Indoor Grill Suggestions.

This is something that will be on going... be sure to check for new suggestions from time to time.

HAM "CHIPS"

This is country ham.  It is cured typically in a "smoke house"... salty too.  For those of us that are familiar... this little package is "chips" of country ham.  I am not promoting any particular brand... this happened to be buy one get one so I tried it.  Pretty decent.  But if you will take a look... even though it is bits and pieces... the pieces are pretty big once you break down the package.  Perfect for the grill.  I have also lined a pan with foil and sprayed with cooking spray.... popped it in the little oven on 350 until it is the desired level of done you want.  It is preserved... but you may want it browned.  Anyway... being it is not the best thing in the world for you...  I prefer to buy it this way.  You get that taste you want.  I have used these pieces in WRAPS... a little tomato, lettuce, onion and ranch dressing... YUM!

My Chicken Meatballs.

CHICKEN MEATBALL 

I did this not too long ago and cannot wait to do it again.  I had not used ground chicken before and it was on special ... so I said... now is a good time.  So, I walked around the grocery store and really took everything in ... and came up with this.  And let me just say... I did use a jarred Alfredo sauce.  You can use your own or jarred... just use an Alfredo type for the sauce.  

As usual... no measurements.

Here are the ingredients I used:

Perdue Ground Chicken.

Sun dried tomato strips, not in oil, but if you want to use them, it is okay...

Spinach, fresh (frozen is fine too, just thaw and squeeze the water out).

Garlic.... crushed .. minced.. whatever ... it needs to be FINE.

1 egg.

Italian style bread crumbs.

Parmesan cheese.

1 can petite diced tomatoes (optional)

Mushrooms ... fresh or jarred, it is up to you.  If you use fresh, saute them before you use them in the sauce.

1-2 jars of mushroom Alfredo.

You can use ANY pasta you like... I chose radiatore because it has a lot of ridges to catch the sauce.

Alright... here we go...

Saute your sun dried tomato, spinach and garlic together.  Use olive oil or even butter being a little extra fat in ground chicken is NOT going to hurt.  Set it aside and let it cool.

Once cool, mix half of it with your ground chicken, egg... now... on the bread crumbs and cheese... use enough to not dry out your mix.  You want it to stay sticky and moist.  Add a little at a time.  Now... I covered this and chilled it for about 30 minutes being it was so sticky.  This gives time for the flavors to mingle and for it to rest.

Now, you are going to make it into balls.  You can make them whatever size you want.  I would compare mine to perhaps ping pong ball size!  Once they are rolled... let them rest again.  Use a non stick pan to cook them in.  OR you could put them in a baking dish or on a sheet pan and bake them.  Try 350 until you check temperature... 170 for done.  I would pull them out around 160 because they are going to cook in the sauce for a little while.

So while you are doing all this...  use your pot that the sauce is going to be in... saute your chopped mushrooms until they are lightly browned, butter or olive oil... or both ... up to you.  Season them with salt and pepper.  Once they have got the color you desire... add the rest of the mix to that.  Warm it up with the mushrooms.  Add your sauce.  Pinch of nutmeg ... not in the ingredients but it does make a little bit of difference.  NOW..... add your meatballs...  let them cook for about 10 minutes...  ADD the can of tomatoes... sounds weird... I know... but try it... it really makes this sauce pop.  Now... let this cook... you can check the temp of your meatballs again if you want...  

Get your pasta going... you know what to do... lots of water, lots of salt, lots of boiling... follow the directions of the package... unless you are making your own pasta.  Something I have not attempted yet.... but it is on my to do list....... 

So once your pasta is done... you can either mix it up with your sauce or serve it on top.  

I think everyone has their own preferences... 

But... if anyone has any questions.... please feel free to just ask or even comment.  

Thanks!!!!!

L.

PS:  If you are feeling really creative... instead of turning it into a meatball, make it into a patty.  Grill it.  Top it with your "mix."  Maybe add your fave cheese... perhaps mozzarella, provolone or even a blue cheese.  Really thinking about this for myself... if I do it... I will definitely post it!

Grill Meal Number 2.

Okay, here is Grill Meal number 2... the beginning.  

In the picture:  Fresh string beans, fresh mushrooms and "rib eye" pork chops that had been marked down to like $2.93.  Also there will be onion grilled.  Thinking... green bean casserole... deconstructed.  Ha ha!  Or ... grilled green bean casserole.  

So.. here are the before and after of the grilled beans.  I tossed them with a little sea salt, pepper, olive oil and just a dash of soy sauce.  Then splashed a little soy sauce during the cooking.

Pork chops are seasoned with a splash of soy sauce, cayenne pepper, sea salt and olive oil.

And here it is all on a plate.....

If you have only eaten string beans to go through the motions.... or just in string bean casserole.... you should try them grilled.  OMG...  I love them.  I want more.

Yes... that is mac n cheese in the picture.  It is one of those microwavable "cups."  I also like the frozen mac n cheese in a pinch.  Sometimes you got to do what you got to do when you don't have a proper kitchen! 

I really hope this helps any of you out there that need some ideas for dinners when you have limited kitchen equipment.

Cooking Without A Proper Kitchen.

*****Note: It did finally get cabinets and nice tile cabinet tops. But this relationship is no more and I am super happy it has been over since 2016. If your partner, significant other, spouse wants you to move into something that was even more unfinished than just this kitchen...run.  There are other things coming that are going to be unfinished in the relationship.  And that is all I am going to say on that. BUT the tips still are valid. Maybe you have a tiny house or a camper or dorm room or just a room...these suggestions can work well for you.*****

Since May 2014, when we moved into this "project home" my boyfriend is working on... I have not had a kitchen.  I have no cabinets, no counters, no stove.   (You say... what about a grill?  That is a project too, that needs new burners)!

What I do have is my microwave, a decent, large toaster oven, a crock pot and new to the cooking scene here... a George Foreman grill.  *A new edition:  Showtime Rotisserie that my boyfriend picked up for $15.00... never used.  Some of the stuff still in packaging.

So, my posts are now going to be ... how in the world do I actually cook and have a decent meal in these surroundings.... And this may also help those who live in a dorm or rent just a room or travels around in a camper ...

Tonight's menu is going to be grilled veggies:  yellow squash, zucchini, onion and mushrooms.  Also included... grilled steak.  Sounds pretty elementary.  But considering that we have been eating mostly frozen or instant kind of food... this is totally gourmet for this meal!  :-)

Here are some pics:

My "kitchen."

My "grill."

Dinner.

I will try to take pics as I cook so we can all see how this is gonna turn out.

So far... so good.  I am using an olive oil canola oil blend, sea salt and freshly ground pepper for seasoning on everything.

Okay... finished product.  It is a little past the rare I like... I think rare is probably hard to do on a grill such as this, but it is good enough.  I could probably leave it open next time and just cook one side at a time to get the desired cook on it that I like.

Now... do I turn this into a ramen noodle bowl?  A rice bowl?  Or just leave it as is and enjoy?  

Pictures of other equipment:

7 Quart Crock Pot

I have had this "toaster" oven for YEARS.  I have not used the rotisserie feature on it.

I have baked cakes, pies and even muffins in it.  Shake n Bake drumettes and pork chops.  

You can do A LOT of stuff with this model.

Please don't laugh... this is an ancient model of microwave.  It was my Mom and Dad's.  They are no longer here.  I do the very basics in this.

Newest edition thanks to my boyfriend.  $15.00 Showtime Rotisserie, never used.