Welcome to GrillingGoodEats.com!

How much charcoal should I use? How long does charcoal stay hot? What kind of grill should I buy? Which is better, gas or charcoal? Do I put the lid on or leave it off? Are those wood pellets any good?

These are all great questions. Whether you’re new to grilling or are looking to expand on your grilling expertise, you’re reading the right source. The answers are here.

This is a grilling 'how to' website for beginners, weekenders and experienced hands alike.  There's something for everyone here, consider this source as a blueprint for backyard grilling.

I take great pleasure in grilling good eats!

~ Mike Thayer

 

Celebrate National Deviled Egg Day

BachelorontheCheap.com

Everything is better with bacon!

Today, November 2, 2023, is National Deviled Egg Day.

I love deviled eggs, but as much as I also love eggs over easy or scrambled for breakfast, I tend not to have enough eggs on hand when the mood for deviled eggs hits me.  It's also getting close to Thanksgiving and with deviled eggs on many family menus for the holiday, here's my recipe to share, a great side dish for any grilled fare.

Mike's Classic Deviled Eggs topped with bacon - because everything is better with bacon! 

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 heaping Tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• A pinch of Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Smoked paprika (garnish)
• 1/4 cup bacon bits (garnish)
• Sliced green onion (garnish)
• A splash of pickle juice (optional)

Directions:

Boil the eggs.  Do you need directions on how to boil eggs?  Really?  Place eggs in a pan, fill the pan with cold water, about an inch above the eggs.  Bring water to a hard boil, then turn off the heat and cover for about 10 minutes.  Fill a decent size bowl with ice and water to make an ice bath (this is going to make peeling the eggs easier).  Using tongs, remove the eggs from the hot water at that 10 minute mark and place them in the ice bath to cool for about 10 minutes.  Gently tap the eggs on a hard surface and remove the shell, rinse and pat dry as needed.  Slice the eggs lengthwise and remove the yolks, then mash them with a fork in a medium sized bowl.  Add the mayo, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Mix well and then spoon into the empty egg whites.  Garnish with the smoked paprika, bacon bits and sliced green onion.  Serving Option:  There's still going to be a little of the yolk mixture left in the bowl, add a generous splash of pickle juice to create a bit of a 'crema' and drizzle that over the top of the eggs.  The 'crema' delivers a little extra twang on those deviled morsels of sinful delight!

I love these eggs because not only are they SO tasty, but they're an excellent source of protein (about 9 grams in two prepared egg halves) and this snack or side dish is relatively inexpensive to prepare, even with the bacon bits included.  

Enjoy National Deviled Egg Day!  

$pend Wisely My Friends...

~ Mike

Food Review: Sabatino's Smoked Chicken Sausage

Each link weighs in at 3 ounces

BachelorontheCheap.com

In my continued pursuit to eat healthier, gluten-free, and also reducing my consumption of red meat, I picked up some chicken sausages during my latest shopping trip at Costco.

I'm a sucker for just about any kind of sausage, ground, links, patties, pork, beef, and lately given the diet change, chicken.  Grabbing a package of Sabatino's Paleo Organic Basil & Cracked Black Pepper link sausages, I was looking forward to trying these, enticed by the mention of "Smoked" Chicken Sausage on the packaging.

These are fully cooked sausages, so all you have to do is heat them through and put some color on them if you're into presentation (no, the microwave option won't do that).

A chicken sausage in a Paella preparation

I prepared them in a variety of ways in sampling, in the frying pan, and on the grill. Some were nuked in the microwave and I even included some as part of a Paella dish.  I enjoyed them best grilled.  I really didn't get much of a smoky flavor though except for those prepared on the grill.  That was a disappointment, I was hoping for that smoky element in the finish regardless of the preparation method, but these links don't deliver on that if not prepared on the grill.

The snap on the bite was unremarkable with the exception of the grilled preparation.  Overall the links lacked a juicy 'pop' of flavor.  It's a quality sausage, but not a flavor profile I'm into.  I prefer basil as a complimentary flavor, not the predominant one.  These are a bit herbal and basil-forward to my liking.  I'm a fan of black pepper and you definitely get that note in each bite, along with the pleasant flavors of onion, and garlic, common ingredients in just about any sausage.  What's missing is a bit of a spice kick.

Costing about $15 for a 12-link package at Costco, I'm giving Sabatino's Paleo Organic Basil & Cracked Black Pepper Smoked Sausage 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars.  They're reasonably priced, each link weighs in at about 3 ounces so that breaks down to $1.25 each for an organic sausage.  However the flavor profile is a bit boring, and the casing lacks the pop factor except in a grilled preparation.  I'll pass on buying these again and will look for another chicken sausage to try on my next shopping trip.

