I saw the package of portabella mushrooms at Sam’s Club from two aisles away. There were four, large portabellas in the pack, nearly perfect in size for stuffing something, so I bought them. But what to stuff? Sam’s Club also had a sweet deal on their fresh crabmeat. It looked fresh, so I bought a pound, perfect for stuffing the portabellas. To create a delicious entrée with portabella … [Read more...]

Everybody loves tacos. Everybody loves sliders and everybody loves Hawaiian Rolls. Why not throw them all together for a fun and delicious dish – Taco Sliders. When I saw the recipe, it sounded so good I had to try it and it’s a winner as either an appetizer or an entree. And easy, as well. Start by browning a pound of lean ground beef, then add a packet of taco seasoning. You could also add … [Read more...]

Cole slaw happens to be one of my favorite sides. It pairs perfectly with dishes like Fish, BBQ, Fried Chicken and Hot Dogs. Unfortunately, many stores and restaurants consider cole slaw to be an afterthought and it turns out like blah-shredded cabbage. But not at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Their cole slaw is amazing. It is so tasty that I often make a special trip to the restaurant and order a … [Read more...]

Like the cows say in the Chick-fil-A commercials, “Eat more chicken!” Trouble is, eating chicken can get boring, so I am always scrounging around for new and better ways to cook it. Recently I tried the recipe below for Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Sauce and it’s a keeper. Nothing boring about it. It’s yummy. Here’s how I put mine together. Start with chicken, naturally. I like the sliced … [Read more...]

They are called whiting if you catch one in the Bay. In the ocean, many call them sea mullet. No matter the name, they are spectacular eating, and they are biting like it’s their last meal at Nags Head. Some big ‘uns, too. TW’s Tackle weighed in lots of oversized sea mullet this week, as anglers were catching them in the surf and from the piers. They typically bite well into chilly … [Read more...]

By William Horton This approximates the recipe that Bennett’s Drug Store used for Asheville’s best hot dog of the 50’s and 60’s.  For the hot dog I like to use Nathan’s or Ball Park Beef Franks. I boil them in Guinness Draft. There’s no reason why you can’t use them on any kind you like whether steamed, boiled, or grilled. I like mine with mustard chili and onion on a steamed or … [Read more...]

Recently, I have enjoyed cooking ground beef as “smashburgers” rather than standard burgers on the grill. First, it’s a lot easier than having to go in and out to tend the grill while the burgers are cooking. Secondly and most important, Smashburgers taste great. The juices are seared into the burger, and they cook quickly. I use about a ¼ pound of low-fat ground meat (ground sirloin is ideal) … [Read more...]

The only problem with cooking is having to clean up your mess and they say the best cooks make the biggest messes. I tell my wife Nancy that, but she is not impressed with the multitude of pots and pans scattered about the kitchen after one of my “Emeril Lagassi” endeavors. Knowing that I make most of the messes, I do my share of dish washing and I have discovered an able assistant. Ms. Meyers … [Read more...]

The folks up at Forest Lakes are heartbroken as their go-to pizza shop – End Zone – has shuttered its doors. From all of us closer to town, we heartily recommend Vocelli’s to our northern neighbors. A superior pizzeria, the Vocelli’s crusts are always delicious and perfectly cooked. We especially enjoy their thin crust pizzas, and their toppings are spot on. Their salads, however, are special. … [Read more...]

I can’t remember if I’ve printed this recipe before, but I figure if I can’t remember, you won’t either. Plus, this is worth a repeat. It’s super easy and beyond delicious. It’s Hash Brown Potato Soup. With the morning thermometer now dipping down in to the 40’s, this is a perfect time to break out the Crock Pot for some steamy hot, rich and creamy Hash Brown Potato Soup. Here’s how. Combine … [Read more...]