The Small Town Chef

Fire up your taste buds with Gambas al Ajillo Spanish garlic shrimp or Gambas al Ajillo (pronounced Gahm-bahs ahl ah-HEE-yoh) is a must-try Mediterranean dish! Large, juicy shrimp soaked in olive oil and garlic — a perfect match. It’s bright, garlicky, spicy and rich in all the right ways. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all the liquid goodness! Gambas al ajillo literally translates to “garlic shrimp” or “shrimp with garlic.” And boy does it live up to its name: big, juicy shrimp swimming in a flavorful sauce made from olive oil and lots of garlic. It’s perfect for sharing alongside a good loaf of crusty bread for dipping into that sauce! This Spanish shrimp recipe is incredibly easy to make and comes together quickly.   Recipe: Gambas al Ajillo Ingredients:   1 pound 16-20 shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 cloves garlic, finely minced 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon (or more) crushed Aleppo pepper (optional, for some heat) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 t...

  A Sweet, Spicy, and Savory Symphony for Your Taste Buds Today I’m sharing one of my culinary creations that has quickly become a summertime favorite in my kitchen – Roasted Raspberry-Chipotle Sauce!   Trust me, this sauce is a keeper. It’s got the perfect balance of sweetness from the raspberries, a smoky kick from the chipotle peppers, and a deep, rich flavor from roasted garlic. Plus, we’re adding a touch of crushed Mexican oregano for an extra layer of aromatic goodness. This sauce is incredibly versatile – you can use it as a marinade, glaze, or even as salsa. Let’s dive right in and talk about how you can make this delicious sauce at home.     Why Roasted Raspberries and Garlic? First off, roasting the raspberries and garlic is a must. It adds a depth of flavor that you just can’t get from fresh or even cooked ingredients alone. The natural sugars in the raspberries and garlic caramelize, giving the sauce a richer, more complex taste. Adding Mexican oregano ad...

  Get Ready to Sizzle: Bang Bang Shrimp Taco Fiesta! Are you ready to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration more exciting with a recipe that guarantees deliciousness in every bite? Hold on to your sombrero and brace yourself for an explosion of flavor; Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos! Crunchy, juicy shrimp drenched in a delicious Bang Bang sauce, wrapped in warm tortillas then topped with all your favorite toppings. Not a fan of shrimp? Use your favorite mild fish cut into strips before dredging – cod, grouper, mahi mahi would be excellent choices. Whether you’re throwing a party or just craving some really good food, these tacos are about to be your new go-to dish on Cinco de Mayo. So get your mise en place ready and let’s get cooking!   Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp Ingredients: For the Bang Bang Sauce: ½ cup Mexican crema ½ cup Mayonaise 4 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons lime juice For the Shrimp: 2 pounds large (U26-30) shrimp, peel...

Unveiling the Magic of Tri-Tip Hello grill masters! We’re thrilled to have you join us, as we dive into another delicious journey through the world of flavor. Today, we're firing up the grill for a mouthwatering rendezvous with a classic favorite: Tri-tip. But hold onto your tongs because we're not just grilling it up plain Jane style. Nope, we're infusing this beauty with a marinade that'll have your taste buds doing the happy dance.   What is a Tri-tip? Ah, the tri-tip—often hailed as the unsung hero of the beef world. This flavorful cut comes from the bottom sirloin area of the steer and boasts a tender texture with just the right amount of marbling to ensure a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Why "Tri-Tip"? Now, you might be wondering, "Why the curious name?" Well, it’s triangular in shape. Clever, right? This versatile cut is also known by other names depending on where you are—Santa Maria steak or Newport steak, for instance—but no matter...

Upgrade your Sloppy Joes with our homemade sauce recipe! Looking for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner that the kids will love? Sloppy Joes have served this role for decades. Want to make seriously good Sloppy Joes? Ditch the canned sauce, and give this recipe a try. Our homemade sauce is perfect for a kid-friendly lunch or dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Let's roll up our sleeves and get cooking! Recipe: Sloppy Joe Sauce   Ingredients: 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomato ½ cup unsalted beef stock (can substitute chicken stock) ¼ cup tomato paste 2-4 tablespoons brown sugar 8 cloves roasted garlic, mashed with fork 1 large onion, small dice 3-4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1½ cups sweet red peppers, small dice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like it spicy) 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper   Instructions: In a saucepan, heat on...

  Cauliflower Revamped: Elevating Comfort with a Robuchon Twist! Welcome to The Small Town Chef, where today we're cooking a new classic, mashed cauliflower. If you thought cauliflower was bland and boring, think again. Inspired by the legendary Joël Robuchon's famed mashed potatoes, we're bringing you a creamy delight that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about cauliflower. This recipe, made with simple ingredients, packs tons of flavor into each and every delicious bite. It’s also a great substitute of those of us watching our carb intake, but craving mashed potatoes. Grab your apron and let's get cooking!   Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter 4 ounces of goat cheese, crumbled (or sour cream) Salt and white pepper to taste Chives or Italian parsley for garnish (optional) ½ cup of reserved cooking liquid (may not be necessary) Instr...

Capturing the Essence of Puttanesca: Where Legend Meets Flavor Hello and welcome once again to The Small Town Chef. Grilled Swordfish Puttanesca, a dish with origins in Southern Italy, is our focus today. The original recipe was made with pasta, but we're switching it up to a seafood-based dish.
 During the COVID lock-down, when we all had to much time on our hands, we were looking for a way to add a little flair to our dinner — and that’s how this recipe was born. This dish focuses on bold flavors with a dash of history, with some suggesting it was created by Italian ladies of the night to entice passerby’s. It may or may not be true, but it's definitely flavored with excitement and will leave you craving more. Recipe: Grilled Swordfish Puttanesca   Ingredients:   For the Grilled Swordfish: 4 swordfish steaks (6-8 ounces each) 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and black pepper, to taste For the Puttanesca Sauce: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large ...