Tag: 101

Memorial Day Recipe Roundup | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


What to take to that holiday picnic? Here are some great suggestions for the get-together. All with easy to follow step by step photo instructions. You can do this.

Graphic with a flag for Memorial Day



Publisher note: This is a re-edit of previous years ( since 2016) post. New recipe recommendations are added as needed to keep it fresh.

For us in the USA this weekend is Memorial Day, a federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. But it also serves as the kick-off for summer and a three-day holiday weekend.

Once known as Decoration Day that started after the American Civil War to honor the Union dead, later it merged with a similar Confederate holiday and ultimately for all American war dead.

But on to the other part of this holiday. It’s FINALLY SUMMER. Let’s party… and remember. So, what to take to the party? Food and party animals.

FOOD SAFETY

Before we start, a few food safety reminders. So easy to forget. It is up to you to keep your friends and family safe. I see dangerous food handling on TV food shows and other blogs frequently. So know the rules. PLEASE.

As a start, please review my Summer Food Safety post. Let’s be safe out there. No, Uncle Joe cannot have his burger rare even though you wouldn’t mind seeing him sick. It is your responsibility to keep them safe.

Main Dishes

image of pulled pork in a bun with sauce

You will find oven versions of many of these dishes. So a grill in not required. And the oven version are generally great and not much work.

Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt

Outrageously good pulled pork without a smoker. Low and slow is how you do it with these easy step by step photo instructions with only a few minutes of active time.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Image of a pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce on a bun
Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard

How to cook pulled pork on a gas grill? Not all of us have smokers. There are a lot of gas grill out there. Shouldn’t we have pulled pork too? I say yes. Pulled pork for all and with a little planning it is not that hard.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
How to Cook a Brisket on a Gas Grill

Learn how easy it is to cook a brisket on your backyard gas grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions. You too can enjoy one of the Kings of BBQ at home.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Cooked brisket on a gray board
How to Grill an Excellent Hamburger – A Beginner Tutorial

Learn the secrets of grilling a really good hamburger on a gas grill (or a charcoal grill). It is oh so easy if you know a few secrets. Great burgers can be yours.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

close up picture so a nicely done burger on a bun. All on a white plate.
How to Grill a Pork Tenderloin on a Gas Grill

Learn how to grill a great pork tenderloin on a gas grill in this pictorial step by step guide. A properly grilled pork tenderloin will make you look like the grill master. Just don’t tell them how easy it is.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Close up photo of a grilled tenderloin cut to show done interior
Grillied Chicken Drumsticks- The Art of Drummies

Super easy, never fails, grilled chicken legs for the whole family. Just pat dry, spice and cook over medium-high heat. Then you will have crispy goodness for all.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

grilled chicken leg
Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs

Learn how to grill perfect chicken thighs with this easy to follow picture tutorial. Let’s fire up the grill for some crispy, moist chicken thighs.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Closeup image of grilled chicken thigh

Sides

image of corn on a cob in a white tray with piggie corn holders and pepper

Homemade Macaroni Salad

Let’s blow that deli macaroni salad out of the water in every way. Great fresh taste from fresh ingredients with these easy step by step photo instructions.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Macaroni Salad on a white plate
Deli Style Fresh Broccoli Salad

Crunchy deli style fresh broccoli salad and you get to control the ingredients. Make it your self and take it to the party. Take the recipe with you.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Deli Style Fresh Broccoli Salad
How to Cook Corn on the Cob – Three Easy Methods

It’s corn on the cob season. Here are three easy ways to enjoy this great side dish. Grilled corn on the cob, microwave corn on the cob or oven roasted corn on the cob, your choice

Pin Recipe

How to cook corn on the cob from 101 Cooking For Two

Special things

Image of a whole Fresh Strawberry Pie on a black counter

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

Fresh strawberry pie is a wonderful summer treat. A simple killer recipe everybody will love. Plus almost any fool including me can pull this off.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Fresh Strawberry Pie from 101 Cooking for Two
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

What could go wrong with bacon, sugar, and spices? Cubes of chicken wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin? Great finger food for that “bring a dish” party. A skill level of 3/10 (easy). Plus it is easy to double or triple if needed.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

closeup of a chicken wrap
Memphis Barbecue Sauce – A Wonderful Thing

THE BEST BBQ SAUCE, EVER. This Memphis barbecue sauce would make cardboard taste great. I don’t use the term “best” lightly, but this qualifies.

