Open Faced Meatloaf Sandwich

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf - Texas Toast - Cajun Slaw - Homemade BBQ Sauce


Here we have 3 lbs. of Ground Sirloin and 1 lb. of Ground Pork mixed with chopped Onion, Pepper and Garlic, Stuffed with Cheddar/Jack Cheese, rolled, and wrapped in a 2 lb. bacon basket-weave. Before Rolling, the meat was rubbed with some BBQ Spices, smeared with BBQ Sauce, and stuffed with the cheese.



This is about half-way through the Smoking. As you can see, the Meatloaf was basted with a coat of BBQ Sauce before going into the smoker. 275 degrees for about 4hrs 30m is just about right!
















Glorious!!!





















Here's the finished dish. A generous slice of Meatloaf atop Garlic Toasts, topped with Cajun Slaw, finished with the signature, Damn Good BBQ Sauce. Amazing!!!



Here's what's left.

Caramelized Leek Crusted Sirloin, Baby Yukon Gold, Cremini, Roasted Garlic

Here we have a 14oz. Sirloin. I caramelized some leeks in butter and then blasted them for a few seconds in the trusty, Magic Bullet. Great piece of equipment. The ensuing leek paste was used to crust the sirloin, after said sirloin had been generously salted, peppered, and pan seared until brown and crispy.

After the sirloin was seared, I used the pan to caramelize the onions and cremini. I set these aside and reheated them later with the potatoes and garlic.

Speaking of potatoes and garlic, the potatoes were cut in half and, with the garlic, placed in a pot of cold salted water. I brought the pot to a boil and continued to cook the potatoes for about 3 minutes or until soft, but not too soft. Strain the potatoes .We are gonna be mixing the potatoes, so if they are cooked too long in the water, they will break apart and you'll be making mashed potatoes instead. I tossed the cooked potatoes in oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme and then popped them in a 375F oven for about 20 minutes. I like to make sure that the flat part of the potatoes are face down on the pan. This gives the potatoes a nice, crispy texture on the outside and a mashed potato-like consistency on the inside.

I sauteed the potatoes, mushrooms, & garlic in butter with some fresh thyme to get them nice and glazed. Next, I made a real quick pan sauce for the steak. Onion, leeks, garlic, mushroom, and carrots were sauteed in the steak/mushroom pan and deglazed with some brandy. I let that cook down by about 1/2 and added some chicken stock and then a little soy sauce for some saltiness and flavor. I really like using soy sauce in my pan sauces. When you finish your sauce with butter, the flavor when the butter mixes with the soy is one that goes great with beef.

Here's the finished dish:Cooked to perfection,

Asian Beef Short Ribs

Asian Beef Short Ribs, Julienne Leek, Garlic & Ginger Mash


These Short Ribs were seared in peanut oil until golden brown and set aside on a plate. After the fat was removed, garlic, ginger & scallions were added to saute for 2 minutes. The ribs were added back to the pan to cook some of those flavors into the skin. Soy Sauce & Sherry Wine was added to Deglaze the pan followed by Chopped Peeled Plum Tomatoes, and Star Anise. Covered and let to simmer for about 2 hours while turning every 30 minutes, added nice flavor to the meat just barely still hanging on to the bone. The left over braising juices were strained and reduced down by half. White Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Worcestershire Sauce, and Chili Powder was added to make a BBQ Sauce which was reduced down until thick, then spooned over the meat. The ribs were placed on a mound of Potato Mash made with a Garlic & Ginger Butter Sauce, Milk and Sour Cream. The plate was finished with simply sauteed Julienne Leeks for color and flavor. Success!