Top 10 Tuesday-Good Eats

Anyone who knows me, knows that when it comes to cooking, I worship the ground that Alton Brown from "Good Eats" walks on. I've only come across one or two recipes of his that I didn't like and I've done LOADS of his recipes. So, today I'm going to list my top 10 recipes from Good Eats (and, yes, there are lots of desserts) that I've tried and probably tweaked slightly (which I will provide the tweaks). This could change, of course, since I'm always trying a new one here and there. These are in no particular order, but I must say, I always get rave reviews for the first two.

NOTE: I always recommend doing the original recipe first EXACTLY AS IT IS WRITTEN then make modifications the 2nd time. Even if you don't think an ingredient will taste good or is even necessary, it may be.

Fried Chicken

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/fried-chicken-recipe.html

If you look in the history of this blog, the full recipe (as well as tweaks) is in April of 2013, but basically, I use lard to fry with, use smoked paprika, and add some onion powder.

Spaghetti Bolognese

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/meat-sauce-and-spaghetti-recipe.html

Also in the history of this blog in May of 2013, because the original recipe takes a VERY long time, but I've simplified it without losing much of the flavor. I recommend original Prego sauce, btw.

The Chewy

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/the-chewy-recipe.html

Best chocolate chip cookies EVER! No adjustments necessary, except I usually press them down slightly with the palm of my hand once I dish them out. Definitely chill them (I usually make a little well in the middle so that it chills evenly) and use a disher to portion. If chewy isn't your thing, there is one for Puffy (cake-like) and Thin (thin and crispy). There is a gluten free recipe available too (for the chewy anyway).

Panzanella

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/tbl-panzanella-recipe.html

Essentially, this is a BLT in salad form. Especially if you cut back on the tomatoes by almost half (I think it is a bit much otherwise), increase the bacon by about 2 slices (use thick, peppered bacon too), and add about a tablespoon of mayo to the dressing. Also, use challah bread if you want a light and airy bread cube instead of a dense one.

Creme Brulee

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/creme-brulee-recipe.html

Easiest and best brulee you will ever have. No real changes. Just be sure and use a vanilla bean and the vanilla sugar. Oh and a water bath is essential when baking it.

Chicken Fried Steak

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chicken-fried-steak-recipe.html

No changes here either. Just don't trust a recipe if it calls it "country fried steak". :)

Cheesecake

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/sour-cream-cheesecake-recipe.html

No changes here either. This isn't New York style cheesecake, just so you know. Just don't rush anything. As Alton says, "your patience will be rewarded."

Roasted Turkey

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html

This one is a bit tricky because I use 2 recipes, actually. I use the brine (replacing half the vegetable stock with apple cider and omitting the ginger) from the above recipe, stuff it with a quartered apple, a couple of garlic cloves, a cinnamon stick, a quartered onion and a celery stalk microwaved for a minute or two with 1/3c water, then BAKE using the method from here (but I truss the bird too):

Perfect every time.

Baby Back Ribs

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/who-loves-ya-baby-back-recipe.html

No mods here either other than I up the garlic a bit, but I can't get enough garlic.

Tres Leche Cake

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/tres-leche-cake-recipe.html

New to my repertoire,but definitely a favorite. Use La Lechera evaporated and condensed milks if you can get them and I suggest cutting the sugar in the whipped cream down to 6 oz or less, it's just too sweet otherwise (to me, anyway).

A couple of honorable mentions:

Roasted brocolli (use Italian dressing in a pinch), pound cake (follow the recipe EXACTLY and before you add the dry it will look curdled, but that is ok), daiquiri (not that frozen crap, the real thing. Adjust the syrup to your liking and pour into a Coke for a Cuba Libre!), and last but not least bread and butter pickles.

Try and let me know if you like any of them!