dinner

Corn Dogs!

Toby — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:22:13 -0700

Greetings Dads,
Found this is Gourmet: http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2009/10/corn-dogs
These look darn tasty and your kids will love them.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Out on the deck

Toby — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:22:49 -0700

Greetings Dads,
Although we live in MA, our (my) grill is fired all four seasons. There is nothing like cooking outside and over flame! This is not a forum to discuss charcoal vs. gas, but we can have that debate another time; rather, let's compile a list over our favorite grill meals. As with all cooking / menu creation, it is easy to get into a rut - this will provide some new ideas for all.
I will get the ball rolling:

1. Chicken drumsticks
Prior to the grill, set in a baking dish, cover with beer and cook in the oven for 45 min a 350. This will pull out some of the fat.
Grill over med heat turning every 4 min. Depending on your kids' taste, BBQ sauce on or on the side (Dinosaur BBQ, and Stubbs are 2 of my favorites).

2. Chicken Breasts
Easy to cook and can be prepped ahead. Use a gallon size ziplock bag and cover with your favorite sauce.
Teriyaki or Salt & Pepper with olive oil & lemon juice, Asian sweet chili sauce are 3 of my stand bys.

3. Burgers
Weather you craft your own, use Buba Burgers, or those from the butcher counter, a burger will always please. Don't forget the cheese:
Munster, Provalone, or Humbolt Fog (for mom and dad).

4. Fish in Foil
Take a whole fillet and make a pouch with some aluminum foil. Add some salt & pepper, lemon, wine or beer, favorite herbs and seal tights.
Cook skin side down on high, there is not need to flip. Time will depend on the thickness and fat content of the fish: trout will cook faster that Mahi Mahi.

5. Grilled veggies
Peppers, asparagus, tomatoes, heads of romaine lettus - use your imagination and go crazy with that side or salad.

Looking forward to your suggestions.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Chicken Nuggets

Toby — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:34:33 -0800

Greetings dads,
All kids love chicken nuggets, but we know they are not the best for our little ones. Bell and Evans make some excellent chicken that you can be happy with.
http://www.bellandevans.com/
These are not pre-cooked and are all natural. My kids love them and for the adults, they are wonderful for chicken parm, on top of a salad or tossed with pasta.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Wonderful Cookbooks to Share

Toby — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:31:43 -0800

Greetings dads,
I have found 2 cookbooks that are not only fun for the kids, but the eats are good for us too. Check out: "Betty Crocker, Kids CooK!" I know, seeing Betty's name on here threw me off at first, but it has been a winner in my house (Yah smoothies), and I my Goddaughter raves as well. The 2nd is "DK Children's Cook Book, Quick and tasty recipes for young chefs." The Noodle soup with shrimp is a favorite! Betty Crocker is better for the littler ones in your fam and Children's Cook Book works for 8 and up.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Toby

PS
Let me know if you would like some heads up on other cook books

Chef Dads

Super-Duper Meatballs

Toby — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:41:50 -0800

Happy New Year Dads!!!
Here is a little something that can be used as an appetizer, or throw them into a hot dog roll for lunch or dinner. It looks funny at first, but these are very yummy (for you and the little chefs)

Frozen cocktail size meatballs
Bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce
Bottle of Grape Jelly
Crock Pot

Have the little chefs add the meatballs to the pot
Pour the bottle of chili sauce and 1/2 the grape jelly over the meatballs
Set the crock pot to high for about an hour.
Stir. Enjoy! If you are so inclined, feel free to add some BBQ sauce to the mix.

Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

The very best gravy

Toby — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:42:32 -0800

Greetings Dads.
I am working up a meal for the Christmas holiday, but have a quick trick to share - a very easy and very flavorful gravy to keep your mashed potatoes company.
It does not matter if you are roasting a chicken or turkey, this will work for both and there are many places for the little chefs to help.

Roasting Pan
Chicken Stock
Favorite Beer (Harpoon Winter Warmer or Local Holiday Brew)
Sweet Sherry
1 large red onion (rough chopped)
2 carrots (rough chopped)
2 stalks of celery (rough chopped)
Lots of garlic (smashed)
Favorite sausage (sliced) – optional (I use 1 per adult)
Salt & Pepper
Food processor
Saucepan

• After you prep the veggies and the sausage, let the mini chefs add them to the roasting pan.
• Cover the bottom of the roasting pan with chicken stock and 1 bottle/can of beer
• Cook your chicken or turkey as usual (make certain the pan does not go dry), you may baste the bird with the pan’s contents.
• Once done, and the bird is resting, the gravy creation begins.
• Remove the sausage pieces and set into a bowl for immediate joy. Little chef can add toothpicks to the sausage and searve.
• Scoop out all the veggies, set into your food processor and blend well
• Thin out the veggie puree with the liquid from the roasting pan.
• When the gravy reaches your chosen thickness, pour it into a saucepan, add a shot of Sherry and some salt and pepper.

Very Best,
Toby

Chef Dads

Sorry to be missing

Toby — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:28:29 -0800

Greetings Dads,
Sorry that I have not posted in some time: I was fortunate to be out of a job this summer and had lots of time on my hands to spend with the kids and the computer. I am now back to work and will make more effort to return to my on-line kitchen. Please let me know if there are typs of food/meals that interest you and your family loves. Would you like to see ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or just keep things general? How about "date night" meals with suggestions for wine as well? Thank you for your input and I will be posting soon.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Take me out to the ball game

Toby — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:26:01 -0700

'Evening Dads,
Tomorrow is do or die for my home town team, the Red Sox. No matter who you support, game day fare is something all children love. Here is a great menu for you and the ball fans in the house.

Nachos:
Aluminum pie pan
Your favorite chips
Your favorite salsa (Desert Pepper Trading Company make some nice ones)
Refried Beans
Guacamole
Shredded Cheese

Heat the oven to 400
Add a layer of chips
Layer of salsa, layer of salsa, etc
Repeat
Into the oven till everything melts

Hot Dogs (steamed or grilled) your choice. Don't forget the ketchup, why do kids like ketchup on hot dogs? I know you Chicago folks have some interesting hot dog combos, but what is with kids and ketchup on hot dogs?

Grape tomatos - stay with the hand food / ketchup theme - maybe some Ranch dressing for dipping

Fun size candy bars of your choosing.

Play ball, go Sox!
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Date Night

Toby — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:57:10 -0700

Dads,
Just a thought. As you can tell, I love to cook and share my love of food with my children. Please let me know if you would like some grown-up dinner ideas you can enjoy when the kids are in bed.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Comfort Food

Toby — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:45:46 -0700

Greetings Fathers,
I am sitting here on a glum day in Natick, MA: the Sox have their backs against the wall and the sky is grey - comfort food is on my mind. My children have taken to meatball subs; maybe not the ones you find in your favorite sandwich shop, but these bring them to the table and keep them happy. As with all ideas I post, they are just that, ideas: pick and choose what you like (let me know either way), and use your own creativity to change them.

Hot dog or hamburger rolls
Ketchup or your favorite tomato sauce (we make our own sometimes)
Frozen or prepared meatballs
* Certainly scratch sauce and meatballs are the best, but we need to save time here - please feel free to make your own sauce and meatballs ahead of time
Your favorite cheese for the top

Coat the bottom of a saucepan with sauce or ketchup, and add the meatballs - no need to cover them in sauce we are keeping the sloppy factor low.
Heat everything through
If the meatballs are large, slice and add to your chosen buns
Let your kids add the cheese
Add some veggies (orange pepper slices, steamed baby carrots, etc)

Enjoy,
Toby

Chef Dads