Coney Island Hot Dog

What is a Coney Island Hot Dog?  
Pretty much it is a snappy hot dog topped with chili and other ingredients, such as onions, cheddar cheese, and mustard.

Many historians will say that it originated in Coney Island, New York.  A Polish immigrant, Nathan Handwerker was encouraged to sell these hot dogs for a nickel on the streets, in 1916.
Countless New Yorker's flocked his stands including politicians, actors, sportsmen, truck drivers, laborers, and housewives.  Soon the Coney Island Hot Dog made it's way into the Michigan area.

Today, we enjoy this hot dog the same way.  I created this delicious and simple chili recipe that can be served, on your favorite hot dogs.

Coney Island Chili

Ingredients:
8 grilled hot dogs (grilled or boiled)
8 Three Bakers Hot Dog Buns
1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup chopped sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 TBS chili powder
1 TBS cumin
1/2 tsp celery salt
1 TBS worcestershire sauce
1 cup tomato sauce

Directions:
1.  In a skillet add 1 TBS cooking oil.  Add beef, onions, and garlic.  Saute until meat is brown (approx. 5-8 mins).
2.  Add chili, cumin, celery salt, worcestershire, and tomato sauce.  Stir and simmer 10 mins.

Sausage Gravy

Breakfast Sausage Gravy

Ingredients:
1 TBS cooking oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1 lb Pork sausage meat, ground ( sage and brown sugar)
1/3 cup flour ( I used gluten-free)
3 cups whole milk
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
Three Bakers Golden Flax Bread

Directions:
1.  In a medium-size skillet, heat oil on medium/high heat.  Add onions.  Cook until soft.  Add garlic, stir and cook for an additional 1 minute.
2.  Add meat and cook until brown, chop with a spoon or spatula into small pieces.
3.  Sprinkle flour over the top of cooked meat.  Stir to let dissolved.  Cook for 2-3 mins.
4.  Add milk and stir.  Cook for 5 mins or until thickens.  Add salt, pepper, and paprika.  Stir.
5.  Serve over toasted Three Bakers Golden Flax Bread.

Lemon Bay Tuna Mac Salad

In 1896 2,000 acres of land was purchased in Englewood (SW FL).  This land, which is bordering the Gulf Bay, was to be a thriving Florida, "Grove Town".  The Nichols brothers aimed to plant lemon trees and grown lemons, which were in high demand.  Not only were lemons very costly, but they were also known for treating scurvy and influenza, both serious health threats, at the time.  

Everyone agreed it was a good plan except Mother Nature.  Severe back-to-back freezes killed all the immature lemon trees that had been planted.  The lowest temperature recorded was 14 degrees.

Game plan change:  Lemon Bay, Englewood was soon promoted as a resort area featuring excellent hunting, golfing, fishing, and water activities, which became one of the first Winter resort spots in Florida. 

One of the most popular fish caught in SW Florida is the Mackerel, which is in the tuna family.  Today, many residents and vacationers enjoy ALL that Englewood has to offer, including abundant fishing and tropical citrus trees.

No doubt, this recipe represents the area in which I live in.  I used only the best dressings to compliment this salad also.  Guess what "one" ingredient is used in their products?  If you guessed lemons, you are correct. #Hellmanns #tasteofamericabbq #ContestEntry

Lemon Bay Tuna  Mac Salad

Ingredients:

8 ozs elbow pasta, cooked and drained

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 cup Hellmann's Mayonnaise 

1/4 cup Hellmann's Classic Burger Sauce

2 TBS half and half

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 TBS cider vinegar

2 TBS sugar

1 tsp tarragon, chopped

1 tsp parsley, chopped

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp coarse pepper

2 can Solid White Tuna, drained

Directions:

1.  Cook pasta, drain.

2.  In a medium-size mixing bowl.  Add all other ingredients (except tuna).  Mix well.

3.  Add tuna to dressing.  Mix well.  Season to your liking.  Fold in pasta.  Chill for 4 hrs or overnight.

Serves 6-8 people

Feta Turkey Burgers with Avocado Aioli

Feta Turkey Burgers with Avocado Aioli

Tired of your lean meat always drying out.  Add some healthy fat to this

delicious recipe.  You will be surprised how super moist and flavorful these burgers are.

Add these burgers to a Three Bakers Hamburger Bun and top with this

avocado garlic aioli (recipe below)

Turkey Burger Ingredients:

3 lbs ground turkey meat

1/2 cup mashed avocado

8 ozs feta cheese

2/3 cup scallions, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced and zest

Directions:

1.  Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.  Fold until completely mixed.  Mold into patties.

