Posts Tagged Restaurants
CINNAMON GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH BOURBON GLAZE
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on September 26, 2012
What a wonderful dessert! It’s simple to do, looks great and it’s not bad on calories! What more can you ask for! Again, we prepared this at our last cooking class and it was a hit! At least it was as much of a hit as any dessert can be after an afternoon of cooking and eating. But really, it was perfect for that because it it is not too heavy and will work well as the final chapter to any meal.
CINNAMON GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH BOURBON GLAZE
PREP: 15 MINUTES
GRILL TIME: 12 – 16 MINUTES
SERVES – 8 TO 12
Ingredients:
FRESH PINEAPPLE CUT INTO 2 INCH CHUNKS
8-12 CINNAMON STICKS
Directions:
Using a metal skewer, made a starter hole in the center of each piece of the pineapple, skewer 2-3 pineapple chunks on each cinnamon stick.
BOURBON GLAZE
Ingredients:
½ STICK (4 TABLESPOONS) UNSALTED BUTTER
¼ CUP DARK BROWN SUGAR
¼ CUP BOURBON
½ TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON
¼ TEASPOON GROUND CLOVES
PINCH OF SALT
Directions:
Combine the butter, sugar, bourbon, ground cinnamon, cloves and salt in a saucepan and boil until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.
ON THE GRILL
Preheat the grill to high. Clean and oil the grate. Grill the pineapple until nicely browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side, basting with the bourbon glaze. Serve at once over vanilla ice cream.
ENJOY!
Thank you for reading!
Kris
Visit Our Website for information about our next cooking class at The Lark Inn. Also, for a great get-a-way in the heart of The Flint Hills of Kansas Check Us Out!
GRILLED SHRIMP COCKTAIL WITH CHIPOTLE ORANGE COCKTAIL SAUCE
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on September 24, 2012
This is a relatively simple but fabulous tasting grilling recipe we learned about while attending a cooking class at “Our House” in San Juan Capistrano, California. This is great as an appetizer or if you be sure to make enough of them, they would be great as a main event!
GRILLED SHRIMP COCKTAIL WITH
CHIPOTLE ORANGE COCKTAIL SAUCE
PREP: 15 MINUTES FOR SHRIMP, 10 MINUTES FOR SAUCE
INACTIVE PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES FOR MARINATING
GRILL TIME: 3-4 MINUTES
SERVES – 8
Ingredients for THE SHRIMP:
1 ½ POUND JUMBO SHRIMP
2 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO OR PARSLEY
2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
1 TEASPOON MINCED CANNED CHIPOTLE CHILE IN ADOBO, PLUS 1 – 2 TEASPOONS SAUCE FROM THE CAN
COARSE SALT AND CRACKED BLACK PEPPER
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
2 TABLESPOONS FRESH LIME JUICE
Directions for THE SHRIMP:
Place the shrimp, cilantro or parsley, garlic, minced chipotle with juices, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and toss to mix. Stir in the oil and lime juice and let marinate for 30 minutes.
Grill on hot fire in grill basket for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turns pink.
Ingredients for THE COCKTAIL SAUCE:
1 CUP KETCHUP
6 TABLESPOONS FRESH ORANGE JUICE
2 TABLESPOONS FRESH LIME JUICE
1 TABLESPOON WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
1-2 CHIPOTLE CHILIES, MINCED, PLUS 1 TO 2 TEASPOONS JUICE FROM CAN
SALT AND GROUND BLACK PEPPER
Directions for THE COCKTAIL SAUCE:
Place all of the above ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Correct the seasoning, adding salt and/or lime juice to taste. Serve with the shrimp.
You can have a lot of fun with the presentation of shrimp; hook one over the edge of a small cocktail glass filled with cocktail sauce, or hook several around the edge of a small bowl (tulip or similar) filled with coctail sauce. Or something else I have done for large groups is to arrange the shrimp decoratively on a large platter with a small bowl of the cocktail sauce in the center or on the side. This allows for your guests to serve themselves.
