Chef Rico's Perfect Chopped Onion Method

This is a great way to hand chop onions and make them any size you like; fine grade, medium grade, or large grade. You will want different sizes depending on what you are making many times. Plus, this is quick and easy and sets you up for more than one time. Once you slice off how much you need, store the rest in a sealed plastic bag or sealed container.

Start with how you buy the onion at the store. You don't need to peel it just yet!

Take a sharp wide blade knife and cut both ends of the onion off and discard

Score the onion by making  a cut about 1/8 blade deep across the onion

Now peel the onion back to reveal the shinny part like this

Here is where you determine the size of your chop. Slice the onion about 1/4 think and you get large; slice it 1/8 thick and you get medium grade chop; slice it really thin like 1/16 and you get a fine chop.

 Now cut the slice in half and separate to prepare for chopping

As you chop the slice, move it around with your fingers toward the blade. With the onion now in inner circles, when you cut this way, you end up with chopped onion.

Disclaimer: This post is strictly for chopping method purposes only and does not deal with food storage methods or how long to keep foods stored.

Bourbon Steak Marinade

Grilling steaks is on of my all time favorite meats. My son Joey, (culinary student) grilled the one in the picture for me. Notice the grill marks are perfect and he uses a temp sensor to grill to just the right degree for however you like your meat. (Cutting into a steak while grilling will loose the juices and cook unevenly)

My part in this  meal was the steak marinade. I have used this one for a lot of years and I have to say it very different from anything else I have used. Obviously one of the main ingredients is bourbon and the results is incredible flavor. So, if you are your Baptist and don't drink, go to the neighbors house and borrow a shot.

This recipe will marinate up to four 8oz steaks

Ingredients

• 1- shot Bourbon (please only a shot, more does not make this any better)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• pepper to taste
• well marbled steak

Preparation method:
1. Combine all the ingredients, except the steaks, in a large mixing bowl and still until well mixed
2. Place your steaks in a large resealable plastic bag
3. Add all the mixture and seal the bag
4. Shake the bag around ensuring the mixture is all over each steak
5. Refrigerate over night for best results

Grill em up!

Comments? Have did you enjoy this recipe?

Chef Rico's Simple Steak Salsa

Have you ever thought of steak salsa? That's the only terminology I can think of for this mixture. We were eating at an outdoor barbeque place in Durango,Colorado many years ago and they used this salsa and I just fell in love with it. After the show they put on for the crowd, I went back to the kitchen and inquired about the salsa. The guy I talked to gave me the recipe with no problem and told me I may be shocked at how simple it is to make. I have made this for over 25 years now and still love it; and YES, IT IS SIMPLE TO MAKE!

This recipe serves around 6-8 people

Ingredients

• 1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 - green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped white onion (medium chopped)
• Garlic salt to taste
• Season Salt to taste ( Kountry Boys Ole #1) is my favorite

1. Pour the diced tomatoes in a large bowl and with two knives back and forth, chop the chunks up smaller.
2. Wash and core the green bell pepper then chop medium size and add to the bowl
3. Chop the white onion smaller and add to the bowl and stir mixture
4. Add the garlic salt to taste. I like mine pretty garlicky!
5. Add the seasoned salt but not too much
6. Stir the mixture well and then refrigerated before using

I told you this was simple but very tasty and awesome on steaks

Comments? Have you tried this yet?

Chef Rico's Pork Tender Loin Crock

This meal is so simple and so good a kid could cook it. In fact, that is exactly who made it with me this past week. While visiting our grand kids in Missouri, they all helped me cook dinner one night with my Pork Tender Loin recipe. What I absolutely love about this recipe is once you prepare it in the crock pot, you leave it cooking all day and come home to a dee-lish-ous dinner.  

The tenderloin serves 6-8 people so add veggie portions accordingly.

