Tag: recipe

Chili Crunch Burger

I’ve been jonesin’ really bad for a really good burger. A loaded burger, with lots of spicy kick to it. So I fired up my grill and proceeded to make a big ole chili crunch burger. Spicy chili. Crunchy chips. Sweet onions. Hot jalapenos. All topped with fiery habanero cheese. Yeah, baby, spicy messy burger time!

Chili Crunch Burger

Grab Some Paper Towels, You’ll Need Them

There is nothing but goodness in every bite of this chili crunch burger. Chili and yummy burger juices will run down your arm. That goes with my ‘messier is better’ motto. Melted cheese will drip onto your plate. That’s why you want to keep a few extra Fritos around so you can scoop up the fallen chili and cheese. It’s like having bonus dip on your plate.

Fresh Is Best, But Canned Is Ok Too

Although I prefer fresh jalapenos, sometimes they aren’t available. That’s when I substitute canned (not pickled) chopped jalapenos. My favorite are fire-roasted. The roasting adds a great sweet charred flavor to any dish.

I like to use a burger press when I make burgers. It, in combination with some patty papers, enables me to crank out a whole bunch of equally-sized burger patties in no time at all with little cleanup.

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

Also try my creamy mushroom burger.

Chili Crunch Burger
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5 from 1 vote

Chili Crunch Burger

 I fired up my grill and proceeded to make a big ole chili crunch burger. Spicy chili. Crunchy chips. Sweet onions. Hot jalapenos. All topped with fiery habanero cheese. Yeah, baby, spicy messy burger time!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, chili, corn chips
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 496kcal
Author Based on a recipe from King’s Hawaiian

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a large bowl.
  • Season with salt, pepper and cayenne and mix well. Form into 8 1/4 pound patties.
  • Grill burgers as desired.
  • Place cooked patties on bun bottoms.
  • Top with cheese, a few tablespoons of the chili, the onion, and jalapeno.
  • Add a few corn chips and the bun top and serve (with paper towels!).

Notes

Too spicy? Use Monterey jack cheese instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 406mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black

Chorizo-Stuffed Fritos on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Very few things are as addictive as chorizo-stuffed Fritos made on the Char-Broil Big Easy. These little bite-sized snacks disappear in no time. As an added bonus, they are incredibly easy to make. You can fit a whole bunch of stuffed Fritos on the Big Easy, making it perfect for cooking for a crowd, if you have the available cooking rack.

Chorizo-Stuffed Fritos on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Spicy Chorizo

Just about anything you put in the Fritos is going to taste great. I used Mexican chorizo because I love the spiciness that is brings to dishes, but ground breakfast sausage would also be fantastic.

Caution! Hot!

Be careful when pulling these chorizo-stuffed Fritos off your Big Easy. In no time the chips get mighty hot, so use tongs or let them cool a bit first before handling and eating. You can also make these great Fritos on your grill.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack
Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Chorizo-Stuffed Fritos on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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4 from 1 vote

Chorizo-Stuffed Fritos on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Very few things are as addicting as chorizo-stuffed Fritos. These little bite-sized snacks disappear in no time. As an added bonus, they are incredibly easy to make.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, corn chips, sausage, stuffed
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 271kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 bags Fritos Scoops grab 2 bags in case it’s hard to find the perfectly-shaped chips
  • 1 pound Mexican chorizo cooked, finely crumbled (Note: If you cannot crumble the sausage well enough, toss the slightly-cooled cooked chorizo into a food processor and pulse a few times)
  • 2 cups shredded cheese extra sharp cheddar or pepperjack work great!
  • 1 cup Ranch salad dressing
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce or more, to taste, chopped, along with some of the adobo sauce
  • 4 green onions sliced thin, for garnish

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Open the bag of chips and place in a large bowl. Go through them and grab the biggest, best scooping chips you can find.
  • Combine the crumbled chorizo and cheese. Press lightly into the chips and transfer to the cooking rack.
  • Lower rack into the Big Easy and cook until the cheese is melted on all levels, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the rack and let cool slightly.
  • While the chips are cooling whisk together the dressing and chipotle with adobo.
  • Serve chips drizzled with the sauce and garnished with green onions.

