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You are here: Home / Archives for Recipes / Grilling

Grilling

Himalayan Salt Block for Grilling (Review)

May 9, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Voltas Himalayan Salt Block and Ground Chuck

Have you ever used a Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link)? They are so incredibly cool and fun to use, you’ll wonder why in the world you never ordered one before! I highly recommend buying Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman… (Amazon link) as well.

Features of the VOLTAS Himalayan Salt Block:

  • 100% Natural Himalayan Salt Cooking Block & iron Steel Holder to Avoid Rust.
  • Recipe Pamphlet, Size, 12 X 8 X 1.5
  • Kosher Food Grade Natural Himalayan Salt.
  • Salty Flavor Extra Sizzle: Add extra sizzling salty flavor taste to all your meals Meat, Fish, Vegetables, seafood and more.
  • High Quality Metal Tray: The Salt Block Holder is made out of high quality steel that provides the sturdy support and protection to extend your Salt Block’s life.
  • Great Serving Plate Presentation: Himalayan Salt’s natural pink crystals also enhance food presentation, making it suitable for serving chilled food. Place Salt Block in the Holder, refrigerate for an hour or two and use it as a serving plate. Whether hot or cold, Himalayan Salt tiles hold temperatures effectively (up to 500°F). Impress your guests and yourself with an all natural serving dish.
  • Simple & Easy to clean: Unlike all those hard to clean cutting boards, given the salt blocks natural properties the salt disinfects themselves and is cleaned by simply wiping it with a wet cloth, And let the air dry it.

Voltas Himalayan Salt Block, Rack, and Storage Tote

This Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link) would make an outstanding gift idea for Father’s Day – just in time for grilling season… or, in this case, grilling seasoned.

Sorry, I had to.

Hamburgers and Asparagus on the VOLTAS Himalayan Salt Block

Burgers and Asparagus on a Himalayan Salt Block

Not surprisingly, the first thing he wanted to fix on the block were burgers (he could give Popeye’s buddy Wimpy a run for his money) and asparagus (his favorite vegetable).  He cooked some burgers and asparagus on another part of the grill (for comparison’s sake) and the juiciness of the burgers were BEYOND noticeable. In fact, “JUICY,” was the first thing out of our mouths – when they weren’t full, of course – our mothers taught us manners, after all.   They were delectable and juicier than any burger I think I’ve ever had.

Ever.

As for the asparagus, if all asparagus tasted as great as these did, it’d be more people’s favorite vegetable. Before putting them on the block, I lightly oiled them with EVOO and seasoned them with pepper and garlic powder – I trusted the block to take care of the salt factor.

They were just fantastic – flavorful with the perfect amount of crispiness. Wilting, overcooked asparagus is depressing and these were nowhere near that.

Himalayan Salt Blocks are PERFECT for:

  • Steaks
  • Kabobs
  • Fish
  • Burgers (Juicy burgers, that is)
  • Vegetables

I think the cast of characters for a fajita – skirt steak sliced bell peppers, mushrooms and onions – would be out of this world too.  The possibilities are endless. See Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link) for more information.

 Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman (Amazon link) would make a perfect companion as a gift. It’s full of ideas, recipes, and tips – everything a new salt block griller needs to know to have the confidence and swagger to work their salt block magic.

Salt Block Grilling by Mark Bitterman

Book Description: Over 70 all new recipes for grilling traditional and nontraditional dishes on a Himalayan salt block from salt expert and best-selling author of Salt Block Cooking, Mark Bitterman.

Everyone who loves the excitement and pleasure of discovering new cooking techniques will enjoy this guide to grilling and entertaining with salt blocks. The introduction is your salt block owner’s manual, with everything you need to know to purchase, use, and maintain salt blocks with confidence. The six chapters that follow are divided into over 70 recipes organized by key ingredients: Meat, Seafood, Poultry, Vegetables and Fruit, Dairy, and Doughs. You’ll find recipes for Salt Seared Smoked Pork Belly, Lamb Satay with Mint Chutney and Spicy Peanut Crumble, Salt Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad, Hot Salted Edamame with Sesame, Shiso, and Szechuan Pepper, and Salty, Smoky Walnut-Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Bitterman is the foremost salt block expert and one of the largest importers and retail distributors of salt blocks. The precious pink mineral mined from ancient hills in Pakistan’s Punjab province has arrived on the American cooking scene as an exciting and enticing new form of grilling. Himalayan salt blocks are available at specialty retail stores around the world and the market is growing.