Check out this recipe Pin Recipe

Image of pull pork with Memphis Barbecue Sauce

Don’t Forget to take the Party Animals

Molly and Lilly dogs playing with a ball on a rope. Part 1.

Molly and Lilly dogs playing with a ball on a rope. Part 2.Molly and Lilly dogs playing with a ball on a rope. Part 3.

Have a great holiday weekend and enjoy your summer.

DrDan

Grilled Blackened Chicken Breasts | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


This great classic grilled blackened chicken breast is bursting with a spicy flavor that you will love. Just follow the easy step by step photo instructions.
two chicken breast on a white plate



Editor’s Note: Originally published August 9, 2010. Updated with expanded discussion and updated photos.

You can never have enough great chicken recipes. Kick it up some with this tasty blackened chicken breasts cooked on your grill.

And by making your seasoning, you can adjust the heat to your taste. Also, we can do a quick brine for moisture. To do the brine, you need to not have salt in the seasoning. Not possible if you buy your seasoning.

The original recipe was an oven based recipe from allrecipes.com. I used the seasoning with some changes and converted to grilling with my standard chicken breast recipe.

My Rating:
My rating system of a 4 out of 5 so very nice.


A nice solid higher 4. It could be a lower 5 for many.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Grilled Blackened Chicken Breasts

The Blackening Seasoning

The original seasoning needed a touch of garlic, and I added that. And a touch more salt.

The heat here is about 4/10 so adjust the cayenne to your taste.

The white pepper is a very nice different taste. It is thought to be the main secret ingredient of KFC. Use black pepper if you want or don’t have white pepper.

If you brine the chicken, you must leave the salt out of the seasoning.

The Chicken Breast

It is easier to cook chicken that is about the same size and thickness. So try to even it out when you pick your chicken.

If you get these really plump chicken breasts, flatten them a little with a meat mallet or bottom of a pan.

Flatten chicken if needed

The Brine

Like all grilled chicken breast, this can dry some if you’re not careful. A simple brine of 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons table salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar for 20 to 60 minutes help keep them moist.

The recommended brine that is relatively heavy in salt. According to Cooks Illustrated, this concentration of brine is recommended for chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours. I find the chicken gets saltier if over 1 hour so I’m suggesting 1-hour max with this mixture Actually, 20 minutes will do a fairly good job of brining the chicken breasts.

While I no longer recommend rinsing chicken usually, you should always rinse carefully after brining to eliminate the surface salt.

You can grill skinless boneless chicken breasts and keep it moist without the brine, but it requires attention and skill. Skip the brine at your own risk.

The Grill

Grill temperature is extremely important in our keep the chicken moist.  For any chicken, you can not “sock the heat to it.” The outside will be burnt before the center is safe to eat.

I like to cook all chicken with a grill surface temperature of about 450 degrees, give a take a little. This is medium on my current grill, which is a “hot” grill. It is medium-high on most gas grills. Please see my guide A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill and get it right. If you don’t get this right, you will not be successful with this recipe.

Suggested Sauce

I liked the taste of Alabama White BBQ sauce with the blackened chicken. A great mayonnaise-based sauce from Big Bob Gibson’s of Alabama.

clean grill

Clean and oil the grill. Preheat grill to a surface temperature of about 450 degrees which is medium-high on most grills. You must get the surface temperature correct.

trim chicken breast on white board

Trim breasts well. You can brine if you wish but then skip the salt in the rub.

a collection of spices for blackening seasoning

Mix rub: 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper. You may adjust the cayenne to taste and use black pepper if you want.

applying seasoning to chicken breasts

Rub the dry mix on breast front and back. You only have 2 teaspoons so a light coat.

