Thanks, Tony Romo, for Buying My Book, Recipes Every Man Should Know

Dear Tony,

Congratulations on getting hitched!

You obviously know a lot more than just how run a good play action pass. You chose Candice over Jessica (good call), you bought her the 8-carat yellow diamond (much more tasteful than the 20.5 carat rock Kris gave Kim), and apparently you bought my book, Recipes Every Man Should Know!

Clearly you're on track to be one of the elite. I've put together a few pointers for you to help you make it to the hall of fame, for marriage, that is: Always put the large plates in the back of the dishwasher. Remove cleats before walking on the new Brazilian hardwoods. And one evening when she least expects it, surprise Candice by making her the Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine on page 86 and the Sexy Strawberry Zabaglione on page 136. Then get ready for lots of rushing and scrambling.

I hope this was helpful. Thanks again for buying the book.

Sincerely yours,
Susan

PS-  Regarding the NFL Lockout, consider making a batch of the Bacon Brownies on page 122 for the next negotiation meeting. After eating these salty, sweet, smoky slabs of bacon studded goodness, the owners and reps will experience a sudden release of endorphins and will no doubt acquiesce to the all your demands. If you need some help, let me know. I'm available to assist. And just out of curiosity, will Tom be there?

OK, guys, there you have it: NFL star quarterbacks cook. You should too. And to help you get started, I'm giving away 5 signed copies of Recipes Every Man Should Know. Just leave a comment below telling me why you want the book. Ladies, you can tell me why you want to give the book to a man in your life. If you tweet  -- @Foodblogga --  or FB about it, it'll increase your chances! I'll randomly choose 5 names and announce them tomorrow. Let's get it started!

Photo credit: Janz Images, Flickr Creative Commons

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Bacon Guacamole!

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo, the day when Mexicans commemorate their victory over the French in the Battle at Puebla of 1862. In the Mexican town of Puebla, schoolchildren will study history, artists will sing and dance and chefs will cook traditional foods, all to honor their brave ancestors.

And in cities throughout America, Americans will get drunk. Somehow, this day of national pride for Mexicans has become another excuse for Americans to get sloshed. Think I'm exaggerating? According to Time magazine Cinco de Mayo is the 4th drunkest holiday of the year.

How about this year you get drunk on bacon guacamole instead?

If you think traditional guacamole is irresistible, then be prepared to get punch drunk in love with this porky version: Classic creamy guacamole is studded with nibs of salty, smoky, crisp bacon. And in case you're wondering, yes, bacon guacamole does taste better if you eat it while wearing a sombrero and shaking some maracas.

Like this recipe? There are over 60 more like it in my book, Recipes Every Man Should Know, co-authored with Brett Cohen. It's a little, sleek black book that fits neatly into every man's back pocket.

Bacon Guacamole
This recipe is from my book, Recipes Every Man Should Know
Makes 6-8 servings
Printable recipe.

6 slices bacon
Flesh of 2 ripe avocados
1 medium tomato, chopped
4 scallions (white parts only), finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
A couple of pinches of salt
A couple of dashes of hot sauce
Small handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

1. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until crisp. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Let cool and chop into small pieces.

2. Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until chunky.

Here are more guacamole recipes you might enjoy:
Grilled Guacamole recipe from The Kitchn
Grapefruit Guacamole recipe from No Recipes
Edamame Guacamole recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod
Roasted Garlic, Poblano, and Red Pepper Guacamole recipe from Ezra Pound Cake

Photo credit by Sala Kannan of www.veggiebelly.com.

How to Make Killer Bisquick-Free Pancakes

Two years ago. I was exposed. It was humiliating. I was caught red-handed with Bisquick. So I confessed: I cannot make good pancakes. I use Bisquick.

The good news is that today I can make killer pancakes from scratch. It wasn't an easy journey to this baking success. I went through stages of pancake grief.

First came denial: What?! Boxed Bisquick? No way! I make everything from scratch. Boxes are for semi-homemade Sara Lee, not Food Blogga!