Recipe from Salt Block Grilling

Information and Recipes Include:

  • Essential Tools
  • Care and Handling
  • Heating Step by Step and Heating 101
  • Cleaning and Storage
  • Sandwich Steak with Peppers Onions and Aged Provolone
  • Short Rib Tacos
  • Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Hot Salt Rocks and Fresh Herbs
  • Salt-Barbecued Scallops with Habanero Sprinkle
  • Salt-Block Grilled Vegetables
  • Hot Salted Edamame with Sesame, Shiso, and Sichuan Pepper
  • Blistered Baby Peppers
  • Pizza on a Salt Block
  • Salty-Smoky Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Plus a lot more delicious recipes – like all cookbooks, there are a few you’ll never make (I’m looking at you baby octopuses and you know it) but all will intrigue you and inspire you. The process and food combinations are exceptional and it’s a must have book if this is your first time grilling with a salt block.

See Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link)  and Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman… (Amazon link) for a lot more information.

Hamburgers and Asparagus on the VOLTAS Himalayan Salt Block

Burgers and Asparagus Grilled on a Himalayan Salt Block

Filed Under: Daily Gift Ideas for Foodies, Gift Ideas for Cooks, Grilling, Reviews Tagged With: Grilling on a Himalayan Salt Block, Himalayan Salt Block Grilling Cookbook, Himalayan Salt Block Review

Melamine Dinnerware Set (These Dishes are to DIE FOR!)

March 27, 2021 By Joi Sigers

These gorgeous outdoor dishes, the Melamine Dinnerware Set, isn’t just on my “buy for this grilling season,” it’s at the top. In fact, if I only get one thing on the list this year… it MUST be this set.

The set for four includes 4 large 10.5″ dinner plates, 4 8.5″ salad (or dessert) plates, and 4 6″ wide x 3″ high bowls.

These beauties are sturdy, food grade and BPA free. They’re even top-rack dishwasher safe, which is quickly becoming a must for every dish I buy. What can I say, especially in the pretty months, I don’t want to be at my sink when I can be… well… anywhere BUT at my sink!

Something else I love about them is the fact they’re perfectly willing to serve you and your family & friends indoors or outdoors. They’re made for both, and I fully intend to use them for both.

I’ve always felt strongly (and lived by the code, if we’re being honest) that you should fill your home with things that make you smile, things that resonate with joy for you. These dishes speak to me on that note – I love the rustic look, often referred to as “farmhouse” decor, but truth be told, they’d go with any type of decor or family personality.

I hope you’ll click through and take a closer look at this gorgeous set. There are larger images (trust me, the closer the look, the deeper in love with them you’ll fall) and even a video.

See Melamine Dinnerware Set (Amazon link) for more information.

LOVE THESE!!!

Filed Under: Dishes, Gift Ideas, Grilling, Summertime Favorites Tagged With: grilling season, outdoor bowls, outdoor dinnerware, outdoor plates, woodgrain plates

Winco Hamburger Smasher and Turner: Perfect for Diner-Style Burgers

June 27, 2019 By Joi Sigers

Winco Hamburger Smasher and Turner

Winco Burger Turner (and Smasher!)

I LOVE burgers. There, I said it. I love them more than words can even say. In fact, I wouldn’t spend too much time searching for words because that would be time taken away from eating burgers.

My favorite way to fix burgers is “diner-style,” just a food blogger cool way of saying, “burgers that are smashed into an iron skillet.”

Before we found  the HANDY as HECK Winco Burger Turner above (or as I call it, my smasher), it was a headache to smash the burgers into the skillet. I’d try to get my spatulas to go along with the plan, but they just weren’t built for it. You should’ve seen me, holding the spatula in one hand and placing a mug on top of the spatula with the other hand. The spatula took a beating, the mug felt anxious, and the cats laughed.