Have fun with this!
As always thank you for your support!
Kris
Visit Our Web Site for information about our next cooking class and relaxing, serene guesthouses right in the Flint Hills of Kansas!
MOM’S MARINATED TOMATO SALAD
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on September 18, 2012
This is a fabulous recipe we did at our last grilling class. I know, this is the second recipe from that grilling class and nothing yet has been grilled! Well, the grilled stuff is coming. With our weather so gloriously changing to fall and, our good tomato supply rapidly depleting, I wanted to get this recipe to you as soon as possible. This tomato salad has a rich flavor but not rich body. Actually, it is very light but packed with flavor.
Well, before your tomatoes go bad, let’s get started!
MOM’S MARINATED TOMATO SALAD
PREP:15 MINUTES
INACTIVE PREP TIME: 2 HOURS MARINATING TIME
SERVES –10
Ingredients:
¼ CUP MINCED SHALLOTS
2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
¼ CUP RED WINE VINEGAR
KOSHER SALT
¼ CUP FRESH LEMON JUICE
FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER
2 BASIL SPRINGS, PLUS ¼ CUP CHOPPED LEAVES
1 CUP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
3 POUNDS RIPE TOMATOES, SLICED ¼ INCH THICK
6 OUNCES PROVOLONE CHEESE
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the shallots, garlic, vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt; let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Add the lemon juice and season with pepper. Break up the basil springs and add them to the bowl.
3. Whisk in the oil and let stand for 10 minutes, discard the basil springs.
4. Spoon one-quarter of the vinaigrette onto a large shallow platter. Arrange half of the tomato slices in overlapping circles on the platter and season with salt and pepper.
5. Using a sturdy vegetable peeler, shave half of the provolone over the tomatoes.
6. Spoon half of the remaining vinaigrette on top and sprinkle with half of the chopped basil.
7. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, cheese vinaigrette and basil, seasoning with salt and pepper between layers.
8. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
And there you have it! This is excellent just by itself on a plate for for you tomato sandwich lovers out there, try it on some savory toasted bread.
Enjoy!!
As always, thank you for following and for your support!
Kris
For information about our next cooking class at The Lark Inn please Check Our Website. Also, don’t forget that The Flint Hills of Kansas are awesome this time of year. Check us Out and kick back and relax!
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES (DOLMAS)
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on September 16, 2012
I know it seems funny but at our last “grilling” class one of our main menu items was stuffed grape leaves . . . NON-Grilled! Several years ago, my cousin married a man whose family tradition it is to make stuffed grape leaves. Just a bit of education here; though there are little differences, Stuffed Grape Leaves is how the Persian culture refers to these and Dolmas is what the Greek culture calls them. Anyway, through the years I have spent many an hour with family members gathered around a kitchen table rolling grape leaves and just catching up. It is really a a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Then . . . you get to enjoy eating them!!
In our class we made our stuffed grape leaves with ground beef. Depending where you live and your availability to ground lamb I would suggest that you try that also. My favorite is a 50/50 mixture of ground beef and ground lamb.
Let’s get rolling!
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES (DOLMAS)
PREP: 45 Minutes
COOK TIME: 2 Hours
SERVES – 6 to 8
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground lamb
- 3/4 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 jar grape leaves, or about 50 fresh grape leaves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 pound pork or lamb chops
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 40 garlic cloves
- Greek Yogurt
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, rice, garlic powder, allspice, salt, pepper, and cinnamon, and set aside.
Rinse grape leaves several times. If the leaves are small, leave them intact, but cut out the large center vein. If the leaves are large, cut them in half vertically, cutting out the large vein in the process. Place a small amount of the ground meat mixture at the end of each leaf. Roll up egg-roll style.
Pour the oil into the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Lay the chops over the oil. Lay the tomato slices over the chops.
Place the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down on top of the chops. Pack the leaves tightly and begin a second layer when necessary. Place whole garlic cloves randomly between the rolled leaves; plenty of garlic on each layer.