2.  Cook on grill, frying pan or oven until desired temperature.

Makes approx. 11 -12 patties, depending on size

Avocado Aioli Recipe:

1/2 avocado

1/2 clove garlic

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 cup cilantro

1 lime juiced and zest

1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1.  Puree all ingredients in food processor until smooth.  Add a bit of olive oil for smoother texture.

Dark Rum Bacon Baked Beans

Have you ever been asked to bring baked beans to a bbq or gathering?  Sure, it is easy to just buy a large can and doctor them up with a few extra ingredients.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  In fact, I love to add a bit of mustard and some bacon.  Maybe even add a combo of different beans.  Who wouldn't love that, as a side dish?

I have talked for years about making my own homemade style baked beans, but not from cans.  Yes, I decided to make the real deal, from dried beans. I knew I wanted to do something different, you know....a twist.

After comparing a few recipes I realized there any many different styles of baked beans.  They are also made with different types of beans, sometimes a combo of many together.  But who originally created the first baked bean dish?  Was it the Pilgrims, Indians, British, UK or how about Boston?

After much research I decided that it really didn't matter.  What mattered is I created a good tasting baked bean recipe I would be proud to serve at any outdoor bbq.  My little secret was to add a shot of dark rum to enhance the taste.  Okay, maybe a little bit more than one shot.

This recipe is certainly a "People Pleaser".  Serve this recipe at your next get together with your chicken, burgers and dogs.  Beans served as a side, are not only good for your heart, they also make good meals, a la carte.


Dark Rum Bacon Baked Beans

Ingredients:
1 lb dry northern beans
1/2 lb bacon strips, chopped
3 cups sweet onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup maple syrup (I use Vermont syrup)
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
1 cup brown sugar (optional, add more to liking)
1/4 cup dark rum
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.  Rinse beans.  Place beans in dutch oven and cover with water at least by 2 inches.  Bring to a boil, boil for 3 mins.  Remove from heat, cover and let sit for 1 hour or until softened.
2.  Drain beans and discard water.  Return beans to Dutch Oven and add 6 cups of water.  Bring to a boil on high heat.  Reduce simmer for approx. 75 mins, or until almost tender.
3.  While beans are cooking place large skillet on stove top.  Cook bacon on medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towel.  Reserve oil in container, leaving approx. 4 TBS in skillet.
4.  Add to skillet, onions.  Saute until onions are soft.  Add garlic, cook for additional 2 mins.
5.  Stir  in ketchup, molasses, syrup, worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.  Add bacon and rum, stir.  Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
6.  Drain beans but RESERVE water.  Place beans in skillet.  Stir beans with onion mixture.  Add one cup of liquid.  Pour beans back into dutch oven.  Bake in a pre-heated oven 300 degrees for 3 hours.  Stir every 30 mins.  Add additional water, if needed.

Note:  1.  I only added a total of 1 cup of extra liquid.
           2.  I think this is perfect consistency of sweetness.  Add more brown sugar, if you like.

Brazilian Cheesy Bread

 Pão de queijo, or Brazillian cheese bread, is a delightful snack and breakfast food that holds a special place in the hearts and palates of the people throughout Brazil.  

Its name translates to "Cheese Bread in Portuguese.  This popular treat originated in the State of

Minas Gerais has become a beloved part of Brazilian cuisine. In fact, you may recognize it as the bread commonly served a Brazilian Steak Houses, adding a delightful complement to the meaty feast.

I have had the pleasure of making these easy rolls with my Grandkids numerous times, and it never fails to amaze me how simple they are to prepare.  One of the remarkable aspects of Pão de queijo is that it is
naturally gluten-free, as it is made with Tapioca flour.  Sometimes, we make this bread with 
cheddar cheese.  These rolls are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed alongside various soups.  

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups tapioca flour
1 egg, large
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cups milk
1/2 cup feta cheese (or farmer's cheese)
1/2 cup parmesan or romano cheese

Directions:
1.  Add all ingredients to the blender.  Mix until thoroughly blended, scraping down the sides of the container if needed.
2.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease a 36-count mini tart pan with cooking spray.
3.  Use a small cookie scoop to fill each well in the tart pan.
4.  Bake for approx. 20 mins or until golden brown.  Serve warm.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Roasted Ras El Hanout Chickpeas

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks 

with Roasted Ras El Hanout Chickpeas

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Celery, chopped

Red Onion, sliced thin

1 can black olives, sliced in half

1 cup grape tomatoes

5 sprigs fresh parsley

Olive oil

Red Wine Vinegar

salt and pepper, to taste

Roasted Ras El Hanout Chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained and pat dry

1 TBS Ras El Hanout spice

1 TBS olive oil

Directions:

1.  Toss chickpeas in a medium-size bowl with spice and olive oil.  

2.  Bake 400 degrees for approx. 20 mins.  Season with Sea Salt