Melting Potatoes

Buttery creamy goodness. I could not have been happier with these melting potatoes. So good, so easy, and boy, did I ever eat more than my share. And then some. Good thing it was just my wife and me, because I would’ve had to explain where all the potatoes went if we would’ve had company over for dinner. This is one of those dishes where half of them never make it to the table because you’ve eaten much of them in the kitchen.

Melting Potatoes

If you’re normally tempted to put ketchup on your potatoes, don’t. These potatoes are absolutely perfect just as they are.

Yukon potatoes are the best potatoes by far for making melting potatoes. They are so tender and velvety. They get just a little golden brown crunchy edge to them. Just enough to contrast the tender insides.

You can use a knife to cut the potatoes. Or if you have a mandolin, use it instead to make quick work of slicing them. You want the slices to be pretty much the same thickness throughout so that they cook evenly.

Also try my roasted spiral potatoes and my Mississippi Mud cheesy potatoes. They’re pretty looking and pretty darned good tasting too!

Melting Potatoes
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5 from 1 vote

Melting Potatoes

Buttery creamy goodness. I could not have been happier with these melting potatoes. So good, so easy, and boy, did I ever eat more than my share.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword potatoes, roasted potatoes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 146kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 F.
  • Place the potatoes into a large bowl.
  • Add the butter, thyme, salt and pepper and toss to coat.
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat or aluminum foil.
  • Bake for 15 minutes. Flip the potatoes and cook another 15 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth and garlic and stir. Cook another 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove and serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 790mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Spiralized Curly Fries

It’s over. Done. My quest for an absolutely perfect spiralized curly fries recipe is over. I have reached the end, and the end is good. Perfectly curly. Perfectly seasoned. And perfectly crunchy. I could’ve just skipped whatever else it was I was having for dinner that night. In fact, I don’t even remember what else I had. I just remember these curly fries.

Spiralized Curly Fries

i used the smallest blade on my spiral slicer to make these spiralized curly fries. You could use the bigger one, but of course cook times will go up. I think the small blade is the perfect size.

The batter gives the fries their fantastic flavor. I plan on using the same batter on a whole lot of other fried foods. It’s a thin batter, not thick. Perfect for something like fish fillets or even non-curly fries.

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 also love making a copycat of McDonald’s fries. They aren’t spiraled, but boy, they’re good! But then, Arby’s fries are spiral….

Spiralized Curly Fries
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5 from 1 vote

Spiralized Curly Fries

It’s over. Done. My quest for an absolutely perfect spiralized curly fries recipe is over. I have reached the end, and the end is good. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword fries, spiral
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 servings
Calories 204kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the potatoes

For the batter

Instructions

For the potatoes

  • Fill a resealable container with cold water.
  • Spiralize the potatoes (I used the smallest blade) and place into the water.
  • Transfer to the refrigerator for 1 hour.

For the batter

  • Place all of the batter ingredients into a large bowl or container and whisk until smooth.
  • Heat 3″ of oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 365 F.
  • Drain the potatoes and pat dry.
  • Place potatoes in the batter and coat well.
  • Working in batches, fry the potatoes until golden brown, turning once.
  • Transfer cooked potatoes to a wire rack or pan lined with paper towels and sprinkle liberally with salt.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 594mg | Potassium: 796mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hot Dogs of the Big 10 Conference

A few years ago the Big 10 basketball tournament was held here in Indianapolis. As part of the event, the Levy restaurant group in Chicago produced unique hot dogs that highlight each of the Big 10 teams. I came across a copy of the list of the dogs recently, and just had to make each of them.

Indiana Hoosier Dog
Iowa Hawkeye Dog
Purdue Boilermaker Dog
Illinois Fighting Illini Chedder Dog
Michigan State Spicy Spartan Dog
Minnesota Gopher Dog
Penn State Roaring Lion Dog
Northwestern Wildcat Dog
Ohio State Buckeye’s Dog
Michigan Wolverines Blue Cheese Bacon Dog
Nebraska Cornhusker Dog

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise

We grill pork tenderloins with great regularity. They are so tender (if you don’t overcook them), and like chicken breasts or most white fish, they take on other flavors very well. This recipe for grilled pork tenderloin sliders with chipotle lime mayonnaise combines a great southwest-inspired rub with a mayonnaise that is kicked up with some smoky chipotle and citrusy lime. Served as sliders, these little yummy bites are sure to disappear in no time.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise

The grilled green onions really add a nice dimension to these grilled pork tenderloin sliders with chipotle lime mayonnaise. The mayonnaise is also great on deli meat sandwiches and grilled chicken sandwiches. Ok, it’s great on any sandwich. I’ve also found myself using it on hot-off-the-grill hamburgers.

I recently discovered Blue Plate mayonnaise, which I think is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

I had no clue that you could buy chipotle lime mayonnaise online or in stores. I need to get out more. But it’s easy enough to make it yourself too.

Also try my grilled pork tenderloins with garlic mustard compound butter. They aren’t sliders, but they are awfully good.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise

This recipe for grilled pork tenderloin sliders with chipotle lime mayonnaise combines a great southwest-inspired rub with a mayonnaise that is kicked up with some chipotle and lime.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, mayonnaise, sliders, spicy, Teriyaki
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 399kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Famouse Brand Name Recipes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Rub both tenderloins with the oil.
  • In a bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the tenderloins.
  • Place tenderloins into a large resealable baggie. Add green onions and seal. Shake gently to also coat the onions.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, make the mayonnaise by combining the mayo, chipotle, and lime juice. Refrigerate until needed.
  • Fire up your grill for direct and indirect cooking. Sear the tenderloins on all sides and remove to indirect heat to continue cooking to an internal temperature of 160 F. Remove, cover with foil, and let cool slightly.
  • Place the green onions over direct heat and grill for 3 minutes, turning often. Remove and chop into 1″ long pieces.
  • Slice the tenderloins.
  • Slather sliders bun the mayonnaise. Add the pork, 2 quarters of cheese, and onions. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 756IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.