Cooking For Dad - A few Hints and a Recipe!

Every guy should have a few go to meals or side dishes.  For a dish to make the "DAD LIST" a few critical criteria must be met:

• Taste Amazing - I rarely cook and when I do it needs to be impressive.  
• It has your signature - I want everyone in the family to say  - "We love when Dad makes ________". I want to make a memory as much as I want to make a meal.
• Involves fire or the grill - It is way more fun to cook with fire and the kids love it.  The grill is a good backup because it is still outside
• Your kids can help and they will actually enjoy helping.
• Your wife likes when you cook it and would prefer not to go to the hassle of making it.  I add this because once my wife starts making a dish it is always better than when I make it.

One of my recipes is Grilled Brussels Sprouts:

I know you are thinking, nobody likes brussels sprouts.  I had that ignorant opinion until trying this amazing recipe.

The full recipe is below the pictures.  I just want to add a few comments.

• The ingredients are likely found in your pantry
• Buy good quality Smoked Paprika.  The quality really varies between brands and price.

Brussels Sprouts - Ingredients

• A stalk of Sprouts usually yields about 3 lbs of vege goodness.  Normally I cook 2 lbs and refrigerate 1 lb for cooking a couple days later.
• Microwave for 4 minutes if cooking 2 lbs at once
• Don't use a skewer.  It just takes longer and doesn't add anything to the flavor.
• For my taste, more pepper is necessary.  I always think more pepper is needed, it is the secret ingredient to separate Dad cooking from Mom cooking.
• Do not skimp on the olive oil, you need all of it but you don't need more than called for in the recipe.

Most often I use the grill but if the weather is nice, using an open flame is fun and guaranteed to get the kids helping.  Also if you have trouble getting your children to try eating these sprouts, seeing them cooked on a wood fire is great motivation.

 A benefit of using the fire ---- You can roast marshmallows!  More Dad points.

I love Peter's expression and Hanni's wardrobe.
Doesn't Peter look like he is up to no good.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, as uniform in size as possible*
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• Directions

  *Cook's Note: In order to facilitate even cooking, it is important that the Brussels sprouts be as uniform in size and shape as possible.

  Heat a grill to medium.

  Cut off the stem end of the Brussels sprouts and remove any yellowing outer leaves. Place the Brussels sprouts into a large, microwave safe mixing bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add the olive oil, garlic, mustard, paprika and salt and toss to combine. Allow the sprouts to cool until you can handle them. Skewer 4 to 5 Brussels sprouts onto each metal skewer with the stem ends facing in the same direction, leaving at least 1/2-inch in between each sprout. Place the skewers onto the grill with stem end closest to the flame. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the skewers over and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Serve as is or for additional flavor, remove the sprouts from the skewers, return them to the original mixing bowl and toss with any of the remaining oil and garlic mixture before serving.

  SERVES: 4; Calories: 126; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 1 grams; Protein: 4 grams; Total carbohydrates: 11 grams; Sugar: 2 grams; Fiber: 5 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 509 milligrams

  Original Recipe - Alton Brown

  
  

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