placing the seasoned chicken breast on the grill

Grill over direct heat with the grill lid closed for 5 minutes then flip every 5 minutes until internal temp is 165. About 25-30 minutes.

grilled blackened chicken breast on white plate

Lightly tent for 5 minutes before serving.

cut chicken breast on a white plate

Blue ribbon

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Grilled Blackened Chicken Breasts

Classic grilled blackened chicken breast bursting with spicy grilled goodness that you will love. Just follow the easy step by step photo instructions.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time35 mins

Author: Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Course : Main Course

Cuisine : American

Keyword : Blackened Chicken, Blackened Chicken Breasts, Grilled Blackened Chicken

Servings/Adjust Amount: 2

2

Ingredients

  • 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts

Blackening Seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper – adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper – use black pepper if you want
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Clean and oil the grill. Preheat grill to a surface temperature of about 450 degrees which is medium-high on most grills. You must get the surface temperature correct.

  • Trim breasts well. You can brine if you wish but then skip the salt in the rub. A simple brine of 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons table salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar for 20 to 60 minutes help keep them moist.

  • 4Mix rub 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper. You may adjust the cayenne to taste and use black pepper if you want.

  • Rub the dry mix on breast front and back. You only have 2 teaspoons so a light coat.

  • Grill over direct heat with the grill lid closed for 5 minutes then flip every 5 minutes until internal temp is 165. About 25-30 minutes.

  • Lightly tent for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. Scale to your needs. This is cooking for two, so I have two chicken breasts.
  2. Like all grilled chicken breast, this can dry some if you’re not careful. A simple brine of 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons table salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar for 20 to 60 minutes help keep them moist.
  3. If you brine, rinse the salt off carefully and add no salt in the seasoning.
  4. The seasoning only makes about 2 teaspoons, so only a light coating.
  5. Try to use chicken breasts that are about the same size and thickness. If you get those very thick breasts, use a meat mallet or bottom of a pan to flatten them out a little to about 3.4 inches.
  6. The seasoning is about 4/10 hot. Adjust the cayenne to your taste.
  7. Grill surface temperature is very important for cooking any chicken. Please use a grill surface thermometer to get a temperature of 450. See A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill.
  8. The safe final temperature is 165. Less is unsafe and more will start drying.
  9. Be sure to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Blackened Chicken Breasts

Amount Per Serving (1 breast)

Calories 134 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g 5%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Cholesterol 72mg 24%

Sodium 423mg 18%

Potassium 418mg 12%

Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 24g 48%

Vitamin A 7.7%

Vitamin C 1.6%

Calcium 0.6%

Iron 3.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.

dogs at playing in the yard

Originally published on August 9, 2010.

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Mother’s Day Recipe Roundup | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


Happy Mother’s Day to everybody. Let’s celebrate this special day with some great food all day long. Here are 20 great recipes that you can do without her help — all with easy to follow step by step photo instructions.
Graphic of roses for Mothers Da


Now is the time to plan and get stocked up. It is time to have a special day for that person who’s the core of your family and most likely literally gave birth to you.

Candy Treats

Let’s start with a special homemade gift. You don’t need to spend a lot to make some homemade candy.

The crockpot fudge is designed for the kids to help (or think they are).

Crock Pot Fudge

Let’s make some great fudge that’s so easy even a child could do it. This crock pot fudge recipe is just what you need for the holidays.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

image of a pile of pieces of fudge with nuts on a red plate
Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters

Great white chocolate almond clusters are an easy crock pot candy with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate

Breakfast

The first meal is a great breakfast. Around here that is simple. An oven baked blueberry pancake and a side of breakfast meat. Pop them in the oven while you do something else.

