Grilling, Barbecue, Culinary Author
Hello BLUE RAIDER FOOTBALL FANS! This is Kent Whitaker, AKA The Deck Chef, and It’s great to be back with the Blue Raider Network pregame and tailgate Crew! Time to face off against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles! Let’s start this season with a request for something simple! Nathan from Smyrna emailed me asking for […]
What’s a Big Cheesy Pimento Cheese Burger? It’s a burger recipe with Roots in the South… and the North! I’m a Southern boy raised on Southern Flavors and that includes the goodness that is Pimento Cheese. I have to admit, for a while… I lost my love for the orange spread that’s cloaked in ingredient […]
Searching The Web for BIG GAME PORK Chow!! The mission started with a simple email asking about a few ideas for ribs or pork chops for the BIG GAME or your next tailgate? Our crack team of researchers hit the key boards with the speed of an offensive lineman pulling a train in order to find […]
Why a Tennessee Barbecue Dog or Smoked Sausage? Because I got tired of hearing about Chicago Dogs, Fenway Franks, and West Virginia Slaw Dogs! Actually, that’s not true. My wife Ally turned me onto a nicely made Chicago dog. You can’t live in the Appalachians without trying a West Virginia Slaw dog from time to […]
Pabst BBQ Sauce! Here are two quick and easy barbecue sauces that you can make with simple ingredients that you may already have in the kitchen. The first is from my Kent The Deck Chef Pabst Blue Ribbon Recipe book – which you can download as a PDF on www.thedeckchef.com Pabst BQ Sauce & Baste […]
This is one of my favorite hamburger recipes as it’s so versatile. You can stuff with cheese, or onions, mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, or a combination of all of the above or something from your own imagination. The trick is to avoid overstuffing the center and cooking too fast! Check out the recipe below and then […]
IT’S BURGER TIME! Here is a big SHOUT OUT to the Chattanooga Mocs! Yes, readers from outside of Chattanooga. THE MIGHTY UTC MOCS – It’s a cool bird as well as a historic landmark in Chattanooga. Did I mention the Moc mascot is named “SCRAPPY.” He is named after a Chattanooga Sports legend, coach and businessman […]
Get ready to fire up the grill! Here are two recipes for fun burgers that originally appeared in an article for summer grilling. Hope you enjoy them! Basic Taco Burgers 1 pound ground beef 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon hot sauce 2 tablespoons taco sauce 1 packet cheap taco seasoning 1/ 4 cup of […]
This Grilling Hack is perfect for the next time you toss some shrimp on the grill! Grab some pina-colada drink mix and a few simple ingredients for this easy recipe hack for a fantastic sauce! Perfect for grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, coconut shrimp and more. But… where did Pina-Coladas – the main ingredient in this recipe, […]
Yep – you read right! You can make some amazing cookies with black beans! Black Bean Chocolate Cookies have been a staple for Low Carb dieters and fitness lovers. Now the idea of using black beans in a variety of cookie and dessert recipes is hitting the mainstream. The great thing about this recipe is […]
Banana’s and Egg’s equal’s a batch of pancakes? Whaaaaat? Sometimes a recipe makes the rounds around social media that’s two cool sounding to ignore. That’s the case for us when Ally came across a recipe for two ingredient banana pancakes! Talk about simple – the recipe was two eggs and two bananas!.Within minutes I was […]
Oven-Baked Pancakes? Yep – Cut the oil or butter used for frying for a healthier version of a traditional pancake! This recipe was used during a Cooking With Kent Radio show featuring healthy recipes from various United States Government agencies. This one is from the USDA and comes complete with a few tips and a […]
Egg Tacos are a quick and easy recipe solution for a tasty breakfast! And, roll the soft taco shell a bit tighter and you have a burrito. And, if you’re not in the mood for a taco then simply use flatbread or pita pockets. Ingredients: Chopped onion Chopped red or green pepper Butter Crumbled bacon […]
NUTS and FRUIT! I’m talking about pecans, walnuts, or the tasty toasted nuts of your choice. Wait – how about fruit? Strawberries, banana slices, assorted berries, and more. Adding that flavor boost to a classic breakfast recipe is a great way to propel a boring dish to something spectacular. Try this French Toast recipe with your […]
Are you ready for PANCAKES! – Thanks to Kim Miller for this tasty recipe from her collection of healthy eats! Kim is a fitness expert, actor, photographer, beauty contestant and more. Kim proudly states that she is all of the above and also a wife, a mom, a friend and an advocate for empowering people to […]
My longtime high school friend Cindy in Nashville sent me this recipe and photo for a drink she said I had to try. So, here’s Cindy’s Music City Negroni. Looks like Cindy put her worldly skills to work in finding this classic. But, there’s some info you need to know about this cocktail before you […]
It’s Valentine’s Day! Here are three ways to make the perfect Chocolate Martini! Get ready to pour up some martini fun! Bonus Recipe – Easy Chocolate Martini: Ok, so I admit that this one is pretty simple. Instead of your normal martini with your standard vodka… just use chocolate flavored vodka and some chocolate milk! how […]
Time for a Classic Manhattan Cocktail! – Did you know that the Manhattan is one of six basic drinks listed in David A. Embury’s classic The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks? That’s good info when you’re making small talk while mixing up a Manhattan! A Manhattan is a cocktail that can be made with a […]
Here are Three Classic Beach Drinks that you need to know how to make… and here’s why. Walk with me – You’re heading to the beach with a group of friends and you want to be able to do something besides pop open a beer or buy expensive watered down drinks from the bar for […]
CINDY’S OLD FASHIONED – Cindy is a longtime friend of from high school and college… and – She makes one heck of an Old Fashioned! Did we mention that she also takes a great picture! I see mixed drink photography as the next big growth industry. Or, I just may be wanting a classic Old Fashioned. Enjoy […]
RUN! IT’S A HURRICANE… A FROZEN HURRICANE! – Sure, the worst thing to do during a hurricane is to actually be in a hurricane! If they say leave… then leave. However – the frozen drink version of a hurricane is something worth running towards! Here are some simple ways to add a flavor twist to […]
Looking for something besides the standard Martini? The folks at LEAF Vodka allowed us to sample some of their product and we decided on Five AWESOME LEAF Vodka Drink Recipes that you need to know! Now don’t take that martini remark the wrong way. We think that LEAF Vodka is an essential ingredient for an […]
Frontier campfire cooking, spicy Tex-Mex, old-fashioned cowboy cooking, Cajun and Creole fare—the culinary traditions of the Lone Star State are just as diverse as they are delicious. Now you can discover them all with the Texas Hometown Cookbook, a collection of easy-to-follow, tried-and-true family recipes gathered from home cooks living all over the State of Texas. […]
Kent – my father told of arriving in North Africa in 1943 after a long voyage from Chesapeake Bay with shipboard provisions. (Fried SPAM for breakfast every morning gave him a lifelong aversion to the product.) He was delighted to find fresh melons at an Algerian street market; and brought a basketful back to the […]
Off Limit Menu until Our Number Came Up! Kent – I happened to be in the Pacific on my second tour of duty after African campaign and was stationed on Oahu training for the Iwo Invasion. We were an Air Corps outfit, with a C-47 assigned to us for general duties. We decided to eat […]
Time for toes in the sand and great Gulf Coast Eats! The Little Gulf Coast Seafood Cookbook is jam-packed tighter than a tin of sardines with mouth-watering seafood recipes that will become favorites at your family functions for years to come. From eye-catching appetizers to savory entrees, right down to a selection of beautiful desserts, […]
Who said grilling, barbecue and tailgating had to be boring? Kent “The Deck Chef” Whitaker will grill just about anything — from pound cake to pizza, porterhouse to pineapple! Now his secrets are packed into his newest book – Great American Grilling – The Ultimate Backyard Barbecue & Tailgating Cookbook! Kent’s packed this book with […]
Tailgating is a longstanding tradition before Mizzou football contests, built on the tradition of enjoying the fellowship of friends, the Mizzou Spirit, and great Mizzou Football. The University of Missouri and Mizzou Athletics encourage responsible tailgating in an effort to enhance the game day experience, ensure a safe game day atmosphere to all fans, and […]
The Chorizo is one of those sausages that get’s kicked to the back of the line. I think this flavor packed sausage needs to right up front! Jumping on the Chorizo bandwagon may be a bit tough depending on your location and grocery store selection. The good news is that this tasty sausage can be […]
BLT Sandwich Recipe Everyone has a go-to sandwich that makes all the bad stuff go away. For many, it’s a BLT sandwich. Crispy bacon, fresh crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and melted cheese in between generous amounts of avocado mayonnaise. Need I say more? Preparing this savory treat is no sweat at all. If you’ve ever […]
Easy Bayou Beer Can Chicken – I’ve noticed that chicken breasts are huge these days. I am told it’s because they are pumped up with all kinds of stuff to make them larger. One the other hand… have you tried to find a whole chicken large enough for a beer can chicken recipe. It seems like […]
ALL RIGHT FOOTBALL FANS – The official Middle Tennessee State University Tailgate Tip of the week for the game against the Charlotte 49’ers involves Texas Pete® Hot Sauce! Wait… what? Why is a recipe geared towards beating a Conference USA football team from North Carolina including a hot sauce from Texas? Well, my tailgate and foodie friends Texas Pete® is originally from… […]
Sometimes you run across a great recipe from a national retailer that you have to pass along. I was visiting a grocery store when a nice lady handed me a sample of grilled sausage topped with seasoned veggies. I tasted as I walked by then turned around and picked up a recipe card, coupon, and […]
Grilled Sliced Potatoes are easy to cook and make a perfect addition to any meal! Plus – the seasoning choices are endless! 2 – 3 large baking potatoes – rinsed, not peeled, sliced Olive oil Melted butter or oil Dashes of your favorite seasoning. Directions: Slice several baking potatoes into thick chip-like slices. You can also […]
Maple syrup and pork chops are such a beautiful combination of sweet and savory. This recipe combines southern charm cooking with rich maple flavor! How about a little mayple syrup trivia? The U.S. production of maple syrup in 2013 totaled nearly 3.25 million gallons according to the USDA. But, don’t start chanting “USA! USA! USA” […]
WELCOME TO 2015 MTSU FOOTBALL! – Why stay hungry? TAILGATE MY FRIENDS! The Blue Raiders are taking on the Jackson State Tigers to start the 2015 season so I decided to grill up some TIGER TAILS! Well, actually, cooking Tiger Tail is probably not a good idea. In some countries it may be illegal! So, […]
There are some things that just seem to go together. Pork, apple butter, pecans and Double Cola are some of those things. The flavors mix well, it’s perfect for a fall recipe and the ingredients are easy to come by. In fact, you may have everything in your kitchen right now. This recipe is very easy and […]
Usually I’m a sucker for using apples with just about any pork recipe. But why not an orange? In fact – I’m thinking that oranges may be the way to go with a bunch of pork recipes because it’s an amazing flavor boost. The citrus blends perfectly with the natural flavor and you can even […]
Craving an awesome crab cake but too scared to try making your first batch? Have no fear and EASY CRAB CAKE recipe is here! Here’s the official “Deck Chef” recipe for some Slightly Spicy Crab Cakes! The great thing is that these crab cakes are not only easy to make but they can also feature […]
We really liked this Baked Salmon Dijon recipe from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) that we had to include it in the healthy recipe section. This salmon entree is easy to make and a delicious treat for family and friends. Ingredients: 1 c fat free sour cream 2 tsp dried dill 3 Tbsp […]
GRILLED SHRIMP AND MANGO SLAW – You can’t beat this dish that calls you to the beach! It’s all about some Easy Grilled Shrimp and a tasty side! Summer grilling is getting started and that means plenty of grilled shrimp and other tasty items cooked over open flames! When it comes to shrimp I’m a […]
Here’s How you can make a foil fish boat for easy grilling! I love foil cooking hacks and this is a recipe and technique that I use to cook seafood and shrimp on the grill. Started with Pork Butts I use a ton of foil on the smoker when finishing off some butts and ribs. However, […]
Go Big Orange! The last few weeks I’ve offered up tailgate tips and recipes for several colleges with fan bases in Chattanooga. Now it’s time to feed the Vol Nation with a great recipe served up just for fans of the Big Orange! POWER T: Every Friday and Saturday you’ll notice an abundance of Power T […]
Grilled shrimp with Tex-Mex Flair! It’s an easy recipe that’s sure to please. Grilled Cumin Chili Shrimp 3-4 pounds large shrimp – peeled & deveined 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons Cumin powder Minced garlic 1 tablespoon chili powder Several pinches sugar 1/2 lemon Juice 1/2 teaspoon paprika Salt / Black Pepper & Crushed Red […]
Sometimes you need something different on the grill. How about some grilled shrimp tacos? In fact, you can use shrimp, fish, crab, and more for this quick and easy dish. This recipe is from a great vacation that Ally and I took on the cape. A storm washed out the road to shore so we […]
Much thanks to Shelia Simmons for sharing this great recipe for Coconut Pasta and Shrimp! Sheila is my co-author on the Hometown Cookbook Series and we’ve come across an amazing variety of seafood dishes over the years. When I asked her for a favorite she chose this one. Packed with flavor, easy to prepare, and […]
Gator Tailgate Cooking! How about a great Grouper Dish? This recipe and article originally appeared on Chattanoogan.com and has always been one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy the info as well as the tasty recipe! THE SWAMP! So, you are headed to the Swamp for a big game, don’t worry. Florida Gator tailgaters know […]
I’m A Sucker for a Crab Cake – My wife Ally will tell you that I’m probably addicted them. I have no idea why, it’s an craving that pops up on a regular basis. When the urge for a crab cake hits me I have to have a crab cake right then or in the next […]