Smoked Sausage Casserole

This smoked sausage casserole is one of my favorite comfort dishes. It has some of my favorite things in it – smoked sausage, hash browns, and peppers. And cheese. How could it not be good? It’s not fancy. It’s not complicated. I just like it.

Smoked Sausage Casserole

You can omit the jalapeno if you want. Or add more. I think this dish needs a little heat. Something to spice it up.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Also try my smoked sausage Alfredo. My baked angel hair with sausage is always a big hit too.

Smoked Sausage Casserole
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4 from 1 vote

Smoked Sausage Casserole

Substitute Creole seasoning for the salt and pepper for an extra flavor kick!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword casserole, sausage, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 641kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound smoked sausage cut into 1/2″ pieces
  • 1 pound hash browns frozen, defrosted
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¾ cup white onion chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 jalapeño seeded, minced
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • ½ teaspoon paprika more or less

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sausage. Cook until lightly browned. Drain.
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ casserole with non-stick spray.
  • Add the potatoes and sausage. Mix.
  • Add the butter to the skillet and melt.
  • Add vegetables and saute for 3 minutes.
  • Add the flour, milk and salt and pepper and cook another 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the cheese.
  • Pour vegetable mixture over potatoes and sausage and stir.
  • Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and browned, and the potatoes are cooked through.

Notes

Don’t fear the jalapeno, it’s not going to add a lot of heat to this dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 641kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 1497mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 321mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

These homemade cinnamon brown sugar Pop Tarts were incredible! And they were so easy to make! They taste just like Pop Tarts. I was so impressed I think I giggled in-between bites. I loved and I do mean LOVED cinnamon Pop Tarts as a kid! Sadly, I could devour a box in no time (assuming Mom wasn’t watching). Just give me some Pop Tarts and a glass of cold milk for dunking and I was one happy boy!

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

The Perfect Crusts

The crusts on these homemade cinnamon brown sugar pop tarts were flaky and light. The filling is oh-so-yummy! These are the perfect milk-dunking pop tarts! As a kid I would often eat the crunchy crusts first. I’d save the soft, warm, delicious middles for last.

Also try my mini cinnamon rolls.

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pop Tarts
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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pop Tarts

My childhood favorite is back and it's homemade!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade, pop tarts
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 409kcal

Ingredients

For the filling

For the glaze

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Lightly dust a work surface with flour.
  • Working one sheet at a time, roll out the pie crusts to about a 1/8″ thickness and cut into 3″ x 4″ rectangles. You should get 6 rectangles out of each dough roll.
  • Place 12 of the dough rectangles onto baking sheets. These will be the bottoms of the tarts.
  • Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush onto the crusts.
  • Make the filling by combining all ingredients and place 1 heaping tablespoon onto the center of each tart bottom. Do not get the filing within 1/4″ of the edges of the dough.
  • Place the remaining dough rectangles on top of the bottoms and press down along the edges with your fingers to seal.
  • Use a fork to then crimp the edges.
  • Brush tops with egg wash.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  • Make the icing by combining all the of ingredients, beating with a fork. Add more milk if the mixture is too thick, but don’t add too much or it’ll be too thin.
  • Brush icing on top of tarts.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

You can freeze these and drop them in the toaster or toaster oven to reheat.

Nutrition

Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

Man oh man, these grilled Jamaican jerk chicken sandwiches disappeared fast. I used my preferred chicken meat, thighs, instead of breasts, but you can certainly use white meat instead. I would recommend butterflying the breasts or just cutting them thin (and to a consistent thickness so they cook evenly). No matter what you use, these sandwiches are nicely spiced, crazy tender and perfectly moist. I wouldn’t change a thing about them.

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

Any Good Jerk Marinade Will Do

I used some The Shizzle jerk marinade. It is my favorite. They also make a hot version that I love (it is called Voodoo Hot for a reason!). Their marinade is what makes these grilled Jamaican jerk chicken sandwiches soooo good. Any good store-bought jerk marinade will work just fine in this recipe. You could make your own too, of course!

Also try my grilled Malibu chicken sandwiches.

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwiches
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

Man oh man, these grilled Jamaican jerk chicken sandwiches disappeared fast
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, grilled, sandwich
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 367kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Let the chicken marinade for at least 4 hours (and up to 24 hours).
  • Fire up your grill for direct and indirect cooking.
  • Shake off any excess marinade from the chicken and place over direct heat.
  • Sear for a few minutes, then rotate 90 degrees and cook another 2 minutes or until you get those perfect grill marks.
  • Flip and cook another 2 minutes.
  • Remove to indirect heat and cook until done.
  • Lightly toast the buns on the grill.
  • Assemble the sandwiches by topping buns with chicken and slaw.

Notes

The chicken is also great sliced thin and served over lettuce for salads.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Smoked Sausage Po Boy

This grilled smoked sausage po boy is one of those perfect po boys. The kind that drip yummy sauces down onto your plate. The kind with yummy sauces you slop up with the last bites of the bread. Heck, if no one’s looking, pick up the plate and lick up the drippings. No one will know except you and you’ll be the one smiling.