Notes

You’ll need the 6-level cooking rack from Char-Broil to heat up a bunch of these treats at once.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 501IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Fat Johnny’s Cheesy Cornbread

Chez John (aka Fat Johnny) turns out some mighty darned good grub (check out his awesome food blog at Fat Johnny’s Front Porch). Like his Fat Johnny’s cheesy cornbread, one of our all-time favorites. We absolutely love the addition of sweet corn to cornbread. It not only adds a little ‘pop’ to every bite, it adds a sweetness and it helps keep the cornbread moist. The cornbread cooks up perfectly. Soft and moist with an incredible cheesy flavor, this is nothing but fantastic.

Fat Johnny's Cheesy Cornbread

Try It Classic First. Then Kick It Up.

Just about anything can be added to Fat Johnny’s cheesy cornbread. Try finely chopped cooked Mexican chorizo. Or ham or bacon. Or broccoli. Really, anything. But at least the first time, you have to make it the way Chef makes it because it’s out-of-this-world fantastic. You won’t want to make cornbread any other way again.

We cooked the cornbread in round pans, but of course you can use muffin tins instead. You can also use a cast iron skillet. The cornbread might cook quicker in tins, so keep an eye on it after about 15 minutes of cooking. Just slide a toothpick into the centers. If it comes out clean, the cornbread is ready to take out and serve!

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle. 12 inches and 10.25 inches with 8 inch Set of 3 Cast Iron Frying Pans
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle. 12 inches and 10.25 inches with 8 inch Set of 3 Cast Iron Frying Pans

Also try some delicious Fat Johnny’s goulash.

Fat Johnny's Cheesy Cornbread
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5 from 1 vote

Fat Johnny’s Cheesy Cornbread

We absolutely love the addition of sweet corn to cornbread. The cornbread cooks up perfectly. Soft and moist with an incredible cheesy flavor.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cheesy, cornbread
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 284kcal
Author Chez John

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 F.
  • Set out two medium bowls.
  • In one bowl, gently stir together all of the wet ingredients.
  • In the other bowl stir together the dry ingredients.
  • Fold the wet ingredients into the dry, forming a batter. If it’s too clumpy add more buttermilk, a little at a time, and stir.
  • Pour batter into a muffin tin or pie pan.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Notes

Substitute pepper jack for the cheddar for  a nice little kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 361IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 234mg | Iron: 2mg

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)
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)

Bistro Burgers

I was jonesin’ for a big, great burger. Hot off the grill. Juicy. Packed with flavor. These Bistro burgers were so good that my wife said “You’re making these again, and soon” after only one bite. Of course, there’s bacon. And a fried egg (burgers and fried eggs were meant for each other). But the kicker? Frisee lettuce tossed with Dijon, shallots and a bit of the drippings from the bacon. My goodness they were great!

Bistro Burgers

Don’t Mess With Perfection

There is nothing I can think of that could possibly make these Bistro burgers any better other than to have made more of them. The Dijon wasn’t too strong (sometimes, too much mustard can be a bad thing), and in fact it was outstanding. Every bite was packed with the perfect tastes.

I like to use a burger press when I make burgers. It, in combination with some patty papers, enables me to crank out a whole bunch of equally-sized burger patties in no time at all with little cleanup.

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

Also try my deluxe Bistro Burger. It has the added kick of horseradish!

Bistro Burgers
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bistro Burgers

There is nothing I can think of that could possibly make these Bistro burgers any better other than to have made more of them. The Dijon wasn’t too strong (sometimes, too much mustard can be a bad thing), and in fact it was outstanding. Every bite was packed with the perfect tastes.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 burgers
Calories 722kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Food Network

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef divided into 4 patties
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard plus more for spreading
  • 1 shallot sliced thin
  • 1 bunch frisee lettuce torn

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill.
  • Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Reserve all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings.
  • Season the burger patties and place on the grill.
  • While the burgers are cooking fry the egg in the skillet. Remove.
  • Cook burgers until they reach the desired doneness.
  • Toast buns as desired.
  • Whisk 1 tablespoon of the Dijon and 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon drippings. Stir in the shallots then toss the frisee into the mixture, coating
  • Slather buns with a bit more of the Dijon.
  • Add the cooked patties, bacon, egg, frisee and bun tops. Enjoy!

