Category: Uncategorized

Smoked Stuffed Peppers With Tomato Sauce

On By greg@kandflivingIn Photo Gallery, Recipes, Uncategorized2 Comments

Stuffed peppers are one of my favorites, but the same old recipe can get old and be a little one-dimensional.  By switching up sweet bell peppers for traditional green ones and smoking over applewood, you get a whole new dish with a richer sweeter flavor.  This one is actually really easy to make and impresses guests for an old standby!

SMOKED STUFFED PEPPERS WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce

  • 2 Cans Organic Tomato Sauce
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, Diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, Finely Chopped
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbs Chopped Parsley
  • 1 Tsp Ground Thyme
  • 1/2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Directions

  • Saute onions and garlic in a medium saucepan until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add tomato sauce and then remaining ingredients.  Simmer for 20 minutes minimum.
  • Remove 1 Cup of sauce and allow to cool.

Stuffed Peppers

  • One Red & One Orange Sweet Pepper
  • 1 Lbs Ground Beef
  • 1/3 Cup Uncooked Short Grain Rice
  • 1 Egg, Beaten
  • 1 Tbs Chopped Parsley
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

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Instructions

  • Wash peppers, cut each in half and clean out seeds and white membrane.  Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients as well as 1 Cup of the prepared tomato sauce.  Mix thoroughly, but do not overwork.  Mixture should be wet, but hold together when formed.
  • Divide mixture into 4 parts and stuff each half pepper.  Stuff these loosely to keep the meat moist and tender.
  • Place peppers in a foil pan and smoke uncovered on charcoal and applewood for 30 minutes.
  • Add another cup of prepared sauce to foil pan, cover with aluminum foil and cook on grill for another 30 minutes.
  • Serve with remaining sauce to pour over finished peppers and toasted ciabatta.

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I cooked these peppers at 350 degrees for about an hour.  If you don’t have a grill or smoker, you can easily follow these instructions and prepare in your oven the same way.  This is a basic recipe, but you can create great variations by substituting meats and sauce flavorings.  Think about Italian Sausage and topping with provolone cheese.  What about chorizo with jalapeño and cilantro in the sauce?  Try them and let me know how they turn out!

Love & Salt – Los Angeles

On By greg@kandflivingIn Beer/Cocktails, Eating Out, Uncategorized1 Comment

Big cities provide big opportunities for a great dining experience and Love & Salt in Manhattan Beach did not disappoint!  Located just blocks from the pier, it’s a small, warm and comfortable place for an easy dinner with friends or solo, as I was this week.  The atmosphere is California-cool with ample seating at tables, the bar and the kitchen bar.  I was early for dinner at 6:30, but the place was completely full an hour later.

The menu is a beautiful collection of Italian-inspired dishes with a California twist.  Choices include small plates, salads, meats, pasta and seafood.  It’s really well put together with just enough choices to appeal to a wide audience.  Of course I started with a cocktail and the dirty martini was nearly perfect, but for the absence of blue cheese-stuffed olives.

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Fresh ingredients are abundant on the menu.  I sampled the Fava Bean Toast made with whipped ricotta, preserved lemon and pecorino.  It’s beautiful, fresh and the perfect size starter for the evening.

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While the pizzas, meats and pastas all looked and sounded wonderful, I went to the lighter side with my entree and chose the Grilled Octopus.  Another work of art on the plate, it was slightly spicy and grilled to a perfect light char.  The dish also includes crispy potatoes, chorizo, salsa verde and a bit more preserved lemon.  I can’t tell you enough how good this was!  I am definitely going to have to try my hand at making my own preserved lemons.

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The prices were reasonable and the service was friendly and timely.  Chef Michael Fiorelli has a deft hand with local ingredients, flavor combinations and an interesting menu.  I would absolutely recommend this place for your next trip near LA/Manhattan Beach.  You can find out more on their website loveandsaltla.com.

