Firecracker Slaw

My wife and I recently had a great lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant located at the Opry Mills shopping center in Nashville, Tennessee. One of my favorite dishes was their firecracker slaw. It had a great balsamic vinaigrette with a great spicy kick. I decided right then and there to attempt to make a copycat of the slaw when we returned home. And I did. And it was delicious!

Firecracker Slaw

A Slaw With A Kick

My version of Firecracker slaw is very close to the one we had at the Aquarium Restaurant. I believe the only differences are that they might have used a white balsamic vinegar (my slaw was darker), and I’m not 100% sure their version contained mustard. Mine is absolutely fantastic, though, and I’ll make it again.

Also try my chipotle coleslaw.

Firecracker Slaw
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Firecracker Slaw

My version of Firecracker slaw is very close to the one we had at the Aquarium Restaurant.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw, spicy
Prep Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 8
Calories 128kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except the slaw mix in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  • Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add the slaw and toss to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Notes

Always stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Chipotle Coleslaw

Woo hoo! Back up the spicy truck! This chipotle coleslaw has some kick! Well, that’s mainly because I more than doubled the amount of spicy, smoky chipotles that the original recipe called for. Of course you don’t have to add the extra chipotles and you’ll still have a wonderful chipotle coleslaw. It’s refreshing, crunchy, smoky, and really quite pretty I think.

Chipotle Coleslaw

The Perfect Side For A BBQ

This slaw was the perfect side for the St. Louis-style ribs and the pulled pork sandwiches we made. It travels well so we often make it and take it with us for a picnic.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Also try my Lexington slaw.

Chipotle Coleslaw
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Chipotle Coleslaw

Woo hoo! Back up the spicy truck! This chipotle coleslaw has some kick! Well, that’s mainly because I more than doubled the amount of spicy, smoky chipotles that the original recipe called for. Of course you don’t have to add the extra chipotles and you’ll still have a wonderful chipotle coleslaw. 
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 186kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the dressing

For the salad

  • 1 14 ounce coleslaw mix
  • 7 green onions green and pale green portions, sliced thin
  • 1 cup cilantro divided

Instructions

For the dressing

  • Whisk together the dressing ingredients.

For the salad

  • Place coleslaw mix, green onions, and 3/4 cup of the cilantro in a medium bowl.
  • Add in dressing and fold to combine.
  • Serve garnished with remaining cilantro.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 558mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 576IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

Country-style ribs aren’t something I think of cooking that often. When I do, they usually end up on a bed of sauerkraut. That’s why I was excited to see this idea for spicy sweet-and-sour grilled country-style ribs in a recent edition of Chile Pepper magazine. I knew that the ribs would be great because everything I’ve made from the magazine has been. And I knew that they’d have some kick. And they do.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

Oh, The Sauce!

The sauce on the ribs is the star of the show. I definitely plan on using the sauce on other dishes. It’d be perfect on grilled pork tenderloin, burgers, and pork spare ribs. The ribs are tasty, and really good grilled for a nice char then cooked low-and-slow to perfect tenderness.

I wouldn’t hesitate to make these spicy sweet-and-sour grilled country-style ribs again, and I’ll definitely be using both the Asian rub and fantastic sauce on other cuts of meat.

Don’t use wimpy tools when it comes time to making these ribs. Or anything else on a grill or smoker. You want something sturdy, something quality. I have used Weber’s line of grill tools for decades. I wouldn’t use anything else. Ever.

Also try my slow cooker Vietnamese ribs and my sous vide country style ribs.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Grilled Country-Style Ribs

The sauce on the ribs is the star of the show. I definitely plan on using the sauce on other dishes. It’d be perfect on grilled pork tenderloin, burgers, and pork spare ribs. The ribs are tasty, and really good grilled for a nice char then cooked low-and-slow to perfect tenderness.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword country-style ribs, sour, spicy, sweet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 508kcal

Ingredients

For the Asian rub (makes 1 cup, you’ll need 1/2 cup or so for the ribs)

For the ribs

  • 3 pounds country-style ribs
  • ½ cup Asian rub from above

For the sauce

Instructions

For the Asian rub

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Store leftover rub in an air-right container.

