Category: Grill

Sicilian Garlic Oregano Grilled Potatoes!

Quick and easy summer recipes continue with grilled sliced potato recipe. Bursting with flavor, these potatoes have an herb salty garlicky bite with the creaminess of the sour cream finish! These potatoes are fabulous with summer seafood!

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Sometimes I grate Parmesan cheese over the grilled slices and forget the sour cream!

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A tip that I recently learned from my co-host Chef David on Between The Eats is that you want to place the potato slices in cold water and bring the pot up to a boil. By doing this the inside and outside of the potato have a chance to get to the same temp for even cooking. This eliminates the outisde of the rounds smushing. Has this ever happened to you? It’s the worst! Your recipe will become starchy from broken potato pieces falling off.

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Here is the recipe…

Ingredients:
2 large potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch slices
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Onion powder
1-1/2 tbsp. Dry oregano
Salt/pepper to taste
3 cloves roasted garlic, minced
3-4 tbsp. Sour cream
Parsley or chives

Directions:
Boil sliced potatoes from cold water until a knife test shows just softened, but still firm potatoes.

Drain and cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile heat the grill to a medium flame.

Add potato slices, olive oil, oregano, onion powder, garlic, salt and pepper to a Gallon ziploc bag.

Gently coat potatoes being careful not to smush.

Place a piece of foil on the grill grate, and line up the potatoes being careful not to overlap.

Grill 4-7 minutes until bottom is golden brown and flip. Grill another 3-5 minutes until done.

Remove from grill, toss with sour cream, sprinkle with chives or parsley and serve.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Kafta Kabobs!

Kafta, Kofta, Kefta…every translation spells it differently! Let’s call it meat on a stick. Ok, really flavorful meat on a stick.

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With Lebanese exotic flavors of cumin, cinnamon, and of course the garlic, Kafta has a deep layering and tastes like a full meal. Often served cold for lunch, or hot for lunch or dinner, it is a fun opportunity to try something different that is really quick and easy to make.

My kids are fans because it is on a stick I think. They first started eating “things kids aren’t supposed to like” when skewered. Try it, seriously!

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A few tips, I used an egg. (Gasp!) Kafta is traditionally stuck together by using soaked white bread that’s rung out and put in the food processor. Yeah, So are traditional meatballs, but sometimes you don’t want to clean the thing, right? Feel free!

Soak the sticks! I forgot and a few of mine burned!!

The cucumber salad is amazing and accompanied meat dishes quite often on my table in the summertime.

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And guys, the sauce…simple and delicious! It’s more powerful than a smoothe tahini with the punch of Romesco. I used a delicious jarred Romesco, but you can get crazy and make your own!

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Here are the recipes…

Kafta Kabobs

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 egg
1 tsp. Allspice
1 tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
Salt/pepper to taste
Skewers

Directions:
Soak skewers in water for at least one hour until ready to mold the

Heat grill to 300 degrees.

With hands, mix beef, garlic, onion, egg, and all of the spices, salt and pepper.

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Mold 1/6 of the mixture onto one end of each skewer trying to keep mold to 1 inch thickness.

Grill approximately 4 minutes each side until cooked to desired fineness.

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Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
1 cucumber chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion or Vidalia onion, sliced
Handful parsley, chopped
1 lemon , squeezed
3 tbsp. Garlic oil
Salt/pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large moxing bowl, toss to coat.

Greek Yogurt Romesco Sauce
1/4 cup plain Greek Yogurt mix with
1/4 cup Romesco
Chopped Parsley flakes and sliced tomato garnish

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Lemon Herb Garlic Shrimp!

Everytime I prepare this shrimp dish I have people begging me for the recipe and I feel so guilty because it is so easy!

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The lemon herb garlic shrimp skewers are perfect for a summer night when served with a cold salad, or don’t skewer the shrimp and toss them with your favorite long pasta like angel hair.

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The technique in the recipe is the fastest – coating the shrimp with olive oil, rolling in herbs, grilling shrimp, and squeezing lemon. If there is time, the herbs can be infused in the garlic before covering the shrimp. This creates a stronger herb flavor. Either are delicious, it just depends how much time you have!