Notes

Good buns make for good burgers!

Nutrition

Calories: 722kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 321mg | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black
Cuisinart CSBP-100 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press, Black

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing

Strawberries are in season here and it’s a happy time! I’ve been waiting for this moment to make this copycat of Panera’s strawberry poppy seed dressing. My patience was definitely rewarded and then some. This could easily be my favorite salad dressing of all time. Smooth strawberry flavor with just a bit of sweetness. White balsamic vinegar, while not as cheap as the dark version, is more mellow and adds a great tang.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing

What Is White Balsamic Vinegar?

I was curious what makes white balsamic vinegar more gentle than dark, so I Googled it. Turns out dark balsamic vinegar is aged for at least twelve years in barrels that have been fired and were previously used for other batches of balsamic vinegar. White balsamic vinegar, on the other hand, is aged at least twelve years in new barrels that have not been fired or used before. That explains the cleaner flavor! It’s perfect in this copycat Panera strawberry poppy seed dressing.

Other Berries Work Too!

After I use up this batch of dressing (read: tonight), I think I’ll try the same recipe but using raspberries instead. Or peaches. I think this same approach could work well with any good in-season fruit.

Check out my new site, Dress My Salad, for more great salad dressing ideas!

Kakamono 2-pack Porous Squeeze Bottles,Leak Proof Refillable Condiment Container for Kitchen Use,Salad Dressings,top dispensers for ketchup mustard mayo hot sauces olive oil(10 oz)
Kakamono 2-pack Porous Squeeze Bottles,Leak Proof Refillable Condiment Container for Kitchen Use,Salad Dressings,top dispensers for ketchup mustard mayo hot sauces olive oil(10 oz)

Also try my copycat of Chipotle’s Honey Vinaigrette.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
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5 from 1 vote

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing

Strawberries are in season. I’ve been waiting for this moment to make this copycat of Panera’s strawberry poppy seed dressing. My patience was definitely rewarded.
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, salad dressing
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 267kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Skinny Mom

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all of the dressing ingredients except the poppy seeds together in a high-speed blender or food processor and mix until smooth.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial ... Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks Boxed Set: The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook, The Unofficial … Cookbook (Unofficial Cookbook Gift Series)

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love making jerky on my dehydrator. It’s so easy to do and everyone has really enjoyed the end results. Any lean ground meat will work, but I prefer grinding my own top round. This peppered ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro has a nice mellow pepper flavor that is definitely not overwhelming. The meat has the perfect ‘bite’, just a little tug

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Everyone Needs A Jerky Cannon

I use a jerky cannon to make ground beef jerky. It’s essentially a huge caulk gun that, when loaded with seasoned ground meat, shoots out the perfectly-shaped jerky every time.

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when making peppered ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The bottom trays will not dry as quickly as those on top. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Also try my sliced peppered jerky.

Check out my guide to using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. You will be making fantastic jerky at home in no time at all!

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love making jerky on my dehydrator. It’s so easy to do and everyone has really enjoyed the end results. Any lean ground meat will work, but I prefer grinding my own top round. 
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword beef, dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 0.5 pounds
Calories 1265kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, red pepper flake if using, curing salt and water.
  • Pour over the meat and seal. Shake to coat.
  • Refrigerate the meat for up to 8 hours, shaking or massaging every hour or so to get the marinade distributed and absorbed evenly.
  • Remove meat from the marinade and add to a jerky gun.
  • Squeeze out onto Nesco trays. Do not overlap meat.
  • Add the dehydrator top, set to maximum temperature setting and dehydrate for 5 hours, rotating the trays (bottom to top) every 2 hours or so.
  • To test for doneness remove a piece and let cool slightly. Try to bend the meat. If it gives and starts to tear at the bend it is done. If it bends without tearing return to the dehydrator and let it run another 15 minutes and test again. If the meat is crunchy it is overdone but still good. It’s really personal preference as to how you like your jerky. Soft, chewy, crunchy. There’s no wrong here.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

This recipe is for starting with 1 pound of meat. You’ll end up with about 1/2 pound in the end. You can easily double/triple/etc this recipe for large quantities of meat, however 5-6 pounds is about all you can fit onto a Nesco Snackmaster Pro fitted with 12 trays (the unit comes with 5).

