good morning...

clarity...or...illusion?...

clarity...clarify

illusion...delusion

so...ya remember the sleeper chicken the other day?...had to have it again!...on the menu tonite...a blackened...pan seared chicken sandwich...with homemade garlic parmesan potato chips!!...

ok...first up...get the potatoes cut...i love my mandolin!!...today i went with a thicker slice than normal...

just like the fries...a nice vinegar bath!!...

time to fry...to make sure they're dry...i put them between 2 towels and give 'em a pat...

in the fryer at 350 degrees until golden brown...


these outdoor pictures always look a little funky!...anyway...right when they come out of the fryer...a couple pinches of kosher salt...a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese...and a heavy grate of fresh garlic!!!



time to get the chicken on...give 'em a light coating of vegetable oil...a couple nice sprinkles of the blackening (garlic powder...onion powder...kosher salt...oregano...cayenne pepper...dry mustard...and black pepper)...out to the cast iron they go!... 

smokin' hot skillet...4 minutes a side...

time to eat...

of course...

a little miracle whip...a little romaine lettuce...

these turned out fantastic!!!...i LOVE the thicker cut chip!!...the fresh garlic...the parmesan cheese...love 'em!!!...

ok...i mean...please!!!...can you SEE how juicy this chicken is???...the blackening is ridiculous!!!...the romaine...the miracle whip...the bun....i mean seriously!!...it's allllll ridiculous!!!

also...ridiculous!!...

good morning...

effortless...

thank you...

so...i'm makin' red sauce for some pasta tonite....was gonna make meatballs to go with it...then...i'm thinkin' maybe hot italian sausage from wynn's...hhhmmm...didn't go with either!!...came up with this...

for my red sauce...nina tomatoes...fresh basil and garlic...white wine...parmesan cheese...extra virgin olive oil...kosher salt...

ok...for my pasta...red onion...green olives...and key west gulf shrimp...

first up...get the pasta water on...now...in the pan...a couple of nice dollops of butter...saute for about 10 to 12 minutes...

next...in go the shrimp...for about a minute and a half...

give 'em a flip...in go the green olives...another minute and a half...

a little red sauce...

pasta's done...give it a toss in the pan...DONE!!

time to eat...

a sprinkle of fresh basil...a little pinot...

a little garlic toast...a few pickled pepper rings...

this was phenomenal!!!...i have never had shrimp with red sauce!...WOW!!...with the subtle red onion...the salty green olive...and the overall coating of butter??...hittin' on all cylinders my friends!!!...

a little buttery...red sauce shrimp...a shred of fresh basil...with a salty green olive...ONE of my favorite bites!!...

good morning...

i'll bring the pom poms and gatorade!!!

in the mood for a little mexican...a little LIGHT and SIMPLE mexican!...on the menu tonite...beans and rice with a pan seared chicken breast rubbed with a few mexican spices!!...

ok...first up...take the beans that were soaked over night...give 'em a rinse...

for my beans...cumin...garlic powder...onion powder...onion...jalapenos...kosher salt...

give your onion and jalapenos a fine chop...

everybody in the pot!...bring it to a boil...then turn it to medium low...give it a strong simmer for about 30 to 35 minutes...

time to prep the chicken...for my seasoning...pretty much the same as the beans...onion powder...garlic powder...cumin...kosher salt...

coat 'em with a little vegetable oil...

a generous couple of pinches of the seasoning...on both sides...now...you want to wait until your beans are cooked before putting the chicken on...they cook fast!...

ok...beans are cooked...give 'em a mash...

add a little of your bean water...as much as you like...give it a taste...add more seasoning if it needs it...

chicken on...beans on the ready...

time to eat...

a little pinot grigio...

a sprinkle of fresh jalapeno...a sprinkle of green onion...



fabuloso!!...now...i normally don't put the onion and jalapeno in the pot to boil with the beans and spices...BUT I DO NOW!!...gave it a bigger flavor!!...the creamy texture...with the fresh jalapeno and green onion?...wonderful!!...



please!...and it was even better that it looks!!...perfectly cooked...beautifully seared...espectacular!!

soooo tender and moist!!....

this menu was a total sleeper!...i actually thought it was a little boring on paper!...the chicken was an after thought...i was really just in the mood for beans and rice!!...what a pleasant surprise!!