Surf N Turf

I decided this morning that I wanted to cook up some of those scallops I had in the freezer. So, the idea came to me to do the scallops, salmon, and steak... my own version of surf n turf. 

I did it a bit different, blackened salmon... in a cast iron skillet. The steak in a cast iron skillet as well. There's just something about it that doesn't beat the flavor. Well, in the kitchen, at least... everything's better on the grill, lol. 

The spices I used to blacken the salmon were: ground chipotle, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. 

The steak got the leftover spice rub and the scallops just seasoned salt... just a touch. 

Perfection was achieved!! 

Grill Time

You know, for me, I don't think there is anything better than the taste of grilled food. The change of the seasons around here and not being able to use the grill part of the year, there's just something about the flavor. 

I know, I know... there's always the debate about which tastes better, charcoal or propane. I'm not going to get into that, as I do use gas because of the convenience. 

Tonight I decided to thaw a chicken thigh and grill it up with some barbecue sauce. Round out the meal with a salad and mashed potatoes, and you're good to go. 

Now... I used to always wrestle with the timing of cooking chicken on the bone on the grill. I used to burn it before it would ever get cooked through. I tried everything I could think of. No sauce until the very end. Indirect heat. To no avail could I cook it where it had the nice delicious crispy skin and juicy inside. Well, I solved my problem.

I got this trick off a friend of mine, and it truly does work. Here's what I do:

Boil it first. 

You heard me, boil the chicken first, preferably with some spices and herbs in the water. Tonight I used a garlic clove (whole), white pepper, and cumin. 

When that grill is nice and hot, throw the cooked chicken on there, dump some barbecue sauce on the top side, let it cook for a bit, flip it over, dump some sauce on, and let it cook... Let it go until you've got the desired crispiness. That's all there is to it. 

Trust me, it works. 

On the grill... 

On my plate along with parsley mashed potatoes.

 
YUM!

Lent

You know, I'm not Catholic.

But I have to say... those people in the churches around here are terrific cooks.

I went for a Lent dinner after classes last night with a couple of friends, and I have to say, I was completely impressed with the way the food tasted. Hell, I was impressed with how they ran entire operation.

First you tell someone which meal you want (I think there were five or six choices), they highlight it on a sheet and give it to you. Then you pay for it at the next 'station'. Next is the food line, you hand the paper to the first person, and down the line it goes. Grab a tray and you move too... Pretty neat. You also had a choice of deserts.

My choice: Baked crusted cod, haluski, green beans, salad, a dinner roll, iced tea, and a small piece of white cake.

The entire dinner was only 921 calories, and let me tell you, this was a LOT of food. I was stuffed!

I was also surprised to see one of my favorite professors there. I think more surprised that she was working as a server. Well, not really working, but volunteering her time. It's great to see them take the time out of their busy school schedules to do something they love.

It was definitely a good meal, with great company, and even included a nice 15 minute walk to burn off some cals, lol.

I do believe I'll be making a dinner trip over there this coming Friday. :)

I'll be sure to take a picture of the food next time! ;)

Updates and New England Clam Chowder

How far I have come since the last time I posted to this blog. I'm reviving it because of a PR class requirement and that's good because I love to write. I also love food, which was the purpose of this to begin with.

There have been many ups and downs since the last post I made here and I've taken them all in stride. I am now into my last year of college and what an adventure it's been. I've made some really good friends, had some spectacular classes and am looking forward to making the dean's list as a full-time student for the first time this semester. Anxiously awaiting, lol.

So my food musing for right now would be this:

I grew up loving a specific brand of New England Clam Chowder. No name mentions here, I'm not their PR rep. There are now cheaper brands on the market and those are the ones I migrate to. While they don't have the same comfort food taste that I was so accustomed to, a few little additions can really make them shine.

So, if you want to try this, grab your trusty can opener and take a trip into my kitchen. Into your pot will go the chowder. Then, picture this: add a can of drained clams, your trusty dollar store should have them cheap, add a touch of salt, and for an extra zip for lunch today, I added a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Yummy stuff, gives the illusion and hint of bacon.

Try it, I'll bet you're going to like it!

Sorry, no pictures here for this, it's already down the hatch, lol.

So as I sit here on the first official day of spring break 2012, I look forward to hopefully educating and amusing whoever out there in cyberspace feels my blog is worth a look.