Nutrition

Calories: 1265kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 195g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 562mg | Sodium: 736mg | Potassium: 3295mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2372IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 23mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)

Nashville Hot Pickles

Ever since I made a crazy good batch of Nashville Hot Chicken I’ve been jonesin’ for that same great hot crunchy experience on other foods. Like fried pickles. Making these Nashville Hot Pickles was easy, and boy are they packed with a nice kick! I didn’t go the mild route with these, that’s for sure. And to make sure I kept the burn going I served the pickles with a habanero ranch sauce for dipping. If you like spicy, then you’ve come to the right place!

Nashville Hot Pickles

Crunchy And Spicy Perfection

You’re going to see other great dishes like this one for Nashville Hot Pickles here on Life’s A Tomato. I love that great crunchy breading and that fiery hot seasoning. Next up? I’m thinking chicken fingers! Or maybe nuggets! And maybe even chicken wings.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Also try my jalapeno bottle caps and my copycat of Hooter’s fried pickles.

Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Nashville Hot Pickles

Making these Nashville Hot Pickles was easy, and boy are they packed with a nice kick! I didn’t go the mild route with these, that’s for sure.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, pickles, spicy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 91kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the dip

  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce

For the dredge

For frying

For the spicy coating

For serving

Instructions

For the dip

  • Whisk together the milk, eggs and hot sauce in a pie pan or shallow bowl.

For the dredge

  • Whisk together the flour and salt in a pie pan or shallow bowl.

For frying

  • Heat a few inches of oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 325 F.
  • Working in batches, dredge the pickles in the flour. Shake off excess.
  • Dip pickles into the milk mixture. Shake off the excess.
  • Return the pickles to the flour and dredge again. Shake off excess.
  • Transfer pickles to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
  • Place on a rack to cool and drain.

For the spicy coating

  • When you’re done frying the pickles, ladle 1/3 cup of the hot oil into a small sauce pan and whisk in the spicy coating ingredients.
  • Brush mixture over the pickles. The more you brush on, the hotter it’ll be.

Notes

You can also serve the coating on the side, for dipping!

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Deep-Fried Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas just won’t stay crunchy for long. As they cool they get soft and mushy. Ewwwww! The only way to get really crunchy, really great chickpeas is to deep-fry them. Then hit them with your favorite seasonings. Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper are perfect. You don’t have to go crazy with them, you can keep them simple. Then devour.

Deep-Fried Chickpeas

Make Extra. They’ll Be Gone In No Time

I suggest you double the recipe when making these deep-fried chickpeas as you’ll eat half of them while you are finishing cooking the other half. They’ll stay crunchy longer than roasted peas, but they will get softer as time goes on. You won’t have to worry about that because they won’t last that long.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Also try my Kale chips.

Deep-Fried Chickpeas
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Deep-Fried Chickpeas

The only way to get really crunchy, really great chickpeas is to deep-fry them. Then hit them with your favorite seasonings. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword chickpeas, deep-fried
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Empty can into a sieve.
  • Rinse and drain well.
  • Dump beans out onto a kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towels.
  • Pat beans dry. Be thorough – they need to be as dry as possible.
  • Heat 1/2″ of oil in a Dutch oven to 325 F.
  • Working in batches, SLOWLY add the beans to the hot oil. The beans will most likely splatter, especially if they aren't very dry, so keep your face and hands back as you add them to the hot oil.
  • Fry for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Sprinkle with seasoning while they are still hot.
  • Serve hot or cooled.

Notes

Be very careful adding the peas to the hot oil!

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I’m a huge fan of Nashville Hot chicken. You can get it as hot (or not) as you want. Crispy fried chicken, spicy coating. What’s not to love? I’ve made in the deep fryer, now I’ve taken on making Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy. And I won. Nashville Hot chicken on the Big Easy is crazy good. Again, crispy skin. And again, spicy coating. Perfect!

Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

The Big Easy Comes Through As Always

I also have a great recipe for deep-frying Nashville hot chicken. It’s a little more traditional than this Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy version, but both are super tasty! Since my Big Easy version doesn’t require deep-frying you don’t have oil from the fryer to use for the spicy coating. That’s why you’ll have to just make your own spicy coating using oil from your pantry. It’s still fantastic, and hey, you don’t have to mess with deep-frying the chicken!