Then came anger: Damn Bisquick. Damn IHOP. Damn the pancake Gods. Damn them all to hell!

Anger turned into depression: I'm such a loser. Every food blogger makes great pancakes. Why can't I? What's wrong with me?

Finally came acceptance: Not everyone is meant to make great pancakes. I make great pizza. Not everyone makes great pizza.



After my acceptance came a request from my editor. I needed to include a pancake recipe for my book, Recipes Every Man Should Know. They would be called "Better-Than-IHOP Pancakes." That was my editor's choice. I would never have so brazenly provoked the pancake gods. So 38 batches of pancakes later, I now have my own Better-Than-IHOP Pancake recipe. They're fluffy and sweet and completely Bisquick-free.

Better-Than-IHOP Pancakes
Makes 8-10 pancakes
Printable recipe.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk (not the powdered variety)
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Maple syrup and melted butter for serving

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, suar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract (if using). Add dry ingredients to wet, and whisk until just combined. It's OK if batter is a little lumpy. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Splash it with a few drops fo water: When they pop and jump, your're good to go. Lightly grease pan with butter. Pour batter by the quarter-cupful on to pan, being careful not to overcrowd if cooking more than one at a time. Leave each pancake alone until edges start to turn golden and little bubbles form on top Then, using a spatula, give it a quick, steady flip. (Remember, the first two or three are for the dog.) Cook 30-60 seconds more, or until puffed up and golden brown.

3. Repeat with remaining batter, adding butter to the pan as necessary. Serve pancakes right away, or keep in a warm oven (250 F) until you're ready to eat. Top with warm maple syrup and melted butter.

Tasty Pancake Toppings and Add-Ins:
Romantic breakfast in bed: 
*Sweet Berries: Top with fresh berries and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
*Boozy Bananas: Saute sliced bananas in a little butter and a splash of rum for a few minutes. Spoon over pancakes and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Kid-Friendly:
*Chocolate Chip: After pouring the pancakes on the griddle, top each one with a few chocolate or cinnamon chips.
*Cinnamon-Sugar Apples: Cook sliced apples in a little butter and sprinkle with cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins.

Manly:
*Maple-Bacon-Banana: Place slices of cooked maple-smoked bacon in between pancakes. Cook sliced bananas in a buttered pan until golden. Spoon over pancakes and drizzle with maple syrup.

Have you gotten a copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know? You can purchase one on Amazon or at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere books are sold. You'll also find it at Crate & Barrel.

Eat More Beer. Make Apple, Cheddar, and Rosemary Beer Bread.

Eat more beer.

Sure, drinking a cold beer is one's of life's simple pleasures. But why not be happier by eating beer too? Meats like beef and venison taste better when cooked with beer, which is why beer spiked chilis and stews and beer-infused pot pies taste so great.

Beer lends a full-bodied, earthy flavor to braised vegetables too. Collards or kale braised in beer? Oh, yeah. And don't forget thick, gooey beer and cheese soup. And then there's baking with beer, but let's save that for another post.



Today I'm sharing one of the tastiest, simplest recipes from my cookbook, Recipes Every Man Should Know, co-authored with Brett Cohen. Beer bread is for the man who loves beer and bread but hates to bake. There's no kneading or fancy bread machine required. Just some muscle for stirring.

PLEASE NOTE: If you own a copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know, make the following corrections on pg. 105 for beer bread: Add "1 tablespoon baking powder" and change "2 tablespoons salt" to "1 teaspoon salt." It has been corrected for future printings.

Beer Bread from Recipes Every Man Should Know
Makes 6-8 servings
Printable recipe.

This is the corrected recipe for Beer Bread from the book. Below it are three variations, including Apple, Cheddar, and Rosemary Beer Bread pictured above.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 (12-ounce) bottle beer, preferably dark, such as porter or stout (don't use light beer)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat and 8-by-4-inch or 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Pour into pan. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until top is golden broan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely.