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Lemon Herb Garlic Shrimp!

Ingredients:
1 lb. medium shrimp, cleaned and deveined
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 thyme springs, leaves removed and finely chopped
1 tbsp. Basil, finely chopped
1 tbsp. Rosemary, finely chopped
(Cayenne pepper optional to add heat)
Salt/Pepper to taste
Wood skewers

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Directions:
In a small bowl mix herbs and garlic and cover a plate.
Skewer shrimp.
Drizzle with olive oil and either brush or use clean fingers to coat.
Dip into herbs on a plate.
Set skewers on a parchment covered cookie sheet or prepare to grill.
Grill a few minutes per side until shrimp turn pink.
Broil in oven until shrimp turn pink, turning once.
Squeeze half of a lemon over cooked skewers and serve!

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Honey Garlic Jalapeño Chicken!

Fall-off-the-bone, juicy, flavorful chicken thighs are the absolute best! Since most of the time we don’t meal plan one day ahead, a long marination process can seem impossible. By using a robust marinade, you can easily create a depth of flavor without the 8 hour marination process. By robust, of course I mean garlic, a hint of jalapeño, and honey for sweetness. A quick coating is all it takes!

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I suggest grilling the thighs. If you live in Pittsburgh it’s impossible because it rains everyday! You can brown them in a pan like I did. The great thing is the thighs get completely smothered in gooey deliciousness and finished off in the oven, so either works. The marinade actually reduces to a thick sticky coating in the pan, totally ideal for chicken thighs.

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I utilized the left over pan goo to pan sear the corn on the cob…this was genius.

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Robust garlic and honey flavors with a hint of jalapeño is perfection on corn!!!

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All I added was a coating of butter, a shake of paprika, and some finely chopped parsley for a fancy finish.

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Garlic Honey Jalapeño Chicken
(makes 6-8 chicken thighs)

Ingredients:
1/3 cup honey
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 large jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
3 tbsp. olive oil- 2 tbsp. marinade/ 1 tbsp. for pan
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Handful of chopped parsley or cilantro
salt/pepper
6-8 chicken thighs, skin on or off and rinsed

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Directions:
Mix all ingredient together in a mixing bowl.

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Coat chicken thighs in a ziploc bag or 9X13 pan to marinate.

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Heat oven 350 degrees.
(Overnight or all day is best …if you have time! This marinade is strong so it is not absolutely necessary.)

Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large pan.

Remove thighs from marinade and add to the pan. Keep excess marinade!

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Brown thighs on each side 3-4 minutes per side.

Remove thighs from pan and add to a 9X13 baking dish.

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Pour excess marinade over thighs.

Cover with foil and bake 35-45 minutes, make sure juices run clear. Chicken will be “fall off the bone” yum!

Especially if skin-on, crisp the thighs under the broiler for 5-7 minutes until desired crispness.

Let stand 5-10 minutes and serve!

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I serve these delicious thighs with Pan Seared Corn on the Cob!(See directions above in intro.)
These two dishes are delicious! Both stars of the meal!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Chorizo Manchego Tomato Burgers!

Sausage with a Latin flare makes an amazing burger! Chorizo is currently at the top of the food trend-o-meter, making appearances everywhere from food truck favorites to high end brunches! A seasoned pork sausage, the ancho chile powder gives chorizo its red color and spicy kick.

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One of my family’s favorite chorizo meals is a chorizo burger. Add in your favorite Southwest /Latin toppings right into the meat mixture and more on the bun! Today I made a chorizo burger with melted manchego cheese topped with thick juicy heirloom tomatoes! The tomato cools down the heat of the burger. I did not have avocado today, but a mock guac would be killer on this burger, too! Yum!

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Here is the recipe!

Chorizo Manchego Tomato Burgers
(Makes 4 1/4 lb. burgers- 6 medium-sized burgers)

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground chorizo
1 egg
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 small onion, chopped
1 roasted red pepper, chopped
2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1/2 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tbsp. cumin
salt/pepper to taste

Your favorite buns!

