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July 8, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

6 Delicious Recipes for a Perfect Dinner Date

Date nights are something that we all look forward to. The excitement starts to build up almost as soon as the schedule is set.

Once all the movie nights, restaurant dates, shopping, and other outdoor excursions get tiring, we just want to spend some alone time with our significant other. And, nothing can be more intimate and romantic than a dinner date at home.

If you have a date night coming up and don’t know what to cook to ‘wow’ your partner, we have something special cooked up for you. Here are six delicious recipes you want to try for a perfect dinner date.

1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A lot of people skip out on home dinner dates because they are bad at cooking. Even if they can manage to make simple recipes, they think that it’s not enough to impress their date.

One of the simplest yet mind-blowing recipes out there is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. The recipe is easy to make and requires only a handful of ingredients.

The four key ingredients are spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and salt. To make it more flavorful and fancier, you can use ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmigiano, and fresh parsley.

Boil the spaghetti in salted water until cooked. On a heated pan, slow roast chopped garlic in olive oil until it just about starts to turn golden. Add red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and salt. Drop the pasta into the pan and stir fry for 2 minutes in medium-low heat.

Add chopped parsley and grated Parmigiano. Mix until completely combined. Remove the spaghetti from heat and serve on a platter. Top with more grated Parmigiano and you are done!

2. Broiled Butterfly Lobster Tails

If you wish to impress your date with something a little fancier, broiled butterfly lobster tails might be the item you are looking for.

Use scissors to cut through the center of the top shell and stop cutting at the base of the tails. Gently pull the halves apart, releasing the meat from the shell.

Insert your thumb in the bottom and separate the meat while keeping the base attached. Lift the meat over the shell and it’s ready for cooking!

In a small bowl, add lemon juice, chopped parsley, pressed garlic cloves, dijon mustard, salt, and ground black pepper.

Add semi-solid butter and crush it, mixing it with the other ingredients. Generously spread the garlic butter over your butterflied lobster tails.

Preheat the oven to broil on high heat. Add the lobster to a pan and put them in the broiler to cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Wondering what goes with lobster tails? Here’s what to serve with lobster tails:

Coleslaw
Baked Potatoes
Corn on Cob
Risotto

3. Vegetarian Ratatouille

If your date is vegetarian and you wish to impress them, the vegetarian version of the French stew Ratatouille is your perfect option.

Cut eggplants, zucchini, squash, and fresh tomatoes in large circles. Don’t make them thicker than 3 mm. For the sauce, you need to dice bell peppers (yellow and red) and onions.

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan. Saute minced garlic in heated olive oil. Add your diced onion and bell peppers. Pour in your crushed canned tomatoes then stir until all the ingredients are mixed.

Remove from heat and add chopped basil. Use a spatula to smoothen the surface. Arrange the sliced vegetables in alternate patterns atop the sauce.

In a bowl, make an olive oil herb seasoning. Mix chopped garlic, parsley, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper with olive oil. Generously drizzle the seasoning on the vegetables.

Cover the pan with foil. In a preheated oven (350˚F), cook for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and then bake for 20 minutes until perfectly cooked.

4. Whole Smoked Chicken

If you are looking to truly impress your date and do have a smoker at home, consider smoking a whole chicken!

You will be surprised that it is a lot easier than it looks. The crucial aspect of smoking chicken is to get the time of cooking exactly right so that it doesn’t become too dry or too unsafe to eat.

In a bowl, mix minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Rub olive oil all over the chicken, massaging with your finger to ensure maximum coverage.

Cover the chicken with the dry rub, putting on the thickest layer of seasoning possible.

Preheat smoker to 225˚F. Put the chicken on the grill grates of your smoker and smoke for three and a half to four hours.

You need a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked enough for safe consumption. Probe right into the breast meat and thigh meat. The chicken breast needs to be 160-165˚F and the thighs need to be 170-175˚F.

5. The Classic Charcoal-Grilled Steak

If you and your date are meat lovers, then you can never go wrong with a classic steak. No steak is as flavorful as one cooked on a charcoal grill. The smokey aroma gives a delicious boost to your juicy steak.