When you are done stacking, pour the lemon juice over the leaves, and add water to the pot to about 2-inches above the rolled leaves. To prevent the leaves from unrolling during cooking, place a plate on top of the stack of leaves and place a heavy object on top of the plate.
Simmer the leaves over low heat for about 2 hours.
Alternate Cooking Method:
Follow the directions abo
ve but in a pressure cooker. After all of the rolled grape leaves are placed into the pressure cooker with all the other ingredients, fit the lid into place tightly and place over high heat. Heat until steam begins to escape from the steam vent and lower heat to simmer. Simmer for 20 – 25 minutes making sure that steam continues to escape from the vent during the simmer time.
Grapes leaves are wonderful to eat just by themselves. But if you want to add some variety, serve your grape leaves with Greek yogurt.
Now for the best part; Serve and Enjoy!
As always, thank you for following and reading!
Kris
For more information about upcoming cooking classes at The Lark Inn or for a great place to escape the rigors of the city and just chill out Visit our Website.
GRILLED POUND CAKE WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA AND TEQUILA WHIPPED CREAM
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on August 31, 2012
GRILLED POUND CAKE
WITH
PINEAPPLE SALSA AND TEQUILA WHIPPED CREAM
When I was a grilling neophyte I would have never thought about preparing dessert on the grill . . . whodathunkit?!?! Actually, we are toasting the pound cake on the grill and it’s amazing how much smokey flavor just a few moments will add to this! When you add the grilling to this it takes the recipe from great to outstanding!
We have the weekend coming up so let’s not waste time!
PREP: 30 MINUTES
Grill time: 2 minutes
SERVES – 8
Ingredients:
Purchased pound cake sliced into 8 pieces
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup heavy cream
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespooon Tequila0 (preferably gold)
Pineapple Salsa
2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into small cubes
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs removed, small dice
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
Mint for garnish
To Grill (toast) Pound Cake
Lightly brush each slice of pound cake with butter on both sides. Cook until lightly toasted.
For the Whipped Cream Topping
Place the cream in a chilled mixer bowl and beat until soft peaks form, starting on the slow speed and gradually increasing the speed to high. When soft peaks form, add the sugar, cinnamon and tequila. Continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes more. Refrigerate, covered until ready to serve.
For the Salsa
Place all ingredients (except mint garnish) in a nonreactive bowl, but don’t mix until 5 minutes before you are ready to serve.
To serve:
Place a toasted piece of pound cake on plate, spoon on salsa and dollop with whipped cream. Add mint garnish on top.
Wasn’t that easy. Now is when the best part always comes . . . tasting . . . oh heck . . . don’t just taste . . . eat and enjoy!!
As always, thank you for reading!
Kris
Don’t forget, for info about our full schedule of gourmet grilling and cooking classes, please visit our website. Also, the guesthouses are filling up for the Fall. Be sure to book some time for yourself in the gorgeous Flint Hills!
GRILLED PEPPER BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on August 30, 2012
Grilled Peppered Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
A great recipe and right in line with my motto . . . keep it simple is our Grilled, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. We did this at our last grilling class and it was such a hit that we have been preparing for all kinds of large functions and people just love it! This is easy and doesn’t take long to grill . . . which is a nice feature especially when the temperatures are still hot!
Let’s grill our shrimp!
PEPPER BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP
PREP: 10 MINUTES
GRILL TIME: 5 MINUTES
Ingredients:
JUMBO SIZED SHRIMP-PEELED 
PEPPER BACON
SKEWERS
Directions:
SOAK SKEWERS IN WATER FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS – PREFERRABLY OVERNIGHT
PEEL SHRIMP AND RUN SKEWER THROUGH TAIL AND BODY
WRAP WITH SMALL SECTION OF PEPPER BACON
GRILL UNTIL JUST BEYOND PINK ABOUT 5 MINUTES – UNTIL BACON IS COOKED THROUGH
That’s it!! It’s done and ready to delight anyone who tastes them!
