Johnny Rigate (organic beef)

Another variation on one of our families’ favorite dishes referred to as Johnny Marzetti.  This one is much closer to the original Johnny Orecchiette utilizing locally produced “Missouri Legacy Beef” organic ground beef and uses a simple home style tomato sauce with a little touch of some special ground peppers. 

Ingredients 16  Oz. Ground Beef (85-15 Organic)
 12 Oz. Penne Rigate Macaroni
 6 Large Green Onions, diced
 1 ½ Tsp. Pasilla Ground Dried Chiles (Paul Prudhomme’s Magic all natural Pasilla Chile)
 1 Large Fresh Red Bell Pepper, diced
 1 Tbsp. Roasted Garlic (ground)
 1½ - 2 Cups, finely shredded Parmesan cheese
 EVOO
 Tomato sauce
     o 1 – 14.5 0z. Can, Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes
     o 1 - 22 Oz. Tomato Sauce (14 Oz and 8 Oz can)
     o 1 Tsp. Dried ground Basil
     o 1 Tsp. Paul Prudhomme’s Vegetable Magic Seasoning

Directions1. Fire up the Egg to Full Flame with Grid in place
2. Boil water in a medium sized Emily Henry Stew Pot and add macaroni (with a heaping tablespoon of coarse sea salt and a small drizzle of EVOO), stir frequently until tender (approximately 10 minutes); remove from heat and drain in colander then set aside.
3. Drizzle EVOO into a large Emile Henry Flame Top Cassoulet and add ground beef and brown while adding in all of the spices and vegetables stirring frequently.
4. When beef is done add in the tomato sauce and the cooked Penne Rigate and simmer for 10 minutes (covered).  Remove the lid, stir in the shredded parmesan cheese and serve hot. 

Chili Rubbed Pork Chops (organic)

Chili Rubbed Pork Chops

With Grilled Pineapple Salsa

From PorkBeInspired.com

Ingredients

€        4 Pork boneless rib chops (approx. 1 “ thick),  trimmed

€        1 Tbls Chili Powder

€        1/2 Tbls. Light Brown Sugar, packed

€        3/4 Tsp Garlic Powder

€        3/4 Tsp. Onion Powder

€        1/2 Tsp. Coarse Sea Salt

Pineapple Salsa

€        3 slices Fresh Pineapple, cut crosswise about 1/2-inch thick, trimmed

€        3 Jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds and veins removed

€        1 Tbls. Lime Juice

€        Coarse Sea Salt, to taste

Cooking Directions:

1.    In a shallow bowl, combine chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Sprinkle both sides of pork with spice mixture.

2.    Prepare a grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill pork until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grill pineapple (if using fresh) and jalapeno until lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side.  Remove chops from grill and let rest 5 minutes.

3.    Meanwhile, dice pineapple and finely dice jalapeno. In a medium bowl, combine pineapple, jalapeno, and lime juice and season to taste with salt.

Serving Suggestions:

You can make the salsa with grilled peaches, nectarines or mangoes. If you like, add chopped onion or cilantro to the salsa.  Likewise, feel free to play with the rub ingredients to make the mixture your own

Chicken Drumettes II

Well you can use whatever part of the chicken you choose actually but I prefer Drumettes! You know, the small fleshy part of a chicken wing, often fried and served as an appetizer. [drum(stick) + -ette.] To make this recipe you have to spend a whopping five minutes preparing a simple marinade which is cheap and easy to prepare. When cooked you can eat them ‘as is’ or dip them in your favorite dipping sauce, hot, garlic, whatever you prefer.

Ingredients
3 Lb. – Chicken Drumettes (approx.25- 30 pieces)
½  Cup – Soy Sauce
1/3 Cup – Honey
2-3 Tbsp. – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. – Chili Sauce
½ Tsp. – Garlic Powder
½ Tsp. – Fresh Ground Sea Salt
1 Tbsp. – Minced Garlic
Splash – Worcestershire sauce
Preparation and Cooking
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to blend.
2. Place chicken drumettes in a rectangular (9 x 13) baking dish.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken to coat. Let marinate for 3 hours or longer, turning the chicken after 90 minutes.
4. Preheat Big Green Egg to approximately 350 degrees (dome temp) and insert the plate setter with legs up and place a drip pan large enough to catch drippings from the drumettes while they cook. Option: Regular Grid or Raised Grid position.
5. Drain Chicken and preserve Marinade. Place drumettes directly on the grid and close the lid. Slow cook them to perfection, (approximately 45 minutes) brushing them occasionally with marinade, turning once; enjoy!