Variations: 
Cheddar-Dill Beer Bread:
Stir 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill (or 1-2 tablespoons dried dill) into the batter.

Caramelized Onion-Cheddar-Sage Bread:
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onions, and cook 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar. Reduce heat to low, and cook 12-15 minutes, or until dark and caramelized. Stir into batter along with 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage, about 4-5 leaves.

Apple, Cheddar, and Rosemary Beer Bread:
1 medium crisp, slightly sweet apple, such as Fuji or Braeburn, peeled and diced. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add apples, and cook 3 minutes until just softened and lightly browned. Stir into batter along with 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and 1 1/2-2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary or 2-3 teaspoons dried rosemary).

You might also like these recipes cooked with beer:
Boozy Beef Chili recipe from Food Blogga
Brat, Beer, and Cheese Soup recipe from Columbus Foodie
Beer and Bean Stew with Dumplings recipe from Green Giraffe Gourmet
Beer Braised Beef Shank with Garlic Grits recipe from Cooking by the Seat of My Pants
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple-Smoked Bacon and Beer recipe from Food Blogga

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf from Book, Recipes Every Man Should Know

Once again, bacon has made something better: meatloaf.

Make plain meatloaf. Make bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Then tell me which one is better. Aw, never mind. Just make the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. It's absolutely better.

It's also in my book, Recipes Every Man Should Know, co-authored with Brett Cohen. This little, hardcover, black book details a number of recipes that... well, every man should know. You'll find manly breakfasts like Sausage and Egg Breakfast Hash, gut-filling dinners like Jumbalaya, and lots of bacon-spiked foods, including guacamole and brownies! All this goodness for a modest $9.95. Can you say Christmas stocking stuffer?



Here are a few tips for making a killer bacon-wrapped meatloaf:

1. Use the best beef and bacon you can afford. I prefer 85% lean beef. Any flavor bacon will do, so use your favorite. I don't suggest thick cut because it doesn't cook and crisp as well due to the criss-cross pattern.

2. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together. The mixture should be moist yet hold together nicely when formed into a long oval. Pat the sides together with the palms of your hands, then pat both ends to make it hold together compactly.

3. Criss-cross the bacon strips so it looks good. I mean, come on, that's one pretty beast, is it not?

4. Bake it on an aluminum-foil lined rimmed baking sheet for easy clean up. Or, if you have one, bake it on a roasting pan so the fat drips in the pan.

5. To ensure the meat is safely cooked, use a meat thermometer which should read 160-165 degrees. If you don't have one, then insert a knife into the thickest part of the loaf to ensure the meat is no longer pink.



Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Makes 4-6 servings for hungry guys or 8 servings for women and kids
Printable recipe.

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 pounds ground beef (85% lean is best)
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons spicy mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
several dashes hot sauce
6 tablespoons ketchup, divided
8-10 slices bacon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned; let cool slightly.

2. In a large bowl, combine sauteed onions with all ingredients from ground beef through hot sauce, plus 2 tablespoons ketchup. Using your hands, mix until thoroughly combined. Transfer beef mixture onto a large baking sheet lightly greased with canola oil or cooking spray.  (You can line the pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.) Shape into an oval mound or long rectangle and lay bacon slices over the top so that they crisscross. Wash your hands, then brush remaining 4 tablespoons ketchup over bacon and meatloaf.

3. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until browned on top and cooked through. (A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meatloaf should read 160 to 165 degrees F.) If you don't have a thermometer, insert a knife into the thickest part to ensure meat is no longer pink.

You might also like these porky recipes from Food Blogga:
Rigatoni with Pancetta, Chestnuts, and Marsala Wine
Chestnut Pancakes with Pancetta, Creme Fraiche, and Cinnamon Maple Syrup
Eggplant, Caramelized Onion, and Prosciutto Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella
Veal Cutlet Sandwich with Garlicky Greens, Smoked Mozzarella, and Prosciutto
Check out my NPR piece"Bacon Gets Its Just Desserts" 2009 which includes four bacon-centric recipes:
Chocolate-Bacon-Peanut Bark
Maple-Apple-Bacon Cake with Maple Glaze
Chocolate Chip-Bacon-Pecan Cookies
Peanut Butter-Maple Bacon Fudge

Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes For Men

Want to know how to get the men at your Thanksgiving dinner to gobble up their veggies? Well, at least their sweet potatoes? Go to Irreference, Quirk Books' nifty website to find out!