You need to choose the right cut of meat for your steak. Rib eye is possibly the safest cut of meat to use for your steak, but you can choose any.

Keep your steak seasoning simple. Just use butter, salt, pepper, and garlic. Some people like using olive oil, but you can skip it if you only want the flavor of butter in your meat. You can also use rosemary or basil. Rub your steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

You can also use herb butter by combining chopped fresh herbs, minced garlic, and butter together. Apply the butter lightly to the steak and cook it on the smoking hot charcoal grill. You should keep applying butter (you can use the herb or plain butter) to your steak to keep it from becoming dry.

6. Chocolate Lava Cake

No perfect dinner date would be complete without a special dessert. Something chocolatey to finish off in style should be perfect for your dinner date.

Lava cakes are moist and oozing with molten chocolate. Paired with a scoop of ice cream, they are the perfect blend of hot and cold.

You will need flour, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and of course, dark chocolate! Melt your butter and chocolate together, using the double broiler method. Keep stirring until smooth.

In another large bowl, combine eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt. You need to beat it until thick.

Add the chocolate and flour into the mixture and fold it together until well combined. Butter and flour ramekins and pour the batter into them. Bake for 6-8 minutes in preheated oven(450˚F). The sides need to be cooked while the inside remains jiggly.

Let them cool down for a minute or two before carefully removing the lava cake from the ramekins. Serve them fresh, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and berries!

If for some reason, the chocolate lava cake doesn’t come out the way it was supposed to (it can happen to the best of us), you can always order the finest chocolate cakes from BloomingBox.

Final Words

We hope you use these delicious recipes to plan the perfect dinner date.

If you are still looking for what to serve with lobster tails, you can easily pair them with charcoal-grilled steak or simple baked potatoes.

On the other hand, if you make ratatouille for your vegetarian date, they are bound to get impressed.

Try these easy dinner recipes for your next dinner date at home. Make sure to serve the lava cake as dessert with whichever recipe you choose to make!

February 27, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Smoking Tender Beef Jerky at Home

Who doesn’t like to snack on some dried out shrivelled meat treats? You sure do, or else, why would you be wondering how to smoke beef jerky? What would be even better is if you could make it tender and smoky at home! This article covers everything you need to know about smoking beef jerky.

Irresistible Reasons To Smoke Beef Jerky

Beef jerky can be the perfect snack when you’re too busy to spend time coming up with a snack idea and bringing it to life. Smoking it can help achieve a depth of flavour that your taste buds will thank you for. Even the rest of your body will be grateful if you resort to this healthy snack instead of other conventional, high-sugar or high saturated fat snacks. Even your dog will want to gobble up a whole packet, and it is convenient and safe for them as it is for us.

You’re in the perfect place if your favourite way of consuming meat is after smoking it. But first, you need to get yourself and your family some high-quality jerky from https://jerkybrands.com/ to get started.

Are There Different Ways You Can Smoke Beef Jerky?

Not having fancy or expensive equipment will no longer stand in your way of smoking the most tender beef jerky of your life because we will discuss the two most common ways to smoke beef jerky.

Using A Smoker

Do you already have a smoker or are planning to buy one? We have something for you no matter which one you are. From choosing the right smoker for beef jerky to using it to smoke, we’ll help you every step of the way.

What Kind of Smoker Would Be The Best?

Smoking jerky in a smoker will give a distinct smokey flavour that is difficult to replicate otherwise. To achieve the best results, you need the ideal smoker for smoking beef jerky. An electric smoker will lock in the juices of the meat while enhancing the depth of its smokiness.

Try looking for Porcelain-enamelled cast-iron or steel and stainless steel cooking grates. Another essential is wood and water trays. If this is your first time buying a smoker, an electric or gas one with digital controls might be the most appropriate choice.

How You Should Prepare Your Smoker

The amount of charcoal needed is less than you’d expect. Start the smoker before putting in your meat. You should first soak wood chips in water and add them to the smoker once a temperature of 180 or 200 F is reached. Remember to not use the water pan, or else, there’d be too much moisture.