For the ribs

  • Sprinkle the ribs with the rub and rub into the meat. Don’t be shy with the rub and make sure to get all sides or the ribs.
  • Let ribs rest at room temperature while you preheat the oven to 275 F and fire up your grill for direct cooking.
  • Grill ribs 10-12 minutes over direct heat, turning once, to get lightly charred. You’re just looking for color here, the ribs will finish cooking in the oven. Over-grilling them will result in tough ribs.
  • Transfer ribs to a baking sheet and place in the oven.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
  • Serve drizzled with sauce.

For the sauce

  • Place all ingredients into a blender and puree.
  • Transfer to a saucepan over medium heat and warm through.

Notes

The rub is also good sprinkled on pork burgers.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 1057mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 1037IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoky Chipotle Dry Wings

The smoky heat of chipotle peppers is absolutely fantastic on chicken wings. Instead of tossing my wings in a sauce I served them up ‘dry’, just coated in a delicious spicy rub where chipotle was the star, but there’s also hints of onion and garlic. Smoky chipotle dry wings will change your mind about always eating ‘wet’ wings.

Smoky Chipotle Dry Wings

I served these smoky chipotle dry wings with just a bit of Ranch dressing, but these wings are just perfect by themselves without a dipping sauce.

I recommend making extra of the seasoning. Store it in an air-tight container in your pantry. It’ll keep for a bit. That way you’re always ready to make some delicious flavor-packed wings!

Also try my Buffalo ranch and Joe Montana dry rubbed wings.

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

Smoky Chipotle Dry Wings
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Smoky Chipotle Wings

The smoky heat of chipotle peppers is absolutely fantastic on chicken wings. Instead of tossing my wings in a sauce I served them up ‘dry’, just coated in a delicious spicy rub where chipotle was the star, but there’s also hints of onion and garlic. Smoky chipotle dry wings will change your mind about always eating ‘wet’ wings.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword smoky, spicy, wings
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 292kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the wings

Instructions

For the wings

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Tex-Mex Bacon Cheeseburgers

That’s it. I’m done. There’s absolutely no need for me to ever make any other hamburger patties besides the ones on these Tex-Mex bacon cheeseburgers. Sure, the cheese sauce is amazing (it’s actually a bit beyond amazing, and would also be fantastic on hot dogs), but the patties are the star of the show. Any burger patty I make in the future will be just like these. Tender, juicy, smoky, and incredibly tasty. With a bit of a kick. Tremendous. And not meatloaf-y, either. You know the kind of burgers I’m talking about. They’re more like meatloaf than burger. Don’t worry, these do not cross the line into meatloaf-ness.

Tex-Mex Bacon Cheeseburgers

Flavor-Packed Patties. Messy Sauce. Fantastic!

Grating onions can take a bit of time, but it’s well worth the effort on these Tex-Mex bacon cheeseburgers. Although you can sort of duplicate the texture by pureeing the onions in a blender, I’ve found it’s best to get out a box grater, grab an onion, and just get to work.

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.

Also try my Tex-Mex corn chip chili.

Tex-Mex Bacon Cheeseburgers
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Tex-Mex Bacon Cheeseburgers

That’s it. I’m done. There’s absolutely no need for me to ever make any other hamburger patties besides the ones on these Tex-Mex bacon cheeseburgers.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, burgers, cheese, southwestern
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 996kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the patties

For the cheese sauce

For the burgers

  • 4 burger buns
  • Garnishes as desired onion, tomato, jalapeno, etc

Instructions

For the patties

  • Fire up your grill.
  • Chop 4 pieces of the bacon and place in a large bowl.
  • Add the beef, onion, garlic, chipotles, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Mix well and divide into 4 equally sized portions, then form into patties.
  • Transfer to the grill and cook as desired.

For the cheese sauce

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and continue whisking while cooking for 1 minute.
  • Continue whisking while slowly adding the milk. Cook until warmed but not simmering, whisking often.
  • Stir in the cheese until melted.
  • Add the tomatoes, stir, and cook until warm. Reduce heat to low until ready to use.

Finally assembly

  • Top each bun bottom with two slices of the bacon.
  • Add patties and plenty of cheese sauce.
  • Add desired garnishes.
  • Serve.
  • Devour.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins.

