Montreal Steak Seasoning

Also known as Canadian steak seasoning, this Montreal steak seasoning mix is perfect on burgers, steaks or potatoes. Or on my favorite, smoked habanero meatloaf. This is a great mix to keep on hand in the pantry at all times.

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf Version 2.0

Make It Coarse. Or Fine.

The original recipe for Montreal steak seasoning (as stated below) does call for quite a bit of salt. I suggest starting with half the suggested amount and tasting as you add more, if you need it. I was using the mix in a meatloaf. I wanted it to be a little finer than if it was just mixed up. So I did a few quick grinds with a mortar and pestle. That got rid of any large pieces of spices.

Also try my homemade chili seasoning.

Smoked Habanero Meatloaf Version 2.0
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Montreal Steak Seasoning

Course Spice Mix
Cuisine American
Keyword Montreal Steak
Servings 0.5 cups
Calories 61kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.
  • Depending on how you wish to use the seasoning, you may want to lightly grind it using a mortar and pestle.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 27978mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1386IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Almost-Fried Smoked Chicken Wings

These are my wife’s favorite chicken wings. Me, I’m happy enough with just cooking them up on my Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-less Turkey Fryer using the Wingin’ator 3000 modification. But, that being said, I also love these crunchy almost-fried smoked chicken wings that require no frying at all. They have a tremendous smoky flavor, and a nice crunch. They are tender and juicy and can be made on a smoker (I use a Weber Smokey Mountain 18-1/2-Inch Charcoal Smoker) or over indirect heat on a charcoal or gas grill.

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

Almost-Fried Smoked Chicken Wings

A Simple Sauce Is All You Need

For the sauce I just threw a bunch of extras in with some BBQ sauce. It had a nice kick, but wasn’t crazy hot. It’s perfect for my almost-fried smoked chicken wings.

If you prefer to just go for the gusto and deep fry your wings, try my fried smoked wings recipe. They are beyond great.

Almost-Fried Smoked Chicken Wings
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Almost-Fried Smoked Chicken Wings

I love these wings because they require no frying at all. They have a tremendous smoky flavor, and a nice crunch. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword smoked, wings
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 8
Calories 437kcal

Ingredients

For the wings

For the dipping sauce

Instructions

For the wings

  • Place wings into a large resealable container. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of rub. Seal and shake to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Fire up your smoker for 250 F smoking and add a few chunks of light wood, such as apple or hickory.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and 1 tablespoon of the rub.
  • In another medium bowl, combine the flour and corn meal and 2 tablespoons of the rub.
  • Working in batches, dip the wings into the egg mixture. Shake off the excess.
  • Then roll the wings in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess.
  • Transfer wings to the smoker.
  • Cook for 30 minutes at 250 F.
  • Very gently flip the wings and cook another 30 minutes.
  • Continue flipping (very gently!) every 30 minutes until the wings are done, about 2 hours.

For the dipping sauce

  • Warm the sauce in a medium sauce pan.
  • Whisk in the remaining ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Serve warm for dipping.

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 809mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 589IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Dinosaur-Style BBQ Beans

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a small chain of BBQ restaurants in the northeast, and now, also in Chicago. If these dinosaur-style BBQ beans are any indication of how good their food is, it’s a place well worth visiting. These beans are crazy good, thanks mostly to the barbecue sauce and my favorite, crumbled cooked Italian sausage.

Dinosaur-Style BBQ Beans

Italian Sausage Adds So Much Flavor

I recently started adding Italian sausage to my chili recipes. The Italian sausage adds a fantastic flavor and texture to the chili, just like it does to these dinosaur-style BBQ beans. You can use spicy sausage to kick things up even more. Of course, you can also add leftover chopped, cubed shredded pulled pork or smoked brisket (yum!).

Also try my quick-fix BBQ beans.

