Friday, June 11, 2010

Greek salad for your Summer outing.....Try it....




MAKE it TONIGHT, super easy and the Best Greek Salad Recipe.

Ingredients


PART ONE:
1 head Lettuce, rinse shake dry and chopped. (Romaine is Best)
1 Medium Red Onion take off the bad looking stuff and slice thin.
2-3 Roma Tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 Small Jar pitted Kalamata Olives
1 Cup Feta Cheese, crumbled dice smaller
1 Small Jar drained Mezzetta Imported Garlic & Dill Peperoncini (Best)
1 large Cucumber, Sliced and cut again.

PART TWO:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil (extra virgin first cold pressed)
1 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp. Garlic Powder or Fresh garlic clove minced 1-2
1 tsp. Dried Oregano
1 tsp. Dried Basil
1 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp. Black pepper
1 tsp. Dijon Mustard or spicy brown

The FINAL PART

1. Add in large serving bowl, all the "Part One" ingredients, cucumbers last.

2. In a side bowl or the feta container, mix together all "Part Two" ingredients.

3. Pour over the salad, cover and chill. You can serve immediately but if you wait a few hours it is much better. Stir the oil from the bottom to the top every so often while chilling. NOTE: It is even better the next day.

4. cover while storing, otherwise your refrigerator will remember for a few days what your made!

Use olive oil that is Extra Virgin and has not been open for more than a few weeks. Better get a fresh bottle... It is worth it...

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Friday, June 4, 2010

Tuna on the Oregon Coast

Albacore Tuna Bounty Off The Oregon Coast

By: Kurt Ploetz

Albacore Tuna Bounty off the Oregon Coast

Kurt Ploetz

www.fishgriller.com fishgriller@yahoo.com

Outdoor Chef Kurt is still amazed at the fighting power of these tuna in the blue water off of the Oregon coast. The albacore tuna fishery in Oregon has grown dramatically over the last 5 years, into a great new sporting adventure. There are a series of derbies from south to north in the summers, which attract boats from as far as southern California and all over the west coast. Charters out of most of the major ports are available for this fine eating fish. With a limit of 25, if you get into them, you can fill the freezer in a short period of time.

I have a friend that had a new boat built that is perfect for the long trips out 40 to 50 miles to find the blue water these game fish inhabit. We started out as tuna virgins last summer, but got the hang of it after adjusting trolling speed and length of lines .We usually run 4 lines at different lengths, longer out the sides, and closer from the stern of the boat. We use floating jigs that dance across the water as we troll at a speed of about 6.2 mph.  These fish hit very hard when they bite and you need some real hardware to land the big ones.

We run Ugly Stick 7 foot rods with medium sized Penn Gold 2 speed  reels, also a couple of Avet reels that work real good to handle these 12 to 45 pound fighters. For the line we use 100# braided line, with a top shot of 90# monofilament. When we hook a fish we usually drag it for a couple hundred yards .These are schooling fish so as we drag one, usually we will have another 1 or sometimes 2 more fish on by the time we stop. With 3 of these awesome game fish on at the same time, it can turn into a real mess in a real hurry, so you have to be on your A game or you will have some tangled lines before you can say Fish On.  We usually try to bring the closest ones in first, and then work on the ones on the longer lines. If they cross lines you have to move around or untangle lines on the fly, and it can be very exciting to land the big ones after an avoided mess.

The jigs we use, are supposed to imitate squid on the surface .We us a 7 OO hook that looks like a treble but only has 2 hooks.  When these fish hit they bury the hooks in their jaw, and we have yet to lose a fish after it is hooked.  Once hooked these fish pull like they are headed straight for the bottom, harder than you can imagine.  I was amazed at their tenacity and strength on the first one I hooked last year, and it was one of the most satisfying fishing experiences I have had in my whole life.

The way we get the fish on board is to gaff them, which is a whole new adventure in itself. Once on board we cut the gills to make them bleed out and put them in the fish box on ice. The faster you cool these fish down the better it is, and the better they will taste. We usually keep the fish on ice overnight, as it seems to make it easier to pull off the skin when it is time to get to cutting.  Each tuna has 4 loins, and filleting them is not too hard once you get the hang of it.

The flesh of these great fish is tender and flaky and full of omega oils which are very good for your health. It can be cooked in a number of ways. You can grill it, you can bake it, or you can batter it, and deep fry it for the best fish and chips you have had your whole life. As a lifelong fisherman I waited many years to have a go at these great game fish, and can tell you firsthand that when you get one on the line it will be one of the best fishing experiences of your life.

HAPPY TUNA FISHING FROM OUTDOOR CHEF KURT       Two simple recipes.

#1 grilled or baked albacore tuna fillets. Marinate loin for 3 hours in Bernstein's Italian dressing in Ziploc bag. Season with Tony Chacheres Creole seasoning and wrap in tin foil after pouring on a little melted butter. Then grill or bake till sections of tuna fillet flake apart with fork.