Pork and Hominy Stew

A tasty twist on beef stew this pork stew uses some different peppers and hominy instead of some of the more traditional stew ingredients like potatoes, etc.  Serve with warm corn bread or spoon over steamed rice with dinner rolls. We used organic meat and veggies where available.
Ingredients

•1 Tbls plus 2 Tsp Chili Powder
•1 Tsp Sea Salt
•½ Tsp ground Black Pepper

•2 ½ Lbs. Boneless Pork (Shoulder, Butt, Roast, Boneless Spare Ribs) cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
•4 Slices, Bacon, cooked and chopped
•1 Large Sweet Onion, thinly sliced
•1 Cup Diced Ham (not smoked)
•2 Medium Carrots, peeled, chopped/sliced
•6 large garlic cloves, chopped
•2-3 Anaheim Peppers, seeded, cut into 2 x 1/4-inch strips (or sub your favorite, Jalapenos, poblano chilies,*)
•2 Cups, drained canned White Hominy (or Yellow)
•1 Cup canned Diced Tomatoes in juice
•1 Cup Beer
•1 Cup Chicken Broth (low sodium)
•1 Tsp. dried Marjoram
•¼ Cup chopped fresh Cilantro

Preparation
1.Mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, salt, and pepper in bowl. Rub spice mixture all over pork. Sauté bacon in heavy large pot over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Working in batches, add pork to drippings in pot and sauté until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to bowl.
2.Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, ham, carrot, and garlic to pot; cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping up browned bits. Add chilies; stir 1 minute. Stir in hominy, tomatoes with juices, beer, broth, marjoram, pork, and remaining 2 teaspoons chili powder and bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until pork is very tender, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill bacon. Cool stew slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
3.Simmer stew uncovered until liquid is slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. Optional: Season with salt and pepper.
4.Transfer to bowl.
5.Sprinkle with reserved bacon and cilantro.
*These fresh green chilies, often called pasillas, are available at Latin American markets and also at some supermarkets.

Beef Tri-Tip (Sustainable/Organic)

The story behind Tri Tip Beef1 (a.k.a. Triangle Roast): This cut of meat is limited in availability because there is only one per side of beef. Therefore it is typically ground into hamburger or cut into cubes and sold as soup meat. This often over looked piece of meat is not only relatively inexpensive but also very flavorful and has become a favorite amongst the few in the know. The tri-tip roast or steak (also called a triangle roast) is the 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds of meat that sits at the bottom of the sirloin. It has great flavor and tends to be much lower in fat than most cuts of beef i.e., it's a good lean cut of beef.


The thing to remember is that lean also means it will dry out faster so it is recommended that you prepare with a good marinade &/or Rub. Particularly good flavors for tri-tip are Southwestern or Asian. Because tri-tip is lean, be careful not to overcook it, particularly when preparing the full roast. Medium is as far as you should go with this cut. Use a meat thermometer to monitor often during cooking. If you are used to grilling other cuts, this one can throw some grillers off by appearing underdone when it is ready to serve.

Loosely based on a combined Santa Maria & Grilled Soy Lime Style – this simple utilizes a hybrid marinade that is loosely based on a combination of spices picked up from two different recipes.   This fine cut of meat was supplied by Missouri Legacy Beef (Manken Cattle Company) of Salisbury, MO

Ingredients
• 2-3 Lb. Tri-tip roast
• Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends – Meat Magic
Seasoning Marinade:• 2 teaspoons freshly ground 4-color pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 Tbls. Garlic powder
• 2 Tbls. Sea Salt (fresh ground)
• 1 ½ Cups Apple Juice (100% pure juice)
• ¼ Cup Soy Sauce (low sodium)
• 2 ½ Tsp. Lime Juice
• 1 Tbls. Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
• ½ Tsp. Fresh Ground Ginger Root
• Optional: Corn Syrup or Honey (3 Tbls.)
Basting Sauce: • ½ cup red wine vinegar
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or EVOO) (add garlic powder if you can’t find garlic infused oil)
Preparation and cooking
1. Mix together all marinade ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the tri tip in a 1 gallon freezer bag. Place in refrigerator for 4-8 hours turning occasionally.
2. Whisk basting sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside for basting.
3. Lightly oil your cooking grid and fire up BGE to T-Rex. Remove from Marinade and pat dry. Rub each side with Paul Prudhomme’s Meat Magic then sear the tri-tip at 600 to 700 degrees for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Remove seared tri-tip from the BGE, cover it with foil and let it rest while bringing the BGE temperature down to 350 to 400 degrees. Option: During this cool down period consider adding a few oak chunks to your lump.
5. Now set up BGE for:
Indirect cooking (plate setter) and return the tri-tip back in the BGE and cook to an internal temperature of 130+ degrees (approximately 35 minutes) for medium rare, basting with the sauce every 5 to 10 minutes (optional), or,
Direct cooking (on raised grid). Return the tri-tip back into the BGE and cook to an internal temperature of 130+ degrees, basting every 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Remove tri-tip from the BGE, cover it with foil and let it rest 15 minutes; to serve, cut into ½” slices against the grain.2