Sable Kitchen & Bar – Chicago

On By greg@kandflivingIn Beer/Cocktails, Eating Out, UncategorizedLeave a comment

If you’re looking for inspired craft cocktails and delicious small and medium plates, I have a place for you!  On my trip to Chicago last week I had a chance to eat at Sable Kitchen & Bar after a few cocktails at The Berkshire Room.  I figured after a few great bourbons, I was going to need to follow up with the same caliber of cocktails.  Thankfully, Sable is just a block and a half away.  The cocktail menu here is vast, creative and intriguing.  Think of your favorite bourbon or gin elevated with combinations of ingredients like tarragon syrup, cola bitters, cinnamon-infused pear brandy and caraway liqueur.  I loved the Wheatley Convention Center, a blend of Buffalo Trace bourbon, averna (an Italian citrus liqueur), vanilla, Lemon Wetherby’s cola bitters and angostura bitters – smooth and sweet with a brightness from the citrus.

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I love the food menu here as well.  Executive Chef Lawrence Latrero knows what he’s doing in this kitchen!  There are a handful of selections in each category of snacks, seafood, meats and veggies.  The lobster rangoon were perfectly crisp outside and creamy inside.  We also really enjoyed the flatbread with asparagus, mushroom and truffle, but anything with truffles is a no-brainer for me.  Being a meat-lover I really appreciated the Wagyu beef sliders.  Tomato jam, garlic aioli, cheddar and a quail egg make these anything other than your typical slider.  They were so good that we ordered two and had to order two more right away!

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If you save yourself any room, I would highly suggest the churro ice cream sandwich with brandied apples – whoa!!

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Honestly, you can do no wrong here.  Everything was well-executed and definitely has me ready to come back to try more!  If you’re in Chicago, get to River North and check them out.  Detailed info and menus can be found on their website sablechicago.com.

The Berkshire Room – Chicago

On By greg@kandflivingIn Beer/Cocktails, Eating Out, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I travel to Chicago for business – a lot.  Needless to say, there’s no shortage of fantastic places for dinner and drinks.  Sometimes though, you need somewhere a little less busy and a little less pretentious to enjoy a craft cocktail and nosh a few snacks to unwind.  I found the perfect place a few years ago in The Berkshire Room and have made it a regular stop ever since.

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Located in the River North area just around the intersection of Ohio and State (that alone should indicate it’s awesomeness) this small lounge is on the first floor of the ACME Hotel.  The interior is just dark enough and is a great mix of Prohibition-cool and modern style.  There’s a decent selection of beers and ample wine choices, but this is a cocktail lounge.  They are true mixologists here creating interesting craft cocktails with a selection of bourbons, gins and liqueurs.  Think Willy Wonka with booze to get an accurate picture here.  This week I stuck with a simple Bulleit Rye Old Fashioned – OK, maybe two!

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There’s a limited selection of small plates and desserts for accompanying your drinks, but the true gems are the cocktails.  Try the “Dealers Choice” – you pick the liquor, the flavor profile (sweet, savory, herbaceous, etc.) and the glassware and the mixologist creates something on a whim for you.  Great for happy hour or after dinner, I can’t tell you enough how much I love this place!  Check them out at theberkshireroom.com.

Julian’s Deli On The Loveland Bike Trail

On By greg@kandflivingIn Eating Out, UncategorizedLeave a comment

We’re lucky enough to live in Loveland, Ohio with access to the Loveland Bike Trail.  It’s part of the 70 miles of the paved Little Miami Scenic State Park Trail.  You can find great info and links to bike rentals, canoeing, dining and activities at lovelandbiketrail.com.  It’s tough to beat a weekend morning with the dogs taking in the sights along the Little Miami River.  After four or five miles, a stop for lunch is absolutely necessary!

One of our favorite stops is Julian’s Deli on the Bike Trail.  A simple place on the corner of the bike trail and W. Loveland Avenue, you can find a great selection of appetizers, sandwiches and salads.  There’s indoor seating and a small bar, but we love the outdoor space along the trail and in the courtyard.  We love it because it’s also dog-friendly, so we can take an easy lunch right after our walk and have the pups with us!

