The Bachelor Chef.

[Greg Focker]

Dave, if it is really you (due to the lack of Dillo Dust in the last couple of recipes, I have my doubts ), I just made the Potato-Spam-Chowder. Good stuff, if a bit salty, and I didnt directly add salt at all. I may have to look for some low sodium Spam or something. Thankfully, cayenne pepper solves small cooking issues like this... and large ones, too, for that matter.

[Dave_M]

Dave, if it is really you (due to the lack of Dillo Dust in the last couple of recipes, I have my doubts ), I just made the Potato-Spam-Chowder. Good stuff, if a bit salty, and I didnt directly add salt at all. I may have to look for some low sodium Spam or something. Thankfully, cayenne pepper solves small cooking issues like this... and large ones, too, for that matter.

Whenever you're dealing with canned stuff, invariably the sodium content is waay high. Notice I used 'lite' spam and also reduced sodium cream of mushroom? I also always use unsalted butter for more controllability.

[Bard]

Am I the only who formulates large parts of his shopping list around what he sees posted in this thread?

the answer is.... NOPE.

[koolaidND]

Homemade Tortillas



Ingredients
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening or veg oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup water or milk.

Cooking directions
1.) mix flour, salt and baking powder in bowl. I used my Kitchenaid mixer.
2.) add shortening or oil to flour mixture.
3.) add water to flour mix. Add more water if needed.
4.) wrap dough up in plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes
5.) divide dough into small balls. Ball size will depend on the size of tortilla you want.
6.) roll dough ball on a floured surface. They should be roughly circular. The thickness should be 1/4" or thinner.
7.) preheat a skillet or griddle. Place rolled out tortilla on the dry griddle and cook for 30 seconds.
8.) flip and cook for 30 more seconds.
9.) eat.


I made a batch of these tonight. I used them as a wrap for some cheddar brats from the local Hutterite colony. The left over tortillas will be used for shredded beef roast wraps.

[Dave_M]

Bachelor General Tso’s

This can be done with a minimal of ingredients and utilities. Though the recipe shown requires a little more, tips about using this recipe with zero produce is included.

Ingredients:
-Green Onion (3 sections)
-(2) Serrano peppers
-‘Boil in bag’ rice. Udon is an alternative
-(3) Cloves garlic
-General Tso’s sauce
-(20) Piece chicken nuggets from McDonalds


The basic setup:


1) Mince up produce as shown:



2) Heat a bit of oil in medium-high heat and toss in minced veggies



3) Put rice in microwave safe bowl with water. Cook according to package (mine called for 10 minutes).





4) When vegetables are flavorful, toss in McNuggets (There are less than 20 in mine—I ate some on the way home)



5) Mix well. Add in General Tso’s sauce



6) Heat and mix. Ensure McNuggets are evenly coated in sauce and heated through


7) Place cooked rice on plate, top with nuggets and enjoy!


As an alternative to using produce, one can substitute garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper (and ignore the produce Sautéing) and just toss it in with the General Tso’s sauce (I don’t recommend it, as the fresh stuff tastes better).

[koolaidND]

I can't believe you actually used a Mcdonald's product to make something awesome. Looks like I am adding this to the menu this week.

[Dave_M]

I can't believe you actually used a Mcdonald's product to make something awesome. Looks like I am adding this to the menu this week.

Making awesome out of nothing is the essence of this thread!

[TheFishinMagician]

Yea, I LOL'ed when I saw the McNuggets, too! Fine improvisation, DavePAL84! That's the difference between a good bachelor chef a great bachelor chef.

Sounds damn tasty...gonna have to try this one, since I'm a General Tso's fan anyway. I've never seen the General Tso's sauce before, though, so I might have to hunt it down first before I get to try it. Did you get it from a "run-of-the-mill" grocery store, or from a "speciality store" (Asian supermarket, etc.)?

[Dave_M]

Did you get it from a "run-of-the-mill" grocery store, or from a "speciality store" (Asian supermarket, etc.)?

Just a regular grocery store

[whisk.e.rebellion]

Dave, man, you might wanna see if these guys are hiring:

http://www.fancyfastfood.com/

[man in black]

moar?

[SaganC]

Here is a cheap and easy meal that my husband loves:

For two:
(1) can of refried beans
(1) tomato
(1 tbl.) chopped garlic
(6) eggs
(some) crème fraiche or sour cream
(a little) butter
---
Saute a little butter with a chopped up tomato until juices run out. Cook until until soft.
Add garlic - I put it on top of the sauteed tomatoes.
Add eggs.
Cook until heated through; slightly soft/scrambled eggs are the best.
-
Heat up refried beans.
-
To plate:
Layer a big spoonful of beans -or two, maybe three?- at the bottom of a bowl.
Place a spoonful of crème fraiche or sour cream on top.
Add the eggs.
Mmmmm goodness.

