The equipment

Here’s the equipment I use. You can get by using two cast iron skillets. Use a larger skillet for cooking the burgers, and a smaller one to smash the burgers and keep them flat. Since I’m a cooking gadget collector, I prefer to use a few more tools.

The griddle

First, a griddle. You can buy griddles that sit on top of your grill grates or ones that replace them. Just about every grill I have has a griddle on it. I use them for a lot of things, not just smash burgers. You want one that can be placed over the hottest part of your grill so it gets screaming hot.

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A burger press

Next, you need a burger press. You can use a heavy cast iron skillet, like I mentioned. Or get a burger press. For easy cleanup I wrap mine in foil first. When I’m done, just peel off the foil and toss. Super easy. Get a press that’s at least big enough to cover two burgers. You only smash one at a time, but if you want to keep them flat, you want to rest the press on top so bigger (and heavier) is better. Plus I’ve found that a bigger, heavier press tends to stay on the burgers whereas a smaller, lighter one is hard to keep centered on the burgers, especially if you have a bunch of them cooking at once.

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A dome

Next up, a dome. While not 100% required, it does speed the time it takes to melt the cheese and it does it in a nice even fashion. In my opinion you don’t really need one if you’re using a super melty cheese, such as American, but for thicker slices like say a deli pepper jack, you want the cheese to melt before you overcook the burger and that’s where a dome comes in handy.

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Cleaning time!

Lastly, you need something to clean your griddle. I like to clean mine when I’m done cooking, but you can do it at the start instead. I use one of these pad holders with a griddle cleaning pad. Then I add a bit of water to my griddle then use the pad (connected to the holder) to scrub off any big chunks and get up some of the grease. I don’t go crazy with it, I always heat the heck out of my griddle before cooking, but I get the worst. The long arm on the pad holder makes it perfect for scrubbing a hot griddle, too.

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Also try my bacon cheddar ranch smash burgers! Looking for sliders instead? Try my beef bouillon slider smash burgers instead!

BBQ Velveeta Smash Burgers
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

BBQ Velveeta Smash Burgers

You can put whatever you want on these burgers.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword smash burgers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 446kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

For the smash burgers

  • Fire up your grill for medium-high heat. Place a griddle or a large cast iron pan over the highest heat.
  • Toast buns as desired. You can do this on the grill or however you desire.
  • Add the balls of ground beef to the griddle. Let them cook untouched for 2 minutes then flatten out with a spatula or burger press.
  • Season the tops liberally with salt and pepper and cook another minute.
  • Flip the patties and season again.
  • Let the patties cook until you start to notice a little char along the edges.
  • Top patties with the Velveeta and let cook another 30 seconds to melt the cheese. For maximum Velveeta meltiness, cover with the dome to speed the process.
  • Divide BBQ sauce between the cut sides of the buns. Don't be shy!
  • Remove the patties and place on bun bottoms.
  • Add red onions.
  • Devour immediately.

Notes

After you make a few smash burgers the process becomes very easy and always delivers great results.

Nutrition

Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

I have tremendous self-control around delicious Ranch dressings. Ok, no I don’t. Not even close to it. And Brother Jimmy’s buttermilk Ranch salad dressing is absolutely no help at all either. This is one crazy-good dressing. It doesn’t have a lot of ingredients but yet it comes out fantastically Ranch-y. Perfectly creamy.

Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

The Theory Behind Dressing Cups

I thought I was being smart when I bought these little cups for serving great dressings like Brother Jimmy’s buttermilk Ranch salad dressing. I figured, “Ha!” I’ll just put a single serving amount on the plate and hide the rest in the fridge. That way I won’t use an embarrassingly huge amount of dressing on my salads. Problem? Solved.

Nope.

First, I fill them up all the way to the top. Second, well, more than one cup comes in the box when it arrives. That’s not helpful. And third, well, the fridge isn’t that far away.

I tried. But this dressing is so good it does not help with self-control. Sorry.

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This dressing is great on salads. It’s also perfect for dipping my restaurant-style deep-fried mushrooms!

Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

This is one crazy-good dressing.
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword buttermilk, Ranch, salad dressing
Prep Time 5 minutes
Get happy time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 163kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
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…