I’m not Japanese, I don’t claim to know anything about Japan.  I do watch Iron Chef, but the only things I learn from that are how to make fish ice cream and brain pudding.  You will not find these things in my posts.  I do, however, dabble in very Americanized Asian cuisine. A few years ago I found an easy recipe for teriyaki sauce, and since then, I have modified it, made it a dozen times and experimented with it on various meats.  Some have been successful, others have not, and... more

There is a place in my heart that is occupied by a Chipotle burrito (or a bol). It’s a large place on account of the size factor, so it’s hard to miss. In fact, I don’t know that there are many days I would turn down a Chipotle burrito if it were offered to me. The appeal of Chipotle to me is the stretchy tortilla, the fragrant lime and cilantro rice, the guacamole mounded right near the end just before wrapping…the fact that I don’t need to get chili-corn salsa.... more

Minnesotans take great pride in telling people where their ancestors came from and for the most part there are only three places of origin.  Norway, Sweden or Germany.  If you have relatives who came from anywhere else, say, Poland, you are considered “exotic.”  I’m a 50/50 Norwegian/German; Shaina is less pure, much less pure, which makes her “exotic” by some standards.  I guess that makes our kids mostly nothing, but we like to think of them as little Vikings;... more

I have a confession to make. I do not like casseroles. I just don’t. I’ve eaten many a casserole in my day or, as they’re called here in the Midwest, “hotdish.” So, you’ll have to forgive me if I’m less than excited about this recipe. Yep, that’s right. I’m going to give you a recipe for something I’m not particularly fond of. Because I told you I would. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with this. It tastes fine,... more

We had a lot of ham leftover from Easter this week, and something about leftover ham just doesn’t scream, “I would make a fantastic snack!” when I see it there, slimy and going pale in the fridge. In fact, I believe it is screaming, “Toss me in the garbage! Toss me in the garbage!” So, I don’t like ham. I’ll admit it. Not a fan. However, I can’t just throw away the free ham that was gifted to me. So, I turned it into a meal. Before I start, let... more

Recently a coworker asked me what I thought was the best way to grill a whole chicken.  I had to think for a few moments because it’s not something I’ve done for quite a while.  After I described my technique, I went home and checked the freezer.  As I expected, I found the roasting chicken that I had placed there last year safe in its cryogenic coma.  This particular chicken was sad and lonely as it was missing its twin.  A few dollars can be saved by buying them in a twin pack... more

When a man works all day he wants to find some meat on his plate when he sits down for the evening meal (is it dinner or supper?).  With certain meals the meat can be hard to find, for instance, pasta.  Sure you can use a “meat sauce” but I’m usually back in the kitchen a few hours later looking for a snack to take me through until morning.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  I found a great way to bring the meat to the pasta AND use the grill to do it.  Plus it goes together... more