Perfectly embarrassing.

This crazy cool and inexpensive little tool has made life a lot easier. It’s also perfect for the grill – gets the burgers nice and flat. This makes them cook quicker and, in my opinion, makes them tastier.

Product Description from Amazon

  • Stainless steel construction
  • Wooden handle
  • Winco products range from tabletop to kitchen utensils to food preparation supplies
  • Winco products are used by all foodservice and hospitality industry experts worldwide

See Winco Burger Turner for more information!


Filed Under: Christmas Gift Guide, Cooking Tips, Daily Gift Ideas for Foodies, Gift Ideas for Cooks, Grilling, Kitchen Gadget Reviews Tagged With: gift ideas for cooks, gift ideas for foodies, Hamburger smasher, kitchen gadget reviews, Kitchen Gadgets

Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza

July 13, 2015 By Joi Sigers

Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza

Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza

Before we get to the recipe, a few words about grilling pizzas. My husband has always been a huge fan of grilling. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, corn on the cob… you name it,  he’s grilled it…. and to perfection.  Last summer, however, I thought he’d finally lost his mind. Seriously, I thought it was time to phone the children.

He told me that he had special plans for his weekend grilling. As my mind was rounding up ideas for sides for burgers, steaks, or chicken – he said he wanted to grill a couple of pizzas.

I’m always up for an adventure that doesn’t involve snakes, heights, or dressing in horizontals, so I told him I was on board.

Here’s the thing, in spite of my initial doubts, I soon found that grilled pizza is out of this world delicious.  Out. Of. This. World. It gives a certain, unmistakable flavor to pizza that’s like a brick-oven pizza you’d pay an arm and a leg for.   If you’ve ever had a brick oven pizza, you know they’re more delicious than any pizza has a right to be.

Grilled pizzas recreate the flavor – for a lot less money. AND without heating up your kitchen.

Note: Be sure to read the article in its entirety – it continues after each picture until the end, and I’ll let you know when that is. Deal? Deal.

Pizza Crust with Classico Sauce

Pizza Topped with Classico Sauce and Mozzarella

Your Pizza Crust

If you don’t eat gluten free, choose any crust you want: make your own, buy a mix, or even use a pre-made crust. If you eat gluten free, I (personally) suggest using one of these two gluten free mixes:

  • Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Crust Mix
  • Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Pizza Crust Mix

I’ve heard great things about Pamela’s Products Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix but haven’t tried it, myself, yet. When I do, I’ll let you know.

When making a grilled pizza, there is nothing in the whole world wrong with buying a ready-made crust. In fact, they’re nice and firm and you can pretty much bet that they’re up to the challenge. Besides, the flavor from the grill and your toppings are the true stars of the show.

Your Pizza Sauce

When it comes to pizza sauce, different strokes for different folks. Some use tomato sauce, straight from a can, and swear there’s no other way to do it. Others grab a can or jar of whatever pizza sauce is on sale.  As for me, Classico Traditional Pizza Sauce is the only one I ever buy or use.

I once had a little taste test challenge and it blew the rest away. The flavors in Classico make the so-called flavors in the rest seem non-existent. It’s also thicker. And prettier.

Let’s Get Grilling!

1. Prepare your pizza crust:

After your crust has been mixed, work it with your hands to form a large circle OR several small circles or even rectangles. Place dough onto a lightly-floured, unbleached parchment paper-lined pizza pan.  Needless to say, if you’re gluten free, be sure to use gluten free flour or (my personal favorite) gluten free cornmeal. You can also use aluminum foil in place of the parchment paper, but parchment paper seems less inclined to tear.

2. Have your sauce, toppings, and cheese ready:

Whether you’re making a good old-fashioned cheese or pepperoni pizza or you’re getting fancy with grilled veggies or a Cheeseburger Pizza (See Below), have everything ready to go. DO NOT expect the crust to wait on the grill for you while you round everything up – he will burn faster than you can think of a Plan B.  Have everything ready within arm’s reach.

When putting sauce on your dough, think of it as “painting” the crust as opposed to slopping sauce all over it. Too much sauce on the pizza isn’t a good thing.