[Dave_M]

Shrimp and Rice

This can easily feed two. Since it’s just me, I have an awesome breakfast tomorrow!

Ingredients:
-1/2 pound Shrimp
-‘Boil in bag’ rice.
-Unsalted butter
-Can of corn (rinsed)
-Cumin
-Dillo Dust
-Garlic powder (garlic salt is shown, out of garlic powder ) Just be careful of salt content if using garlic salt
-Black pepper
-Paprika

The basic setup:


1) Cook rice according to package directions

2) While rice is cooking, place shrimp in ziplock bag. Add spices. Don’t use too much cumin and don’t hold back on the paprika.



3) After rice is cooked and drained, place pan on stove and melt butter on medium-high heat



4) Toss in corn


5) After corn is cooked for a couple minutes, toss in the spiced shrimp


6) When shrimp is nearly done (it doesn’t take long and is largely dependent on size), toss in the cooked rice and stir. Cook until heated through



7) Plate and enjoy! I put some dabs of sriracha for added flavor. Can’t help but think a green onion would have added a bit more color.



The corn adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dish. Man, this was so awesome I must've eaten it within five minutes.

[Biggin]

Shrimp and Rice

This can easily feed two. Since it’s just me, I have an awesome breakfast tomorrow!

Ingredients:
-1/2 pound Shrimp
-‘Boil in bag’ rice. Udon is an alternative
-Unsalted butter
-Can of corn (rinsed)
-Cumin
-Dillo Dust
-Garlic powder (garlic salt is shown, out of garlic powder ) Just be careful of salt content if using garlic salt
-Black pepper
-Paprika

The basic setup:

1) Cook rice according to package directions

2) While rice is cooking, place shrimp in ziplock bag. Add spices. Don’t use too much cumin and don’t hold back on the paprika.


3) After rice is cooked and drained, place pan on stove and melt butter on medium-high heat


4) Toss in corn

5) After corn is cooked for a couple minutes, toss in the spiced shrimp

6) When shrimp is nearly done (it doesn’t take long and is largely dependent on size), toss in the cooked rice and stir. Cook until heated through


7) Plate and enjoy! I put some dabs of sriracha for added flavor. Can’t help but think a green onion would have added a bit more color.


The corn adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dish. Man, this was so awesome I must've eaten it within five minutes.

I know what to cook for the girlfriend this weekend!

[TheFishinMagician]

Sorry, no pics for this one...I ate it all before I thought about getting pics! It's pretty quick and easy.



FRENCH DIP SANDWICH
Serves 1 (increase recipe appropriately to serve more)
Prep and cook time: about 10 min.
Appliances needed: Hotplate, Toaster oven



INGREDIENTS:

--Sub roll from grocery store deli

--3/4 to 1 lb. of sliced (maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick) roast beef from the same deli

--package of Pioneer brand Au Jus gravy/sauce mix

--some mozzerella cheese




DIRECTIONS:

1.) Mix the Au Jus packet in a small pot/saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.

2.) Turn the heat off and throw the roast beef in with the Au Jus.

3.) While that's heating through, toast the sub roll and top with some mozzerella cheese so it gets slightly melted.

4.) Fill the roll with the roast beef, slice it in half (on the bias) and pour the Au Jus in a serving bowl.

5.) Serve with some pizza flavored Goldfish crackers and a Dr. Pepper.

6.) Dip the sandwich in the Au Jus and eat the hell out of it!

[Dave_M]

Sounds good but in order to get me to the grocery I require pics pics pics!

[TDW586]

Dave, forget all your firearms and gear threads, this thread is the greatest thing you could possibly contribute to ZS.

[N0Skillz]

Dang! Some of these recipes are pretty "fancy", IMO. As a bachelor, I like bachelor chow that's cheap, easy to make and tastes good. It also needs to be simple, since I only have three appliances...a toaster oven, a microwave and a "hotplate". Here's my offering...


PITA PIZZAS
prep & cook time: about 10 min.

*(snip delciousness)*

I eat these almost everyday. I also have a "breakfast version" I do using sausage gravy as the sauce and scrambled eggs, bacon crumbles and cheddar cheese as the toppings. I'll see if I can do another post on that later. Dessert pizzas are possible, too...Nutella and marshmallow fluff, anyone? Howzabout a "Peanut Butter Cup Pizza"? Pita bread, peanut butter and pieces of chocolate bar on top. Fruit pie filling out of the can and crushed cookie crumbs? Possibilities are endless.
EDIT:spellcheck and add some other info.

you just made my trip to this thread worth while. never thought of pitas and a toaster oven! i was going to look for easily freezed and nuked meals to make!