Is it Possible To Smoke Beef Jerky Without A Smoker?

Not every one of us has already invested in a smoker or have enough space in our homes. We’ve got you covered. Cover your oven with foil and place the strips of beef on the oven rack. Set your oven at its lowest temperature, vent it using wooden smoke(CAUTION: Plastic may melt).

You’ll have to wait around two to six hours before snacking on the meat treats. To find out if your jerky is done, you should try bending it. If it’s still juicy and bends easily, leave it for an extra while. Once it stretches or tears, it’s ready to be in your tummy. You could also use a dehydrator or even lay your beef slices in the sun to make beef jerky.

Things To Keep In Mind While Smoking Beef Jerky

Smoking beef jerky may feel tedious at first, but with the tips, we have listed for you, you will face no trouble at all. You need care and patience to achieve the ideal smokiness; here are the aspects you need to consider throughout the process.

Which Cut is Best For Smoked Jerky?

First of all, you need to make sure that your meat has no fat or bones. Sinew and fat can hugely affect your beef jerky’s shelf life, so be cautious. In general, top round, flank, and roast cuts are top picks among people smoking beef jerky in their homes.

The Perfect Temperature to Smoke Beef Jerky

It varies from smoker to smoker, so you might try looking up your model to find out an ideal range. That being said, low temperature(under 65 C or 150 F) and low smoke is what we usually aim for. We would also advise you to not use extra smoking chips.

To Flip or Not To Flip The Jerky While Smoking It

If your dehydrator has a vertical airflow, you will need to rotate the trays every 2 hours, switching it from maximum to minimum heat. After about three hours, start checking your jerky to ensure it doesn’t dry up excessively.

How Long Do You Have to Leave The Jerky In A Smoker?

It is extremely important to make sure that your jerky is not left in the smoker for too long; this mistake could ruin all your hard work. Most people prefer to leave the jerky for half an hour to an hour at most. Once all the wood has burned, you should open the door of the wood tray halfway so that air can enter and help prepare your jerky better.

In Conclusion

Smoking beef jerky can be a tricky process for many. It might be the reason you are here reading this article. However, you just found out all the little ways you can overcome the obstacles in your path towards ideal jerky smoking. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, this lightweight snack can fill up your tummy in the most convenient way possible. If you follow all of the steps we have mentioned and have the right jerky, to begin with, you will achieve the most tender and moist results for your next barbeque party.

February 15, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The 6 Crucial Tips to Grill on Apartment Balcony

An outdoor barbeque is one of the most fun ideas you can share with your family or friends on weekends and holidays. And with the best electric grill for apartment balcony, you can now carry on the tradition even in the urban. But that’s assuming you know how to grill on apartment balcony without having the landlord evict or call the police on you.

Yes, indeed. You can’t fire up a grill for barbecues just anyhow in apartments and condominiums. There are some state laws and building policies that are against grilling in certain conditions due to the violation of fire codes.

So, if you want to do it, you’ll first need to check what’s allowed in your place. Else, you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of the law for violating the lease and city ordinance.

Safety Comes First before Grilling

Well, it’s not one or two people who have had a grill fire in their apartment complexes. If you’re not a first-timer, you definitely know that animal fat and even vegetable oil are flammable. Hence, perhaps one of the reasons many US states have adopted the international fire code, which prohibits using most grills on combustible balconies.

Just as the name, a combustible balcony is one from highly flammable materials, including wood, composite, canvas, and vinyl. These materials can be part of the balcony floor, wall, railing, or screen enclosure.

So, even if your building and state laws allow barbecuing, you still have to be responsible to ensure your safety and those around you.

That said, let’s look at a simple guide to apartment grilling, with tips and safety rules to make sure you have many balcony barbeques after this one.

A Quick Guide to Apartment Grilling

Here are the six crucial things to consider if you want to enjoy a successful and fun grilling experience on your apartment balcony.

Use A Grill Safe For Your Apartment Balcony

Basically, a balcony is still a part of the apartment unit. So, before you can start making those burgers, you’ll need a grill fit for your situation. That’s in terms of the building policies, state laws, balcony construction materials, and the available space.