There’s a great selection of craft beer on tap and in bottles/cans.  On Sundays, they also have a do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar – what’s not to love?!  The sauerkraut balls are golden fried nuggets of pork sausage, sauerkraut and cream cheese – they are fantastic!  It’s also pretty tough to pass up the caramelized bacon with brown sugar and pecans.  The sandwiches are nothing terribly creative, but they do a great job with fresh ingredients.  Try the egg salad and bacon sandwich with tomato and lettuce on an everything bagel, it hit the spot today…

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This is a relaxed place!  With that in mind, don’t plan on quick service.  Grab another Bloody Mary though and enjoy some people-watching on the patio.  They’re not open late, but there is live music on Friday and Saturday night.  For more info, check out their website at juliansdeli.com.

Mediterranean Couscous

On By greg@kandflivingIn Recipes, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Couscous is a great option for a side dish or main dish because it takes on flavor really well.  Surprised that an Italian loves small pasta balls??  Seriously though, this Mediterranean version is a great side dish or main dish with the addition of a protein like chicken or fish.  It’s easy to make, versatile and delicious!

MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Whole Wheat Couscous
  • 1 1/4 Cup Water
  • 4 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided in half
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Zest
  • 1 Clove Garlic, Finely Chopped
  • 2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts
  • 2 Small Tomatoes, Seeded and Diced
  • 1/2 Cucumber, Seeded and Diced
  • 1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Directions

  • Place water and 2 Tbs olive oil in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Stir in couscous, remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl.  Allow to cool.
  • Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  • Refrigerate and serve.

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Grilled Greek Lamb Chops with Tzatziki

On By greg@kandflivingIn Recipes, Uncategorized3 Comments

I love finding grilled lamb chops as an appetizer at parties.  You don’t have to be at a party though, they also make an easy dinner!  Some people are intimidated by lamb or aren’t sure how to season and cook it properly.  Using classic Greek flavors is an easy and fool-proof way to make perfect lamb chops every time!  I always pair them with my easy tzatziki recipe – you can use it with the lamb, pitas and veggies to dip in.

GRILLED GREEK LAMB CHOPS

Ingredients

  • 8 Lamb Chops
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, Finely Chopped
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Zest
  • 2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbs Oregano
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Directions

  • Place lamb chops in a 9×9 dish or ziplock bag.
  • Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over lamb chops.
  • Cover or seal to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
  • Remove lamb chops from refrigerator 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
  • Grill lamb chops over medium heat 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness.
  • Remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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EASY TZATZIKI

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups Greek Yogurt (don’t go fat-free here, use 2% or full-fat for best results)
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Zest
  • 2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 Clove Garlic, Finely Chopped
  • 1/2 Cucumber, Seeded and Diced
  • 2 Tsp Chopped Dill (dried works well here too)
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix all ingredients thoroughly.  Don’t over-mix as you want to keep the thick texture of the Greek yogurt.
  • You can eat it immediately, but I love to let it set in the refrigerator to meld the flavors.
  • Use as a dipping sauce for the lamb chops, pitas and vegetables.

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Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA

On By greg@kandflivingIn Beer/Cocktails, Uncategorized3 Comments

I love that beer has had a revival over the past 5 years!  There’s been an explosion of local brewers and innovation in types, flavors, bottling, canning, etc.  What’s not to love, right? The starting point for many new breweries, and always a crowd favorite, is the IPA.  I’ve had more than I can count, but Ballast Point hit the nail on the head with this one.

There is great body in this beer with a crisp citrus hop flavor.  You’d think that the addition of grapefruit would make this overpowering, but it really compliments the beer well.  Who would have imagined that a winter fruit would make for a great summertime beer?  I love this beer with salmon or chicken, but it pairs really well with a lot of dishes.  I’d like to say it’s an all-day sipper, but at 7% ABV, it gets a little boozy on a long afternoon in the sun.

You can find this gem on tap and canned or bottled in lots of places due to their purchase by Constellation Brands (Corona, Modelo).  Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed in this diversion from the everyday IPA!  Check them out at ballastpoint.com.

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