These are recipes I have cooked in the firehouse or at home.

I enjoy cooking.  Back in the day, I would make it a point to cook for one of my stations on the weekend.  This Sausages and Grapes recipe was one of the favorites.  I served it over Cheesy Polenta.

It seems that everyone has a favorite meat loaf recipe.  I adapted my wife’s Mini Meat Loaf recipe for the fire house.  You can leave off the bacon if you wish, but why would you?

My wife and I made this recipe the other night and we both loved it. I told her that I was going to add it to the Fire Brief because it was so good, easy, cheap and great for the firehouse! It comes from Tieghan Gerard at Halfbakedharvest.com. Such “Comfort Food”, 30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen is full of flavor and so simple even a “rookie” can handle it. Some suggestions: We cut up the chicken (boneless breasts or thighs) before we add them in to avoid the shredding mentioned in the recipe. Also, break apart the ramen before adding it unless you enjoy the traditional experience of slurping up the ramen noodles. And, you may want to double the recipe for a 4-5 person house.

Pork Chop and Apple Casserole is easy to scale up or down depending on the size of the crew.  I like to use nice, thick pork chops and brine them for several hours to help keep them moist.

I enjoyed getting invitations to dinners, especially when one of our Captains was making his famous Cajun Pasta!  Be careful!  This one will put you in a “Carb Coma”!

I have had plenty of dry, bland chicken dishes at the firehouse.  One easy way to impart more flavor and moisture into your chicken recipes is to brine the meat for 2 to 12 hours.   Here is a link to a basic brine.  I really like this Bourbon Brine for Chicken.  Brining works great for pork.

The Chef Show on Netflix quickly became a favorite during the lock down of 2020!  When we saw the episode with Mexican Street Corn, we knew we had to try it!

It is often said that every rookie needs to learn to cook 3 good meals.  Crock Pot Curry Chicken is so easy, even a rookie can pull it off!  Serve with a salad and you have an easy meal that doesn’t need a lot of attention or make a big mess!

You can ask my wife…I will try just about any food wrapped in a tortilla! Anytime we are near the coast, I’m looking for fish tacos on the menu! But living 5 hours from the coast and on a public servant’s salary makes enjoying fish tacos at home a bit difficult. I adapted various recipes to come up with Po’ Firefighters’ Fish Tacos. For a healthier version, replace the fish sticks with fresh fish and limit the use of the sauces.

Today’s recipe is very simple and quick but tastes great!  Giada de Laurentiis’ Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil is a favorite.  We substitute spinach for the arugula as it is easier to find and less expensive.  I suggest you do all the “prep work” first as the dish comes together very quickly and you don’t want to overcook the shrimp!

My wife and I visited the Napa Valley several years ago and had a wonderful dinner at Mustards Grill.  I still make their Braised Red Cabbage quite often.

Sausage and Peppers Pasta is another dinner that is full of flavor and easy to put together.  You can make it a bit healthier by using chicken instead of the sausage.  Just use some southwest style seasoning for the chicken.  Please cook the pasta in well salted water!

Quick mustard mashed potatoes goes well with grilled brats for a take on “Bangers and Mash”.  Add some grilled or roasted zucchini and you have a quick and easy dinner.

Easy Avocado Pasta is simple to make and scale.  Serve with a salad for a filling, meatless meal!

Super duper bean salad is a favorite dish for that old tradition of Pot Luck dinners.  It makes a lot and will keep well for a whole work cycle.

From time to time the “Food Fund” seems to get a bit light.  My grocer often has chicken drumsticks marked down to less than $2 for a pack of 5!  Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks from the Food Network are easy and flavorful!

Everyone loves a BBQ! I often add apple butter to house brand sweet and tangy BBQ sauce when I smoke pork.  Alabama White BBQ Sauce and Easy Eastern North Carolina BBQ Sauce are my other “go to” BBQ sauces.

My wife and I create “Burrito Bowls” based on fish, chicken, beef or pork.  They are easy…prepare some rice and squeeze in some lime.  Bake or grill the well seasoned protein, add some prepared fresh or frozen veggies and well seasoned black beans.  Top with salsa, avocados and sour cream/yogurt/cheese.  (Watch the salt and those last ingredients for a healthier option)

3/19/23