You can use this same approach for making Nashville hot chicken wings, thighs, legs, and even boneless chicken breasts!

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Also try my downtown roasted chicken on the Big Easy. There’s nothing that the Big Easy doesn’t do great.

It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare grease trays on hand for your Char-Broil Big Easy.

Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack
Char-Broil 2425514W12 Big Easy Grease Tray, Silver- 5 pack

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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5 from 1 vote

Nashville Hot Chicken on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I’m a huge fan of Nashville Hot chicken. You can get it as hot (or not) as you want. Crispy fried chicken, spicy coating. What’s not to love? 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, chicken, spicy
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 servings
Calories 274kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chicken

For the spicy coating

Instructions

  • Rinse chicken and pat dry.
  • Brush the chicken on all sides with the hot sauce.
  • Season well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cooking.
  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Place the chicken into the basket and lower into the cooker.
  • Cook chicken until it reaches 165 F as measured in several locations, 10-15 minutes per pound.
  • Remove chicken and brush with the spicy coating. Use a little or a lot depending on how hot you want the chicken.
  • Serve with dill pickles and white bread.

For the spicy coating

  • Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk until well combined.
  • Keep warm on low until ready to use.
  • Stir before brushing onto the chicken.

Notes

You can also serve the coating on the side, for dipping!

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 871mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket
Char-Broil The Big Easy Bunk Bed Basket

Grilled Sweet BBQ Bacon

This grilled sweet BBQ bacon takes candied bacon to a whole new fantastic place. The bacon gets ‘happy’ overnight in an off-the-shelf marinade, getting infused with slightly sweet BBQ flavors. Skewered and onto the grill over indirect heat until just starting to get golden brown. Any more and the marinade will caramelize.

Grilled Sweet BBQ Bacon

Bacon Appetizers. Yes. Bacon Appetizers.

After cooling (and I have to admit, some didn’t cool much before I devoured them) you have wondrous appetizer bacon-on-a-stick. Grilled Sweet BBQ bacon is the stuff dreams are made of. You won’t find yourself eating just one, that’s for sure. You can serve them as appetizers. You can serve them as desserts.

Great On Burgers, Too

I also took some of the bacon off the skewers and saved it for topping burgers later in the day. The bacon adds tremendous flavor to a burger. Way, way beyond your usual bacon. No plain ole bacon here. People will take that first bite and their faces will light up knowing they just had something truly special.

Weber 3 Piece Stainless Steel Premium Tool Set, Black
Weber 3 Piece Stainless Steel Premium Tool Set, Black

Breakfast on the grill is great. Trying grilling up some biscuits to go with your bacon!

Grilled Sweet BBQ Bacon
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Sweet BBQ Bacon

Great eaten right off the skewers, or remove and use as the best burger topping ever!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, grilled
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Calories 1891kcal
Author Based on a recipe from My Man’s Belly

Equipment

  • Skewers soaked at least 4 hours before grilling

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Separate bacon strips and place into a large resealable container or baggie.
  • Add the marinade. Seal and toss gently to coat.
  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
  • Turn the bacon over every few hours to get the marinade well-distributed.
  • Thread the bacon onto the skewers. I found it easiest to first fold the bacon like an accordion, then I fed the skewer through the middle.
  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Place the skewers onto the grill.
  • Grill for 10 minutes then flip and continue grilling another 5-10 minutes or until the bacon is done. NOTE: The bacon will not be crispy. Do not let it cook until it gets dark.
  • If you are serving the bacon on skewers as meat snacks, let them cool before serving.
  • If you are using the bacon on burgers or sandwiches, immediately remove the bacon from the skewers before cooling. Once the bacon cools it will be very difficult to remove the skewers.

Notes

Try this recipe using your favorite store-bought or homemade marinade!

Nutrition

Calories: 1891kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 180g | Saturated Fat: 60g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 299mg | Sodium: 3003mg | Potassium: 898mg | Vitamin A: 168IU | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush
Weber 6493 21-Inch 3-Sided Grill Brush