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Baked Chicken Recipe better than fried chicken

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baked curry chicken

It’s not fried chicken, but just barely. This is a simple and delicious recipe for folks who like juicy chicken more than greasy chicken, so give this baked chicken recipe a try.

What you need for this Baked Chicken Recipe

2½ lbs. CHICKEN (skin removed)
1 cup MILK (I use almond milk, but buttermilk is cool)
HOT SAUCE (to taste)
1 cup BREAD CRUMBS
3 tsp CURRY POWDER
1 tsp GARLIC POWDER
1 tsp ONION POWDER
1 tsp ONION SALT (or regular salt, adjust to taste)
½ tsp GROUND MUSTARD
1 tsp PAPRIKA
*add ½ tsp red pepper if you want a kick

baked curry chicken

How to “Bake” Fried Chicken

Buy skinless or remove the skin and clean and rinse 2-2½ lbs. of chicken pieces. I love the dark meat, so I usually use thighs, but use whatever cuts you like and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Spread the chicken out in a shallow bowl and dash with hot sauce to taste. Add one cup of milk. I like to use almond milk, but my mama always used buttermilk. Allow the chicken to soak 30-60 minutes.

In a ziplock bag, add the remainder of ingredients and mix.

2 pieces at a time, add chicken to the ziplock bag and turn until coated. Sealing plenty of air in the bag will help coat the chicken pieces easily and evenly.

Place pieces on a non-stick or lightly-oiled baking pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
Periodically check on the pieces as oven cooking times will vary.
After 30 minutes, or when the pieces are well on their way to cooking, turn them, and continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.

Curry gives the chicken a wonderful color, and it looks very much like fried chicken, although not as crunchy as fried chicken. For extra crunchiness, broil the pieces for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Give this baked chicken recipe a go and let me know what you think!

If you’re new to home cooking, just get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different ingredients and recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. You can check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon. Or just go to a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.

And when you’re tired of chicken, try this Juicy Pork Loin Recipe.

pork loin chop

Thanks for checking out our baked chicken recipe, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
–Chef Buck

Thanks for watching our recipe videos!

We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

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Lentil Soup Recipe with Ginger

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lentil ginger soup

A lentil soup recipe! Doesn’t that sound like all of your dreams are coming true? Pick up some brightly colored lentils and give this lentil soup recipe a try.

What you Need for this Lentil Soup Recipe:

1 ½ cups LENTILS
5-6 cups WATER (or ½ water ½ broth)
1 large ONION (finely chopped)
2 Tbsp fresh GINGER (finely chopped)
1 hot PEPPER (finely chopped)
2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 tsp CUMIN SEEDS
½ tsp TUMERIC POWDER
1 tsp CORIANDER POWDER
1 14 oz can DICED TOMATOES (or 2 Lg tomatoes, diced)
SALT and BLACK PEPPER to taste
CILANTRO LEAVES for garnish (coriander leaves)

How to Make the Soup:

If you need a nice soup pot for your kitchen, you can check here for current pricing for a soup pot on Amazon.

  • In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. When oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and allow cooking for about 1 minute. After a minute the seeds will begin to open, at this point add the onion and hot pepper and allow cooking until the onions soften and become translucent.
  • Now, add ginger, coriander, and turmeric and continue mixing ingredients over medium heat.
    Add tomatoes, mix, and cook with ingredients for 2 minutes.
  • Add lentils (be sure to wash and rinse first). Red or yellow lentils will make this dish look extra yummy. Darker lentils will taste equally as good—the dish just won’t win a beauty contest—but use whatever kind you have, ultimately, your stomach won’t know the difference.
  • Add water, or a combination of water/broth.
  • Next, bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat, then cover the pot loosely and allow ingredients to simmer for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste. Add more water as needed, but sparingly—you don’t want your soup to be too thin. Cover pot loosely and continue cooking another 15-20 minutes.

Final Steps:

  • When the lentils are soft and completely cooked, lightly blend the soup to add a creamy consistency. A hand-held stick blender works great—a few quick pulses and voilà! If a stick blender is not handy (rim shot), simply remove a few cups of the soup to a table top blender, smooth, and return to the pot. This step isn’t necessary, but do it; just do it.
  • If the soup is thinner than you like, continue to simmer briefly—but remember, the lentils, like rice, will continue to absorb water and thicken the soup on their own.
  • Garnish with cilantro (coriander leaves) and serve with French bread for optimal taste satisfaction.

