Red Velvet Cake
by PJ Ball | February 11, 2023 | Baking, Dessert, Sweets | 0 Comments
Ingredients ½ cup shortening, such as Crisco1 ½ cups sugar2 large or extra large eggs (room temperature)2 cups cake flour, such as Swan’s Down½ teaspoon salt3 tablespoons cocoa powder1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup buttermilk1 ½ ounces (1 bottle) red food coloring1...
Pasteurized Eggs
by PJ Ball | February 6, 2023 | Baking, Eggs, Sauces | 0 Comments
Ingredients 1 or more eggs that have been warmed to room temperature Water in a pan to cover Directions Place enough water in the pan to cover the eggs by about an inch Bring water to 140F Place eggs into water for 3.5 minutes. Do not allow water temperature to...
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
by T1 Ball | June 30, 2022 | Baking, Dessert | 0 Comments
Makes about 24 cookies Ingredients 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 whole egg, beaten ¼ teaspoons table salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder ⅛ teaspoon baking soda 1 ½ cup...
Don’t Forget the Rum Apple Cake
by T1 Ball | March 14, 2021 | Baking, Dessert, Sweets | 0 Comments
Serves 6 (or 1 if my husband is eating it...) Prep time: 20 min.Cook time: 40 min.Total time: 1 hour Ingredients 1 cup flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 cup of unsalted butter (one stick), softened2/3 cup sugar, plus more for the...
Baked Pears Pepin
by PJ Ball | February 25, 2021 | Baking, Dessert | 0 Comments
Baked Pears Pepin Serves 4Prep time: 15 minCook time: 30 minTotal time: 45 min Ingredients: 2 bartlett pears4 Tbl sugar1/2 tsp cinnamon2 Tbl lemon juice1/4 cup water2 Tbl butter, melted1 sheet frozen puffed pastry, thawed1/4 cup dark rum (optional)Vanilla ice cream...
Drop Biscuits
Quiche
by PJ Ball | September 11, 2022 | Main Course | 0 Comments
This is my dad's recipe for a ham and spinach quiche, but you could use other ingredients for the filling (cooked bacon, broccoli, asparagus, red bell pepper, different cheeses)... use your imagination! It also doubles easily. If you need 2 great, if not just "par...
Red Beans and Rice
by PJ Ball | August 24, 2022 | Main Course, Soup | 0 Comments
A delicious and economic crowd pleaser. Red beans and rice are a Monday evening tradition in our house, as they are in southern Louisiana as well. Serves 6-8Time: 2 1/4 hours, plus 8 hours soaking Ingredients:3 tablespoons table salt1 gallon water 1 pound...
Blackened Fish
by PJ Ball | August 20, 2022 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
This is such an easy recipe, and can be easily adapted to the number of servings you want and the type of fish you have. My preference is a white fish, such as tilapia or cod fillets. A cast iron skillet is best, but a nonstick skillet will work. Prep time: 5...
Baked Salted Salmon w/ Dill
by PJ Ball | August 19, 2022 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4Prep time: 10 minutesInactive time: 1 hourCook time: 12-15 minutesRest time: 5-10 minutesTotal time: 1 1/2 hoursIngredients:2 pounds Salmon, skin on (wild caught is always best if available)1 tablespoon kosher salt3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more...
Pulled Pork
by T1 Ball | April 4, 2022 | Main Course, Pork | 0 Comments
Ingredients 6 - 9 lbs pork shoulder 2/3 cup salt 1/3 cup ground pepper Directions Combine salt and pepper and apply to washed pork shoulder. Cook pork shoulder, preferably in smoker, at 250f to 300f for about 4 hours… until internal temp is about 160F. When pork...
Chicken Thighs with White Beans
by PJ Ball | March 19, 2022 | Chicken, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 30 minutesTotal time: 50 minutes Ingredients 8 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed of any excess skin and fat Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for finishing before serving3 ounces...
Tomato Sherry Soup
by PJ Ball | March 8, 2022 | Main Course, Soup | 0 Comments
I have never been a fan of tomato soup, except for this version.... yes please! Make this on a cold day, and serve with a slice of warm bread, grilled cheese sandwich, or your favorite panini on the side. Serves 6-8 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes...
Smoked Brisket
by T1 Ball | September 7, 2021 | Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 16 Prep time: 30 min.Cook time: 12 hoursTotal time: 12 1/2 hours Ingredients:12-16 pound brisket2 T vegetable oil1/3 cup kosher salt1/3 cup pepper1 1/2 T ancho chili powder1 cup brewed black coffee (Rubber gloves recommended for prep…) Instructions: trim...
Pasta Carbonara
by PJ Ball | March 18, 2021 | Italian, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4-6 Prep time: 30 minutes Ingredients:1 pound spaghetti or linguine1/2 pound canadian bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces3 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)2 garlic cloves, smashed1/4 cup white wine3 eggs1/2 cup pecorino romano, freshly...