Your Grill

Gas Grills: Set grill to 400 degrees F

  • Pre-heat grill with lid closed for about 10 minutes.
  • Use an  oven thermometer to make sure that the grill temperature is at a minimum of 400 degrees F.
  • When grill is at the proper pre-heated temperature, carefully grease the grates with olive oil. Simply wet paper towels with the olive oil, and use tongs to “grease” the grates. There are also cooking sprays made especially for grilling too.
  • Peel the parchment paper off and place your pizza dough directly onto the grill. This is where it’s especially cool to have a pizza peel – you can just slide your dough onto the grill in style.
  • Cover and cook your crust for 3 minutes (until bottom is crisp). Turn crust over and QUICKLY top with your sauce, toppings, and cheese.
  • Cover and grill two more minutes.  Remove your delicacy from the heat by sliding pizza onto a pizza peel or cutting board.
  • Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy.

* I’m not familiar with grilling pizzas on charcoal grills – but you can find information online. Simply ask Google – he knows everything. 

Cheeseburger Pizza!

You can use cheeseburger pizza toppings for a grilled OR oven baked pizza, but (at the risk of sounding like a broken record), the brick-oven effect from a grill is extra, extra special.

Brown 1 lb ground chuck with 1/2 an onion. Salt and pepper the production. After the meat has browned, remove from pan and drain.

Coarsely chop 8-12 dill pickle chips (the number depends on how much you love pickles – I went with 8 the first time and have since moved up to 12).  You could, of course, use pickle relish or finely chop the pickles – but, for whatever reasons, I always take the “rustic” or “coarsely chopped” side.

As for cheese, I use a combination of  shredded mozzarella and shredded cheddar cheese for Cheeseburger Pizzas. I’ve seen some people just use cheddar, but I couldn’t do that to mozzarella.

Not after everything we’ve been through.

As you can tell from the picture at the top, I didn’t do it, but you could add chopped fresh lettuce and shopped tomatoes to the top right before serving.

If you’re ready to completely blow your mind…. why not make a Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza by simply topping with crumbled bacon before (or even after) grilling?

* thud*  I just passed out from the thought.

KinniKinnick Pizzas

Kinnikinnick Pizzas Topped with Classico, Jalapenos, Olives, and Banana Peppers

Taco Pizza on the Grill

Before I had to start eating gluten free, taco pizza was a huge obsession.

Guess what. It still is.

You can build a taco pizza by simply changing a few things up with the Cheeseburger Pizza – and, again, this can be done in the oven or on the grill. After your ground beef or chuck has browned, add taco seasoning (McCormick has a gluten free taco seasoning mix… good on them!) and a little water, just as if you were making tacos. Add black olives, jalapenos, black beans, cheddar cheese, whatever toppings your little heart desires.

Before serving, top with chopped lettuce and tomatoes. Serve with sour cream and/or mild sauce, salsa, or Picante sauce. A little sour cream and mild sauce drizzled over the top of each slice…. HEAVEN!

Frozen Pizza on the Grill

This is where things really get quick and easy! You can grill frozen pizzas and get that same brick oven flavor. Simply place the pizza onto the grill, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes (for traditional-size frozen pizzas).  Lift the cover of the grill, rotate the pizza 1/2 turn, close the lid, and cook for about 10 more minutes.

Please keep an eye on the pizza the whole time. Gluten free frozen pizzas are almost always smaller than regular pizzas, so they will cook faster. Use the 10 minutes as a guide, not a hard and fast rule.

Use a food thermometer when you think your pizza is ready – you want the internal temperature to be at 160 degrees.

My Beloved Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Pizza Crusts are AMAZING on the grill. Seriously, the flavor can’t even be described. Even non-gluten free eating pizza lovers will be hooked for life.

A Couple of Notes:

  • After the first two minutes, check the bottom of your crust. If it isn’t browning equally across the surface, use a spatula and rotate the crust 90 degrees.
  • It’s very (make that VERY) tempting to go overboard with sauce and toppings when it comes to pizza. However, try to reign yourself in. Too much sauce and extra-heavy toppings do nothing to add to the flavor of a grilled pizza. In fact, they’ll just weigh it down and detract from the awesome grilled flavor. Use a very modest layer of sauce across your dough and store the leftovers in the refrigerator for next time.
  • Classico.