Topping:
sliced Manchego cheese
sliced heirloom tomato
handful or cilantro, parsely, or lettuce

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, mix by hand all ingredients until well blended.

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Mold into 4-6 burger patties depending on intended size.

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Grill (8-10 mins turning once) or bake in 375 degree oven (10-12 mins) until set and meat is cooked through.

Add manchego cheese slice and let it melt.

Remove from heat and let juices settle.

Place on bun, top with tomatoes, cilantro, and our favorite toppings!

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Oh, and this corn!

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Stay tuned! Many summer corn recipes coming soon!!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Sweet And Spicy: The Perfect Sauce !

Sriracha is basically Thai "ketchup" and was named from a town called Si Racha!
Sriracha is basically Thai “ketchup” and is named after a town called Si Racha!

I am totally shocked when people ask me, “What is Sriracha?” Sriracha is America’s #1 condiment! According to the Huy Fong Food Co., Sriracha is made of sun ripened chiles ground into a paste with garlic.

Photo via The Washigton Times 4/23/14. Photo depicts a Sriracha demonstration in CA as residents fought to shut down the Irwindale plant because the air was "too spicy."
Photo via The Washigton Times 4/23/14. This photo depicts a Sriracha demonstration in CA as residents fought to shut down the Irwindale plant because the air was “too spicy.”

The fight was over by the end of May. The Sriracha plant, 1, the eyes and nasal passages of residents, 0.

I have created an amazing spicy, sweet sauce using a Sriracha, honey, brown sugar base. Since being featured by Emeril Lagassee on Good Morning America, fans have asked that I simplify the recipe for a quick sauce. I have been experimenting with the base ingredients and the result is an intense, flavorful 3 ingredient sauce!!
Here is the full recipe:
Parmesan Princess on GMA

So far this sauce had made an amazing pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, shrimp, and even grilled veggies!
So far this amazing sauce has made the most mouthwatering pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, shrimp, and even grilled veggies!

Spicy Sweet -The Perfect Sauce!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp. Honey
2 tbsp. Sriracha

Directions:

Dissolve brown sugar in water. Stir until smooth.

Mix in other ingredients.

Use sauce as Marinade.

Add additional sauce to browned pork, fish, chicken, etc. To create a saucy layer.

Spicy Sweet Sauce will not disappoint! Try it today!

These chops had a kick! I am loving a hint of Sriracha with pork.
These chops certainly have a kick! I am loving a hint of Sriracha with pork!

You will be in love, too!
Ciao!

Burgerz and Dogz- Welcome To Mount Lebanon, BnD’z!

Healthy burgers and dogs served on the freshest Cellone’s rolls? Two please!

BnD'z! Burgerz and Dogz! Opens Monday!
BnD’z! Burgerz and Dogz! Opens Monday!

Doug Baros is opening his second Burgerz and Dogz (BnD’z)restaurant in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Mount Lebanon neighborhood on Monday September 29th. Burgerz and Dogz’ flagship location on Brownsville Road in South Park has created quite a following since opening its doors in October 2012.

With an extensive menu and a customizable ordering sheet, Burgerz and Dogz aims to please! The delicious food coupled with a focus on healthy, gluten free, and vegetarian offerings, is a combination that Pitts-burgerz seem to like! Who doesn’t love their dinner in a fresh Cellone’s bun? Doug creates an experience for the customers. From the open kitchen floor plan to the highest quality ingredients, he totally thought of everything!

Doug says, “I wanted to offer something differrent. Healthy, real food without all of the additives, preservatives, and chemicals.”

Doug cooks up Vienna brand dogs from Chicago. The best! 100% all beef !
Doug cooks up Vienna brand dogs from Chicago. The best! 100% all beef !
Order the Mushroom and Swiss...
Order the Mushroom and Swiss…
Or design your own! Top your burger with avocado or an egg! They will make it like you love it!
Or design your own! Top your burger with avocado or an egg! They will make it like you love it!

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Stop by! Tell Them I sent you!
Stop by! Tell Them I sent you!

