Asking a chef or cook what their secret recipe is one of those things that I generally try to avoid. After all, there's always more to a great meal than simply a set of directions. That being said, after trying some of the famous Gator Gumbo at Peace River Seafood in Punta Gorda, Florida I just had to ask for the chance to share it with you guys. It's THAT good... and what's even better is that they even have a pet alligator in the pond out back... because of course they do, It's Florida!

Summer is almost here and we've got a few months of outdoor grilling, tailgating and homegating in front of us. As men we are expected to be masters of the grill and while an important part of that is understanding how to "cook" the meat... it's equally important to know how to prepare that meat before cooking it.

When getting ready to grill, there's really three main ways to go - Rub, Marinade, or Sauce. Do you understand the difference though? This is a subject that deserves to be explored a bit, so let's look at how the preparation affects the way the meat tastes and looks on the other side.

In recent years, the demand for plant-based burgers has skyrocketed, driven by growing health concerns, environmental issues, and a desire by eco-conscious consumers to reduce damages that they see to the environment by the consumption of animal products. In addition to concerns related to sustainability, plant-based meats and plant-based meat alternatives are also increasingly popular due to perceived health benefits that are widely observed among those men who enjoy vegan, vegetarian, or indeed just a diet that is low in the consumption of red meat and high in nutrient-rich vegetables. Unfortunately, in the past these plant-based alternatives simply haven't been all that tasty. Options that existed in the past like "Bean Burgers" and "Veggie Burgers" were simply not a realistic alternative for hungry carnivores like myself. Things have changed though... meatless burgers today are much tastier but are they actually healthier than meat? 

For most of you, winter is in full swing right now and that means it's time to warm up with a steaming bowl of hearty soup. I've also found that for some reason there seems to be a lot of spiral cut hams on sale right now. Perhaps it's just that "after the holidays" inventory close out, but who am I to complain. My only problem was that I end up leaving an awful lot of meat on the bone after eating the slices. So, instead of throwing them out - let's make soup!

If you're looking for the best steaks money can buy, you don't need to go to your local butcher shop. In fact, you don't even need to leave your house! There are a number of premium steak retailers online that offer an amazing selection of cuts and styles, all with the convenience of home delivery. So why should you buy steaks online? Let's take a look.

Nachos are one of the great American party foods. It's uniquely American in that it took inspiration from another culture and then made it ours. That's what American food is all about - taking the best from around the world and then making it even more awesome. So in that spirit, I introduce you guys to nanchos! That's right, Indian inspired nachos using nan instead of chips and a blend of spicy and exotic Indian spices.

Las Vegas has been a foodie town for generations and despite the fancy new places that open up every week, there are still some classics left in town like the Golden Steer Steakhouse. Founded in 1958, it saw the golden years of "Old Las Vegas" and a list of celebrities a mile long, including: Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Tony "The Ant" Spilatro, Natalie Wood, Nat "King" Cole, Joe DiMaggio, Elvis Presley and Mario Andretti. In 2009 Bon Appetit Magazine even featured it in their feature, "The Best Steaks On Earth." Now, they are revealing some of their famous recipes and we've got a few samples to share!

For this recipe I've created something of an excersise in conflict - the rich, creamy alfredo sauce, topped with the earthy, rustic mushrooms, roasted chicken, and spicy chili flakes spice blend that is brought together with a hearty quality pasta that is better that anything you can find at the grocery store and then a strong drizzle of Frankies 457 Calabrian Chil Oil to bring everything together. OMG it's so good!

Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables since it is so incredibly versatile. From roasting and grilling to ricing and even mashing... cauliflower has a unique ability to act as a blank canvas for whatever you as the chef... artist... can dream up. For me, I love roasting my veggies on the grill. There's that perfect char that comes from grilling that just can't be replicated by an air fryer or convection oven. So, for today's recipe, I'm going to present one inspired by Gobi Curry but far far easier to prepare and dare I say... a lot less messy too!