Classico Pizza Sauce

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grilling, Pizza Recipes Tagged With: grilled gluten free pizza, grilled pizza

Perfect Gift for Father’s Day Who Love to Grill!

June 10, 2015 By Joi Sigers

 Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets
When contacted about reviewing a Father’s Day Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets, I jumped at the chance.  I know my readers are as interested as I am in getting their fathers and husbands the best Father’s Day gift(s) possible.

Face it, in many ways, they’re like kids (many, many, many… but that’s another story for another day) and get a bigger kick out of gifts and surprises than they let on.

Gourmet Gift Baskets are absolutely perfect for every occasion you can think of but they might just be best for Father’s Day. Why? Because these guys can be pretty hard to shop for!

If a father or dad needs or even just wants something, he generally takes himself to the store or a favorite online website and buys it.

“I need a tool. I’ll buy a tool.”

“I need a blue top. I’ll buy a blue top.”

“My vehicle needs a such-and-such. I’ll buy a such-and such. Two while I’m at it.”

That’s why gift baskets are one of my favorite things in the world to give OR receive.  First of all, you have the fun of being surprised by each gift as you pluck it from the basket. Second of all, it’s very unique and very cool stuff – especially when it’s chosen and put together by Gourmet Gift Baskets.

I chose the  Barbecue Boss – BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets to review on Get Cooking for a couple of reasons:

  1. It’s grilling season, the time of the year fathers and husbands live for! I suspect the men in your life will LOVE this gift basket.
  2. My own husband loves grilling and I knew he’d get a huge kick out of this gift basket.

{Review Continued Below….}
 Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets

My gift basket (or I should say, my husband’s gift basket) came today and it’s even cooler than I expected. I LOVE the actual basket, itself. When gift baskets utilize a reusable basket, I’m one happy gal. This basket is ideal for gathering up grilling tools and/or sauces and seasonings for treks to and from the grill.

Included in this Gift Basket:
• Sriracha Teriyaki Sauce by Stonewall Kitchen – 11 oz. – A spicy dipping sauce made from sun-ripened chilis and garlic.
• Roasted & Salted Peanuts by J&R Gourmet – 2 oz. – Better than any ballpark peanuts you’ve ever tasted, roasted and salted to perfection.
• Chichester Snack Mix by Merrimack Valley Snack Company – 2 oz. – A delightful snack mix comprised of crunchy pretzel nuggets, cheddar cheese crackers, and premium nuts.
• Spicy Peri Peri & Lemon Veggie Roaster by Urban Accents – 1 oz. – A spicy blend of chili pepper, lemon peel and garlic flavor.
• Touch O’Heat BBQ Sauce by Rufus Teague – 16 oz. – All natural and gluten free, this BBQ sauce is what barbecue is supposed to taste like.
• Beef & Burger Rub by Urban Accents – 1.5 oz. – Use for grilling or roasting to bring out all the juicy flavors in whatever meat you choose.

{Review Continued Below….}

 Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets
The food selections are perfect – actually, everything is. I even love that the bow and overall presentation is obviously geared toward fathers/husbands. Not overly glitzy or glam – just nice and festive. For us, it’s even extra cool that there’s so much red. We’re HUGE St. Louis Cardinals fans, so the red is right at home here.

{Review Continued Below….}

 Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets
 

I’m rushing to get this published as soon as possible – after all, Father’s Day will be here before you know it, but I want to just let you know that this is a wonderful and fun option for giving to the special man or men in your life. It’s a wonderful set and, as I said before, the basket can be used and reused…. and he’ll think of you each time he does so.

{Review Continued Below….}

 Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets
 

This is not a “gluten free” gift basket, of course.. although I know the Touch O’Heat BBQ Sauce by Rufus Teague is. There are, however, a ton of other Father’s Day gift baskets to choose from if gluten or its absence is an issue.