Nutrition

Calories: 996kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 75g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 1197mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1190IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 488mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Mount Vesuvius Burger

The Mount Vesuvius burger was available at Red Robin for a limited time years ago. It was ‘invented’ by a 12-year old. At 12 I was not inventing crazy-good burgers, or even horribly-bad burgers. Hat’s off to the young man that came up with this great burger, which combines the tang of blue cheese, the smoky flavors of bacon and provolone, and the serious kick of a spicy sauce. This is one mighty impressive burger. And it’s mighty delicious too.

Mount Vesuvius Burger

Messy Is Good

As I’ve said before, the sign of a good burger is just how messy it is when you eat it. Well, you don’t have to look at this burger for too long to realize just how good (er…. messy) it is going to be when you bite into it.

Want a cool variation to this already great Mount Vesuvius burger? Add some French fried onions for a great crunch. Onion rings work great too. Just make sure they’re good and crunchy. Lame onion rings need not apply.

Also try blue cheese burgers with caramelized onions.

Mount Vesuvius Burger
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Mount Vesuvius Burger

Hat’s off to the young man that came up with this great burger, which combines the tang of blue cheese, the smoky flavors of bacon and provolone, and the serious kick of a spicy sauce.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 506kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the burgers

  • 4 patties beef burger 4 ounces each
  • 2 hamburger buns
  • 4 strips bacon cooked
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • blue cheese crumbled, or substitute Gorgonzola

For the lava sauce

Instructions

For the burgers

  • Cook patties as desired. Toast buns if desired.
  • Assemble burgers by first slathering the bottom buns with the sauce.
  • Add a burger, a slice of provolone and the bacon.
  • Add the other patty and the remaining provolone cheese.
  • Add more sauce and the cheese crumbles.
  • Add the bun top and serve with plenty of napkins.

For the lava sauce

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Heat in a small saucepan if you wish to serve the sauce warm.

Notes

If you have any leftover sauce, store it in the fridge. Reheat before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 2011mg | Potassium: 334mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 603IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Steak

Hoosier Momma’s Bloody Mary mix is mighty, mighty tasty. The spicy version is nice and spicy, just like we like it. My wife loves the mix in Bloody Mary’s. Me? I use it in cooking. That great spicy flavor really jazzes up any dish you use it in. Like steak. Great steak. Grilled steak packed with flavor in each and every bite.

Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Steak

Bold Flavors In Every Bite

This is about the easiest way to add bold flavors to a steak. Just add some (or a lot) of the mix and soon you’ll be devouring a Hoosier Momma’s Bloody Mary steak. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. Then, shake off all the excess marinade and toss it on the grill!

If you’re into sous vide, add about an ounce or two of this mix to the bag with your steak before sealing. Seal and sous vide it like you normally would (for me that’s 133.5 F for 3 hours). Pat it dry and sear on a screaming hot grill!

You can see the beautiful color of the Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary steak! Yummy! Hoosier Momma also has a Sriracha-flavored Bloody Mary mix. If you love Sriracha (like we do) use it instead for even more heat!

Also try my adobo ribeye steak with fried poblano strips. For more great Bloody Mary flavors, try my Bloody Mary wings.

Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Steak
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Steak

This is about the easiest way to add bold flavors to a steak. Just add some (or a lot) of Hoosier Momma’s Bloody Mary mix to any steak. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Bloody Mary, steak
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 1 steak
Calories 470kcal
Author Mike

Instructions

  • Place steak in a resealable container.
  • Add enough Bloody Mary mix to cover the steak.
  • Flip the steak over and add more mix so that both sides are covered in yummy Bloody Mary mix.
  • Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cooking.
  • Fire up your grill for however you like to cook your steak. I cooked this one entirely over direct heat, but sometimes I sear my steaks over direct heat then move them to indirect heat to finish them.
  • Remove steak from the marinade and shake off (or gently scrape off with a knife) any excess marinade.
  • Cook steak as desired.

Notes

Discard any used marinade. Unused marinade can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Protein: 45g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 606mg | Vitamin A: 34IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sriracha Mustard Sauce

This is my go-to, bring-the-heat Sriracha mustard sauce. Although it is spicy (hey, there’s Sriracha in it), and a bit mustardy, it also has a great smoky flavor thanks to the smoked jalapenos (chipotles). I keep several cans of chipotles in adobo sauce on hand at all times. It’s great mixed in not only with this sauce, but I have been known to also add it to mayonnaise and ketchup.