Oven Baked Blueberry Pancakes

Are you pancake impaired? Or just don’t want the mess? Try this foolproof method for great pancakes. Super easy, just mix and bake. No skill needed.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Baked Blueberry Pancakes from 101 Cooking For Two
Carrot Cake Pancakes – Oven Baked

Amazing carrot cake pancakes with maple cream cheese glaze. Oven baked for an ultra easy breakfast. It is so time for dessert for breakfast or breakfast for any meal.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Carrot Cake Pancakes – Oven Baked from 101 Cooking For Two
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Easy step by step photo instructions to cooking bacon in the oven. Nothing is better than great bacon.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven from 101 Cooking For Two
How To Cook Sausage in the Oven

Learn how to cook sausage in the oven with this easy to follow step by step photo instructions. Great breakfast sausage “fried” in the oven.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

How to Cook Sausage in the Oven from 101 Cooking For Two

For that special dinner 

In this household that is steak. I have many other main dish recipes you can find in the RECIPE INDEX but here are some great steak choices.

How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill

Learn How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions for delicious results.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

How to Grill a Ribeye Steak on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak

Cook your strip steaks like the steakhouses do. Pan sear to brown and then finish cooking the steak in the oven to your taste. Easy to follow step by step photo instructions. Make it perfect the first time and every time.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak from 101 Cooking for Two
How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A Tutorial

How to grill a T-bone steak seems to be a problem for a lot of people. Learn how with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions. You can be the “grill master” too and have an excellent grilled steak in 10 minutes every time.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Picture of a nice porterhouse steak with grill marks on a blue plate with french fries
How to Grill a Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill

Grilled Filet Mignon. A very special meal for very special times or as an everyday surprise. As good as it sounds and it can be yours with this simple technique.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

How to Grill Filet Mignon on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking For Two

Some great steak enhancements.

The Best Steak Marinade

Step that steak up a few notches with an excellent marinade. Easy to do and all your friends will want the recipe.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

The Best Steak Marinade from 101 Cooking For Two
Blue Cheese and Garlic Compound Butter

This wonderful blue cheese and garlic compound butter will add layers of butter, garlic, and blue cheese to make the meal extra special.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Image of Blue Cheese and Garlic Compound Butter on a strip steak

Side Dishes

Man (or mothers) cannot live by steak alone. Well, my wife may be able to but let’s aim for a complete meal.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Everybody needs an easy asparagus recipe. Roasted to perfection, garlic Parmesan asparagus is an ideal healthy side dish. Just follow the simple step by step photo instructions.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus from 101 Cooking for Two
Baked Bacon Green Beans

Jazz up your boring side dishes with these outstanding baked bacon green beans. Ultra easy from frozen beans. Topped with bacon and cooked with butter and brown sugar, this will be a family staple.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

image of Bacon Green Beans on an orange plate
Crispy Parmesan Baked Potatoes

Meet your new favorite side dish, crispy parmesan crusted potato half infused with garlic and butter. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

parmesan baked potato on a white plate
Easy Roasted Red Potatoes

One of the easiest recipes EVER. Roasted Red Potatoes comes with incredible guaranteed results. You get great taste in a side dish to go with any meal including that special holiday spread. Scrub, cut, shake and bake. This is a 1/10 on the skill level but a 10/10 on the useful scale.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Easy Roasted Red Potatoes from 101 Cooking for Two

Sweet Endings

“The Cherry on the Ice Cream” so to speak. And you made it yourself.

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

Fresh strawberry pie is a wonderful summer treat. A simple killer recipe everybody will love. Plus almost any fool including me can pull this off.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Fresh Strawberry Pie from 101 Cooking for Two
Easy Berry Crumble

Have this wonderful berry crumble for that special dessert. Ultra-simple to whip up and time for the end of the meal.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

image of ice cream on Berry Crumble on a blue plate
Simple Flourless Chocolate Cake

Easy step by step photo instructions for this decadent flourless chocolate cake you can make with no special skills.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

Closeup image of Flourless Chocolate Cake
Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Absolutely awesome “REAL” cheesecake. Not one of those “no cook” pie pan things. And it is easy… so easy with only six ingredients. Just follow the easy step by step photo instructions.

Check out our recipe Add to Saved RecipesGo to Saved Recipes

image of chocolate chip cheese cake 4

 

Graph of dogs for mothers day

Have a great holiday.

DrDan, Wifo, Molly, and Lilly

Last Updated
May 8, 2019

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  • How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A TutorialHow to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A…

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