I'm not going to pretend that this is a fully accurate and 100% authentic Wampanoag succotash recipe but I've done my best to create something that matches their culinary traditions and food availability before the Pilgrims arrived in 1620. This journey, along with some others that I've done recently to better understand indigenous traditions among the peoples that inhabited North America for thousands of years, is a thrilling journey of exploration for me. It's one thing to simply visit Plymouth Rock or talk with a tribal historian, but to actually prepare and taste something that someone hundreds of years did allows your mind and body to understand a culture far better than any history book ever will.

I get hungry like everyone sometimes and honestly I'm not myself when that happens. You Probably get the same way but that's when I like to grab a Snickers. Yeah, I know that sounds like a cheesy intro to another sponsored post, but it's the truth. Traveling can be tough with changes in time zones, unfamiliar locations, and lets face it you aren't at home with easy access to your fridge and microwave either for a quick snack. However, one thing I love about Snickers is that it has the perfect balance of sugar sweetness, chocolatey deliciousness, and protein from the peanuts (or almonds). It's really a great snack to stick in my backpack for those moments when you need something to pick you up a bit.

 Looking for some recipe ideas that feature cheese? Check these tasty creations out!

This recipe might seem a bit odd at first, but it ends up being a delicious way to eat your veggies in a whole different way. It's quick and simple to make these Curry Roasted Peppers, Peas, and Carrots and they make a fantastic "movie snack" too!

March has begun and that means that it is unofficially Irish Heritage month - even if that's mostly celebrated by St Patrick's Day traditions such as green beer and leprechauns as well as more palatable ones such as a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  Variations on the classic corned beef and cabbage recipes have been what I've eaten for St. Patrick's Day for the past 30+ years, so it's time to try something new and explore Irish culture a bit while doing so.

There are a lot of great gift ideas you can get for the men in your life but there's one that is my new favorite. Meat By Mail! Allen Brothers sent us a box of bone-in ribeyes this week and while I was initially skeptical because they arrive frozen, I'm convinced now that this is probably one of the best gifts for guys who love to grill.

The other day I was wandering around my local grocery store trying to figure out what to buy for lunch. I was hungry and creative - a combo that tends to be expensive for me. As I wandered through the sauce aisle I realized that nearly every time I buy a bottled sauce I'm disappointed in the flavor, thickness, etc. So I thought to myself, "why can't I make a sauce that matches exactly what I love?" While this sauce ended up turning out great and was ultimately "wife approved", sometimes the journey of creation is exciting in itself. You can always learn from your mistakes, adjust the proportions and make things distinctly YOURS!

So you've probably experimented with whiskey before when preparing BBQ but sometimes the occasion just calls for tequila and so that what we tried. This recipe is a fairly simple smoked brisket recipe with light hints of tequila that help pair it well with a nice full glass of high-quality agave spirits such as our favorite, Don Julio 1942.

Slow cooker soup recipes are among my favorite since there is minimal cleanup, you can make a big batch and they are easy to re-heat later. In fact, they often taste better on the second or third day since it gives the flavors a chance to come together. While I could make up a fancy story about why or how I created this recipe the simple truth is I got tired of cooking my fish in a pan and needed a way to use up the bag of frozen tilapia I had left in the freezer without wasting it or making too much of a mess.

Cranberry sauce and cranberry jelly have been Thanksgiving staples for most Americans for more than 400 years. I get it, traditions are good but I wanted to create something unique, more flavorful and more authentic as an alternative. When it comes to culinary traditions found among historical records of the Wampanoag and other Northeastern Tribes, such as the Narragansett, berries were clearly a favorite. Not only do they taste great and are packed with nutrients but they are also plentiful and grow naturally - as long as you know when and where to look of course! So, in honor of Native American Heritage Day and just because I love traveling through my tastebuds, I've created this recipe for Wampanoag Inspired Maple, Blueberry, and Cranberry Sauce.

Eating healthy never looked (or tasted) so good! This is a quick and easy alternative to a bowl of ice cream this summer, as well as being a great way to start your morning off right.