$pend Wisely My Friends...

~ Mike

T.W. Garner Food Company Issues Voluntary Recall on Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce Due to Undeclared Soy

Summary

Product Type:  Food & Beverages

Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Soy

Company Name:  T.W. Garner Food Company

Brand Name: Texas Pete

Product Description: Buffalo Wing Sauce

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Company Announcement

T.W. Garner Food Company is voluntarily recalling 50,688 bottles of 12 oz. Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce with best used by 120623T 065239 UPC 0 75500 10011 6 because some of the bottles may contain Texas Pete® Extra Mild Wing Sauce which contains soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life- threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The product can be identified as a 12 oz. glass bottle with orange sauce, called Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce. The only product affected has best used by 120623T 065239 printed on the cap of the product.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after a report was received from a direct customer that a bottle labeled as Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce was located instead of Texas Pete® Extra Mild Wing Sauce. The bottle of Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce was missing the allergen declaration of soy. Investigation indicates the problem was caused by applying the wrong label during a portion of the production run.

Product was shipped to distribution centers and retail stores located in AL, CT, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX & VA. Consumers with a soy allergy or sensitivity who have purchased Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce with a best used by 120623T 065239 with a UPC 0 75500 10011 6 are urged not to consume the product and dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Mrs. Katerine Cardoso, Quality Assurance Manager at (336) 231-6417 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm EST or email at [email protected].

---

Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Mrs. Katerine Cardoso

(336) 231-6417

[email protected]

 

About BachelorontheCheap.com: Shopping, food, and service reviews, cost comparisons, and more

Being a bachelor and living life well but with a budget in mind, I review products and services and report on the best deals.  I post my shopping experiences online, benefiting customers and businesses alike.

On this site, you'll find shopping and service reviews, food reviews, bar reviews, product reviews, cost comparisons, hacks, tips, recipes, product recalls, and much more!

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Mike Thayer, writer, blogger, foodie, grillmaster, shopper, lifestyle & leisure influencer

BachelorontheCheap.com

Grilling Good Eats: A Beginner's Guide to Grilling Kindle Edition, by Mike Thayer

How much charcoal should I use? How long does charcoal stay hot? What kind of grill should I buy? Which is better, gas or charcoal? Do I put the lid on or leave it off? How do I know if the steak is done?

• This is a grilling 'how to' resource for beginners, weekenders and experienced hands alike. There's something for everyone here, consider this a blueprint for backyard grilling.
• Featuring mouthwatering recipes for beef, chicken, pork, lamb, fish, veggies and specialty items like pizza, desserts and much more.
• Each chapter is dedicated to putting you on the path to becoming a grill master, from selecting the right cuts of meat at the store, to serving up that mouthwatering grilled fare that will have your guests reaching for seconds and begging you for the recipe.
• You'll love the flavorful recipes, from appetizers, to main dishes, to sides and desserts, complete with pictures, step-by-step instructions, tips and serving suggestions.
• It's all about the flavor, and this book will help you deliver it.

Set to release on October 31, you can pre-order the book now and it will be on you Kindle on Monday!  Order Today.

The Living on Appetizers Challenge: Crab Dip & Toasted Garlic Bread - Bachelor on the Cheap

By Mike Thayer

Can a guy live on just appetizers alone? I'm going to find out. Over the next couple weeks, I'm preparing, eating and, 'surviving' on appetizers alone.

Baked Crap Dip & Toasted Baguettes

I love a good crab dip, but that's not easy to do when you live in the Midwest....  It's not like good, fresh crab is readily available and canned crab is, well, eh....  Hopefully you've got a nice seafood shop near you that offers lump crab meat.  In a pinch, the imitation stuff will do, it's better than canned which undoubtedly will have shell bits in it.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lump crab meat
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup chopped green onion, reserve some for garnish
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Louisiana Hot Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• The juice from one lemon
• Baguette, sliced
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

It's another dose of YUM!

Directions:  Mix all ingredients (except the baguettes and melted garlic butter of course) together in a medium sized bowl.  Transfer to a cast iron skillet and grill over indirect heat on the grill until bubbly, golden brown, and delicious, about 45 minutes.  About 10 minutes before pulling from the grill, melt the garlic butter in a grill safe bowl and toast the sliced baguettes, brushing them with the garlic butter on both sides until golden, brown and delicious.  Serve the baked dip on the toast and enjoy!

