See Dick Cook: A Culinary Voyage for the Average Man (20 page)

The Dick Factor: Don't use plain old macaroni noodles - dull dull dull. The vegetable or tri-colored Rotini really ups the presentation.

Nice Yams

"I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam." - Popeye the Sailor Man.

Procedure

Peel your yams and pierce all over with a fork.

Place the yams on a plate and microwave on high for 6 minutes then reposition on the plate and microwave for an additional 6 minutes. They should be soft but firm enough to hold their shape when sliced.

Allow to cool slightly so you can handle them, then slice lengthwise into 1" thick pieces.

Using your pastry brush, coat both sides of the yams with garlic butter. It should melt into the yams as they will still be warm.

Next sprinkle both sides with parmesan cheese and lightly season with seasoned salt.

Grill directly on the barbecue over medium heat for 3 - 5 minutes per side, allowing for cool grill marks.

Serve immediately.

Servings: 4

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Very easy

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Dicks Tips

The only trick here Dick is gauging how long to microwave the yams. They can't be too soft as they'll fall apart, but they're only grilled long enough to sear in the garlic butter and seasoning. Just check them by piercing with a knife to determine firmness. Think of a firm baked

Pre-Nup Fried Zucchini

Sign here. Pass the zucchini.

Procedure

In a shallow dish combine all the seasoning thoroughly to combine.

Dip each zucchini stick in the egg mixture then coat with bread crumb mixture. Arrange on a paper towel until they are all coated and ready to go.

In a large frying pan, heat up vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini sticks and pan fry until golden brown, flipping over occasionally to ensure even browning. This shouldn't take much more than 3 minutes Dick.

Remove from the pan and place back onto the paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately or cover to keep warm until you're ready for them.

Servings: 4

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Easy

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes

Dicks Tips

These are great as a side vegetable or an appetizer Dick. If serving as an app, throw in some ranch dressing or Dick's Tzatziki Sauce for a dip. Awesome.

Seeing Red Potato Salad

Something have you seeing red Dick? This chilled potato salad will cool you off and fill you up.

Procedure

In a small bowl, combine mayo, sour cream, Dijon mustard, celery salt and dill. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to use

In a large pot, boil your potatoes for about 10 minutes or until slightly soft. You don't want them to be mushy and break apart Dick, but you don't want them too firm either.

Once cooked, drain and allow to sit in cold water for another ten minutes or so to cool them off.

Cut the potatoes into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl.

Chop your hard boiled eggs into small pieces and add them to the bowl, followed with your chopped veggies.

Slowly add your mayo/sour cream mixture a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency, ensuring to evenly coat all the potatoes.

Refrigerate for an hour or longer prior to serving. You can add more of the mayo mixture as it chills as some may be absorbed by the potatoes.

Servings: 8

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Easy

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time:

Inactive Time: 1 hour

Total Time:

Dicks Tips

You can add more seasoning to this Dick to adjust to your own personal taste. If you run out of the mayo/sour cream mixture just use straight mayo to top it up.

She's So Sweet Potato Frites

Sweet potatoes for a sweet date Dick.

Procedure

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Wash sweet potatoes, but do not peel. Slice into French fry sized pieces.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to coat. Spread evenly on a cookie sheet and place in oven. Bake for 60 minutes, turning over half way through.

Servings: 4

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Very easy

Oven Temperature: 425°F

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Dicks Tips

Find some good sized sweet potatoes (also called yams) for this recipe Dick, simply for ease of handling when you slice them up. If you want to save some cooking time, you could microwave the sliced pieces for five minutes or so, then throw them in the oven.

You could also serve these with a small side of Dick's Tzatziki Sauce for dipping.

Teaser Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Got yourself a tease? Give her a taste of her own medicine along with this teaser of a dish.

Procedure

Layer veggies in a bowl, lightly sprinkling the Montreal Steak Spice between each layer.

In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix. Pour contents over the vegetables and refrigerate for one hour.

Servings: 4

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Very easy

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

Inactive Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Dicks Tips

Fresh veggies are the only secret here Dick. If you want to spruce it up, sprinkle some Herbes de Provence seasoning on the top of the dish before serving.

Rice Peel-Off

Peel off a layer or two with this South Asian inspired staple.

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a frying pan melt half the butter over medium heat and sauté the onion, green peppers and mushrooms for about ten minutes or until soft. Set aside in a bowl.

Using the same pan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat and add your rice. Stir frequently until slightly browned, or about 5 minutes.

Next pour in the chicken broth and stir for three minutes. Pour the rice mixture and sautéed vegetables into a medium sized casserole dish. Cover and bake for 40 minutes or until liquid is completely absorbed and rice is fluffy.

Servings: 4

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Easy

Oven Temperature: 350°F

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Dicks Tips

This is a simple side dish and serves well alongside fish or chicken.

Wicked Wedges

These serve well on their own as a side dish, or make as a munchie and serve with some Dicks Sour Cream for dipping.

Procedure

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Scrub the potatoes and cut each into six wedges.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, seasoning and olive oil. Mix well to coat the wedges.

Lay out the wedges on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Flip them over for another 20 minutes or until crisp.

Servings: 4

Yield: 30

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Easy

Oven Temperature: 400°F

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Dicks Tips

When choosing a potato, the P.E.I. washed potatoes with the thin skin are a good choice.

Wine and Cheese Biscuits

Looking for a little cheese with that whine? Light and flaky, these biscuits are fantastic and go well with most any main dish Dick.

Procedure

Preheat oven to 400° F.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the garlic butter. Mix until well combined.

Drop approximately ¼ cup portions into an un-greased muffin pan or onto an un-greased cookie sheet.

Brush with Dicks Garlic Butter then bake for 15 minutes, or until the muffins begin to brown.

Serve warm, brushing with more garlic butter when you remove them from the oven.

Servings: 6

Yield: 12

Dick’s Difficulty Gauge: Easy

Oven Temperature: 400°F

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Dicks Tips

You can find Bisquick baking mix in the same area as you would pancake mix Dick. It's a handy staple to have around as it serves many uses.

If you're fresh out of wine (which of course should never happen) you can substitute with milk. These are best served warm so be sure to fire them on the table as soon as you take them out of the oven. After dinner, go to the liquor store and get more wine.

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