And while you're there, why not pick up a copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know? This little, black book is chock-full of over 60 easy-to-make, manly recipes. After all, it's never too early to do some Christmas shopping.

Would You Like a Review Copy of My Book Recipes Every Man Should Know?

Woo-hoo! I'm thrilled to say that as of this morning, my book Recipes Every Man Should Know, co-authored with Brett Cohen, has only one copy left for pre-sale on Amazon! Thank you so much to all of you who have already purchased a copy. And for those of you who would still like one, don't worry, they're ordering more.

This little, hardcover, black book details a number of recipes that... well, every man should know. You'll find manly breakfasts like Sausage and Egg Breakfast Hash, gut-filling dinners like Jambalaya, and lots of bacon-spiked foods, including guacamole and brownies! All this goodness for a modest $9.95. Can you say Christmas stocking stuffer?

Would you like a review copy for your blog? If so, here's how it will work:

1. Email Eric Smith eric AT quirkbooks DOT COM. Tell him your name and blog URL. Please put REMSK review copy in the subject line.
2. Post a review of the book on your blog anytime during the month of November.
3. Please link to the Recipes Every Man Should Know Amazon page, Quirk Books' website Irreference.com, and to me, Food Blogga.
4. Accept a BIG warm-hearted thanks from me, and if you're really sweet, maybe even some freshly baked biscotti!

Please note that quantities are limited, so contact Eric soon if you'd like a copy!


You can read more about the book here.

My Book, Recipes Every Man Should Know, Is Available for Pre-Sale on Amazon!

I just returned from the amazing BlogHer Food '10 conference in San Francisco. I am thrilled and humbled to tell you that my little black book, Recipes Every Man Should Know, co-authored with Brett Cohen, was the first book to sell out at their authors' table! (Insert sounds of horn-tooting by me.)

Would you like a copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know or a copy for a hungry guy in your life? It's available for pre-sale on Amazon right now, and it's only $9.95!

Why should men cook?

1. Women think men who cook are sexy.
2. It involves fire, sharp instruments, and meat.
3. Women think men who cook are sexy, and it involves fire, sharp instruments, and meat.

Need more reasons?

4. It's cheaper than eating out all the time, which means more money for other stuff.
5. It's healthier, which is also sexy.
6. If you cook for your friends, they'll buy you drinks.

That's why you've got to have a copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know. This little black book is packed with easy, delicious recipes that will impress family, friends, and, most importantly, the ladies.


It's never too early to get him started in the kitchen.

Not sure which pots and pans to use? We tell you. Don't know the difference between dicing and slicing? We explain. Not sure how many pints are in a quart? Two. No matter the occasion, we've got recipes that won't fail you:

• Tailgating? Jumbalaya and Beef-and-Beer Chile
• Throwing a party? Beer Margaritas and BuffaloWings
• Dinner alone? Perfect Panfried Pork Chops
• Romantic dinner for her? Creamy Shrimp Fettucine 
• Sunday breakfast with the kids? Better-Than-IHOP Chocolate Chip Pancakes

We've even got recipes for "The Hangover Cure," (yes, it works), The Perfect Burger, No-Bake Cheesecake, and more! All this goodness fits snugly in your back pocket, so you don't even need a grocery list. What more could you ask for?

Want to buy a copy for yourself or for a guy in your life? It makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for only $9.95! Order your copy of Recipes Every Man Should Know through Irreference.com or through Amazon.com today!

Photo Credits: Creative Commons, Flickr: Australian War Memorial Collection and Hadassah Williams.