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Showing posts from June, 2026

Grilled Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta

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Creamy, spicy, and packed with smoky grilled chicken and colorful peppers, this Grilled Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like a trip to the Caribbean. The bold jerk seasoning pairs perfectly with the rich Parmesan cream sauce and tender pasta. Ingredients For the Chicken 1½ lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces 3 tbsp Walkerswood Hot and Spicy Jamaican Jerk Seasoning paste (or mild if you don't like spicy) For the Pasta 12 oz ziti or penne 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp avocado oil 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced 1 green bell pepper, sliced ½ red onion, sliced (optional) sliced jalapeno  4 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup heavy cream ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Juice of 1 lime Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish Equipment Charcoal grill such as a Weber Kettle or Kamado Joe Grill thermometer Grill basket Large pot to boil noodles Large skillet ⭐...

Easy Mojito (No Muddler Needed)

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A refreshing mojito doesn't require any special bar tools. This simple recipe uses the back of a wooden spoon to gently bruise the mint, giving you all the fresh flavor without a muddler. Perfect for hot summer days by the pool or backyard cookouts. Ingredients 2 oz white rum 8–10 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish ¾ oz lime juice ½–¾ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste) Club soda Ice Lime wheel, for garnish (optional) Equipment Highball glass Bar spoon or long spoon Wooden spoon (or the back of a regular spoon) Directions Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a highball glass. Using the back of a wooden spoon, gently press the mint leaves 2–3 times. You're looking to release the mint oils, not shred the leaves. Pour in the lime juice and white rum. Fill the glass with ice. Top with club soda. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lime wheel. Enjoy! Tips Gently bruising the mint produces a cleaner flavor than aggressiv...

Merach S26 Magnetic Exercise Bike Review

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  Merach S26 Magnetic Exercise Bike Review: Is It Worth Buying? After using the Merach S26 Magnetic Exercise Bike for the past four months, I can confidently say it's been one of my favorite fitness purchases. If you're looking for an affordable indoor cycling bike that's comfortable, quiet, and works exceptionally well with Zwift , this bike deserves a spot on your shortlist. One of the biggest surprises has been just how much value you get for the price. The bike includes a free companion app with guided workouts, scenic rides, and spin classes, making it easy to stay motivated even if you don't subscribe to another fitness platform. It also has two large drink holders, which I've come to appreciate during longer, sweatier rides. Click here for current price and availability Excellent Zwift Compatibility My favorite feature of the Merach S26 Magnetic Exercise Bike is how seamlessly it connects to Zwift . If you've never used Zwift before, it's an intera...

Pistachio Crusted Salmon(Grilled or Baked)

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This Pistachio Crusted Salmon is packed with flavor and surprisingly easy to make. Fresh salmon fillets are topped with a buttery mixture of crushed pistachios, breadcrumbs, and lemon zest, then grilled until tender and flaky. Cooking the salmon on a foil tray makes cleanup easy while helping the crust stay perfectly intact. This recipe is elegant enough for date night but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. Ingredients For the Salmon 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each) Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste For the Dijon Glaze 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp lemon juice 1 garlic clove, minced For the Pistachio Crust ¾ cup shelled pistachios, lightly crushed ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped 1 tsp lemon zest 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Optional Garnish Lemon wedges Extra chopped parsley Chopped pistachios Equipment Charcoal grill (Weber Jumbo Joe, Go-Anywhere Grill, Kamado Joe, etc.) Heavy-duty aluminum foil I...

Easy Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

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Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating) Cook Time: 12-16 minutes Ingredients 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon of your favorite lemon pepper seasoning(Lawrey's, Kinder's, etc) 3 cloves garlic minced (Optional) 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs(rosemary, thyme, parsley) ½ teaspoon kosher salt (omit or reduce if your lemon pepper seasoning is salty) ½ teaspoon ground pepper Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Lemon wedges (for serving) Equipment Charcoal grill such as a Weber Go-Anywhere , Weber Kettle or a Kamado Joe Instant-read thermometer Tongs Directions 1. Prepare the Chicken If the chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness of about ¾ inch. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. 2. Make the Marinade In a large bowl, whisk together: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon Lemon Pep...

Reverse Seared London Broil on the Kamado

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Reverse Seared London Broil on a Charcoal Grill Ingredients 2-pound London Broil (about 1½ inches thick) Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub or your favorite steak seasoning Extra virgin olive oil 1-2 teaspoons avocado oil (for searing) Equipment Kamado grill (Kamado Joe, Big Green Egg, Grill Dome, etc.) or any charcoal grill set up for indirect cooking Meat thermometer 12-inch cast iron skillet (Optional) Coleman propane camping stove or another outdoor burner Tongs Directions Optional Overnight Dry Brine (Highly Recommended) Pat the London Broil dry with paper towels. Lightly coat all sides with olive oil. Season generously with Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub. Place the steak on a plate or wire rack and refrigerate uncovered overnight. Dry brining gives the salt time to penetrate the meat, helping create deeper flavor and an even better crust. Reverse Sear Preheat your charcoal grill to 250°F for indirect cooking. Place the London Broil on the grill an...

Blackened Red Snapper

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Blackened Red Snapper (Cast Iron Skillet Recipe) Ingredients 2 red snapper fillets (6-8 ounces each) 1-2 tablespoons  Saalf Life Blackening Rub ,  Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub  or your favorite blackening seasoning 2 tablespoons butter or avocado oil ½ lemon Equipment 12-inch cast iron skillet Outdoor propane burner or camping stove (optional but recommended) Fish spatula or wide spatula Directions Pat the red snapper fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with blackening seasoning. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it's hot. Add the butter or oil and swirl it around to coat the skillet. Carefully place the fillets into the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side , depending on thickness, until the fish flakes easily with a fork or reaches an internal temperature of 135-140°F . Remove from the skillet and immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Serve right away with your favorite s...

