Little Bites

 

MADE IN GRIDDLE: If you are going to make smash burgers, you have to have a griddle. But I see no reason why you need to buy a standalone griddle like a Blackstone to achieve griddle greatness. All you need is this Made In Griddle. It stretches across two burners on your stovetop....or you can take it out and throw it on your grill, be it charcoal, gas or electric.

It's made from carbon steel....which are the only pans I use for cooking anymore.....same as 99% of the restaurant kitchens. It has all the heat retention of cast iron without the weight penalty. And it's non-stick, just like cast iron. The more you use it, the more non-stick it becomes. And it's less expensive than cast iron.

Becky gifted me a PK360 charcoal grill about 5 years back. I am so in love with it, I have been able to get rid of all the multiple grills I have had. No more smokers. One grill does it all......grilling.  smoking, offset cooking and griddling....the latter thanks to this griddle. It retails for $179 and you will want to will it to your kids when you die. This sucker will outlast the next 8 generations of your offspring.

DAAWAT ULTIMA BASMATI RICE: Becky and I love rice. It's one of our favorite sides for meals. And Basmati rice is at the top of the charts, typically sourced from India and Pakistan. It's often compared to Jasmine rice, which comes from Thailand.

Both are long grain and cook up with virtually no stickiness. But Basmati rice actually elongates as it cooks....Jasmine does not. Jasmine rice is light and has a floral aromatic quality to it. Basmati has a nutty, popcorn-like aroma....which goes really well with grilled meats.

I've been buying Daawat rice for years....it's always at the top of the list for Cook's Illustrated  editors. But recently I stumbled upon their premium product. It's far more aromatic and much longer than their regular Basmati. In fact, it's the best Basmati rice I have ever tasted. It's also incredibly affordable. I scored a 10-pound bag from Walmart for only $19.98.