Below are just a few of the other Father’s Day Gift Baskets Available:

Father’s Day Gift Tower

Father’s Day Fishing Gift Basket

Golfing Father’s Day Gift Basket

Gourmet Breakfast for Dad Gift Basket

Father’s Day Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler

These are just a few – there are MANY more. Click through any of the links and take a look around.  The prices range from around $29 to over $100 and the choices are fantastic. You’ll have almost as much fun shopping for the gift basket as he’ll have opening it.

Almost.

Barbecue Boss - BBQ Gift Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets
 

 

Filed Under: Daily Gift Ideas for Foodies, Food Reviews, Gift Ideas, Grilling, Reviews Tagged With: Father's Day BBQ Gift Basket, Father's Day gift ideas, gift ideas for men, Gourmet Gift Baskets

Tips to Make Your Summer Hamburgers Healthier

May 21, 2015 By Joi Sigers

Grilled Hamburger without Bread

Did you know that 91 percent of Americans who own a grill say hamburgers are their number one choice for grilling?

Most of us view Memorial Day Weekend as the beginning of summer, regardless of what the calendar says!

Not only can you “build a better hamburger” by choosing the best beef possible, you can make your burgers even healthier with the following tips.

1. Top it with avocado. Not only are avocados delicious on burgers, but they can also reverse some of the bad effects of red meat. A study out of UCLA, published in Food & Function, showed that when healthy male subjects ate hamburger patties with and without fresh Hass avocado halves, certain biological measures, like inflammation and arterial blood flow, appeared better when the avocado and the burger were eaten together.

*Check out this recipe for The Works! Avocado Burger Topper that incorporates all of your favorite fixins’.

1.  Size matters. The size of the burger can add up. Jump on the slider bandwagon and choose two mini-burgers instead of a huge patty.  Some burgers at popular chains tip the scales at 8 oz. or more, which can add up to almost 500 calories without the bun.

2. Big Buns aren’t always better. To reduce the amount of calories consumed, choose an English muffin, sandwich thins or bagel flats. You can even cut a bun in half and use one half for the whole burger.

3. In Fact, Who Says You Even Need Buns?! Those of us who have to eat gluten free can attest for the fact that you actually taste the burger better when it doesn’t have to compete with bread for attention! Wrap your juicy burger in leaf lettuce and dress it with mustard, ketchup, pickles, and onions. Less calories… more flavor. Boom!

4.  Be a Condiment Crusader Think beyond the fridge door and skip usual mayo and sugar-laden ketchup. Instead, use spices, herbs, or swap mayo for Greek Yogurt mixed with Siracha or hot sauce.  You can even pickle your own zucchini to impress your guests with homemade pickles!

5. Bulk up your meat. Many veggies, like mushrooms, have a meaty texture and blend easily in meat mixtures. Simply chop mushrooms to a ground beef texture and use in place of some of the meat in your burger. Not only will they taste great, you will lose some of the fat from the meat and gain nutrients and vitamins from the vegetables.

 

Filed Under: Grilling, Summertime Favorites Tagged With: grilled hamburgers, Grilling, healthier grilling, healthier hamburgers

French’s Flavor Infusers Add A LOT to Chicken

April 10, 2013 By Joi Sigers

Chicken with French's Flavor Infuser

The baked chicken, pictured above, was so delicious it almost breaks my heart that it isn’t  in front of me this very minute!

I was sent a few of French’s wonderful new Flavor Infusers to review on the food blog.  I received the following flavors (click the links to find the infusers on Amazon):

  • Classic Steakhouse
  • Sweet Teriyaki

French’s also makes these promising sounding other flavors of Infusers:

  • Zesty Italian
  • Caribbean Jerk

I knew that French’s (makers of the mustard and Crispy Fried Onions we all swear by) would be launching these new products in April, so I held on to them for a while – planning to use them when we whipped out the grill when the weather warmed up.  I figured that the products coming out right at grilling season would be a perfect fit for a post featuring grilled meat.

Ah, the best laid plans.

Needless to say, I didn’t make it. Each time I fixed chicken, beef, or pork, I’d pick up one of the infuser bottles and flirt with the idea of going ahead and trying it out.  New food products and kitchen gadgets are toys in the playground I call a kitchen and me… well, I’m just a little girl who forgot to grow up.  I always figured it wasn’t quite what it was cracked up to be.