[Dave_M]

Just re-did the shrimp and rice recipe with some twists:

-Less corn
-Added green pepper
-Used a minced shallot in the butter prior to adding anything else to the pan
-Used sticky jasmine rice instead of brown

[Dogan]

Better pics to come:
My signature Cuban beef:


Those are chunks/strips of grassfed organic beef, from my buddies cows, soaking/cooking for the last six hours in a crockpot in wine, lime, and beef juices with just some garlic, soy sauce, cilantro, onions and a touch of salt/pepper and sugar. After being marinated overnight in roughly the same mixture. To be served on a bed of fresh rice, so that the rice soaks up the juices.

More, plus Kershaw Leek since I have no gun available:

[Dave_M]

Lamb with Mushroom Rice

Ingredients:
-Lamb shoulder chop
-Minute Rice
-Chopped mushrooms
-Cheap ass mushroom gravy
-Rosemary
-Salt and pepper
-Olive oil

The basic setup:


1) Cook rice according to package directions

2) Toss cooked rice, gravy, and mushrooms in a pan.



3) Mix and heat through



I actually prepared the rice the night before. I heated it up on the stove while cooking the lamb

4) Pat dry lamb with paper towels. Liberally apply pepper, salt, and rosemary to both sides.


5) Heat oil in pan at medium-high heat. When it shimmers in the pan, place the chop in it. Let it sear for 2-3 minutes before flipping it. Repeat the other side.



6) Let the lamb rest for a few minutes .

7) Serve and enjoy!


Some notes:
This is for a very rare piece of meat. Allow me to demonstrate:


Now, if you don’t like it that rare, I have some additional instructions:
1) Pre-heat your oven to 500F before starting anything. Place a pyrex dish in the oven during heating so it also reaches temperature
2) After searing the meat, place it in the pyrex dish in the heated oven. How long depends on the thickness of the cut. Usually 6-8 minutes for a medium.
3) Once again, be sure to rest the meat prior to serving

[Oneswunk]

That looks perfectly done to me.

[Zoltan]

Pork Chops and Penne Dinner - Under 1 hour

3 pork chops
Favorite jar of pasta sauce
1lb box of penne pasta
Grated romano cheese
Fresh garlic, chopped


Preheat oven to 350°
Place cast iron skillet (~10") in the oven as well
Season your chops to taste. I am currently in love with The Salt Lick rub, has more kick than Dillo Dust. It's good!!
Place 3 chops (depending on your skillet or pan size) into the skillet and then into the oven
Cook for ~ 50 minutes, 25 minutes a side.

For the sauce, I like to let it cook down while the meat cooks. I added 8 extra cloves of garlic. I LOVE garlic! Also, it cooking down makes it about perfect for 1 lb of pasta.

Pasta is simple, big pot of water, little olive oil and salt.

When you flip the pork chops, start boiling your water.

When it's boiling, add your pasta and cook for about 12 minutes.

When it's done, drain the water and add the sauce to the pasta. Stir in the sauce and let sit for a few minutes.

When the chops are done, put them on a cutting board and let rest for a few minutes.

Plate up and enjoy!!


Pictures:





Salt Lick rub






All done


Resting


Pasta and Sauce combined


YUM!!



And while I had the pork chops open, I decided to bag them up with a little steak marinade for later in the week!

[MonsterZero]

Chicken and Rice

This one is pretty simple, and my mom has been doing it since I was little. It really only has 2-3 ingredients.

2-3 Family size cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup
1 Large box of Rice (Minute or store brand is fine if you cook the rice without the chicken in it)
Large bone in chicken breasts

Pour the cans of soup into a large pot on medium-high heat. Sometimes we add a can or two of water, if it's too thick. Begin browning chicken breasts in a separate pan. When the soup is good and hot, pour in your rice until you're happy with the thickness. I like a lot of rice in mine, but you have to add more water to keep it moist. When the chicken breasts are browned nicely, and the rice is incorporated, pour the rice and soup into a large baking dish, and place the chicken breasts in the rice as well. Place pan in the oven at 350 until rice is crispy on top and chicken is cooked through.

Optional seasoning: When browning the chicken, salt and pepper to taste, and add just a touch of paprika. I like to put lots of pepper in my rice when I sit down to eat it. Enjoy.