You would pay high dollar to get this kind of an appetizer in a restaurant and finding a restaurant that even has this appetizer on the menu could prove to be a challenge.  Making this yourself makes sense and it's SO tasty!  It's another dose of YUM!

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Help support the continued content for Shopping, Dining, Best Deals, Product & Service Reviews, Tips, Hacks, Recipes and other great information by buying me a coffee. Your support to keep Bachelor on the Cheap a free resource is much appreciated! ~ Mike

follow me on twitter @Bacheloronthe1

The Bachelor on the Cheap guide to making wine selection and food pairing easier - Grenache

By Mike Thayer

This is the ninth of an ongoing series of wines and food pairings

Wine, it's the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, a go-to for a casual get-together/party and a holiday meal is complimented by it.  Whether it's a meal for two, a small party for friends or a gathering of family, having the right wine elevates the occasion. 

And while most people follow the basic rule of thumb - red wine for beef and white wine for chicken - selecting the right wine can still be challenging.  What KIND of red for that roast beef?  Or, What KIND of white for that lemon chicken dish?  Does dessert call for a different wine?

The choices are many and can be intimidating, with the reds there's Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel; Syrah/Shiraz; Malbec; Pinot Noir; Nebbiolo; Sangiovese; Grenache and all kinds of red blends to choose from.

With the whites there's Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; Moscato; Pinot Grigio; Riesling; Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Torrontes, Albarino and yes, white wine has it's share of blends as well.

So you walk into the liquor store in need of a bottle of wine for a dinner date or special occasion... 

Sure, you can rely on the store attendant to help you with a selection but that can be hit or miss.  A good attendant will ask you if you prefer wines on the sweeter or dryer side and what you might be pairing it with.  But keep in mind the attendant's palate is different than yours, their sweet and dry preferences are different than yours and they might try to push a particular brand on you that's in the store's best interest, not yours.  So why not walk in the store knowing what you need?  That's what this guide is for, to help you with food pairings, what is sweet, what is dry and getting a good wine for under $15 a bottle.  That's the Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly thing to do, get something nice, without paying too much for it.

For previous reviews, click on the link below:

• The first wine and food pairing article featured Merlot. 
• The second article featured Cabernet Sauvignon. 
• The third article featured Zinfandel
• The fourth article featured Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz
• The Fifth article featured Malbec
• The Sixth article featured Pinot Noir
• The Seventh article featured Nebbiolo
• The Eighth article featured Sangiovese

Today's featured wine:  Grenache

Originally cultivated in Spain, the Grenache grape is now common in wine valleys around the world.  The Grenache is sold as a single varietal but it's most popular by producers as a blending grape due to its medium to low acidity, medium tannins and high alcohol.   This wine has fruity notes of black cherry, raspberry and strawberry balanced with some spice such as star anise, cinnamon and black pepper.  Grenache pairs really well with slow cooked meats, hearty stews and chili.  For meatless options think oven baked pasta dishes with cheese and veggies to include mushrooms, bell peppers, eggplant and zucchini.  The cheeses you'll want on your charcuterie board should include pepper jack, brie and mild cheddar.  For dessert be sure to select a sweet Grenache (the longer its aged, the drier it gets), this is a good red wine for a classic pairing with chocolate, pretty much chocolate anything.  Serve it slightly chilled, at 60 - 65 degrees, refrigerate about 30 minutes before serving and after popping the cork, let it breathe for about 10 minutes. 

Bachelor on the Cheap Recomendation:  Vega Sindoa El Chaparral Grenache - $15.  Hailing from Spain, this is a critically acclaimed wine by the Wine Advocate.  Winemaker notes:  Bright red. Suave raspberry and cherry preserve aromas are compelling and sexy. Musky herbal and floral qualities add complexity to the nose but fade into the red berry aromas, which continue on the palate.persistent.

Next Up in the series:  White wines are up next!

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Help support the continued content for Shopping, Dining, Best Deals, Product & Service Reviews, Tips, Hacks, Recipes and other great information by buying me a coffee. Your support to keep Bachelor on the Cheap a free resource is much appreciated! ~ Mike

follow me on twitter @Bacheloronthe1

 

Product Review: Kingsford Onion, Garlic & Paprika Flavored Charcoal

How much garlic, onion & paprika flavor will this deliver?

By Mike Thayer

Make no mistake, I am a charcoal enthusiast.  In my humble opinion, for a grilled meal, you can't beat charcoal and a Weber Kettle. 

I do like to throw some added flavor through wood in combination with the charcoal, chunks of pecan wood to do up some brats, chunks of a fruit wood for pork or chunks of oak for beef.  It all depends on what you're grilling or smoking.  The key is creating layers of flavor.