Dinosaur-Style BBQ Beans
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Dinosaur-Style BBQ Beans

These beans are crazy good, thanks mostly to the barbecue sauce and my favorite, crumbled cooked Italian sausage.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword baked beans
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 13
Calories 164kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper along with a pinch each of salt and pepper.
  • Cook until soft.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook until done.
  • Drain any excess fat.
  • Add the beans and stir.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add remaining ingredients.
  • Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge. Warm over medium heat and stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Spicy Sausage Pasta

Sometimes, I’m all about making a quick and easy dinner. But that doesn’t mean I will sacrifice flavor. This recipe for spicy sausage pasta uses ingredients I almost always have on hand. The end result was nice and creamy, with a good bit of heat. It ain’t fancy, but it didn’t have to be fancy. Just good.

Spicy Sausage Pasta

Nothing Fancy Here. But It Is Tasty.

You can tone down the heat in this dish, but honestly, it’s not that spicy. For nice little change, substitute andouille (cooked thoroughly) for the smoked sausage.

Although I used fresh, dried pasta works just as well. Just cook per the package instructions and enjoy!

Also try my spicy sausage and sun-dried tomato penne pasta.

Spicy Sausage Pasta
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Spicy Sausage Pasta

This recipe for spicy sausage pasta uses ingredients I almost always have on hand. The end result was nice and creamy, with a good bit of heat. It ain’t fancy, but it didn’t have to be fancy. Just good.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword pasta, sausage, spicy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 578kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook pasta per package instructions.
  • Heat oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. (I used a 12″ cast-iron skillet)
  • Add the sausage and onion and cook until both are lightly browned.
  • Add the garlic, stir, and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add broth, tomatoes, cream, and salt and pepper (to taste) and stir.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the pasta.
  • Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
  • Place skillet under the broiler until the top is starting to brown and the sauce is bubbly hot.
  • Serve garnished with green onions or parsley if desired.

Notes

You can also use andouille sausage.

Nutrition

Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1789mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 694IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Chicken Po Boy

The flavor from the marinade on this chicken is unbelievable. It makes for an absolutely awesome grilled chicken po boy, but the chicken would be just fine eaten by itself. Combine the tender, juicy flavorful chicken with some Kaw-Cajun Comeback sauce (or your favorite remoulade), fresh bread, lettuce, tomato and pickle and you have a sandwich you won’t soon forget.

Grilled Chicken Po Boy

Get Messy With it

I like to really load up on the remoulade sauce. The messier this grilled chicken po boy is, the better it is, is my motto. Plus, that remoulade sauce is fantastic. It has a nice kick to it. I always save that last little end bite of the bread for sopping up any juices that have accumulated on the plate. That’s the best bite of the entire dish right there. Everything in one big old delicious morsel!

If you’re not into messy go light on the remoulade. Or put some in a bowl on the side and dip the sandwich in it instead. Kinda like a French dip but oh so much better!

Also try my very messy grilled chicken and gravy sandwiches.

Grilled Chicken Po Boy
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Grilled Chicken Po Boy

The flavor from the marinade on this chicken is unbelievable. It makes for an absolutely awesome grilled chicken po boy, but the chicken would be just fine eaten by itself.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, grilled, sandwich
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 9024kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chicken

For the po boy

Instructions

For the chicken

  • Pound the chicken out thin.
  • Place remaining ingredients into a blender and blend for 15 seconds.
  • Place chicken into a resealable baggie or container.
  • Add the marinade, Shake to coat and seal.
  • Refrigerate overnight.

For the po boy

  • Fire up your grill and grill the chicken, turning once, until done (175 F internal temperature).
  • Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes then slice thin against the grain.
  • Warm bread if desired.
  • Top bread with chicken, then add the lettuce, tomato and pickles.
  • Add remoulade and enjoy!

Notes

I also like these served with mayonnaise instead of the remoulade.

Nutrition

Calories: 9024kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1475g | Fat: 301g | Saturated Fat: 85g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4149mg | Sodium: 4354mg | Potassium: 24704mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 373mg | Iron: 37mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Kaw-Cajun 4-Bean Salad

This Kaw-Cajun 4-bean salad is an incredible take on a traditional bean salad. Chez John (of Fat Johnny’s Front Porch fame) gave me this recipe a few years ago. It has become a favorite of ours. It’s not the beans that set this salad apart from the rest, it’s the dressing. Who would’ve thought that tomato soup in a bean salad would be so good. It is ok that you’d just want to drink the liquid all day, right?