Keep Coming Back To See What’s New!

Bon appétit!

And, if you like bread with your soup, you might love trying this Fancy Egg Bread Recipe, it’s one of my favorites.

egg bread
baked egg bread with rosemary seasoning

Thanks for checking the recipes out! If you liked it, click some of the buttons below and share it with your friends and family, I appreciate it.
–Buck

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Calamari Salad Recipe …easy squid dish!

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calamari salad squid

Calamari salad makes a great addition to any potluck! Also, Dr. Freud theorized the squid to be the unconscious driver underlying all human action. This recipe builds on that theory, and adds carrots.

What you need for a Calamari Salad

1 lb SQUID
½ cup CARROT (strings)
½ cup CUCUMBER (sticks)
1/3 cup CILANTRO or BASIL LEAVES (chopped)
1 tsp GINGER (minced)
1 tsp SESAME OIL
1 Tbsp extra virgin OLIVE OIL
1 Tbsp RICE WINE VINEGAR
1 tsp CHILI GARLIC SAUCE (or sub hot sauce to taste)
1 Tbsp LEMON JUICE
SOY SAUCE (to taste)
½ tsp SESAME SEEDS
SALT (to taste)

How to make Calamari Salad

Start with 1 lb. of cleaned squid. I’ve used fresh and frozen squid for this recipe and both work well—and smaller squid work best for salad—which is something to think about when choosing your squid; buying them frozen and already cleaned is much nicer than cleaning a dozen dinky cephalopods.

Cut squid into thin rings (1/4 inch max) and boil in salted water for 25 seconds (yep—they’ll cook up that fast). Drain, then rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking (over-boiled squid can be quite rubbery).

In a large bowl, combine sesame oil, olive oil, vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and ginger (also salt to taste—or dress with soy sauce). Mix well.

Add squid, carrot, cucumber, and cilantro and toss with dressing.
Add lemon juice (or substitute lime juice). Add soy sauce to taste.

Mix all, top with sesame seeds, and serve over a bed of mixed greens.
It’s light, tasty, and suctioncupalicious.

Wanna try squid in another dish? One of my favorite uses for calamari is in a Seafood Pancake Recipe, which sounds weird, but try it, you’ll like it.

shrimp pancake
Korean style Haemul Pajeon seafood pancake

Thanks for checking out the calamari salad recipe. If you enjoyed it, click some of the clickables below to share the recipe with your friends. I appreciate it!
–Chef Buck

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Pita Chips Recipe for a baked, spicy, pita snack

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spicy pita chips

Pita chips are easy to make and you can bake them up quickly using your favorite spices. You can’t have hummus without pita chips! I mean, you can, but…why? Pita chips go great with all kinds of dips and are excellent with salads or just as an alternative to your run-of-the-mill potato chip.

Pita Chips Ingredients:
1 pkg. PITA BREAD
OLIVE OIL
SALT
SPICES: curry powder, garlic powder, cajun seasonings, etc. (whatever you like)

Cut pitas into triangular chip shapes. Each pita will easily yield 12 chips. Soak one side of each pita triangle in olive oil and stack pitas so the soaked side of one is stacked against the unsoaked side of the next. Press stacked chips together—this will flatten the chips and suffuse the oil throughout.
Arrange chips on a flat baking sheet. Salt to taste. Add spices—the more the better, in my opinion. I usually bake three distinct batches. Curry is probably my favorite—just salt and lots of curry on a toasted pita chip, it’s delicious. Garlic is great, too. Try some Tony Chachere’s seasoning (or comparable cajun seasoning) on a chip—or simply add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper with Cumin. Whatever your favorite seasonings are, give them a try.
Bake the chips 8-10 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Oven cooking times vary, so keep an eye on your first batch to see how long it takes to toast them the way you like—they will burn quickly if forgotten. I like mine CRISP. One side of the pita will be thinner than the other side and some triangles may need to be removed from the oven before the other chips are done. You’ll figure it out.
Give this pita chips recipe a try and let me know what you think, and…
Bon appétit!

