Simply Delicious Kobe Beef Burger

     For this burger recipe I wanted something simple. I wanted an outrageously tasty burger, but not something flashy. Just a good old burger. When I set out to craft this masterpiece I started at the butcher. To say he gasped when I asked him to grind the Kobe steak was an understatement, but when I told him my plans for this burger , he nodded and happily got to work, only remarking that I bring him a sample! Sometimes it's great to try a fancy burger loaded with all sorts of fancy toppings, but I just  thought the beef should speak for itself. No bacon , no cheese, just some real deal, I'm not playing around Kobe beef! With that I give you, The Kobe Burger

Worlds Best Beef Kebab with Homemade Slaw

 

 

 OK guys, this recipe will give you some of the best beef kebabs you have ever tasted! Ask me what the best part about these savory, delicious skewers is and wouldn't know where to start! They are sweet, they are spicy, and they are just downright good. The best part is you get to improvise, you want more heat, then add more chili flakes and dial it up, not a fan of the sweet, cut back the brown sugar. Do it how you like it, although I have to tell you they are enormously addictive just the way they are! The slaw adds a refreshing bite of acid to cut through all the sweet and heat leaving your palate begging for more, enjoy!

How To Follow a Recipe

     Now that I have given you some simple recipes to follow, I thought I would shed some light on a task which many aspiring cooks find to be quite daunting. It is the art of following a recipe. I remember when I first started putting down some good dishes in my early teen years, I didn't have much in a sense of creativity yet, so I would just follow recipes by the book. I remember putting some of those recipes in the "Do Not Cook" list, some rightfully so, others, well........ Like I said, I was just starting to cook. I have probably butchered recipes from all the top chefs you can think of. At that point I had not yet mastered the art of improvisation, the hallmark of any great chef.

Spice Rubbed Chicken Kebab Sandwich

        Bring home some Mediterranean flavors with this tasty chicken kebab wrap. As I've told you before in International Cuisine Basics, staring with just one spice you can begin to replicate regional flavors. A pinch of cumin in this spice rubbed chicken brings a delightful earthiness to this kebab. Eat this for a quick healthy lunch, or use it to fuel up before the gym. Healthy doesn't necessarily mean boring, give this simple, yet tasty recipe a try and I guarantee you will love it! Happy Eating!!!  

Fiery Coconut-Curry Chicken Soup

  

 I made this chicken soup recipe using the same marinade from my spicy herb-garlic chicken. This dish incorporates both coconut milk, and curry,which are commonly used in traditional southeastern Asian cuisine. These two flavors compliment each other perfectly.   Hints of spice and curry pop in this dish which is simple to make, yet delicious as can be! This dish is easy enough for the beginner cook, yet the flavors are vibrant and sophisticated. Your friends will be impressed... Trust me!  Enjoy!!!

International Cuisine Basics

 
      There has often been times when I stumbled into unassuming  establishments specializing in a particular cuisine, and left speechless trying to comprehend the flavors I just took in. Often times these little eateries are run by people who came to this country and still cook how they used to back home. You get authentic food, done right. Let's face it, food from other countries are amazing! Not to say I don't have an affinity for some good old American fare, but I like it all. For me trying food from other regions of the world is fun, educational, and inspiring. The problem for a guy like me is that once I try something I like, my mind starts going to work.

Kitchen Basics

 While I'm busy whipping you guys up a healthy recipe, I wanted to give you a few kitchen basics. Simple guidelines so to speak, that will make cooking easy, and your food delicious!

Preparation

 Prep-work ladies and gentleman, make it part of your cooking routine and I guarantee you will thank me.
     The French call it "mise en place," or to set in place. The French are considered to be among the world's culinary elite, yet as sophisticated, and precise as their techniques are, each dish begins with basic prep work. Only once everything has been prepared will a classically trained French chef begin to cook.
     Start by making a list of everything you are going to need for your meal, every ingredient and every spice, and lay them all out in front of you.