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.

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!

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? 

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!

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.

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!

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.

It's been too long since I've been able to enjoy the sizzle of a piping hot, perfectly cooked steak brought to my table. Sure, there's delivery and pickup available but by the time my steak gets home it just isn't the same. Luckily I have the solution to creating the perfect restaurant-quality steak at home and I'm about to share it with you guys...

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!

Whether tailgating or homegating it's a difficult balance between creating something awesome and spending way too much time in the kitchen preparing and then cleaning up. As a man, creating ultimate recipes is something I revel in because it's an opportunity to take the gloves off and innovate with no boundaries. So today I'm going to introduce you to my latest creation - Smithfield Pulled Pork Totchos and hopefully inspire you to try something new next time you have the guys over to watch football. 

I created this recipe because I was looking for something tasty to make during the half time show yesterday. Little did I realize that I was stepping away from one of the more controversial shows in recent history but who cares! This was a relatively healthy, easy to make a snack that you can make up in just a few minutes with virtually no cleanup involved. 

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.

One of the challenges with a restaurant like Fogo de Chao is that meat is the centerpiece of the experience (aside from their amazing service of course!) So while the market table is an essential part of the Brazilian churrascaria, often the salads become standardized. One of the things I love about Fogo de Chao is that every time I visit they have new seasonal additions that are unique, innovative, and generally pretty exciting to taste. It's summer and so that means that it is watermelon season and I was excited to see the latest addition to the market table was a Watermelon Feta Salad. Here's how you can make it at home.

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.

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!

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.

 Chicken Tenders are one of the most versatile menu items out there. The sheer number of options to coat a chicken tenderloin with and sauces to dip it in allow for incredible freedom. Plus, there's the debate of whether to fry it or bake it. For me, I prefer to bake my chicken tenders since while I do enjoy fried foods, baking is so much easier to clean, safer, and healthier. So, with dreams of sunshine and palm trees in my head, I prepared these baked Crispy Crunchy Coconut Chicken Tenders evoking the sweet and spicy Caribbean flavor that I love!

Comfort food is, well... comforting. Generally easy and cheap to make, recipes like Chicken and Dumplings have evolved over the years from easy - but time-consuming - to relatively quick and easy using shortcuts. That's what we're doing today. Easy to make, homemade chicken and dumplings where we focus on what's important. For me, that's a healthy recipe that you can whip up fast and fill your family's bellies with something other than the mass-produced package foods where you really don't know where things actually came from.

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.