Grilled-Maple-Mustard-Pork-Chops-

Grilled Maple-Mustard Pork Chops

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

Because of the marinade, this recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

2 (8- to 10-ounce) bone-in pork chops, trimmed and fat scored

4 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1/3 cup coarse-grain Dijon-style mustard

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice and black pepper.

Arrange the chops in a shallow casserole dish. Spread the mustard mixture over the chops and marinade, refrigerated and covered, at least four hours, turning often. Remove chops from marinade and pat dry. Season chops to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat grill for medium high direct cooking and grill chops eight to 10 minutes per side (depending on the ambient temperature). Cook to an internal temperature of 150 degrees F. Tent with foil and keep warm in a low oven until service.

Grilled-Scallops-with-Roasted-Red-Pepper-Sauce

Grilled Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

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Because scallops cook so quickly, they’re ideal for cold weather cooking. Try to get day boat or dry-packed scallops (scallops that haven’t been treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) which causes the scallops to absorb water, increasing the weight and the price of the scallop. “Enhanced” scallops won’t sear properly due to the excess liquid.

Ingredients

12 large dry-packed sea scallops, about two ounces each
Extra virgin olive oil
Coarse kosher salt
Freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper

For the sauce:

1 large shallot, minced
2 springs fresh thyme
1 cup white wine (Pinot Grigio is a good choice)
1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño
1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
Coarse kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Remove the “catch” or side muscle from the scallops. Rinse the scallops under cold water and pat dry. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Prepare the sauce:

In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the shallot, thyme and wine. (Never use “cooking wine.” Cook with a wine you would drink.) Simmer until the liquid is reduced by one-half, about 10 minutes. Strain into a blender bowl discarding the thyme and shallot.

Add the roasted red pepper, chicken stock, jalapeño and lime juice; process until smooth. Return the sauce to the stovetop and cook until reduced by one-third. Keep warm over low heat.

Prepare the grill for high-heat direct cooking. Place the scallops on the grill, close the cover and cook for two minutes. Using tongs, flip the scallops (if the scallop don’t release easily from the grill close the cover and cook another 30 seconds). Cook the scallops on the second side for another two to three minutes or until the scallops are opaque.

Transfer the scallops to a warm platter. Place a dollop of sauce atop the scallops and serve over mixed field greens.

pasta arrabiatA WITH SAMBAL

Pasta Arrabbiata with Sambal

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Sambal is becoming more common, a spicy Malaysian chile paste that is widely used for a lot of Asian cuisine. You can find it in the Asian food aisle of any well-stocked grocery store. A generally straightforward mix of chiles, salt and vinegar (some have garlic and/or sugar), sambal can best be described as an Asian harrissa. It’s different from Sriracha in that it is nice and chunky with lots of seeds and bits of chile. It makes for a great shortcut to Arrabbiata and here’s the simple way to do it.

Read more about spicy pasta in Dave Mau’s article here.

Ingredients

1 1-pound box of Penne pasta
2 tbsp. Sambal Oelek
10 oz. of your favorite pasta sauce
Grated Parmesan, Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese.
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt

Instructions

Boil Penne in water with salt and olive oil until al dente.

Drain and return to pot, toss with Sambal, then pasta sauce.

Top with your favorite cheese and enjoy!

elk burger

Spicy Elk Burgers

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This recipe was originally demonstrated on a Disc-It outdoor grill (think of a propane-powered wok on steroids), but you can grill these burgers as well. Read more about the Disc-It and burgers in Mark Masker’s article here.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground elk
1 lb. ground beef
1 package (8 links) of Peyton’s Chorizo (or brand of your choice)
Fri-B-Que Seasoning Rub– approximately 4 tablespoons
10-15 crackers, crumbled
4 eggs
2 tbsp. each of salt, pepper, and garlic
Cheese
Hamburger buns
Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the ground elk, ground beef, and ground chorizo thoroughly.

Add in the 4 eggs and crackers, and mix together in the bowl.

Add salt, pepper, garlic, and Fri-B-Que seasoning.

Form into 5-inch diameter patties, about ¼ inch thick.

Turn the DISC-IT (or grill) on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil to the disc and wipe the surface of the cooking disc.

Add the patties to the disc and cook for 4-5 minutes per side. Lightly cover each side of the patties with additional Fri-B-Que seasoning.

Place the buns face down on the outer edge of the disc to toast the bun.
Add cheese to burger to melt. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

Turkish Beef kebab

Turkish Beef Kebab – Adana Kebap

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There are over 30 varieties of Turkish kebabs which locals call “siskebabi,” “sis kebaps,” or “kebabi. Fish, vegetables, pork, beef, fruit, or fowl, are all put on wood or metal skewers and grilled over open flame or coals. Note: If you want to grill vegetables along with fish, chicken or small cubes of meat it’s best to parboil vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, carrots and other dense foods before skewering. Baby new potatoes can be scrubbed and par-boiled in skins or use canned whole potatoes. This recipe is courtesy of Rick Browne. Read more about favorite Superbowl Party dishes from chefs on the Burn! Blog here.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef, or lamb
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon oregano
4 large tomatoes, cut in half from top to bottom
4 green bell peppers, seeded, cut in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped, fresh parsley
Turkish type pita bread
Olive oil

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl combine the beef, onion, pepper flakes, ground pepper, cumin, and oregano, and mix well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat charcoal or gas barbecue to 375˚F.
Shape the meat mixture into 8 to10 sausage-shaped pieces, about an inch thick and 4-inches long, then let cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Place the meat lengthwise on the pre-greased skewers. Cook until you reach your desired degree of doneness, 4 to 5 minutes a side for medium rare.
Place the skewers on the grill. Cut both the tomatoes and the green peppers in half, brush with olive oil, season, and line the vegetables up next to the meat on the grill. Grill until both the peppers and tomatoes start to get char marks and are bubbling, turning once.
Warm the pitas by placing them on a cooler side of the grill and turning them frequently, do not burn them.
Remove the grilled meat from the skewers, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with the warmed pita bread as an appetizer.