Thank you for following!
Kris
Please visit our website for information about our next gourmet grilling class or a fantastic get-a-way in The Flint Hills of Kansas!
ASIAN SCORED FLANK STEAK
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on August 17, 2012
Just in time for this weekend’s grilling menu!! Another great dish for grilling is our Asian Scored Flank Steak. You start with a relatively inexpensive cut of beef and marinate it with a marinade that has a hint of Asian flavors. When you combine the beef with the seasoning and the smoke from the grill it is a always winner! We prepared this in our last grilling class . . . IT WAS A HIT!!
Let’s grill some Asian flank steak!
ASIAN SCORED FLANK STEAK
PREP: 30 minutes
INACTIVE PREP TIME: 6 hours or over-night
Grill TIME: 8- 15 MINUTES
SERVES –6
Ingredients:
2 Medium-Sized lemons
1 cup soy sauce
½ cup distilled white vinegar
½ cup vegetable oil
1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1 tablespoon coriander seed
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 Flank or skirt steak (1.5 to 1 ¾ pounds)
Directions:
- Rinse the lemons well. Cut each in half and squeeze the juice with a citrus press. Place the lemon juice in a large non-reactive mixing bowl. Cut the rind of 1 lemon into ¼ inch dice and add it to the juice. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, oil, onion garlic bay leaves, coriander seed, and pepper and whisk to mix. Set aside half of the lemon juice mixture to use as a sauce.
- Score steak on both sides in a crosshatch pattern, making shallow cuts on the diagonal no deeper than 1/8 inch and about ¼ inch apart. This will keep the flank steak from curling as it cooks (you don’t have to score sirloin).
- Spread half of the remaining lemon juice mixture in the bottom of a non-reactive baking dish just large enough to hold the meat. Place the meat on top and spread the other half of the lemon mixture over it. Let the steak marinate for at least 6 hours preferably overnight.
- When ready to cook, drain the meat, scraping off most of the marinade with a rubber spatula. Preheat the grill to high.
- Oil the grill. Place the flank steak on the grill and cook approximately 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare. If using sirloin steak, medium rare will take a bit longer, about 5-8 minutes.
Finally, we made to my favorite part of the recipe . . . ENJOY!!
Thank you for following and reading. don’t forget to check our website: www.TheLarkInn.com to learn more about our next cooking/grilling class and to learn about our guesthouses right in the heart of The Flint Hills of Kansas. The weather has turned and it is an awesome time to be here!
Thanks again,
Kris
GRILLED AVOCADO SALAD
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on August 16, 2012
GRILLED AVOCADO SALAD
The grilled avocado salad has been one our favorites since the first time we tasted it in a California grilling class. It is amazing that though you only put it on the grill for a few moments, the grilling process seems to really wake up a new “earthy” flavor in the avocado. A gas or charcoal grill will work fine but as you know we are partial to charcoal as it just gives more of a smoky flavor to your food. Let’s get started!
PREP: 25 minutes
GRILL TIME: 1 minute
SERVES – 8
Ingredients:
10 tomatoes, thickly sliced
4 avocados, peeled, haled & pitted
Extra-Virgin olive oil, for drizzling & adding to juice
1 red onion, sliced
Juice from ½ lemon
½ cup pine nuts
Parmiggiano-Reggiano cheese, shredded or cut into thin wafers
Freshly grated black pepper, optional
Directions
- Preheat grill over medium heat. Cover a large tray or serving platter with tomatoes and set aside
- In another bowl, cover the red onion slices with the lemon juice that has been mixed with a couple Tablespoons of olive oil.
- Place avocado halves on a platter and drizzle with olive oil. Place each half, cut side down, on a hot open grill for about 1 minute. Remove and place on top of the tomatoes arranged on tray.
- Place onions in the empty avocado pit holes. Drizzle the lemon juice-olive oil mixture over the top. Sprinkle pine nuts and cheese over all and grate pepper over if desired.