 Paraphrased from Beef Tri-Tip, One of the best cuts you are probably not buying, By Derrick Riches, About.com Guide 2 this recipe is adapted loosely from Foodnetwork.com’s website; titled “Santa Maria Style BBQ” and Chris Lilly's Big Bob Gibson Cookbook Grilled Soy Lime Tri-Tip Recipe

Oriental Chicken Drumettes

Well you can use whatever part of the chicken you choose actually but I prefer Drumettes! You know, the small fleshy part of a chicken wing, often fried and served as an appetizer. [drum(stick) + -ette.] To make this recipe you have to spend a whopping five minutes preparing a simple marinade which is cheap and easy to prepare. When cooked you can eat them ‘as is’ or dip them in your favorite dipping sauce, hot, garlic, whatever you prefer.

Ingredients

3 Lb. – Chicken Drumettes (approx. 30 pieces)
½ Cup – Soy Sauce
1/3 Cup – Honey
2 Tbsp. – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. – Chili Sauce
½ Tsp. – Garlic Powder
½ Tsp. – Fresh Ground Sea Salt

Preparation and Cooking
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to blend.
2. Place chicken drumettes in a rectangular (9 x 13) baking dish.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken to coat. Let marinate for 3 hours, turning the chicken after 90 minutes.
4. Preheat Big Green Egg to approximately 350 degrees (dome temp) and insert the plate setter with legs up and place a drip pan large enough to catch drippings from the drumettes while they cook.

Drain Chicken and preserve Marinade. Place drumettes directly on the grid and close the lid. Slow cook them to perfection, (approximately 45 minutes) brushing them occasionally with the marinade.  Remove from heat and let rest before serving.

Oriental Chicken Drumettes!

Well you can use whatever part of the chicken you choose actually but I prefer Drumettes! You know, the small fleshy part of a chicken wing, often fried and served as an appetizer. [drum(stick) + -ette.] To make this recipe you have to spend a whopping five minutes preparing a simple marinade which is cheap and easy to prepare. When cooked you can eat them ‘as is’ or dip them in your favorite dipping sauce, hot, garlic, whatever you prefer.

Ingredients
3 Lb. – Chicken Drumettes (approx. 30 pieces)
½ Cup – Soy Sauce
1/3 Cup – Honey
2 Tbsp. – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. – Chili Sauce
½ Tsp. – Garlic Powder
½ Tsp. – Fresh Ground Sea Salt

Preparation and Cooking
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to blend.
2. Place chicken drumettes in a rectangular (9 x 13) baking dish.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken to coat. Let marinate for 3 hours, turning the chicken after 90 minutes.
4. Preheat Big Green Egg to approximately 350 degrees (dome temp) and insert the plate setter with legs up and place a drip pan large enough to catch drippings from the drumettes while they cook.
5. Drain Chicken and preserve Marinade. Place drumettes directly on the grid and close the lid. Slow cook them to perfection, (approximately 45 minutes) brushing them occasionally with marinade, turning once; enjoy!

Cast Iron Chicken and Rice

Super Bowl Dinner was unbelievable!!!! 

Tagine Chicken & Veggies

Chicken and vegetable stewed up in a Tagine for a flavorful one dish dinner. Ready from start to finish in 90 minutes (fire up the grill, prepare ingredients and 60 minute cook).

Ingredients
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
2-3 Boneless Chicken Breasts (or any ½ Chicken, split or pieces)
2 Medium potatoes, peeled and cut in 1/4" thick rounds
1 large green bell pepper, cut in chunks
1 medium vidalia onion, sliced in ¼ “ rounds
2 medium tomatoes, sliced in ¼ “ rounds
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
2 tsps ginger
½ tsp fresh ground pepper and Sea Salt (to taste)
2 tsps paprikaHandful of pitted chopped-minced black olives
10 tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)1 cup of Chicken Broth (or Substitute 1cup of water and ½ cube or 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder)
Preparation and Cooking1. Pour 5 tbsp of EVOO on the bottom of the tagine and begin layering ingredients evenly, starting with carrots then going in order they are written in the ingredients list above. The carrots must be on the bottom and the chicken pieces should be on top of the carrots, not touching the bottom of the tagine.
2. Sprinkle all of the spices evenly over the top the vegetables. Spread your minced olives on top and then drizzle the olive oil allover.
3. Close your tagine and cook until your vegetables are tender; on indirect heat (approximately 330 degrees) on the BGE.
4. Cooking time will be about 60 minutes. Check the tagine about 30 minutes in to assure that you still have liquid so the vegetables won’t burn. Remove after 60 minutes and let the tagine rest for 10 minutes and then serve.

Grilled Antipasto Salad

This recipe for two is easily modified for multiples by adding extra peppers. Quick and tasty and can be used as an appetizer, salad or side dish; Shown here with Stuffed Mozzarella Grilled Chicken Breasts and Baked Potatoes.