Want to make hummus right now? Check out this Classic Hummus Recipe.
spicy pita chips

Thanks for Watching our Pita Chips Recipe Video

Click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

If you like what CG and I do, support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

We include affiliate links for products on our website. Making a purchase after clicking on our links and we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

If you’re new to home cooking, get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. Check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon as well as Complete Starter Spice Kits. Or try a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.

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Spicy Couscous Recipe …how to make a quick side dish

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spicy couscous

Anyone up for a spicy couscous recipe? Couscous is a quick and simple dish, so naturally I love it. It makes a great pairing with fish, and both can be cooked up quickly. I usually start with plain couscous and spice it up myself, it is simple to do and much yummier than any overpriced pre-made couscous mix you’ll buy at the market.

What You Need To Make This Spicy Couscous Recipe

1 cup COUSCOUS
2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 medium ONION (chopped)
3 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
1 HOT PEPPER (finely chopped)
1 tsp MUSTARD SEEDS
1 tsp CHILI POWDER
1 tsp PAPRIKA
½ tsp TURMERIC POWDER
1 tsp TOMATO PASTE
1 ½ cup WATER (or broth)
SALT (to taste)

couscous recipe
Spicy couscous makes a tasty side dish, and it is fast and easy to prepare …and did I mention cheap?

How To Make Spicy Couscous

Heat olive oil on medium high heat and then add onions.
Stir for 1 minute and add mustard seeds, hot pepper, and garlic.
Continue sautéing for a couple more minutes.
Stir in chili powder, paprika, and turmeric.
Add salt and tomato paste and mix well.

Pour in 1 ½ cups of water, stir, cover pot and turn up the heat and bring the pot to a boil.
After ingredients come to a boil, stir in the couscous and mix well. Cover and remove from heat and allow pot to sit for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes the couscous will have completely absorbed all the water.
Uncover and immediately fluff with a fork; this will keep the couscous for overcooking and becoming a sticky, starchy mess; couscous should be light and fluffy, and in this case, nice and spicy, too.
Give this spicy couscous recipe a try, and I hope you like it.
Bon appétit!

This couscous recipe goes great with this DELICIOUS BLACKENED FISH RECIPE!

blackened fish mahi mahi
Click image to watch this easy Blackened Fish recipe

Thanks for watching my couscous recipe video. If you liked it, then used the buttons below to share the recipe with your friends. Thanks!
-Chef Buck

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Quinoa Recipe — Spicy Spanish Style Quinoa

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spanish quinoa

Try this spicy Spanish-style quinoa recipe; it’s vegetarian heaven. Quinoa is a versatile ingredient and an excellent source of protein. Quinoa is a grain-like superfood and a great substitute for rice, and just as easy to prepare. I use it often as an alternative to rice–even in rice pudding. Give this quinoa recipe a try; I’m sure you’ll be eating a whole lot less rice in the future, and not missing it at all.

What You Need For This Quinoa Recipe

  • 1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
  • 1 ½ cups QUINOA (check current prices for quinoa on Amazon)
  •  ½ cup RED ONION (minced, separated)
  • 3-5 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
  •  ½ large RED BELL PEPPER (minced, separated)
  • 1 14 oz can DICED TOMATO (reserve juice)
  • 1 15 oz can KIDNEY BEANS (drained, rinsed)
  • 1 tsp CUMIN powder
  • 1 tsp CHILI powder
  • 2 cups WATER, including drained tomato liquid
  • ½ cup CILANTRO (fresh, chopped)
  • 1 small CUCUMBER (diced, peeled if waxed)
  • 1 AVOCADO (seeded, peeled, diced)
  • 1/3 cup LIME JUICE (freshly squeezed)
  • SALT and PEPPER to taste

quinoa recipe
uncooked quinoa…looks like a grain, but it’s a seed.