Burgerz and Dogz most popular menu items? The garbage burger and the bison burger! Worth the stop!
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Everything I tried was delicious! Enjoy!
Ciao!

Burgerz and Dogz
BYOB
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday- Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 11am-8pm

4120 Brownsville Road South Park

Opening Monday! 633 Washington Road Mt. Lebanon!

Don’t Fumble Your Game Day Menu! Let’s Go Steelers!

Here we go. A chill is in the air for the start of football season. Friends and family gather to watch football and your menu is in the game!

Here We Go!  Image by Rant Sports
Here We Go!
Image by Rant Sports

Play good defense and block those polyunsaturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and hefty calories! Football food does not have to be unhealthy!

Football Favorites Healthy Plays:

Snacks:

Vegetable tray– The crunch eases game time nerves! Tackle the dip. Lower calories by opting for a light avocado or bean based dip.

Warmed, flavored Chex Mix– instead of potato chips, run a healthier option. There are many flavor comninations!
Garlic Parmesan Chex Mix via Julie’s eats and treats

Photo by Julie's Eats and Treats
Photo by Julie’s Eats and Treats

Fresh Guacamole or a hummus bean dip is always a touchdown. Serve with vegetables, tortilla chips, or cucumber chips!
Fresh Guacamole By Parmesan Princess

The halftime lineup:

Instead of pizza, wings, french fries and fried chicken, how about pulled chicken/pork, grilled skewers, turkey burgers, and a big salad!

Crockpot Pulled Chicken By Dashing Dish

Serve with BBQ sauce and avocado spread to give variety! Photo by Dashing Dish
Serve with BBQ sauce and avocado spread to give variety! Photo by Dashing Dish

 

Grilled Shrimp Skewers By Parmesan Princess

Mexican, turkey chili or grilled skewers are always a healthy and easy play!
Mexican, turkey chili or grilled skewers are always a healthy and easy play!

Pesto Turkey BurgersBy Parmesan Princess

Serve on wheat buns or without bread! Leaf lettuce is a great burger wrap!
Serve on wheat buns or without bread! Leaf lettuce is a great burger wrap!

Play clean. Eat clean!
Let’s go Steelers!!
Ciao!

London Broil Uncut And Recipe!

London broil is actually the preparation of a cut of meat, not the name of a cut of meat. The definition? To sear a cut of meat and serve medium rare sliced on a diagonal against the grain. The one I bought this week was labeled London Broil Top Round. Thus, the misconception that the cut of meat is london broil.

The London broil method creates a perfectly medium rare center that is tender and juicy.
The London broil method creates a perfectly medium rare center that is tender and juicy.

London broiled meat looks beautiful on a plate, and is sure to wow your guests when entertaining. Serve anything from sautéed vegetables to corn on the cob! Anything goes!

In the summer, I love to serve a crisp, cold salad with steak. Here is a cucumber-tomato -pepper salad seasoned with Ciao Pittsburgh's Aroma seasoning and a few splashes of olive oil!
In the summer, I love to serve a crisp, cold salad with steak. Here is a cucumber-tomato-pepper salad with  a few splashes of olive oil and fresh herbs!

London Broil Tips and tricks:

Thickness:
The meat you choose for london broil should be at least 1-1/2  – 2 inches thick.

Marinade:
The marinade should be a tenderizing marinade just in case the cut of meat is on the tough side.

Cooking:
Giving the meat a london broil requires a high heat broil for approximately 5 minutes on each side to produce the medium rare center. If the heat is too low, or it is cooked for too long, the meat will overcook.

Slicing:
Slice the meat against the grain on a diagonal and serve.

London Broil

Ingredients:
1.5 lb. 1-1/2 – 2 inch top round cut labeled London Broil
1/2 cup Worchesterschire sauce
1/2 cup red wine
3 cloves roasted garlic finely chopped
Salt/pepper

Directions:
Place the fat trimmed meat in a Ziploc bag with all ingredients for 1-3 hours.

The meat absorbs the liquid. Really tenderizing the meat before searing.
The meat absorbs the liquid. Really tenderizing the meat before searing.

Place meat 3-4 inches under broiler and broil for 5 minutes.