In general, there are three main types of grills, which borrow their name from their type of fuel. They include an electric grill, gas (propane) grill, and charcoal grills. However, many states are against using charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices (like a gas grill) on combustible balconies.

So, the electric grill is the best option to grill on apartment balconies. You just need to get the right size and also have a nearby wall outlet (not a power extension).

Have all the Grilling Tools in Hand

As with any other cooking, you’ll need to have all the tools close when you grill at your apartment balcony. So, a portable kitchen cabinet to hold all the necessities might make your life easier.

Use the grill at the right position:

The worst thing that can happen is for your would-be fun grilling session to end up with a blazing balcony. So, when setting up the grill for use, make sure it’s away (at least 3 feet) from the siding, balcony rails, and screen enclosures.

However, whether you’ll be able to maintain that space allowance depends on the size of appliance you have. Thus, taking us back to the first point on getting the right grill for your apartment space.

Keep the kids & pets away from the grill area:

Do you let your kids close to the stove? Well, the basic kitchen rule is that kids should never be let near a burning oven or stove without the appropriate training. The same rule applies to a hot grill.

In fact, the U.S Fire Administration provides you should have at least a three-foot safety zone for your grill. Then, keep the kids and pets clear of this section.

Other Safety Protocols for Grilling on Balconies

Apart from keeping your kids & pets away from the burning grill, you’ll also need to keep watch on the device the whole time. A lot of the accidental fires usually start when we’re not looking and no one was near to put them out.

So, it might be worthwhile to have a fire extinguisher nearby while grilling at your balcony. You should also have protective gear, including grilling gloves and stainless steel tools to protect you and other grill-ers from burns.

Note: in some states, you’ll need to have an automatic sprinkler system installed on the balcony before you can grill. The said states include Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington.

Remember to Turn off your Grill and Clean

After you have seared your last steak, turn off the electric grill and disconnect from the power outlet. If you were using a propane grill (do not recommend for balconies), also remember to turn off the gas cylinder.

Furthermore, you’ll also need to clean your grill after use. In doing so, you’ll get rid of the excess grease that can cause flare-ups and start accidental fires.

In Conclusion:

Even with no backyard, it’s still possible to enjoy a mouthwatering steak crust right from your apartment balcony. Thus, saving you the time and even money you’d have spent at The Grill House.

Furthermore, grilling at home gives you the freedom to use any meat variety and also the marinade you want. Then, you have control over the quality of the ingredients and the cleanliness of the tools.

Even so, do remember to check with your building manager and state laws before you start grilling on your apartment balcony. Also, use the right grill for your space and in the right manner.

July 21, 2021 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The Right Way To Make Charcoal-Grilled Steaks

No food option can beat a good steak! But, when it comes to a perfect steak, it’s the taste that matters the most. Any food lover can’t get enough of a juicy, tasty steak that is cooked to perfection. However, having a steak at a fine-dine restaurant to please your taste buds is not cheap and may cost you more than you expect. But, knowing how to cook a perfect steak can save that money and allow you to enjoy a juicy steak at home without spending a lot. This is why knowing the tricks to cook the perfect meat is essential for everyone to spice up their everyday food recipes.

This recipe guide is made especially for you if you look forward to knowing the secrets involved in striking the right balance for a juicy and tender steak! Here we have combined a few tips and tricks to make excellent charcoal-grilled or smoked steak that tastes heavenly. So read through to know more!

To get started, here is all about a steak and how a perfect steak looks and tastes like:

What Are Steaks And What Does A Perfect Steak Look Like

Steaks are perpendicularly cut pieces of meat fiber, typically comes from cows, goats, sheep, or any other animal, but it mostly refers to cow meat steaks. Also, they are a part of a muscle and have no bones attached. However, coming from different parts of a cow’s body, the meat can differ. For example, the meat for steak can come from the shoulder, back near the rear, and sirloin. These parts are often referred to as Chuck steaks, T-bone steak, and porterhouse steak. These are some of the most liked and most eaten steaks.