Kaw-Cajun 4-Bean Salad

A Big Batch Of Salad Is A Good Thing

This recipe for Kaw-Cajun 4-Bean salad makes a pretty good sized batch. Still you’ll want to double or triple it for a big family get-together. And be sure to make it a day ahead. The beans get even happier after an all-night soak in the dressing.

Also try my southern kidney bean salad and my tangy bean salad. And my all-time classic favorite, my mom’s bean salad.

Kaw-Cajun 4-Bean Salad
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Kaw-Cajun 4-Bean Salad

This Kaw-Cajun 4-bean salad is an incredible take on a traditional bean salad. Who would’ve thought that tomato soup in a bean salad would be so good?
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword bean salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 495kcal
Author Chez John

Ingredients

For the dressing

For the salad

Instructions

For the dressing

  • Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil.
  • Stir to make sure the sugar is dissolved completely.
  • Remove from heat.

For the salad

  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add dressing and stir to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Serve chilled.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 753mg | Potassium: 749mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 770IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoked Rosemary Nuts

Nothing is easier than smoking nuts. I use my Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker, but you can also smoke them on your gas or charcoal grill using a couple of added wood chunks. Smoking raw nuts only takes 20-25 minutes, so why not make a batch or smoked rosemary today for the big game?

Smoked Rosemary Nuts

Surprisingly Good

These smoked rosemary nuts have a fantastic light rosemary taste (and aroma). They are a wonderful variation on your ‘usual’ smoked hot nuts. I really wasn’t expecting this to be so good. I’m not really sure what I was expecting. Well, that’s not true. Half of me thought they’d not be something I would enjoy. I was wrong as heck. I loved them.

Also try my spicy smoked nuts. They have a bit more kick than these rosemary-infused nuts.

Smoked Rosemary Nuts
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Smoked Rosemary Nuts

These smoked rosemary nuts have a fantastic light rosemary taste (and aroma). They are a wonderful variation on your ‘usual’ smoked hot nuts. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword nuts, smoked
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Calories 3044kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for 325 F cooking over a mild wood (I used cherry). (If you are using a Weber Smoky Mountain smoker, do not add water to the water pan).
  • Place the nuts in a medium bowl.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients in another bowl and pour over the nuts. Toss to coat completely.
  • Pour nuts into a disposable aluminum foil half sheet pan or pie pan.
  • Place onto smoker (top rack if using a Weber Smoky Mountain) and smoke for 20-25 minutes, stirring once.
  • Spread nuts out on a foil-lined baking sheet to cool and dry completely.
  • Serve.

Notes

Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 3044kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 79g | Fat: 268g | Saturated Fat: 53g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 2388mg | Potassium: 2755mg | Fiber: 41g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1535IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 341mg | Iron: 17mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

We love our taco seasoning mix. It has a great spicy flavor that is perfect with ground beef for tacos. For fajitas we use this mix. Fajita seasoning mix doesn’t just have to be used on fajitas. We enjoy it mixed in (about a tablespoons worth) with sautéed bell peppers and sweet onions (one each medium green and red bell peppers and a medium sweet onion). The combination makes for the perfect burgers and hot dogs topping.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

Use This Everywhere

You can also sprinkle a bit of this fajita seasoning mix on hot dogs, grill them, and serve them on buns topped with the fajita-seasoned veggies. Add a little cheese too. We chopped the peppers and onion for the hot dogs. More fajita seasoning is a good thing.

We seasoned a few home-ground beef patties with the mix, grilled them, then served them topped with the veggies, which were sliced.

Make a big batch of this and keep it in an airtight container in your pantry. This mix is perfect on beef. For chicken fajitas, try my chicken seasoning.