Chili-Lime Baked Salmon
by PJ Ball | March 18, 2021 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
This salmon is baked in foil.... quick, easy and delicious! Serves 4. Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 15 min. Total time: 25 min. Ingredients:1 1/2 pound sockeye salmon (preferably wild)2 tablespoons lime juice + zest from one lime2 teaspoons honey1 clove garlic,...
Braised Short Ribs
by PJ Ball | March 18, 2021 | Beef, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4-6 Ingredients:8 bone-in short ribsKosher saltOlive oil1 large onion, cut in large dice2 celery ribs, cut in 1" pieces2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces2 garlic cloves, smashed2 - 6 ounces cans tomato paste1 bottle full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet...
Crispy Parmesan Chicken
by PJ Ball | February 26, 2021 | Main Course, Poultry | 0 Comments
Serves 4-6 (If my son is eating, it serves 4 as he usually eats 2 pieces of chicken, and skips the salad.Prep time: 20 minCook time: 20 min Total time: 40 min Ingredients: 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (if the breasts are thick, use 3 and cut in half...
Broiled Lobster Tails
by PJ Ball | February 15, 2021 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 2Prep time: 20 minCook time: 5 minTotal time: 25 min Ingredients: 2 lobster tails (~6 oz. each)8 Tbl (1 stick) melted salted butter (divided use)Lemon wedges Prepare lobster for cooking...Using kitchen scissors cut down the top of the shell, stopping at the...
PJ’s Steakhouse Filets
by PJ Ball | February 15, 2021 | Beef, Main Course | 2 Comments
Serves 2 Prep time: 10 minCook time: 15 min. plus an additional 10 min. restTotal time: 35 min. Ingredients: Olive oil2 tenderloin filets (size of choice, I shoot for about 8 oz each and 2” thick)Kosher saltPeppercorns (tricolor if you have them, coarsely cracked)2...
Blackened Fish
by PJ Ball | August 20, 2022 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
This is such an easy recipe, and can be easily adapted to the number of servings you want and the type of fish you have. My preference is a white fish, such as tilapia or cod fillets. A cast iron skillet is best, but a nonstick skillet will work. Prep time: 5...
Baked Salted Salmon w/ Dill
by PJ Ball | August 19, 2022 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4Prep time: 10 minutesInactive time: 1 hourCook time: 12-15 minutesRest time: 5-10 minutesTotal time: 1 1/2 hoursIngredients:2 pounds Salmon, skin on (wild caught is always best if available)1 tablespoon kosher salt3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more...
Pulled Pork
by T1 Ball | April 4, 2022 | Main Course, Pork | 0 Comments
Ingredients 6 - 9 lbs pork shoulder 2/3 cup salt 1/3 cup ground pepper Directions Combine salt and pepper and apply to washed pork shoulder. Cook pork shoulder, preferably in smoker, at 250f to 300f for about 4 hours… until internal temp is about 160F. When pork...
Chicken Thighs with White Beans
by PJ Ball | March 19, 2022 | Chicken, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 30 minutesTotal time: 50 minutes Ingredients 8 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed of any excess skin and fat Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for finishing before serving3 ounces...
Chili-Lime Baked Salmon
by PJ Ball | March 18, 2021 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
This salmon is baked in foil.... quick, easy and delicious! Serves 4. Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 15 min. Total time: 25 min. Ingredients:1 1/2 pound sockeye salmon (preferably wild)2 tablespoons lime juice + zest from one lime2 teaspoons honey1 clove garlic,...
Braised Short Ribs
by PJ Ball | March 18, 2021 | Beef, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 4-6 Ingredients:8 bone-in short ribsKosher saltOlive oil1 large onion, cut in large dice2 celery ribs, cut in 1" pieces2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces2 garlic cloves, smashed2 - 6 ounces cans tomato paste1 bottle full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet...
Broiled Lobster Tails
by PJ Ball | February 15, 2021 | Fish, Main Course | 0 Comments
Serves 2Prep time: 20 minCook time: 5 minTotal time: 25 min Ingredients: 2 lobster tails (~6 oz. each)8 Tbl (1 stick) melted salted butter (divided use)Lemon wedges Prepare lobster for cooking...Using kitchen scissors cut down the top of the shell, stopping at the...
PJ’s Steakhouse Filets
by PJ Ball | February 15, 2021 | Beef, Main Course | 2 Comments
Serves 2 Prep time: 10 minCook time: 15 min. plus an additional 10 min. restTotal time: 35 min. Ingredients: Olive oil2 tenderloin filets (size of choice, I shoot for about 8 oz each and 2” thick)Kosher saltPeppercorns (tricolor if you have them, coarsely cracked)2...