  • #2 deep fried albacore fillets. Place loin on cutting board and slice into 1/2 inch patties. Mix Pride of the West batter mix. with 1/2 can or so of desired beer till nice and creamy. Add Johnny's seasoning to batter and stir in. Dip loin patties in batter covering completely and fry till golden brown in 375f oil of your choice. I prefer canola oil but vegetable and corn oil work well also.

About the Author

Chef Kurt Ploetz, Raised in the great NW, fishing and hunting all over the the United States.

Kurt is on the Outdoor Cooking Pro Staff and he is the head Chef on the TV show- Gary Lewis' High Desert Outdoorsman on COTV.

Member of the NW Outdoor writers association.

Kurt Ploetz

246 Willamette Park Lane, Redmond, OR 97756

www.fishgriller.com fishgriller@yahoo.com

(ArticlesBase SC #1794587)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Albacore Tuna Bounty Off The Oregon Coast

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tin Foil Dinner Recipe



This Recipe came from Camp Chef and was featured on TV in Utah.

Bacon & Tomato Salmon Packets

4 – 6 oz. salmon filets with skin attached
1/3 cup ranch dressing
1 Tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup feta cheese
½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 Tbsp fresh basil pesto mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice
Heavy duty foil

Preheat grill to high heat, if using burner use low to medium heat. Using 4 sheets of foil lay one salmon filet on each piece of foil. Mix ranch dressing and lemon juice together then spread on top of fish, dividing it among four filets. Toss diced tomato with pesto lemon juice mixture and set aside. Top salmon with bacon and feta cheese dividing among the filets. Loosely wrap foil around salmon then cook until fish flakes easily, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Just an easy thing to make....


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Monday, March 15, 2010

HI Mountain seasonings.... look for the original






I was lucky enough to get a great product like Hi Mountain Authentic Wyoming seasonings to come aboard as product sponsor of the Gary Lewis High Desert Outdoors man TV show, on which I do my cooking segments of things they Harvest!! on the show.

They make a great line of spices, cures, dips, and marinades, that taste great and are simple and easy to use. They have a line of summer sausage making kits and pepperoni, too. I am cooking my way thru all of their fine products and am more impressed all of the time. They sell products on line at www.himtnjerky.com so if you want the best brines and cures for all of your wild game needs , give them a shout and I am sure you will find the right product for your specific need.

OutdoorChefKurt

From The Field to the Grill



fishgriller@yahoo.com
Check out the online store...

Cowboy Shoot with Kurt Ploetz





OUTDOOR CHEF KURT always wanted to be a COWBOY !!!! Now I have my chance. I joined a group called THE PINE MOUNTAIN POSSE that does Cowboy Action Shooting, and what a blast it is.!!!

They have an old west town set up at the range and go thru certain senarios that include shooting a rifle a shotgun and pistols. It is a timed event and is a real challenge. They dress up in old west period clothing to make it more realistic, and the bullets are real also. I picked the name , or alias of DIRTY KURT and it seems to be good match. I dressed up in an old chef jacket , tied a red bandana around my neck, slipped on a cowboy hat, tucked my jeans into my boots, and donned a pair of 6 guns.


I did real good till one of my pistols malfunctioned but show promise of better shooting as I get more practice. This sport is becoming more popular all over the world and is great fun, and you meet the nicest people .I plan to shoot in a few events this year and build my skills and my persona as DIRTY KURT
OutdoorChefKurt

From The Field to the Grill



fishgriller@yahoo.com

Monday, March 8, 2010

Redfeather Conquest Snowshoe review


The Wait is over, the Redfeather Adult Conquest 25
is now available.

I had a chance to get my hands on the newest Conquest snowshoes, these are priced under $70 at Amazon and work great. They are so sweet compared to the regular snowshoe designs.

The frame is unbreakable in reasonable situations, I stood on the frame with two blocks on each end and stood on the middle.

These are Made In the USA

Mfg Specs:


CRAMPONS: Agressive toe and heel crampons are powder-coated to shed snow and ice.

FRAME: Injection-molded nylon | Grey

DECKING: Injection-molded nylon that’s been strategically reinforced using Finite Element Analysis for optimum strength-to-weight ratio.

BINDINGS: CROSS COUNTRY: Ultra-light made from Hypalon II and urethane straps which cinch down to any running shoe or light hiking boot for flexibility and large range of motion.

HINGE: Live-Action Hinge lifts the tail of the shoe from the snow with every step – for added mobility and speed.

Here is the copy from the Manufacturer with my comments:

Product Description
Redfeather's® Conquest 25" is an injection-molded adult snowshoe that was designed using FEA technology for exact placement of reinforcement structures to optimize strength and durability without adding weight. One size meets the needs of most casual snowshoers, and the shoe is molded with a raised tail for a more natural stride. It features an aggressive-grip heel plate and powder-coated crampons for added traction and snow shedding.