Coming to the features of a perfect steak, you need the taste, texture, and the perfect cooking technique to strike the right balance. Additionally, you would need to deal with the temperature to cook it to perfection. This will help you cook a nice and brown steak from the outside and pinkish from the inside. Of course, the color of the inside depends on the type of doneness you want for your steak.

But going over every step, one thing that remains under argument is how a perfect steak looks and how to define it. Well, it all depends on your preferences! Of course, you can ensure your technique to cook a perfectly tender steak that can satisfy your taste buds. But, here are a few things you must consider:

The type of steak you need
The grade and cut of beef you want
The thickness of your steak

Once you know these things, you will get the right amount of ingredients, temperature, and taste.

Things you Need To Cook A Perfect Steak

When making a steak, a few things are nearly impossible to overlook. So here is a list of ingredients you would need to cook a perfect steak:

A charcoal grill
Charcoal chimney
Lighter or lighter cube
Charcoal
Instant read thermometer (digital is always better)
Steak seasoning (olive oil and butter works best), Spices and herbs
And the main ingredient meat – STEAK

Step-By-Step Recipe To A Perfect Charcoal-Grilled Steak

Now that you know everything, here is the right way to make a perfect charcoal-grilled steak in no time!

Pick A Piece Of Steak
The first and foremost step Is to pick s steak of your choice. Wondering what’s the best type to choose for a charcoal-grilled steak? First, you must know that all types are equally tasty. This is why you should choose the type you like. As long as you cook it to perfection and follow all the techniques to make it tender and juice, it will give you the same great taste as every type of steak.

Apply The Seasoning

A tasty steak is always well-seasoned and marinated beforehand to let it absorb all the flavors. It would help if you always marinated the steak with all the seasoning of your choice a day or two before cooking it. Most people prefer to keep it simple with a hint of salt, olive oil, Italian herbs, and spices. But, many people like it the fancy way and prefer to soak it in butter for a day or two after seasoning it to enhance its flavors.

Once seasoned, give the meat some time to absorb all the flavors from the seasoning and the butter for extra taste and moisture. The same butter can be used while frilling the steak on charcoal to enhance the flavor drastically.

If you are in a hurry, you can do the same thing and let it sit or marinate for an hour or two to let it soak some flavors and dry brine.

Set The Chargrill And Light The Charcoals

After letting it sit, you can prepare your grill as the steak marinates. Set up your grill and chimney and start the fire with a fire starter to speed up the burning. Charcoal takes some time to burn completely and come to the required temperature. Once the charcoal is ashed over, please put it in your grill and let the cooking start. Additionally, it is essential to keep the grill’s heat divided into two parts, one heated and one side slightly cooled. Let your beef jerky steak cook at its pace without becoming overdone.

Put The Steak On The Grill

Once the grill is well lit, it’s ready to take on the steak. Now set the charcoal to the desired temperature depending on the cut and thickness of the steak. Every cut and thickness requires a different temperature for getting the desired doneness. However, it should be at least 500°F, when you place the steak over the grill and put the lid back on. You will have to rotate the steak every two minutes to distribute the heat evenly and get the perfect searing marks from the grill.

While your steak is on the charcoal grill, it would help if you add more butter and seasoning to the steak. Extra seasoning of butter and herbs will give the steak an excellent outer crust and add more flavor. This is an optional step but always improvises the taste by making it more juicy and delicious that it just melts in your mouth.

Furthermore, if you don’t want a raw or well-done steak, you need to use a digital thermometer to keep the temperature in check. This way, you will be able to instantly remove steak from the grill as soon as it achieves the desired doneness.

If You Should Or Shouldn’t Rest The Steak?

Once your steak is done, it’s ready to be served. Many people believe that it should be removed from the grill and put to rest for some time for the juices and seasoning to settle in. However, a hot, juicy steak feels just amazing instead of a cold-rested steak. So, there is no harm in eating your steak right off the grill.

Add some sides if you want to have veggies with meat it would enhance the experience and add some fibers to your diet.

To Sum It Up

It’s not challenging to get the perfect steak, but knowing the right way and learning the proper techniques will help you strike the right balance. All in all, you would need quality products and a good amount of butter to load the steak with taste and juices.