Suffice to say, they didn’t stay in the Spice Cabinet long.  The first to disappear was the Teriyaki Flavor Infuser.  I used it to add an uncommon amount of flavor and unexpected sassiness to baked ribs.  I HATE that I forgot to take pictures of the ribs before they disappeared. They were juicy, flavorful, and amazingly delicious.

French's Flavor Infusers

I did, however, learn my lesson when I used the second Flavor Infuser to disappear – The Classic Steakhouse. I took several pictures before they disappeared!  Although I had huge plans for using it on the first grilled steaks of the grilling season, the temptation was just too much for me.  One evening, as I was getting ready to bake chicken for supper, I found myself deciding on a marinade. Why even bake chicken if you don’t marinade it for an hour or two, right?  When I went to the cabinet to begin retrieving ingredients for a marinade concoction I saw the French’s Classic Steakhouse Flavor Infuser sitting there looking all enticing.  I tried  to tell it about my grilled steak plans… but, as the words were coming out of my mouth, my hand was reaching for the bottle.

What will power? Haven’t seen any around these parts.

If the chicken hadn’t been so uncommonly delicious (best baked chicken I’ve ever had), I’d feel a little remorseful.  But, as it is, I just feel pleased.

The French’s Flavor Infusers are a cinch to use.  You simply open the bottle and insert the tip into your meat – then you squeeze the desired amount of magical goodness right into the meat.  Not over the top, where you watch helplessly as it pours down the sides and runs all over the dish.  The French’s Flavor Infuser tip gets to the heart of the matter and you LITERALLY taste the difference with each bite.

I’ll be buying these up by armfuls as soon as I see them in my local store. My mouth is watering thinking of ways to use them with the grill – hamburgers, steaks, chicken, pork, hot dogs…  I also can’t wait to experiment with them with Boca Burgers and Black Bean Burgers.

The possibilities are as endless as they are delicious.

Baked Chicken with French’s Classic Steakhouse Flavor Infuser

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse chicken pieces in water and pat them dry with paper towels – then toss the paper towels.  Infuse some of the Classic Steakhouse Flavor Infuser (or any flavor you choose) into each piece of chicken.  A little will run out, which is perfectly fine.  Infuse the flavor into several different parts of each piece of meat.

Spray the bottom of a roasting pan with Olive Oil Spray (or use Olive Oil straight from a bottle – just be sure to coat the entire pan lightly).

Arrange the pieces skin-side up in the roasting pan, being careful not to over-crowd the pieces. Salt and pepper the pieces of chicken at this point. Be sure to get the bottom sides as well as the top sides.

Cook for 30 minutes at 400 degrees, then lower the temp to 350 degrees and cook for 10-30 minutes more (about 14 to 15 minutes per pound total cooking time) until juices run clear (as opposed to pink) when you gently poke the chicken with a sharp knife – or the internal temperature of the chicken breasts is 165 degrees F and the thighs are 170 degrees F.

This last part can be a little risky, but I like the effect.  During the last 5 minutes of cooking, you can turn put your chicken under the broiler.  Don’t even think of walking away, though, or your entire meal will be a hot mess.  Putting it under the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes gives it a cool brown color on top that reminds me of grilled chicken.  You just have to be very careful not to overdo it – dried, overly browned chicken is darn near sinful.

Click the links at the top of the post to find French’s Flavor Infusers on Amazon.  Be sure to check your grocery store as well, they may be there on the shelf – just waiting to rock your culinary world.  These, honestly, are amazing.

Chicken with French's Flavor Infuser

Filed Under: Chicken Recipes, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Grilling, Quick and Easy Recipes Tagged With: baked chicken recipe, Chicken Recipe, Food Reviews, French's Flavor Infusers

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My name is Joi (“Joy”) and Get Cooking is where I celebrate some of my greatest passions: Recipes, kitchen gadgets, gluten free food reviews, gluten free recipes, pig collectibles, chocolate, cookbooks, and coffee.

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