Everything about this sandwich is delicious, but the really great part is the Kaw-Cajun Comeback sauce. It has a nice spicy kick, and is great on absolutely every sandwich you could ever make. I make a big batch of Kaw-Cajun Comeback sauce and keep it on hand for great po boys. Chez John from Fat Johnny’s Front Porch is the creator of the sauce. Pay his site a visit. He makes amazing food.

Grilled Smoked Sausage Po Boy

This grilled smoked sausage po boy is good eats, I tell ya! It’s messy. It’s crunchy. And it’s packed with flavors, from sausage to slaw to a wonderfully spicy sauce. There’s nothing fancy going on here. There doesn’t have to be.

Also try my smoked sausage sandwiches.

Grilled Smoked Sausage Po Boy
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Smoked Sausage Po’Boy

This grilled smoked sausage po boy is one of those perfect po boys. The kind that drip yummy sauces down onto your plate. The kind of yummy sauces you slop up with the last bites of the bread.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, sandwich, sausage
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 428kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly toast the bun on the grill.
  • Grill the sausage(s) and cut into half.
  • Slather the bun with the Comeback sauce.
  • Add the sausage, top with slaw and the bun top and enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute kielbasa or andouille.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1108mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hard Eight Coleslaw

I’ve been a subscriber of Chile Pepper magazine (which sadly, no longer is being published) for years. I can always count on it for good articles, product reviews and recipes. Like this one from the June 2003 issue.

This coleslaw recipe comes from the Hard Eight BBQ joints in Texas. I’ve never been there, but if this slaw is any indication, they’ve got some good eats. My wife proclaimed this the best slaw I’ve ever made, which is saying a lot because I’ve made just about every variation of slaw you can imagine!

Hard Eight Coleslaw

I cannot tell you how great this coleslaw is. I can try but I just won’t do it justice. Great as a side. But this slaw is outstanding on a po’boy or on some grilled chicken thigh sliders!

Also try my country coleslaw.

Hard Eight Coleslaw
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5 from 2 votes

Hard Eight Coleslaw

Perfect on its own or on top of pulled pork sandwiches or grilled sausage po’boys!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 -12
Calories 203kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Let set at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 98mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Southwestern Pulled Pork with Pineapple

I just recently started watching a cooking show called Best Recipes Ever. It originates from Canada. I’d never heard of it before, but I’m always looking for a new cooking show to watch and learn from. As with any new show, I was rather pessimistic. Well, my fears were totally unfounded. I love this southwestern pulled pork with pineapple. It’s a little sweet but that’s offset by the wonderfully saucy and seasoned tender pork. This is great on buns for sandwiches.

Southwestern Pulled Pork with Pineapple

Delicious Pulled Pork!

This recipe for southwestern pulled pork with pineapple is outrageously good. I made a few very minor changes to the original recipe. Next time I may try some other changes, but the base flavor of the pork is very, very good and certainly doesn’t need to be toyed with!

Well, this is the third or fourth recipe we’ve made from the show, and I have to say I’m very happy and impressed so far. The host, Kary Osmond, is knowledgeable and pleasant, and doesn’t have an over-the-top personality that the Food Network seems to think chefs on its shows need to have (not all of them, but some…. sheesh!).

Also try my Maximus Minimus food truck pulled pork.

Southwestern Pulled Pork with Pineapple
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5 from 1 vote

Southwestern Pulled Pork with Pineapple

Adjust for a larger pork butt by doubling the recipe. Add broccoli slaw for extra crunch.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword pineapple, pulled pork, southwestern
Prep Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 334kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  • Rub mixture over all sides of the pork butt.
  • Wrap in foil or place in an air-tight container and place in refrigerator for 1-4 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 300 F.
  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides. Remove to a plate.
  • Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes.
  • Add garlic and sautee for another minute.
  • Add the tomato paste, vinegar and hot sauce. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the pineapple and its juices. Stir.
  • Add the pork and its juices back into the pot.
  • Bring to a boil, then cover. Transfer to the oven.
  • Cook for 3-4 hours. Every 30 minutes, spoon the juices over the top of the meat. After 2 hours, flip the meat over (carefully! do not splatter yourself).
  • Remove from oven. Remove the pork to a plate and let cool until you can handle it, 15 or so minutes. Pull pieces of the pork off and shred with your fingers or a fork. Discard any fatty pieces you encounter.
  • Place the Dutch oven back on a stovetop burner. Scrape off any accumulated fat.
  • Bring to a boil and let cook until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes, stirring often.
  • Add the shredded pork back the pot. Remove from heat. Add in the coriander and stir.
  • Serve over buns or on tacos.

Notes

Also great on nachos or baked potatoes!