How to Make Spanish Quinoa

  • Open the canned tomato and drain the tomato liquid into a measuring cup. Add enough water to equal 2 cups.
  • Heat oil on medium high. Saute garlic, 2/3 of the onion and 1/3 of the red pepper for 2-3 minutes. [the rest of the onion and red pepper will be added raw at the end.]
  • Add quinoa.
  • Stir in tomatoes with green chilies, kidney beans, cumin and chili powder and water/tomato juice mixture.  Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce to medium low and cook approx. 15 minutes. The liquid will be absorbed.
  • Remove from the heat and let sit for about 10 minutes and then fluff with a fork. Allow quinoa to cool some, you want it to be warm, not piping hot when you add the rest of the ingredients.
  • After quinoa has cooled some, add in the remaining onion and pepper pieces, and the chopped cilantro.  Mix. Then add cucumber and avocado and lime juice (or sub lemon juice). Toss gently.
  • And then serve.
  • Give this spicy Spanish quinoa recipe a try and let me know what you think, and…

Bon appétit!

For another tasty vegetarian recipe, try this Easy Eggplant Burger Recipe.

veggie burger recipe
Veggie burger recipe with blackened eggplant

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Spaghetti Squash Recipe — Mediterranean Style

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mediterrean spaghetti squash

I love this Mediterranean spaghetti squash recipe; its super tasty, and I can eat way too much without feeling too guilty. Watch the video and learn how to easily cook this squash. It’s a terrific ingredient; delicious and healthy. This Mediterranean style recipe is just one of many ways to use this versatile vegetable. Give it a try!

Spaghetti Squash Recipe Ingredients:

1 medium SPAGHETTI SQUASH
1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 large ONION (chopped)
4-6 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
½ RED BELL PEPPER (sliced)
1 14 oz can ARTICHOKE HEARTS in water (chopped)
1 cup OLIVES, and olive juice to taste (chopped)
¾ to 1 cup PARMESAN CHEESE (shredded or grated)
1 tsp OREGANO
½ tsp THYME
1 tsp BASIL
SALT and PEPPER to taste

Mediterranean spaghetti squash recipe
Mediterranean spaghetti squash makes a great vegetarian meal

How to Make this Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Preheat oven to 350.
Cut spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise (a good, sharp knife will be nice).  Place each side, cut side down, in a shallow pan with about ¾ c water. Bake, uncovered for 45 minutes. Set aside to cool squash halves–enough to handle without causing death to the handler–but not completely cool.
You have time to chop up all your ingredients while the squash cooks.   For the artichoke, you may want to remove some of the outer, tougher leaves.
For each half, use a spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds and dark center strings.  Use a fork to scrape out the squash into ‘spaghetti-like’ strands.
Heat oil over medium high heat.  Saute onion and garlic 4-6 minutes.  Add bell pepper. Turn heat to low, stir and cover for 2-4 minutes.  Uncover, stir in spaghetti squash and remaining ingredients.  Cover and cook til all ingredients are warm, about 7-10 minutes
Add 1 Tbsp of olive juice and any other seasonings to taste. Serve warm. And a little toasted bread on the side won’t hurt.
Give this spaghetti squash recipe a try and let me know what you think, and…
Bon appétit!
And for another great spaghetti squash recipe, try this Spanish-style Spaghetti Squash.

spaghetti squash recipe
click image to check out this recipe

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Try the Best Moroccan Chicken Stew Recipe

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moroccan chicken tagine

Wow! This is super flavorful Moroccan chicken stew recipe. The combo of lemon and olive add a tangy richness to the broth and add a nice twist to your expectations of a chicken stew. Chef Bill cooked up this wonderful Chicken tagine and we had the camera running to catch it all. Give this delicious recipe a try and you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients for Chicken Stew:

2 1/2 lbs CHICKEN Pieces (skinned)
1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 cup ONION (chopped)
2-3 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
1 cup CHICKEN BROTH
2 cups pitted WHOLE GREEN OLIVES
1 tsp ground CINNAMON
1/2 tsp CUMIN
1/2 inch GINGER (minced–or substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
1-2 tsp LEMON ZEST
1/4 cup LEMON JUICE
1 Tbsp CILANTRO (chopped)
SALT and PEPPER to taste

chicken stew
Moroccan inspired Chicken Stew

How to Make This Chicken Tagine

Heat olive oil in a pot over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and then place in pot. Brown chicken appox. 3 minutes each side and then remove from pot.
Add onion and garlic and saute in juices for a couple of minutes. Return chicken to pot and add Chicken Broth.
Add olives. Add cinnamon, cumin, and ginger. Stir, and bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, uncover, turn chicken, and let cook 15 more minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken and olives from pot and place in a serving dish. To the broth in the pot, add lemon juice, zest, and cilantro.
Serve the chicken and olives over rice or couscous and top with broth as desired. The olives are fantastic.
And the chicken is, too!
Give this terrific chicken stew a try and let me know what you think, and…
Bon Appétit!

