Swerving In My Lane

It's Been One Of Those Days

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

There you are, just minding your own business when somebody cuts you off, decided they needed to stop in the middle of the intersection or cross three lanes of traffic to exit. It's a kill or be killed world out there on the road kids.  

Now, we're sure that this will probably not apply to you, but some us just lose our cool. Today's post is dedicated to our good friend Shelby who coined a great phrase for these "idiots of the road"... but we'll get to that later. 

So, in order to survive the drafting, drifting, lallygagging people who should not be given a license to drive; we've come up with a few comforting tools for the road.  How about some comfort food, a high powered libation and some tunes that will help let off some steam. 

We'll hold the bottle, you hold the wheel... The pot's are on!

The Plate... 

Chicken & Waffles

We figured that in these trying times you all needed a little comfort food. And, there is nothing more comforting than good ole fried chicken and waffles. We didn't want to make you work too hard so we let you off easy by using frozen waffles. You courageous folks out there feel free to whip out the waffle iron and have at it. 

What you need... 

Vegetable oil

1/4-1/2 cup of hot sauce 

8 chicken tenders

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup of flour

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Kosher salt and ground pepper

3 tbsp of butter

2 scallions, sliced

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

4 buttermilk or Belgian-style waffles

Maple syrup

What you do... 

• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Whisk the hot sauce and egg in a medium bowl; toss the chicken in the mixture to coat.
  Combine the flour, poultry seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Set aside 3 tablespoons seasoned flour in a separate bowl; dredge the chicken in the remaining seasoned flour until coated, shaking off any excess.
  Place the chicken in the hot oil and fry until golden and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly; discard the oil.
  Melt the butter in the same skillet and whisk in the reserved seasoned flour until smooth. Whisk in the scallions, then slowly pour in the broth. Bring to a simmer, whisking until the gravy is smooth. Meanwhile, toast the waffles.
  Place a waffle on each plate and drizzle with maple syrup. Top with chicken and gravy and garnish with scallions.
  
  See, don't you feel better already?

The Playlist... 

Swerving In My Lane

Along with all of the "Road Rage Relief" tunes, we have included one of our favorites... the infamous I-95 (asshole song). Sorry kids... close your ears. This song has mistakenly been credited to Jimmy Buffett when it was actually written and performed by Fred "August" Campbell. If you have ever driven on I-95 you will definitely get the gist of this song. 

But, we start it all off at the scene of the crime with "Swerving in my Lane"... we've all been there.  

The "Playlist" runs on Spotify-Click on the link to listen Swerving In My Lane

The Mix... 

Rocket Fuel 

A little something to calm your nerves. Now, we know that 

it is in a "Go Cup" but we are not suggesting that you drink

and drive. Just consume at your own risk. 

What you need... 

2 oz Dark Rum

2 oz Amaretto

1 oz 151 

1 oz coconut cream

6 oz pineapple juice

Splash of milk

Crushed ice

Brandied cherry

What you do...

Pour the rum, amaretto, cream of coconut, pineapple juice and milk into a blender with crushed ice. 

Blend until smooth and pour into your favorite glass.

Top it off with the 151 and garnish with a cherry.

Learn How to Drive...

You Cock Waffle! 

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

&

Keep On Cookin'!

Beautiful Day

New Beginnings

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

With each sunrise, we are given a chance for a new beginning.  A time to look around, take it all in, be grateful for what you have and embrace the new day. 

What a great time to be with family and friends.  I always say that you should "celebrate your success".  So, take time today to celebrate this day with the ones you love and look to tomorrow and all that it brings. 

We are celebrating today with a great recipe for a smokey glazed ham, some beautiful music and a the perfect wine pairing for you to enjoy. 

The Pots Are On...

The Plate...  

Maple-Jack / Glazed Ham

This is the most awesome and easiest things you can cook (smoke) on your grill.  The ham is already cooked, so you're really just heating/smoking it slowly to enrich the flavor.  I'm here to tell you that it is some kind of good.  The Maple syrup and Jack Daniels glaze will give it an awesome crust just like a "Honey-Baked" ham.  And, the Maple syrup injection will keep it moist and sweet. 

I think you're gonna like it.  And... nothing is easier than cooking something low and slow that you never have to touch.  

Okay... let's get started.  

What you need... 

For the Ham - 

10-12 lb cooked, ready to eat spiral cut ham

1/2 cup Maple syrup

Cherry or Apple wood chips

Meat injection syringe

For the glaze - 

2 tbs Maple syrup

2 tbs fresh ground pepper

2 tbs Dijon Mustard

1 tbs Jack Daniel's Whiskey

1 tbs vegetable oil

1 tbs smoked paprika

1 tbs onion powder

1 tbs chili powder

1 tsp Kosher salt

What you do...

Preparation (the Day Before) - 

Place the ham in a pan face-down. 

Inject the ham with 3/4 cup of Maple syrup (it will run out of the sides by inject it all)

Put together all the ingredients of the glaze and smear all over the exposed surface of the ham (except the flat side).

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator. 

Cooking (the Day Of) - 

Set your grill with hot side and cool side  (total temp. 250)

If you have a Big Green Egg - set temp to 250 degrees place plate setter leg side up with regular grid on top.

Place wood chips on top of coals. 

Place ham on top of grate (flat side down).

Cook until internal temp reaches 140 degrees (about 5 hours).

The Playlist...

Beautiful Day

A little "Happy" music for you to help celebrate this beautiful day.  Check out "Oh Happy Day" by Queen Latifah... now it doesn't get much better than that.  

One of my favorites from the last couple of years is "The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti & Spearhead.  If your having a bad day, this will help turn it around. 

Don't worry... be happy!

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

The Perfect Wine Pairing - 

Belle Glos Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is french for "pine and black"; the pine alluding to the grapes being tightly clustered in a pine-cone shape.

It's a great wine to pair with a light flavored meat like pork, chicken or ham; light tannins with strawberry, cherry and raspberry notes. 

It will be great with your "Maple-Jack Smoked Ham"!

Every day is a new beginning...

Take a deep breath and celebrate!