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 929mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 532IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hot Country Ham Dip

This hot country ham dip is another great recipe from the book, Race Day Grub that I picked up the other day. The first recipe we made, the Harvick’s Mexi-Cali dip, was perfect for race watching. This dip is savory, making for a great contrast to the heat of the first dip. It’s not like any other dip that I normally serve. And that’s a good thing.

Hot Country Ham Dip

From A Racing Legend

This recipe for hot country ham dip comes from Bobby Hamilton, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. His son continues to be involved in racing as of the writing of this post. It’s good to see multiple generations of families in involved in NASCAR and other racing leagues.

Also try my Louisiana red bean dip.

Hot Country Ham Dip
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Country Ham Dip

This dip is savory, making for a great contrast to the heat of the first dip.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dip
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 255kcal
Author From

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Spray an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, ham, onion and garlic powder in medium bowl.
  • Pour mixture into baking dish and spread out evenly using a spatula.
  • Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium high heat.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and add the pecans.
  • Cook, stirring often, for 3-5 minutes or until the nuts start to brown.
  • Spoon the nuts over the cheese mixture.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly hot.
  • Serve with crackers.

Notes

You can substitute Canadian bacon for the ham.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 318mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Mexi-Cali Dip

I picked up a copy of Race Day Grub at the antique mall the other day. The book is full of great recipes from the racing circuit. Its written by Angela Skinner, the wife of NASCAR driver Mike Skinner, . Everything from appetizers to mains, from drivers and their wives and crews. The book is absolutely full of great food and was well worth the two or three dollars I paid for it! The first thing we made was this outstanding Mexi-Cali dip from the Harvicks.

Mexi-Cali Dip

Happy Harvick Dip?

Kevin “Happy” Harvick has been a favorite driver of mine for years. Now, this dip is a favorite of mine! Look at all that ooey-gooey cheese! This dip tastes of taco, and cheese, and olives and beans. I tell ya, it’d be great scooped onto a hot dog too!

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Also try my hot country ham dip.

Mexi-Cali Dip
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5 from 1 vote

Mexi-Cali Dip

This dip is a favorite of mine! Look at all that ooey-gooey cheese! This dip tastes of taco, and cheese, and olives and beans. I tell ya, it’d be great scooped onto a hot dog too!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dip, southwestern
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 -10
Calories 153kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Spray a 8″ x 8″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine the cream cheese, green chilies, jalapeno (if using) and taco seasoning in a medium bowl.
  • Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread out evenly using a spatula.
  • Top with the beans, olives, and the cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly hot.
  • Serve with thick chips, such as Frito’s Scoops.

Notes

Stir in some hot sauce before serving for a kicked up version!

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Southern Toasted Pecans

I’m mighty partial to my dad’s pecans. They’re the best in the world as far as I’m concerned. I’m always ready to dig into a bowl of them.

Southern Toasted Pecans

This recipe for southern toasted pecans is a little different than your usual sweet or hot pecans. These are quite savory, and highly addictive to boot. If you have fleur de sel on hand I recommend using it over large-grained kosher salt – the flavor boost is amazing.

Prefer walnuts instead of pecans? Try my cheddar walnuts and my sweet, spicy and salty candied pecans.

Southern Toasted Pecans
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4 from 1 vote

Southern Toasted Pecans

I’m mighty partial to my dad’s pecans. They’re the best in the world as far as I’m concerned. I’m always ready to dig into a bowl of them.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword pecans, roasted, southern
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 447kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 300 F.
  • Combine the butter, Worcestershire, kosher salt, and seasoning in a medium bowl.
  • Add in the nuts and toss to coat.
  • Pour nuts out onto a sheet pan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stirring and flipping every 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt.

Notes

Store in an air-right container.

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Creole Pizza

This started out as an attempt to make Cajunlicious’ Cajun Calzones, but I failed at getting the calzones to seal correctly, so I went with Plan B – Creole pizza, and I have to say, these were darned tasty good! Tremendously flavorful and packing a nice spicy punch, each bite is fantastic. And different.

Creole Pizza

Andouille For The Pizza Win

Andouille sausage on a pizza is fantastic. It’s a nice change from your usual pepperoni or Italian sausage. The Creole meatball sauce is quite tasty, like a regular pizza sauce but with the addition of celery, bell pepper and a little Creole seasoning.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

I always use my fantastic Creole meatball sauce when I make this pizza.

Creole Pizza
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4 from 1 vote

Creole Pizza

Pizza with a fantastic Creole twist!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Creole, pizza
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 308kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza dough
  • 1 tablespoon butter melted
  • ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup Creole meatball sauce
  • 1 Andouille sausage lightly browned, sliced thin
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper sliced thin
  • ¼ cup red bell pepper sliced thin
  • ¼ cup sweet onion sliced thin
  • Mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven per dough instructions. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.
  • Stir the Creole seasoning and garlic powder into the butter and brush onto the dough.
  • Add the sauce and top with remaining ingredients.
  • Cook as the dough instructions say.

Notes

If you can’t find andouille you can substitute smoked sausage.

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 860mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 443IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.