Injection molded snowshoes are the wave of the future!

these are GREEN products as well, Made from 100% recyclable Nylon!

NOTE: the specs show that these are good up to 175lbs, NOT TRUE they are great up to 210lbs. You may lose a little float but they can be used by the entire family.

Overall rating 5 Stars, these are very versatile!

Best place to buy: Amazon.com With Free Shipping Redfeather Adult Conquest 25




How does it stack up to the other brands:

Compared to: Tubbs Flex ALP 24- inch Men's Snowshoes
Well they look similar, These are a nice Snowshoe, Compact Design decks and the comfortable and secure ActiveFLEX binding almost 3 times the price. Nicer Binding.

Compared to:Tubbs Snowshoes Women's Frontier Snowshoes
These are a Women's popular snowshoe, nice again but really expensive in comparison.

Compared to: MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoes
They say it is designed to Walk Easier: Tapered tip and tail make walking easier and more natural. Versatile: 6 Evo flotation tails (sold separately) allow you to fine-tune your snowshoes to meet changing conditions and pack weight. again 3 times the price and you have to buy something in addition for heavier users! what if it falls off in the snow.

Final Words

The best deal is the Redfeather Adult Conquest 25
they are just as good as the over $100 models for a lot less money.

if you have an item we didn't mention or compare, let me know fishgriller@yahoo.com

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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Camp Stoves

What To Consider Before Purchasing A Family Camping Stove


By: Jana Puckett


Finding the right camping stove for your style of camping is critical for a great family camping trip.  There are several choices you need to consider before you purchase a camping stove.


First consider the performance or boil time of a stove.  Typically camping stoves are rated on boil time, or the time it takes to boil a quart of water using the proper fuel at the highest stove level.  The boil time can range from two and a half minutes for a camping stove to ten minutes.  You must also take into account the outside temperature as cooler temps can and will reduce the camping stove’s performance.  If you have a large family or cooking for a group, you may want to purchase a higher performing stove as large quantities of food cooked on say a 10 minute stove may not heat large portions of food to acceptable levels.


Next rate the efficiency of the stove.  Efficiency of a camping stove is measured on how long it can run at full heat on a gas or fuel cartridge.  The best barometer for a camping stove is about ten minutes for every ounce of fuel.  You will want to estimate about four ounces of fuel per day per person.


The Differences Between Cartridge Stoves And Liquid Gas Camping Stoves


Cartridge Camping Stoves are best suited for backpacking and small family cooking (2-3 persons) as they are lightweight and less bulky than liquid gas stoves.  They are relatively low maintenance and a very reliable cooking stove.  Most cartridge camping stoves are connected to the fuel canister through a tube to a single burner, while some burners attach directly on top of the canister.  Although very dependable, cartridge stoves don’t work well in cold weather as the fuel typically has trouble igniting.  So the use of liquid gas camping stoves are preferable for cold weather camping.  You can overcome this by purchasing a heat exchanger or carrying the gas canister inside your coat.


The fuel cartridges contain pressurized fuel and come in a variety of convenient sizes.  They are very handy as they are manufactured to be discarded after use, yet in this day we prefer the canisters that can be recycled!  The canisters contain either butane, propane or a mixture of both.


Liquid Camping Stoves are stoves that are fueled by a refillable tank and typically use kerosene, white gas, automobile gas or alcohol.  A big plus in our book is the fact that liquid camping stoves are more environmentally acceptable as the fuel tanks are reused and recycled, plus the fuel burns hotter or more efficiently than cartridge fuel stoves.  Typically larger, heavier and bulkier, liquid camping stoves tend to be more difficult to operate but allow for several pots of food to be cooked at the same time at higher temps– a great advantage for family cooking!


One must consider the type of fuel and its availability too.  Alcohol is very safe, stable and clean burning, yet as it burns with a cool flame so the effectiveness for cooking is diminished.  Automobile gas and kerosene although they can be used it is highly NOT recommended, but it may be your only options when camping outside the US – expect lots of smoke and fumes and use in a well ventilated area.  White gas is the most recommended fuel for camping stoves, as it burns at high temps in virtually any weather and altitude.  Another plus, it’s widely available in the US.


Taking Care Of Your Camping Stove


One last note, before you go camping with either camping stove type; take your stove out to clean and do the basic maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer and by all means fire it up before you take to the wild outdoors.  Getting to your camp site only to find your stove not working…  well let’s just say it puts a damper on the whole vacation!


About the Author


Jana Puckett free lance writer & marketing consultant to industries including building products, camping, karate franchisees & pet grooming. Ms. Puckett is also owner of www.KazooCamping.com, a website devoted to quality family camping gear. Ms. Puckett lives in north Georgia and can be reached at dreamlivecamp@kazoocamping.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #1188385)


Article Source: http://trigger.articlesbase.com/ - What To Consider Before Purchasing A Family Camping Stove