Ingredients

• 1- Pork Ternder Loin (usually comes in two pieces)
• 1/2 - medium white onion
• 2 - small red potatoes per person serving
• 1/2 cup - fresh carrot per person serving
• Weber Chicago Steak Seasoning
• Seasoned salt
• 2- cans Cream of Mushroom soup

1. Use a crock pot liner for super easy cleanup
2. Rinse the tenderloin with water to remove any blood and place in the crock pot
3. Slice the 1/2 onion in large rings and then cut in half and place on top the tender loin all along the top from one end to the other
4. Add seasoned salt to just lightly dust the top of the tender loin
5. Next cover the top of the tenderloin with the steak seasoning with a solid covering from one end to the other
6. Add 1/4 cup water to one side of the tender loin.
7. Wash the potatoes then quarter them and add to both sides of the tender loin.
8. Peel the carrots then slice to quarter inch thickness and add to the sides of the tender loin.
9. Pour the creme of mushroom soup over the top of the meat and veggies.
10. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours with the lid on.

Serve with steamed broccoli or green beans and salad for a wonderful and tasty meal. Enjoy!

Avocado Dip Rico Style

I have been making this for years and everyone seems to love it so i am sharing my secret. NO more powder packets for me. I use all natural ingredients that turns into a wonderful dip to die for. Depending on the ripeness of the avocados you purchase, you can create the dip a little chunky or just creamy and smooth; your choice.

Ingredients

• 2 - large avocados
• 1/4 cup - chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup - chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup - chopped tomato
• 1/2 - fresh lime
• pinch of salt
• pinch of pepper
• pinch seasoned salt

1. Take the avocado and cut in half and remove the seed
2. Spoon out the inside and place in a large bowl
3. Mash with a fork to the consistency you prefer
4. Add in the chopped cilantro, red onion, and tomato and stir a minute or two mixing well
5. Add in the pinch of salt, pepper, seasoned salt
6. Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the bowl and mix in well and you are done

A GREAT OPTION:

1. Take some boiled eggs and cut in half and remove the yoke.
2. Rinse each half and dry
3. Fill each egg half with the avocado dip
4. Sprinkle with seasoned salt for color and flavor
5. Top with a small amount of shredded cheddar cheese if you like

Healthy Quick Pancakes

I reluctantly used the word "healthy" in the recipe name since not much, if anything, I have posted so far is anything close to healthy. But, this one certainly is! This is my wife Becky's recipe and she makes it all the time. One thing she likes is that is is quick and easy to make and IS very good for you. If you are short on time in the mornings on the way to a busy day, try this one and see what you think. Serves 3 small pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 egg (per banana)
• blueberries

1. Mash banana really good in a bowl
2. Add the egg and stir really good (kids love to help with this)
3. Heat your griddle to 350 degrees F or use a spayed skillet and pour the mixture
4. Sprinkle a few blueberries on top and cook as you would regular pancakes
NOTE:Increase the number of banana for more yield

Be creative...you can add nuts, finely chopped apples, flax seed, cooked bacon bits.
These are so good and sweet enough you don't even need to add syrup.

The Chef Rico "Texas" Burger

When someone says Texas Burger this is what I think of! Have some fun with your grilling and give your guest a treat by using a Texas burger mold from HEB. The plastic burger mold is easy to use and adds the star in the middle too.
Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs- lean 90/10 ground beef
• 6 - saltine crakers
• 1 tbs - seasoned salt 
• 1- tbs pepper
• 2 tbs - Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 - egg
• 1/3 cup - chopped white onion
• Weber Gourmet Burger seasoning

1. In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef and all the ingredients.
2. Crumble up the crackers using a rolling pin then adding to the mixture
3. Knead the mixture into a large ball with your hand
4. Separate out smaller balls the size of a small orange
5. Place the ball of meat in the Texas burger mold
6. Flip the mold up side down and the Texas patty will fall out
7. Grill to perfection on gas or charcoal. If using charcoal, add a few small wood chunks like mesquite to add flavor.
8. Cover the burgers while on the grill with the Weber Gourmet Burger seasoning just on one side
9. Take the buns and lightly butter the inside top and bottom part.
10. Lay face down on the open fire way maybe a couple minutes just enough to toast the buns and brown the inside.
11. Serve hot and ready to assymble