And try this tasty Cornish Hen Recipe, too.

cornish game hen

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Quick Salad Recipe Ideas for Spicy Foods

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tomato cucumber salads

Two quick and cool salad recipe ideas: tomato and cucumber salad. These salads make perfect sides for a spicy meal. The tomato basil goes great with any blackened fish, and I love the creamy cucumber with spicy Indian fare. No cooking is required; simply combine the raw ingredients for an easy accompaniment to your favorite spicy dishes.

Tomato Basil Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
2 fresh TOMATOES (diced)
½ cup BASIL (chopped)
¼ cup FETA CHEESE (crumbled)
1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 tsp BALSAMIC VINEGAR
SALT and PEPPER, to taste

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
2 SALAD CUCUMBERS (diced)
½ LEMON (juice and zest)
¼ cup GREEK YOGURT
1 tsp DILL
SALT and PEPPER, to taste

Give these salad ideas a go and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!

Want another salad idea? Try this Jicama Salad Recipe.
salad recipe

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Beet Greens Recipe — Easy, healthy Dish!

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beet greens

This is a super simple beet greens recipe. If you purchase beets with the greens intact, don’t throw those greens away! You can cook up a tasty dish using the beet greens (and if you don’t buy beets with the greens, then you need to make an adjustment in your shopping habit).

Beet Greens Recipe Ingredients:

1 bunch BEET GREENS
½ RED ONION (chopped)
1/3 RED BELL PEPPER (chopped)
2 cloves GARLIC (thinly sliced)
2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
SALT (to taste)
PEPPER (to taste)
LEMON JUICE or VINEGAR (optional)

beet greens recipe
Buy beet roots with the greens for two great ingredients.

How to make Beet Greens

Remove the greens from the root and wash thoroughly because greens always seem to need a good washing, especially beet greens. I like to separate the green leaf from the thicker stem since the leafy greens will need far less time to cook. Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil on med-med high heat. When the oil is hot, add onions and garlic.

I chop the onion big and the garlic thin. Stir for a minute and then add the red bell pepper and stir for a few minutes more. I use about a third of a red pepper, not too much, because it’s more for color than to influence the taste of the dish. The stems are a nice contrast to the dark greens.

Add a little water if needed, but not too much, the greens will release plenty of water.
Add the beet green stems. These will soften pretty fast, so a minute or two will be plenty of time Remember, overcooked veggies are a drag, man! Add the leafy greens.

Initially, I don’t mix the greens with the ingredients. I just cover the skillet for a minute or two and give the greens time to wilt. Remove the lid and stir, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir a minute more. That’s about when they’re ready. Camera Girl likes to add a splash of lemon, and vinegar goes great with greens, too.
Remove from heat and serve hot.

Beet greens make a great side, especially with chicken or a cheap cut of meat. I like to serve greens as a main dish over quinoa, which is a seed that acts like a grain and is an excellent source of protein. (Check current prices for quinoa on Amazon.)

These quick beet greens make a perfect side dish for all kinds of meals, especially quick cook dishes like fish and kielbasa, or if you want to be a little less carnivorous, pair these greens with a side of beans and top with a soft-yolk egg. The yolk makes a great sauce!

Give these healthy beet greens recipes a try and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!

For another beet dish, try this Roasted Beet and Quinoa Recipe.

how to cook quinoa
Quinoa with roasted root vegetables.

Thanks For Watching Our Recipe Videos!

Thanks for checking out our beet green recipes, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list so you’ll never miss a new recipe. Also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

If you like what CG and I do, you can also support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

We include affiliate links for products on our website. So, if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

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