Ingredients - Recommended2 Red Bell Peppers
1 Green Bell Pepper
2 Orange Bell Pepper
2 oz Sun-Dried Tomatoes (marinated)
2-3 Artichoke Hearts (8-10 marinated quarters)
5 Tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
2 Tsp Chili Sauce (minimum)
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper

Preparation Directions
Peppers
Slice peppers into 8ths and again in halves (bite size pieces), Place in bowl and set aside. Julianne the Sun-Dried tomatoes and set aside. Quarter the artichoke hearts and repeat (8ths) and set aside.

Sauce Mince three garlic cloves and place in small mixing bowl, add EVOO, Chili Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt and pepper (Fresh Ground) to taste
Whisk and set aside.

Cooking Directions
1. Heat up BGE to 500 degrees (open flame works just fine)
2. Place peppers directly on grill (recommend you use a grill topper or vegetable basket)
4. Grill for 15 minutes and don’t worry about the pepper skins getting black
4. Remove from grill and place in bowl and cover with towel for 5 minutes
5, Uncover and remove all blackened skins by pinching them and they will slide right off (or if you prefer you can leave on the toasted skins)
6. Add the artichoke hearts (do not drain) and the Sun-Dried Tomatoes (do not drain) and place in pepper bowl

7. Pour on Sauce, mix and serve immediately

Baked Breaded Tilapia

This recipe will take less time to cook than it does to heat up the Big Green Egg, but it will be worth the effort (as is EVERY BGE experience). Works with ANY white fish probably, we just eat Tilapia in our home.

Ingredients Recommended
4-6 Tilapia Filets Depends on how hungry you are!
½ Cup Breadcrumbs
¼ tsp Garlic Pepper Big Green Egg Brand
½ tsp Sea Salt Fresh Ground
1 Tbs Lemon Juice Fresh Squeezed Lemon
¼ cup Light Mayonnaise
¼ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese Kraft
1/8 cup Parsley Fresh chopped or flakes if you must!
Wax Paper
Shallow Pan (round or square) Sized to fit the BGE
Optional - Byron's Butt Rub replaces all the above including the breadcrumbs

Preparation DirectionsUse FRESH tilapia from the butcher shop
Using a non-stick vegetable spray (cooking spray) lightly spray a shallow pan (round or square)
Mix all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl
Rub the ingredients on one side of tilapia filets
Combine bread crumbs and parsley and spread on Wax Paper
Press Tilapia in crumbs and place in cooking pan, crumb side up
.

Cooking Directions
Preheat and stabilize the Big Green Egg to 450 degrees.
Place tilapia in the pan with crumb side up.
Place on BGE and cook approximately 10-15 minutes or until bread crumbs brown (time depends on thickness of tilapia filets)

Recommended Side Dishes and DesertsLemon Juice to top Tilapia
Four-Cheese Rice
Fries or Potato Wedges

Top Sirloin Steak

Top Sirloin Steak
Methods for preparing Top Sirloin Steak like you’ve never tasted. Warning: If you eat steak more than medium rare, skip this recipe and go order a cheeseburger at a fast food restaurant.Ingredients

1.75” ea Top Sirloin Steak - NEVER THINNER and the meat MUST be flexible!
Fresh Ground Sea Salt Crystals ONLY!

Fresh Ground Peppercorns ONLY!

Olive Oil

Preparation DirectionsSteaks MUST be at room temperature
Salt Heavier than you are comfortable (some salt falls off on the grill during searing)
Pepper to taste
Drizzle Olive Oil on steaks
Rub into meat carefully
Flip and repeat!
Let set for at least 5 minutes


Cooking Directions
NEVER POKE HOLES IN THE MEAT!
Start your BGE and get a ‘lava bed’ appearing set of coals running up the temperature to 700 or 750 Degrees.
Sear Steaks on both sides (with the lid open is just fine)
Remove meat from BGE and let set for 15 to 20 minutes
Adjust temperature on the BGE to 450 degrees
Lightly re-season (optional)
Return sirloins to grill for 4 minutes a side (forget the meat thermometer; it lets out all the juice!)
5 minutes if you are afraid the meat will be too rare…remember however you can always return the meat to the grill if you are not happy, but you can’t return it from being over cooked.
Remove sirloins from grill and let set for at least 5 minutes before serving
NO A1 or Meat Sauce of ANY KIND allowed this isn’t a hamburger

Recommended Side Dishes and Deserts
Tomato Basal Mozzarella salad (see recipe on this blog) and Baby Brussel Sprouts in butter, Baked potatoes or Frozen Potato Wedges from the grill – Garlic Seasoned (Start with Room Temperature fries and place them on the grill next to the chops, stir occasionally on non-stick foil)