Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The Go-To...Munchies

There are a couple of things in my repertoire that are a go-to for munchies, whenever or whenever...Grilled PB&J and Ramen.

Although the PB&J has been around for a LONG time, grilling it just seemed like a natural - to me at least.  Most people kind of cringe when they hear it, but after they have tried it...damn!  and they keep coming back. 

GRILLED PB&J
Serves: 1 (so multiply this by as many people as you have)

INGREDIENTS
2 pieces white sandwich bread
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 Tbsp. Strawberry Jam - any kind of jam will do
1 Tbsp. Butter
1 Tbsp. Best Foods Mayonnaise - NOT Miracle Whip or any other shitty brand

DIRECTIONS
You are going to basically make a Peanut Butter and Jam sandwich, so spread the peanut butter on one of the pieces of bread, and the jam on the other piece.
Put the sandwich together.
Preheat an 8" non-stick pan on Medium-Low heat.
Combine the butter and mayo together.  This may seem odd, or even repellent, but the butter will melt into the bread, and the mayo give the mixture a higher burning point and provides a nice browning quality.
Apply 'butter' liberally to the outside of one of the sides of the sandwich.  Place the sandwich, butter side down, in the preheated pan.  Butter the other side of the sandwich and cover the pan.
Cook the sandwich for about 2 minutes, checking for a light-medium brown crust, then flip the sandwich and cook for another 2 minutes, covered until that side is light-medium brown.
Remove from pan, cut on the diagonal and serve with a cold glass of milk...ENJOY!

As for the Ramen, yes it is Ramen...from the package, but it's not your basic Ramen from college.  Amazing how adding just a few ingredients really changes the flavor and overall ramen experience (yes, I said experience).  I like to add an egg, but you can add frozen veggies, left over chicken, or any other grilled meat you have, cheese, etc. the sky's the limit with this one!
 
BIG PAPI'S RAMEN
Serves: 1 (so multiply this by as many people as you have)

INGREDIENTS
1 Ramen Noodle packet, I prefer Maruchan Chicken flavor, noodles and seasoning packet
2 cups water
1 tsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
5 drops Sesame Oil
1 tsp. Sriracha Sauce
1/2 tsp. Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup frozen veggies
2 oz. grilled chicken, diced.

DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan, bring water, seasoning packet, soy sauce, oil, Sriracha and vinegar to a rolling boil.  Add noodles and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking apart the 'block' of noodles into single strands.
Stir noodles and slowly pour in beaten egg, let cook for an additional :30 seconds.
In a bowl, layer meat on the bottom, frozen veggies on top then pour noodles and broth over everything.  Stir, and let cool for a few minutes, then ENJOY!

Friday, January 2, 2015

About this Real Dad

Over the years, I have enjoyed food of all kinds, from all types of restaurants and from many countries.  As far as food goes, I live by the mantra to 'try anything once, and most things twice'.  Having been brought up in Northern California, and in a household where we ate out at nice restaurants, I had been exposed to many different foods from an early age.
As I got older, and my tastes developed, I started to cook with a very 'open minded' style and mindset, and that led me to use cooking as a creative outlet.  At the end of a busy or hard day, most of the time I enjoy opening up the refrigerator/pantry/freezer and creating something that is both pleasing to the taste and to the eye.
Presentation is important to me - sure there are many times that don't call for fine china and crystal, but since I believe you eat with your eyes first, then your mouth second, you should be visually or aesthetically drawn to food...then satisfied as you eat it.
OK, enough about my philosophy of food.  Really, what you'll find here is a conglomeration of recipes, sometimes colorful commentary, and maybe even some appetizing pictures.
Enjoy!