I have been struggling to purge my mid-section of the extra inches that I have put on since Thanksgiving, with another  boost over Christmas. I am almost there, but in order to get over the hump – or perhaps I should under the hump – fish was required. Lean, healthy fish meals, not deep-fried, artery-clogging fish (which tastes best). So I decided on salmon cakes. I like salmon cakes. I used to … [Read more...]

Mexican dishes are good, most everyone enjoys a taco or burrito and they are easy to cook. I like the “easy” part. More and more, I am cooking and enjoying Mexican food, but I always struggle with sides. Some think that refried beans is a side, Maybe for dogs, but not humans. So I am always pressed when it comes with what to serve along with enchiladas. Corn is good, rice is good, black … [Read more...]

Fish is good and it’s good for you. My Daddy used to say that fish was “brain food” so I ate it to get smarter. But I have always loved eating fish. Unfortunately, I like eating fried fish. When we go to the beach it’s always a “Fried Seafood Platter”, maybe good for the brain, but not so much for the arteries. I had seen a recipe recently for Broiled Heavenly Halibut, which would be healthy … [Read more...]

I saw a recipe for stuffed chicken breasts that looked good. The more ways and the more chicken you can eat, the better off you are heath-wise and weight-wise – at least I am. So I gave this recipe a try and it’s a keeper. Very simple – chicken, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and panko crumbs. Begin with a large skinless and boneless breast section, then use a sharp knife and cut out a pocket … [Read more...]

I had baked three beautiful sweet potatoes in the oven. I had rubbed them with a little olive oil and kosher salt and cooked them at 350 until they were soft and tender to the touch. They would have been delicious served with a slab of country butter – if I had just remembered to serve them. But I forgot, left them in on the counter behind a pot of collards and found them when we were cleaning up … [Read more...]

More and more, I am cooking Mexican dishes, even though our set of bathroom scales sends out a mighty objection each following morning. I guess the stuff is so good that it makes me eat more, that and a 10-inch tortilla has 250 calories. Last week, I made some Steak Burritos and they were really good. I had already decided to do meat burritos – usually with ground meat – but I saw a pack of … [Read more...]

Nancy and I like wings. We often order them as a side with pizza, and sometimes we fix a batch at home – easy and tasty.  But Nancy is always saying, “I like wings, but I like them crispy.” It’s easy to have crispy wings if you fry them, but that’s a chore. Last week I tried my hand at making crispy wings without frying and I knocked it out of the park – made the best chicken wings ever. If you … [Read more...]

  I’m a big fan of cube steak. It’s always a good buy at the store – no waste, healthy, low prices and great flavor.  But it’s tough and super chewy. I have tried marinating, coating with tenderizer and further pounding with the same results – it’s still tough. But where there is a will, there’s a way. I saw a little four-pack at the store recently – under five bucks, and I was … [Read more...]

Vegetables! What a nuisance for this wanna-be chef. Meats and fish are no problem – unlimited choices. But vegetables? I really have a hard time putting a nice assortment of green things on the table. My old cartoon friend, Popeye, didn’t have that problem. For the muscle-bound, pipe-chewing sailor, there was only one vegetable to even consider. “I eats me spinach and fights to the finish.  I’m … [Read more...]

When I was at Carolina, there was a small diner just outside Chapel Hill, in Carrboro, I believe. I can’t remember the name of the greasy spoon but I remember they had a T-Bone Steak Dinner as a special on Wednesday’s for $2.25. My suite-mates and I often shared a cab ride to the restaurant and ordered the steak dinner which came with a crispy salad and a piece of grilled Texas Toast. The steak … [Read more...]