Grilled Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Scampi

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This easy Grilled Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Scampi combines smoky grilled chicken, garlic, white wine, fresh lemon, and Parmesan cheese for a simple yet flavorful pasta dinner. Using Aldi's Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken makes this recipe quick enough for a weeknight meal while still feeling restaurant-worthy. Ingredients (makes 4 servings) For the Pasta 8 oz spaghetti 24 oz Aldi Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 5 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or more to taste) 1/2 cup white wine 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Juice of 1 lemon Salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste Fresh parsley and/or green onions for garnish Equipment Charcoal grill such as a Weber Go-Anywhere Grill , Weber Jumbo Joe , or Kamado Joe Cutting board and knife Large skillet or sauté pan and pot for boiling pasta ⭐ Cookware I Used:  Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set 📖  ...

Family Vacation in Waynesville, Cherokee & Maggie Valley, NC: Waterfalls, Breweries, and Blue Ridge Mountain Views

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View from one of King Lodge's upper decks King Lodge Where: Clyde, NC Stayed:  The King Lodge Favorite Restaurant:  Boojum Brewery Taproom Favorite Hike:  Mingo Falls and Soco Falls (Tie) Best Family Activity:  Lake Junaluska   My family recently spent a week in Clyde, North Carolina, just outside of Waynesville and Maggie Valley and surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a beautiful area with incredible views around every corner. We stayed with my parents, my four sisters, and all of their families. Finding a vacation rental large enough for more than 20 people can be a challenge, but we got lucky with The King Lodge. Even with 25 people, the house felt spacious and comfortable, and the mountain views were spectacular. Considering its size and location, it was also surprisingly affordable. Grilling on the upper deck, checkout  SaalfLife  for Weber Go-anywhere recipes Restaurants and Breweries My favorite restaurant of the trip was...

Easy Beef or Turkey Taco Salad (With My Secret Ingredient)

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Easy Beef or Turkey Taco Salad  If you're looking for a quick, satisfying meal that's packed with flavor, this easy taco salad is hard to beat. Crisp romaine lettuce, seasoned ground beef or turkey, fresh vegetables, shredded cheddar cheese, crunchy Doritos, and creamy sour cream come together for a restaurant-style salad that's ready in about 20 minutes. The ingredient that really sets this taco salad apart is Italian dressing . It may sound unusual, but it adds a tangy, herby flavor that ties everything together and balances the richness of the meat, cheese, and sour cream. It's the one ingredient I never skip. Whether you're making a quick weeknight dinner, an easy lunch, or a meal-prep favorite, this taco salad is simple, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Servings 1 large salad Ingredients 1/2 head romaine lettuce, chopped (or your favorite salad mix) 1/4 pound ground beef or ground turkey Taco seasoning, to taste 5 cherry tomatoes, halved or 3 tablesp...

Grilling Burgers for Large Crowd with Tiny Grill(Weber Go-anywhere grill)

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Don't let a small grill stop you from feeding a crowd. With a little planning, a Weber Go-Anywhere can crank out enough burgers for a backyard party, family gathering, or kids' birthday party. Ingredients 7 pounds 80/20 ground chuck 30 slider or small hamburger buns Burger seasoning( Saalf Life House Blend or  Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub  are great choices) Cheese slices (optional) Ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, pickles, onions, and other favorite toppings Equipment Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal grill Rapidfire Compact Chimney Starter Kingsford charcoal briquettes 1–2 large aluminum pans with lids or heavy-duty foil Instant-read thermometer Long-handled spatula Directions 1. Form the Burgers Shape the ground chuck into 30 equal-sized slider burgers. The Solo Cup Burger Method works great for making uniform patties that cook evenly. Season both sides generously with  Saalf Life House Blend ,  Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub  or your favorite b...

Blackened Mahi Mahi Caesar Salad

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Ingredients For the Blackened Mahi Mahi 2 mahi mahi filets (about 6 oz each), thawed 2 tbsp Saalf Life Blackening Rub ,  Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub  or your favorite blackening seasoning. 1 tbsp butter or avocado oil 1/2 lemon For the Caesar Salad 1½ heads romaine lettuce, chopped Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Parmesan cheese, grated, shredded or shaved Caesar Dressing (⬅️click for recipe) (optional)croutons or toasted breadcrumbs Equipment 12-inch cast iron skillet (this one works great and fits on my kamado because it doesn't have a long handle Outdoor Propane Stove Instructions Prepare the salad by placing the chopped romaine, parmesan cheese, and a few cracks of fresh black pepper in a large salad bowl. Refrigerate while you cook the fish. Pat the mahi mahi filets dry with paper towels. Generously season all sides with the blackening rub. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cast iron can produce a good amount...

Thai Noodles with Shrimp 🦐

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Ingredients For the Sauce 3 tbsp soy sauce 3 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp sriracha (more if you like extra heat) 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 2 cloves garlic, minced For the Noodles 8 oz spaghetti (or your favorite noodles) 3 tbsp oil (avocado, vegetable, or extra virgin olive oil) 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined 2–3 jalapeños, thinly sliced 1 cup sweet peppers or bell peppers, thinly sliced 1/2 cup crushed peanuts Juice of 1 lime Sliced green onions, for garnish Equipment Large skillet or sauté pan and pot for boiling pasta ⭐ Cookware I Used:  Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set 📖  Read my full review  | 🛒  Check today's price Directions In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and minced garlic. Set aside. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. Heat 1½ tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes ...