EVERYTHING BUT THAT!

WOW!  I didn’t see that one coming.  Why in the world did he send Jennifer home?  She and Ben seemed to have a solid connection.  She is smart, fun, and based on her exit, very gracious and mature.  I don’t understand men sometimes.  I admit it.

[Sigh...] 

On The Bachelor tonight,  Ben took the ladies on a trip to Puerto Rico.  Even though it is part of the U.S., it still has its own distinct culture, so we are presenting our culturally-unique, culinary delight for you.  I am pleased to introduce Bachelor Chef Otto and his great goulash recipe.

Otto’s Goulash!

Cook Time: 40 min.  Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 large potatoes, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 3 cups water
• 1 (29-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 12 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1/3 tablespoons black pepper
• 2 cups dried elbow macaroni

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, saute the ground beef over medium-high heat, until no pink remains. Break up meat while sautéing.  Spoon off any grease. Chop the potatoes and carrots and hard boil for 5 minutes then add to the pot. Add the onions to the pot and saute until they are tender about 5 minutes.  Add 3 cups water, along with the tomato sauce, tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, pepper, and sea salt. Stir well. Place a lid on the pot and allow this to cook for 20 to 25 minutes.

Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid to the pot, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves and allow the mixture to sit about 30 minutes more before serving.

About Bachelor Chef Otto:

Otto is Mr. International.  He grew up in Holland, lived in South Africa for six years, has visited 40 or 50 countries, and now calls America his home.  The thing I like most about Otto is that he always has a smile on his face.  He is a realtor and tells me that he has the secret for finding the right type of foreclosure for his clients.  He loves being outdoors, dancing, and studying.  He has an intimate, love relationship with Christ.  He even taught his parrot, Camelot, to say “God loves you.”  Speaking of pets, he also has two dogs and two cats: Sir Lancelot, Lady Guinevere, King Arthur, and Sir Kay.   If you guessed Bachelor Chef Otto is a gentleman based on the names of his pets, you’d be absolutely correct.  He knows how to treat a lady right.  He has a zest for life, gives great Dutch kisses (I’ve been told), and is ready to settle down. 

He would have never misled Jennifer like Ben did (The Bachelor).

Please direct all fan mail to:

5 WIVES
Attn: Bachelor Chef Otto
P.O. Box 670132
Marietta, GA 30066

For more information on The Bachelor Chef, click here.

I watched the first hour of The Bachelor and saw Samantha, the cute, petite, blonde sent packing, but then switched over at 9pm to watch the Mitt-Newt debate.  They are on a commercial break, so this will be quick.  Here is the newest recipe in our The Bachelor Chef series, and it is another healthy one!

Pepper Jack Tomato Salmon!

Spray a piece of aluminum foil with some spray butter and lay a salmon fillet on the butter. Add some A1 Bold and Spicy along with a little garlic salt. Slice some tomatoes up pretty thin and cover the top of salmon with them. Close the foil and grill for however long you like to grill your salmon. A few minutes before it’s done open the foil and lay some pepper jack cheese on the top. Let that melt and you got some mouth watering salmon. Serve with some broccoli and a sweet potato filled with brown sugar and butter. Good stuff!

About Bachelor Chef Heath:

I first met Bachelor Chef Heath when we were both ticketing agents at Delta Air Lines (about 15 years ago).  He always struck me as a quality guy – the type that was raised right if you know what I mean – very nice, respectful of women, humble and courteous.  He no longer works for Delta.  Currently he is busy with school and a new career in EMS.  Apparently, chest pains are his specialty.  Bachelor Chef Heath tells me that he is a big Tim Tebow fan.  He also likes race motocross (I had to Google that), traveling, country cooking, and Christian & country music.  His favorite quote is from Charles Stanley: fight your battles on your knees.  His favorite book is Lance Armstrong’s “It’s not about the bike.”  Unfortunately, he is not really looking for anything right now since he has a girlfriend (Agh!  Yet again, Adecia wants you to know she did not know he was taken when she invited him to submit a recipe).  Heath is a real sweetheart, but if you cannot date him, at least you can sample his yummy Pepper Jack Tomato Salmon recipe.  Maybe one day you will have chest pains and need some help, and Heath will show up in an ambulance to rescue you, and you will see his name on his uniform and remember this, and his girlfriend will be out of the picture, and…

Please direct all fan mail to:

5 WIVES
Attn: Bachelor Chef Heath
P.O. Box 670132
Marietta, GA 30066

For more information on The Bachelor Chef, click here.

I did NOT watch The Bachelor tonight, but I did watch the Diaries of the Departed.  I saw that Jaclyn, Brittney, Erika, and Shawntel (where’d she come from?) were either not given a rose or chose to leave.  I like it when a woman decides to not lower her standards by playing games and simply exits with grace and dignity.  Speaking of class, it is my honor to introduce to you our next Bachelor Chef recipe from Gregg.  Everyone loves a yummy Italian dish.  Mangia!

Spagghetti!

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or less if you want)
• 1 onion (chopped small)
• 4 – 6 large garlic cloves, sliced thin (add more if desired)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 lg cans (28 oz each) tomatoes – 1 diced & 1 crushed, if available (if not, use 2 diced)
• 1 med can (14 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 small can (4 – 6 oz) tomato paste
• 1 small can (4 – 6oz) sliced mushroom stems and pieces
• 4 carrots, peeled and diced (optional–this will give the sauce an ever so subtle sweeter taste)
• 2 heaping tablespoons oregano (yes, heaping)
• 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
• 1 heaping tablespoon basil
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/4 teaspoon sea-salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 bay leaves

Cook the ground beef and onions, sauté the garlic in the olive oil until just before it starts to turn light brown, and add it to ground beef.  Add all the remaining ingredients beginning with the tomatoes and tomato sauce and simmer over low heat for at least an hour.  I like to serve it with shredded Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.  It’s also good with hot Italian sausage on the side.

This will make enough to serve at least 8 or 10 people, and it freezes very well, so you can stick whatever you don’t use into the freezer for another day.

About Bachelor Chef Gregg:

Gregg is busy these days with balancing a career change, going back to school for a second degree, being a single dad, and having a new love interest (from Adecia: sorry ladies – I didn’t realize this when I asked him for a recipe.  How dare he?  Just kidding ). He enjoys running and occasional weight lifting when he can find the time. Gregg’s relationship with Jesus Christ is primary in his life, and so he regularly enjoys attending church and his small group there.  His “favorite” books these days (out of necessity) are engineering text books (Hurray!). His goal is to continue to be a good dad to his wonderful kid, complete his degree, settle into his new career, and lose the “bachelor” title

Please direct all fan mail to:

5 WIVES
Attn: Bachelor Chef Gregg
P.O. Box 670132
Marietta, GA 30066

For more information on The Bachelor Chef, click here.

My favorite Bachelorette, the emotional, transparent, mistake-prone, fellow blogger Jenna, was not given a rose last night, and based upon the behavior of a couple of the other women, I am not really sure I want to continue watching The Bachelor for the rest of the season.  I guess I am kind of committed to it at this point, but the enthusiasm has definitely waned.  

On a much more positive note, I am very excited to present you with another recipe from an Atlanta Bachelor Chef.  This recipe is perfect for the start of the year because it is über-healthy.  Let me give you a tip about the measurements in this recipe though.  Beans and rice are not sold in 6 oz increments, so don’t let that confuse you.  I bought 16 oz bags of all four and recommend you just try to use 1/3 of each bag.  Also, I can’t help but mention that Garam Masala works well with this recipe. 

It goes without saying, but this is not only healthy and will work great for all your New Year’s resolutions and goals for healthier living, but it is also quite easy on the budget.  It’s a win-win.  Enjoy! 

Three-Bean Chicken and Rice!

• 6 oz of dried red kidney beans (the darker the better)
• 6 oz of dried lentils
• 6 oz of dried garbanzos
• 12 oz of canned white chicken breast (I use and highly recommend Kirkland brand from Costco)
• 6 oz of rice (whatever type you want)
• Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place dried beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly.
2. Place dried beans in pot and soak at least 8 hours.
3. Again, place dried beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly. 
4. Place beans in a 7 quart Crock pot.
5. Fill Crock pot with water until it is about 75 percent full.
6. Put set to low; cook for 6 to 8 hours. The longer you cook them the more tender they are.
7. Next put dried rice into Crock pot.
8. Open and drain chicken breast.
9. Using a fork, break the chicken into smaller pieces.
10. Put chicken into Crock pot.
11. Set Crock pot to high and cook for 1 hour.
12. Check the tenderness of the kidney beans to make sure they are not too firm. 
13. Enjoy with Premium brand crackers.  They are not sponsors of my recipe; I just think their crackers are the best.

About Bachelor Chef Lee:

Lee is a software developer for Lockheed Martin and also a part-time student at Southern Polytechnic State University working on his Master’s degree in Computer Science.  He has his hands in a few different pots because in addition to his job and studies, he is landlord of a few properties.  Like most smart men, he is very passionate about the stock market and follows politics very closely.  Lee volunteers at his church, likes to read, and works out frequently.  He is in his early 40s, has never been married and has no children.   He adds that his recipe inventions have been “created to conform to the busy lifestyle of someone who is always on the go, unskilled in the kitchen, and yet prefers healthy meals.  The idea of crock-pot type meals is you can sort of throw all the ingredients in, turn it on, and then leave the house for extended periods of time.”

Please direct all fan mail to:

5 WIVES
Attn: Bachelor Chef Lee
P.O. Box 670132
Marietta, GA 30066

For more information on The Bachelor Chef, click here.

ABC’s popular television dating series, The Bachelor, officially began this past Monday.  The emotional drama has already begun – poor Ben.  In continuation of our fun recipe contest involving some amazing Bachelor Chefs in our area, here is the second recipe.  I know for a fact it is tasty.  

Oven Lovin’ Maple Bacon!

1. Heat oven to 400.
2. Cut the bacon in half and place it on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil.  Thick cut bacon is best, it doesn’t shrink as much.
3. Place in oven and cook for about 15 minutes until the grease really starts to build up.
4. Drain the grease from the cookie sheet into a bowl to discard. **Very important, if you don’t drain the grease the bacon will stay soggy and not get crisp.
5. Using a kitchen brush, brush some maple syrup over the bacon and place back into the oven.  Maple syrup is best.  You can dilute with water if you need to, or not.
6. Place back into the oven and cook until the desired crispness. 
7. Take out of the oven, brush again with syrup and serve.

About Bachelor Chef Jonathan:

I first knew of Jonathan in high school. He was a big, strong football player, and I was a scared, little freshman. He is the only one of our Bachelor Chefs who lives outside of Georgia, but he grew up here (so he’s still Georgian in soul). He is a Navy man, is the small business owner of a project management company in Knoxville, founded and now actively operates the Tennessee Veterans Business Association, and was named as one of Knoxville’s Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 for 2012…yet despite all those accomplishments, he says his greatest personal achievement is “raising a beautiful, smart, and wonderful teenage daughter” as a single parent. He describes himself as a typical guys-guy with a soft and romantic side. In regards to his thoughts on an ideal first date, he gives the example of ice cream and bicycles in the park, followed by dinner and a drink. Jonathan’s favorite quote is: if you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. I am really glad Jonathan decided to do something he has never done by being in our contest.

Please direct all fan mail to:

5 WIVES
Attn: Bachelor Chef Jonathan
P.O. Box 670132
Marietta, GA 30066

For more information on The Bachelor Chef, click here.