Flip and broil for an additional 5 minutes.

(The same method can be used on a grill. However, the temp must be high 375-400 on the grill and it requires close attetion as to not overcook the meat.)

Don't be afraid to slice the meat while on the grill to make sure it is not overcooked. The grill temps are harder to control. Takes some practice and willingness to eat well done meat every once in a while ;  )
Don’t be afraid to slice the meat while on the grill to make sure it is not overcooked. The grill temps are harder to control. Grilling thick cuts of meat takes some practice and definitely a willingness to eat well done meat every once in a while ; )

Remove and let the meat sit for 5 minutes.

Slice in a diagonal against the grain.

Yummy! Perfecto!
Yummy! Perfecto!

Serve with your favorite sides!
Enjoy!

Ciao!

Reference: From Julia Child’s Kitchen 1975 Julia Child

 

 

 

Fish Week! Grilled Foil Packet Tilapia And Spicy Grilled Green Beans!

Why are we scared of fish? Is it our lack of fish knowledge? Our ability to overcook fish EVERY TIME!? (Yep, this was me!)
Meet Henry Dewey, co-founder of Pittsburgh’s hip fish market/restaurant Penn Avenue Fish Company! Pittsburgh is lucky to have Henry and his team of fish mongers!

These guys know their stuff, always providing excellent customer service as well as the highest quality product.
These guys know their stuff, always providing excellent customer service as well as the highest quality product. Mark Clowney, left, Henry Dewey, right.

Henry explained that everyone needs a knowledgeable fish monger to navigate them through the fish buying ocean. “Find someone you can trust,” Dewey says, “and build a loyal relationship.” That way, there is no question about the origination or freshness of the fish.

Tilapia is a great starting point when introducing fish into your cooking. Talapia is not fishy and it is easy to determine when it is cooked.
Tilapia is a great starting point when introducing fish on your menu. Tilapia does not have a fishy taste and is easy to determine when it’s cooked.

Grilled Foil Packet Tilapia

Ingredients:
1lb 8oz.-or 6 count tilapia fillets (thawed if fresh frozen)
1 large tomato chopped
2 cloves of garlic, roasted (foil packet on grill for 3- 5 mins. during grill heat up) and finely chopped
4 tbsp. olive oil
6 very small, thin pats of butter
Freshly grated parmesan
Course salt/pepper

Directions:
Heat grill to medium heat 300-350 degrees.

Place tilapia fillets on 6 aluminum foil sheets large enough to fold and seal.

Looking for portion control help? The packet grilling method ensures portion awareness!
Looking for portion control help? The packet grilling method ensures portion awareness!

Top each fillet with 1/2 olive oil, 1 small pat of butter, 1/6 chopped tomatoes, 1/6 roasted garlic,a shake of freshly grated parmesan, salt and pepper.

Fold foil to seal packets.

I chose to add chopped tomatoes to my packets this time.  The fish is delicious with or  without them!
I chose to add chopped tomatoes to my packets this time. The fish is delicious with or without them!

Place packets on the grill for 5-7 minutes or until the fish flakes and turns white, losing its translucency. (I guess that’s a word! Ha!)

Place packets a few inches apart on the hottest part of the grill- the lower grate.
Place packets a few inches apart on the hottest part of the grill- the lower grate.
Perfect! The fish flakes when poked with a fork and has turned an opaque white! Done!
Perfect! The fish flakes when poked with a fork and has turned an opaque white! Done!

Spicy Grilled Green Beans

Mix one pound of fresh green beans with 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp. Sriracha in a Ziploc bag.

Coat the beans in the bag.

Place beans evenly on your grill’s vegetable grate or foil.

Cook for 5 -7mins. or until cooked and hot, but still crunchy.

Grilling vegetables on the tray or right on the grill give them the extra char!
Grilling vegetables on the tray or right on the grill gives them the extra char!

Enjoy!

Ciao!

Stop in and try the fish tacos! The kids and I think they are the best in the Burgh!
http://pennavefishcompany.com/home_strip.html
2208 Penn Ave. in the Strip!