Fajita Seasoning Mix
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Fajita Seasoning Mix

Fajita seasoning mix doesn’t just have to be used on fajitas. We enjoy it mixed in (about a tablespoons worth) with sauteed bell peppers and sweet onions (one each medium green and red bell peppers and a medium sweet onion), which we then used to top burgers and hot dogs.
Course Seasoning Mix
Cuisine American
Keyword seasoning, southwestern
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 191kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14233mg | Potassium: 953mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7810IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Corn Disks with Southwestern Butter

We loved the grilled corn disks with honey butter that we made recently. Sweet corn is in season here in Indiana (shout out to My Dad’s Sweet Corn!), and that’s always a good thing. Nothing beats fresh sweet corn. But after eating those yummy little bites dipped in sweet honey and butter, I figured, well, I need something with a bit more kick. So I made grilled corn disks with southwestern butter. Equally as good as the sweet version, but with a little kick. The heat is the perfect contrast to the corn’s natural sweetness.

Grilled Corn Disks with Southwestern Butter

Dangerous Dipping Ahead

I dunk my grilled corn disks with southwestern butter a lot. A whole lot. It puts regular ole butter to shame. Any leftover butter (if you have any) goes on anything, but it’s especially good on corn bread or biscuits. Also try slathering your grilled corn with some Sriracha mayonnaise. It’s different, but boy is it every good.

Get yourself a good set of grill tools for these corn disks and anything else you grill. You won’t regret the extra few bucks they cost over the cheap ones that you’re going to have to replace in a few years. I have had several sets of Weber tools for decades and have yet to replace a single one.

Grilled Corn Disks with Southwestern Butter
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Grilled Corn Disks with Southwestern Butter

Nothing beats fresh sweet corn. But, I after eating those yummy little bites dipped in sweet honey and butter, I figured, well, I need something with a bit more kick. So I made grilled corn disks with southwestern butter
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn-on-the-cob, grilled
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 135kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Place the corn disks in a large bowl and drizzle with the oil and toss to coat.
  • Place corn on the grill and cook 5-10 minutes per side until the corn is tender.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the remaining ingredients.
  • Brush the cooked corn with some of the butter mixture.
  • Serve corn garnished with parsley along with the remaining butter for dipping.

Notes

I like to use roasted garlic in this recipe, too.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 396IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Sandwich

After hearing that one of the sandwiches that the Serendipity food truck (sadly, no longer around) serves is based on a spinach and artichoke dip, I took it as a challenge to take my spinach and artichoke dip and make it into a grilled cheese sandwich. And oh, what a happy day it was. This grilled spinach and artichoke cheese sandwich combines a great cheesy dip with grilled sourdough bread. The result is gooey and savory, a perfect change from the ole traditional grilled cheese sandwich. And oh, the bread! The perfect crunchiness to go with the creamy filling!

Grilled Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Sandwich

Wimpy Bread Need Not Apply

You’ll want to use a thick, hearty bread for these sandwiches. Thin wimpy white bread isn’t going to cut it. I bought a loaf of sourdough and cut it thick.

I used my Cuisinart Griddler to make these sandwiches. It is a sandwich cooking machine. I love it. I use it for whole bunch of other dishes, too. Like pancakes or waffles. And hamburgers. It’s really a versatile tool to have.

The Griddler is a champ at making grilled cheese sandwiches, like my muffuletta grilled cheese, grilled caramel apple cheese, and pepperoni pizza grilled cheese.

Also try my spinach artichoke stuffed hamburgers!

Grilled Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Sandwich
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Sandwich

This grilled spinach and artichoke cheese sandwich combines a great cheesy dip with grilled sourdough bread. The result is gooey and savory, a perfect change from the ole traditional grilled cheese sandwich.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled cheese, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 389kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Spray a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Meanwhile, brush one side of the bread pieces with butter.
  • Place bread, butter side down, into skillet.
  • Spoon as much dip as you want onto one of the bread slices.
  • Cover skillet and cook until bread is browned and dip starts to melt.
  • Assemble sandwich and serve.

Notes

You can make these on any good thick-cut bread, even Texas toast!

Nutrition

Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.