My First Lattice Crust... Not So Bad

This weekend one of my best friends came down for a visit. The one thing in the world that I know I can do right is cook tasty things... The one thing in the world I know about my friend (Kyle) is that the dude can pound away food - especially good food.

A few weeks ago my wife brought up the idea of cherry pie and needless to say (why am I saying it, then?!), it went from idea to action fairly quickly.

I bought some cherry pie filling (I know, not exactly my regular from scratch braggable thing to do) and made the decision that a pie had to be made. What better time than to make it when my friend the human food disposal and his girlfriend came to visit - thus, the pie was created.

(Pre-Heat Oven to 450 degrees F)

Crust

MIX
2 1/4 Cups Flour
3/4 teaspoon Salt

CUT IN -
2/3 Cup Shortening

ADD
8-10 Tablespoons Warm Water (until crust reaches proper consistency)

CUT DOUGH
You want to make sure half of the dough is left out so you can roll the top layer (duh!)

ROLL
Role it out on a floured surface and place first layer in pie dish.

POUR
Pour the cherry filling (Two 21 oz Cans) into pie crust

ROLL PT. 2
Roll your second dough ball

CUT
Cut it into strips around 3/4 in. wide

WEAVE
This can be hard if you lose concentration (see picture above) - start with 3 or four strips then add 3 or for the other direction (weave them in as you go of course).

COOK
Cook it at 450 for 45 minutes...

ENJOY
It doesn't matter if you get the weave to look pretty, people will still eat your delicious pie. If not, that is their problem.

Garlic and Football Season - The Best Parts of Fall

Okay, maybe you can have garlic whenever you want. That doesn't mean it doesn't taste better during the fall. While I realize that garlic may not taste any different, I stand by the FACT that putting fresh garlic in your chili can make it go from tasting great to tasting AMAZING.

This is my first entry of football season 2010. It will be a very fun fall for football and food.

Black Beans - Your Alternative Key To Delicious Food

I was scared too. Take a leap... Trust me.

Black beans look like something gross to a kid that grows up eating happy meals and pizza for every meal. It took me until I was in my twenties to realize how awesome they were. The first way I would suggest to get a kid to start eating black beans is by putting them in a burrito. Don't tell them what you are putting in the burrito or whatever it is you want to call it. Just do it.

With any luck you will just take my word for it if you are the scared party involved. God knows it is almost impossible to get an adult to enjoy food they have been scared of since they were eating happy meals and pizza for every meal.

If you are in the adult category and haven't had the heart to make anything with black beans. Go to Chipotle and ask them to make a veggie burrito bowl and load that sucker with black beans. It is one of my most guilty pleasures in fast food - yes, Chipotle is fast food. However, if you don't get the tortilla and go with the bowl you will be saving yourself approximately 400 calories.

Once you manage to figure out that I am right and black beans are delicious you will find yourself looking for anything to put them into. One of my favorite black bean uses was as a burger. I forget where I had said burger, but it was basically a bunch of black beans mashed up into one patty of grillable deliciousness.

So, go ahead - put black beans in your salad, in your soup, in your oatmeal... okay, maybe not everything but go out on a limb. You will thank me later.

Asiago Cheese - Pineapple Heaven?

After thinking long and hard about what kinds of pizza I would order for my birthday party, I made the decision to roll with three '3 topping pizzas'.

The first was spinach, feta and roma tomatoes.
The second was artichokes, pesto and roma tomatoes.
And the third was pineapple, ham and asiago cheese.

While I was reading up on asiago cheese (yes, I do read up on cheese) I saw that one of the best combonations with it is pineapple. Knowing how much I loved the strong, slightly harsh taste of the italian cheddar (Asiago) I felt as if a light had been turned on in my head or maybe something like what happens in every Harry Potter movie.

"OF COURSE!" -- Hermione Granger

After trying the pizza, all I can say is make the order if your local pizza joint carries those toppings. You won't regret it... Unless you don't like pineapple. If that is the case, have fun with your crappy pizza!

CHEERS!

Tender Chicken Starts With Salt Water

Yet another good tip I received from my mother has resulted in fantastic taste!

I have been doing this little trick for awhile now. However, now that it is pretty much 'officially' grilling season here is what you do.

Get a big bowl (big enough to fit your chicken into, with extra space for water).

Place your chicken in the bowl and fill the bowl with just enough water to cover the chicken.

Shake a decent amount of salt over the chicken and in the water.

Then let the chicken stand in the bowl for at least 45 minutes, I usually leave it in longer.

Once you are ready to throw them onto the grill be sure to bring some all purpose seasoning.

After you have put the chicken on the grill (or before you take them outside) shake a generous amount of all purpose seasoning directly on the chicken and cook until the chicken is finished. You will have some of the best tasting, tender and awesome chicken EVER!

As a matter of fact, I think I know what I am doing for dinner tonight!

I also enjoy having steamed vegetables (broccoli or zucchini) with it as well.