Now, the best part as always . . . ENJOY!
Thank you for following!
Kris
We will be having another grilling class (possibly the last for the season) at the Lark Inn in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas on the afternoon of September 9. For more information about our cooking classes and/or a great get-a-way in the Flint Hills of Kansas visit our web site: www.TheLarkInn.com
‘FRED’S RUB” GRILLED CHICKEN WINGS
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on July 12, 2012
This is a super simple recipe and makes for a great appetizer. We served it to 12 at our grilling class and there was plenty. Ready? Let’s get started!
“FRED’S RUB” CHICKEN WINGS
PREP: 5 Minutes
GRILL TIME: 15 – 20 Minutes
SERVES – 10+/- (four pieces per person)
Ingredients:
6 lbs of Chicken Wings
¼ Cup – Fred’s Rub
Directions:
- Wash and cut chicken wings into “Wingettes” and “Drumettes”
- Pat Chicken dry with paper towels
- Liberally sprinkle Fred’s Rub over one side of chicken.
- Place chicken directly over a medium-hot grill, starting Fred’s Rub side down.
- Cook for 15 to 20 minutes turning to avoid burning.
- Remove chicken when dark golden brown
Enjoy! We have not found anyone that didn’t absolutely love “Fred’s Rub” Chicken Wings!
My husband’s father; “Fred” concocted “Fred’s Rub” while living the good life, grilling on his Hasty Bake grill in the mid-fifties in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fred’s Rub is a special blend of seasoned salt, garlic powder and fresh ground pepper and is available exclusively through The Lark Inn.
Thank you again for reading!
Kris
GRILL ROASTED CORN SALSA
Posted by patandkrislarkin in Cooking and Baking on July 11, 2012
We had our first grilling class of 2012 at The Lark Inn last Sunday evening and it was a great success! Since everything . . . I mean everything was grilled, it brought out the male counterparts to the ladies who usually come to our cooking classes!
We learned early on in doing our cooking classes that people anticipate them most of the day before they come. What happens when you anticipate good food? That’s right . . . you get hungry! People showing up for our classes were hungry when they got there. To not have anything for them to nosh on and to have them prepare food for an hour before they got to eat anything was shear torture. After that first class, we learned to always have appetizers our for our guests when they arrive.
This recipe is really quite simple and you could roast the corn in the oven . . . but if you have a grill . . . why would you want to?!?! The smoky flavor adds so much more depth to the corn it truly is worth the effort.
Ready? Let’s make Grill Roasted Corn Salsa!
GRILLED CORN SALSA
PREP: 15 MINUTES
GRILL TIME: 37 MINUTES
SERVES – 8
Ingredients
- 10 large ears corn, husked
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 8 vine-ripened tomatoes, about 1 pound total
- 1 cup diced red onion, 1/4-inch dice
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar, or more to taste
- 1/2 cup julienne fresh basil leaves
Directions
Brush the corn liberally with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Grill, turning every few minutes, until light gold all over and cooked, about 12 minutes. Let cool and cut off the kernels. Discard the cobs.
Core the tomatoes and cut a small X on the bottom of each. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place on the grill, X side down, away from direct heat. Cover the grill and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften but are not cooked all the way through (or they will melt through the grate!), about 15 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then peel. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise and squeeze out the juice and the seeds through a sieve into a bowl. Reserve the juices and chop the flesh.
Put the onions in the non-reactive medium bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of the vinegar. Let marinate until the color changes, about 10 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes, reserved tomato juice, onions, basil, and 1/3 cup olive oil to the corn. Toss well. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt, pepper, and remaining vinegar. The salsa is best eaten the same day but will keep, covered and refrigerated, a day or so.
Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos.
Now the best part . . . ENJOY!!
Thank you as always for following me. It is an honor for me to share!
Kris
For more information about cooking classes at The Lark Inn in Cottonwood Falls CLICK HERE
Kris Larkin 