Sriracha Mustard Sauce

A Great All-Around Sauce

I keep a double batch of this Sriracha mustard sauce in the fridge in a big squeeze bottle. A few squirts on hot dogs, or burgers, or a sandwich, really brings the food to life. I love it as a dipping sauce for my smoked sausages, or squeezed over my cedar-planked Polish sausage sandwiches.

Don’t have or like (gasp!) Sriracha sauce? You can substitute your favorite hot sauce, from the fiery hot to the mellow mild.

Also try my maple mustard dipping sauce and my jalapeno beer mustard.

Sriracha Mustard Sauce
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sriracha Mustard Sauce

I keep a double batch of this Sriracha mustard sauce in the fridge in a big squeeze bottle. A few squirts on hot dogs, or burgers, or a sandwich, really brings the food to life.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword mustard, sauce, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 1218kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Stir before using.
Great on darned near anything.

Nutrition

Calories: 1218kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 130g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 4277mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 799IU | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Ultimate Sriracha Burger

Sriracha hot sauce finds its way into a lot of our dishes. Not because we like super-hot foods, but because we like a little spice in them. This ultimate Sriracha burger is a great example. Great grilled (I used my Weber grill) burgers with Sriracha mixed in with every bite. A little Sriracha in the beef, and a little more in a cool, creamy Ranch sauce that tops the entire burger off. Cool tomatoes and crunchy onions, a little lettuce, and some smoky bacon top off what is one of best burgers you can make.

Ultimate Sriracha Burger

Nothing But Flavor In Every Bite

These ultimate Sriracha burgers were a huge hit. I expect to be making them often. They were certainly full of great spicy flavor. Just like my taco burgers, which you’ll also love.

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.

Great served with some grilled corn with sriracha mayonnaise!

Ultimate Sriracha Burger
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Ultimate Sriracha Burger

This ultimate Sriracha burger is a great example. Great grilled burgers with Sriracha mixed in with every bite.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 751kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the chuck in large bowl.
  • Add the soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of the Sriracha, and the black pepper.
  • Mix the ingredients, but do not over mix.
  • Form into 6 4 ounce patties. Grill as desired.
  • Combine remaining Sriracha and the Ranch dressing.
  • Slather dressing on insides of the buns.
  • Add the cooked patties.
  • Add bacon, onion, cheese, tomato and lettuce

Notes

Add a few jalapeno slices for a bit more kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 751kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 1504mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 374IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Chipotle Ranch Sliders

I make sliders much more often than I do full-sized burgers. I’ve made all sorts of them. From chicken chorizo patty melt sliders to cedar-planked beef sliders, to grilled Big Mac sliders, I just love sliders. These grilled chipotle Ranch sliders have such fantastic flavor. A little heat. A little smokiness. The sauce really kicks up that great cooked-outside flavor. They’re highly addicting.

Grilled Chipotle Ranch Sliders

Dangerously Addicting

The chipotles in adobo not only add great heat to the grilled chipotle Ranch sliders, they also keep the patties very moist and tender. I topped them with mayonnaise mixed with a bit more chipotles in adobo for a nice creamy (and spicy) finish. Not too hot, mind you. Just a great spicy flavor.

Of course you can make these in full-sized versions too. Instead of 8 patties form the meat mixture into 4 patties and make ‘normal’ burgers.

Don’t have chipotles in adobo on hand? Substitute Sriracha sauce or your favorite hot sauce.

Also try my cool shot glass sliders.

Grilled Chipotle Ranch Sliders
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Chipotle Ranch Sliders

These grilled chipotle Ranch sliders have such fantastic flavor. The chipotles in adobo not only add great heat to the sliders, they also keep the patties very moist and tender. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword sliders, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 sliders
Calories 290kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the burgers

For the sauce

Instructions

For the burgers

  • Place the beef in a large bowl.
  • Add in the dressing mix and adobo. Mix well.
  • Form the meat into 2 ounce slider patties.
  • Grill the patties as desired.
  • Lightly toast the buns.
  • Serve patties on buns topped with the sauce.

For the sauce

  • Combine the mayonnaise and adobo sauce.

Notes

As simple as it is, the sauce is delicious. Also use it for dipping French fries or nuggets!

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.