I recently did a review of Kingsford's Cumin Chili Flavored Charcoal and I really like it. I have to admit that I was initially skeptical of 'spice flavored smoke,' thinking, "How much spice flavor will that actually crank out?" and "Isn't that what spices, rubs and marinades are for?  Talk about lazy grilling...." 

I lost all skepticism I had for 'spice flavored smoke' when I dumped the chimney of that Cumin Chili charcoal.  You can smell all those spice notes, it's like I was already grilling something and I hadn't even put any food on the grill yet!  The aroma of the cumin and chili was enticing and it did indeed help create depth of flavor in the chicken I fired up that day.

So today, I'm reviewing Kingsford Onion, Garlic & Paprika Flavored Charcoal.

Here is the description pulled from the Kingsford website:

Garlic Onion Paprika:  "Savory, caramelized flavor featuring an earthy base of garlic paired with the mildly sweet notes of onion and warmth of paprika."  The flavored briquettes are hickory based.

It's a celebration of bacon!

In testing how much flavor this charcoal delivers, I did a "Celebration of Bacon," grilling up bacon cheddar brats, bacon wrapped hot dogs and bacon wrapped Kielbasa.  You can't beat a brat done right on the grill and everything is better with bacon!  I used to do beer brats, then I experimented with wine and doing brats in those ways are tasty, but my favorite way to do brats is to just let them pick up the smoke flavor over indirect heat and my go-to wood for brats is pecan.

How did the Garlic Onion & Paprika charcoal do?

I continue to be a fan of the Kingsford line of 'spice flavored smoke.'  All of the meats I prepared on the Weber were delicious, complimented with those notes of garlic, onion and paprika.  And complimented is a key word, it's not overpowering smoke, it lets the deliciousness of the meat shine!  The brats had that nice crisp, snap of a bite when puncturing the skin, the sausage inside was juicy and there was that nice smoky spice flavor throughout.   The dawgs, Kielbasa and bacon was all good too, but those brats were the best.

In the bag, traditional Kingsford briquettes and 'Signature Flavor' briquettes

Costing me $13.99 for an 12 pound bag, I'm giving Kingsford Onion, Garlic & Paprika Flavored Charcoal 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  It's reasonably priced and most definitely delivers another layer of flavor on whatever you're grilling!  This charcoal is certainly a repeat buy and I can't wait to try the Basil, Sage & Thyme flavor!  Marinade and/or dry rub (on this day it was bacon & black pepper)+ Kingsford Flavored Charcoal = Another Dose of YUM!

 

I take great pleasure in grilling good eats!

~ Mike Thayer

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Related:  Product Review: Kingsford Cumin Chili Flavored Charcoal - Grillinggoodeats.com

The brats really picked up the flavored smoke

A juicy brat, with a nice smoky bite

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help support the continued content for Shopping, Dining, Best Deals, Product & Service Reviews, Tips, Hacks, Recipes and other great information by buying me a coffee. Your support to keep Bachelor on the Cheap a free resource is much appreciated! ~ Mike

follow me on twitter @Bacheloronthe1

A Bachelor on the Cheap Shopping Tip Alert: Father's Day Gift Shopping Deal at Sam's Club

Available at Sam's Club

By Mike Thayer

SHOPPING TIP ALERT!

I wrote earlier today about Father's Day coming up and recommended gifting something with a grilling theme. 

Ladies and gents, Father's Day is approaching. If you're considering getting a husband/dad/boyfriend a grilled themed gift (a VERY wise choice by the way) then consider the following: Grilling Tip #9: Do NOT use a fork of any kind to grill! Forks pierce the meat, letting those juices sizzle down into the charcoal and once those juices are gone, they’re gone, leaving you with the same situation as tip #8 - eating a dry piece of meat lacking great flavor. Avoid grill crime.

 

Do NOT buy a grilling tool set that has a fork in it. And stay away from wooden handled ones, the varnish eventually wears off and can flake off on the food. Go with silicone handle sets. https://www.grillinggoodeats.com/grilling-tips-tools/

Here's a perfect deal with that in mind!

Sam's Club has a BBQ Grilling Gift Set that normally retails for $39.98, for just $9.91!   Fork NOT included, which is a very smart thing.

This is a steal of a deal that includes BBQ sauce, a veggie roaster seasoning blend, pink Himalayan salt with grinder, two spice rubs, a basting brush, meat claws (pulled pork anyone?), metal tongs and a cutting board!  This is a PHENOMENAL  DEAL.  You're not going to find a better one, all this stuff for just $9.91?

