Johnnys All-Purpose Rub . . . and pulled pork

Photo source:  Food Network

Ever since we brought our awesome smoker/grill home, I've been on a search for a spicy flavored rub to use on ribs, pork roast or chicken.  We have not tried this recipe yet, but it seems to be what I've been looking for thanks to The Food Network and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Click here to go to Food Network's recipe page.

New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp

OMG, these shrimp look and sound awesome . . . we will be making this ASAP.

No BBQ sauce, not cooked on the grill!  Quick and easy.

I would only change one thing . . . shrimp with heads off.  Shrimp served with heads creep me out!

Ingredients

• 1 medium lemon
• 8 oz. (1 cup) unsalted butter
• 2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. sweet paprika
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 oz. kosher salt (1 Tbs. if using Diamond Crystal, 1/2 Tbs. if using Morton’s)
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
• 24 colossal shrimp (12 to 15 per lb.), unshelled, preferably domestic wild-caught and head-on

Directions

Cut the lemon in half crosswise, and juice it. Press each half flat on a cutting board, and then cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips.


Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the lemon juice and peel, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, paprika, cayenne, salt, ground pepper, and cracked pepper. Stir and simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors, being careful not to let the garlic brown.


Add the shrimp and increase the heat to medium. Cook, turning with tongs, until all the shrimp are beginning to turn pink, 4 to 5 minutes.


Cover the skillet and remove it from the heat. Let sit for 15 minutes so that the shrimp can absorb the flavors and finish cooking, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Serve.

nutrition information (per serving): 

Calories (kcal): 670; Fat (g): fat g 50; Fat Calories (kcal): 440; Saturated Fat (g): sat fat g 30; Protein (g): protein g 47; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 13; Carbohydrates (g): carbs g 8; Polyunsaturated Fat (g):3.5; Sodium (mg): sodium mg 1270; Cholesterol (mg): cholesterol mg 465; Fiber (g): fiber g 2;

Source:   Poppy Tooker from Fine Cooking, Issue 128
PHOTO: SCOTT PHILLIPS

Mama's Baked French Fries by Trishia Yearwood

I've been thinking about these french fries since I saw Trishia Yearwood prepare this dish on the Food Network.  They are healthier than deep fried french fries, full of flavor and I love the crispiness of the fries.

Click here to go to Food Network's recipe page.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake

There is something about ending a meal with a cheesecake that makes it special.  My specialty is baking and cheesecakes are my favorite dessert to make . . . I think I missed my calling to be a pastry chef!  Needless to say, I have made my share of a variety of cheesecakes.  

My favorite source for my cheesecake recipes is my old Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook that I have had since I was a very young adult.  Although I still refer to that old cookbook, one of my favorite food websites is Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

This cheesecake is one of the most beautiful cheesecakes I have seen . . . I will be making this on the next special occasion that comes up!

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (Do not thaw.)
6 oz. BAKER'S Bittersweet Chocolate
1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

Heat oven to 325°F.

Mix graham crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.

Microwave COOL WHIP and chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 2-1/2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. 

Cool 15 min.; slowly pour over cheesecake. Garnish with raspberries.

Source:  Philadelphia Cream Cheese