All that for just $9.91!

And who doesn't love a cutting board in the shape of a pig?

This is available at Sam's Club and I'm sure it's a limited time offer kind of thing, available for as long as supplies last.  Don't wait too long, they're going to be gone before you know it.  These kits just went on sale and when I went in to pick one up today just after the lunch hour, the display as you entered the store was nearly picked through.  I'm sure there are more kits stashed in the back, but that's how fast these things are going.

This is a winner of a gift made available by Sam's Club, it's a deal you just can't pass up - it's only $9.91!.

Dad, husband, boyfriend will have a VERY Happy Father's Day receiving this great gift.

This deal gets 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars!

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Also available online for shipment to/pickup at your favorite Sam's Club

I hope you appreciate the shopping tip!

Help support the continued content for Shopping, Dining, Best Deals, Product & Service Reviews, Tips, Hacks, Recipes and other great information by buying me a coffee. Your support to keep Bachelor on the Cheap a free resource is much appreciated! ~ Mike

follow me on twitter @Bacheloronthe1

The Bachelor on the Cheap guide to making wine selection and food pairing easier - Sangiovese

By Mike Thayer

This is the eighth of an ongoing series of wines and food pairings

Wine, it's the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, a go-to for a casual get-together/party and a holiday meal is complimented by it.  Whether it's a meal for two, a small party for friends or a gathering of family, having the right wine elevates the occasion. 

And while most people follow the basic rule of thumb - red wine for beef and white wine for chicken - selecting the right wine can still be challenging.  What KIND of red for that roast beef?  Or, What KIND of white for that lemon chicken dish?  Does dessert call for a different wine?

The choices are many and can be intimidating, with the reds there's Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel; Syrah/Shiraz; Malbec; Pinot Noir; Nebbiolo; Sangiovese; Grenache and all kinds of red blends to choose from.

With the whites there's Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; Moscato; Pinot Grigio; Riesling; Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Torrontes, Albarino and yes, white wine has it's share of blends as well.

So you walk into the liquor store in need of a bottle of wine for a dinner date or special occasion... 

Sure, you can rely on the store attendant to help you with a selection but that can be hit or miss.  A good attendant will ask you if you prefer wines on the sweeter or dryer side and what you might be pairing it with.  But keep in mind the attendant's palate is different than yours, their sweet and dry preferences are different than yours and they might try to push a particular brand on you that's in the store's best interest, not yours.  So why not walk in the store knowing what you need?  That's what this guide is for, to help you with food pairings, what is sweet, what is dry and getting a good wine for under $15 a bottle.  That's the Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly thing to do, get something nice, without paying too much for it.

For previous reviews, click on the link below:

• The first wine and food pairing article featured Merlot. 
• The second article featured Cabernet Sauvignon. 
• The third article featured Zinfandel
• The fourth article featured Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz
• The Fifth article featured Malbec
• The Sixth article featured Pinot Noir
• The Seventh article featured Nebbiolo

Today's featured wine:  Sangiovese

Sangiovese is a dry, acidic wine that is known as a "chameleon" grape, to mean that different wines using this grape can be notably different. The vast majority of Sangiovese is produced in the central region of Tuscany, Italy.   Look for tasting notes of cherry and herbal, earthy tones.  Because it's so acidic, stick to savory foods, this is a good dinner wine.  Pairing well with just about anything tomato based, Sangiovese also matches up nicely with spicy dishes.  Consider pairing it with meat dishes featuring a savory cherry sauce to take advantage of the cherry notes in the wine - think grilled pork loin.  Load up your charcuterie board with salami, prosciutto, calabrese and pecorino cheese.  When it comes to non-meat dishes, serve this wine alongside hearty bean soups or gnocchi in a brown butter and herb sauce.  Pass on this wine when it comes to sweets however, NOT a good match.  Serve it slightly chilled, at 60 - 65 degrees, refrigerate about 30 minutes before serving. 

Bachelor on the Cheap Recomendation: Caparzo Sangiovese - $9.99.   This wine is from Italy, Tuscany region, Toscano sub-region.  Best with red meat, pasta with meat sauces, bean and barley soups.  Winemaker notes:  Intense ruby color. Fruity, spicy aromas. The palate is full, fruity, persistent.

Next Up in the series:  Grenache

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Help support the continued content for Shopping, Dining, Best Deals, Product & Service Reviews, Tips, Hacks, Recipes and other great information by buying me a coffee. Your support to keep Bachelor on the Cheap a free resource is much appreciated! ~ Mike

follow me on twitter @Bacheloronthe1