Are You Ready For Some Football (for the last time this season)???

Perhaps the most popular non-holiday observance in this country is the perennial championship of professional football … better known as the Super Bowl. For many, the game-time menu carries as much importance as the game itself (and the commercials, of course). So, if you haven’t gotten your meal plan together yet, read along as we share the fare the Caveclan will being enjoying for this 46th edition of the pigskin classic.
For starters, we’ll be whipping up a big honkin’ batch of our Rockin’ Guac. Ripened avocados, tomatoes, onion, garlic and other sundry ingredients combine to make a bowl of YUM! Scoop it up with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, or even plain ol’ Ruffles and wait for your taste buds to start doing their own end zone dance … it won’t take long!

For those looking to get a little more fat in their diet, we also will be sporting some Baked Brie with Peach Sauce that just may be the food embodiment of nirvana. Conjoin gooey French cheese with peacans; pureed peaches; dried berries, cherries, and/or cranberries; and slap it all on a water cracker or lavosh and your eyes will likely be rolling into the back of your head while mewls of pleasure begin wafting through the air after that first bite … and each successive bite, as well! True, this would never make onto Paula Dean’s new diabetic diet, but that’s why we save this one for special occasions like this.

Not all of our menu will consist of choices from the appetizer arena. In fact, the centerpiece of our feast will be individual bowls of meat, beans, onions, sauce, cheese … and TEQUILA! That’s right, our award winning 2+2 Tequila Chili is the MVP of this edible all-star team. Though, I highly suggest you start cooking this dish as soon as you are finished reading this post, as this is by far at it’s best when made ahead of time and allowed to “brew” sufficiently for all the flavors to fully blend together. However, the chili police are not going to knock on your door and confiscate your chili-stash if you do have to make it on game day. Just grate up some cheddar cheese (yeah, more cheese), sit back, and get ready to enjoy the biggest bowl game of them all with a big brimming bowl of meaty goodness.
Yes, you’ll probably be living on fruits and vegetables for several days after this super football fiesta to cleanse your insides. But, trust me, it will be well worth it. Besides, we have to ring out the football-year in fine fashion don’t we?!? I’d like to be able to give you a few more words of hopeful justification that might entice you to join us for your own version of this gridiron spread, but I’ve got to get busy on the chili … and the quarter boxes!

©2012 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.wordpress.com authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Garden Bounty

Just picked from the Cave garden:  Heirloom Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, and Red Bell Pepper (picked early).  Is there anything better than the flavor of fresh home-grown veggies?

©2011 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Vendela No Longer Vents

My beautiful, articulate, opinionated, loving, intelligent cousin Wendy (aka Vendela Vents!) unwillingly surrendered to her 2.5 year long illness this past Sunday morning. She fought her insidious disease valiantly to the end and never surrendered her fearlessness, her dignity, or her wit. She will surely be missed and always be loved by many and, for me at least, Tarot cards, Thanksgiving and Lamb Wontons will never be the same.
Rest in peace, cuz.

Happy Holidays 2010!

For years now, the Cavewoman and I have sent out a Holiday picture to all our friends and family. Pre-Cavekids, we even took those pictures with our pet birds (both of whom are now with us only in our hearts). The first few years that the Caveboy was around, we had our wedding photographer take a family shot for us to use. But, ever since the Cavegirl joined the tribe, we have had a bit more fun with our annual Holiday offering in the form of mocked-up magazine covers featuring the four of us. We’ve spoofed such rags as People, Poker Player, American Angler, and Photography. This year, for obvious reasons, our attention turned to food. The result: Our 2010 version is a tribute to the long running monthly tribute to chow, Bon Apetite! For those of you versed in Photoshop, you’ll see that the only original things in the picture are us, our clothes (sans hats), and utensils. The kitchen, the chef’s chapeaux, and the magazine headers and titles were all “Photoshopped” in. Yeah, I wish our kitchen looked like that!
As noted above, we share these Holidays cards with all of our friends and family. So it is, that we would like to share it with you. The love shown this cyber-rag, both vocal and silent, is truly felt and appreciated. You are our friends and, indeed, our family. As such, we wish you and yours all the best for the Holidays, and may your New Year be filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. Thank you for being a part of the Caveclan … we look forward to sharing even more from our tables and times with you in 2011!

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Happy Tweet-giving!

Yesterday, while cooking up a storm, I was also “Tweeting” up a storm on Twitter. Using my semi-new Droid X, I was taking pics as I went along and posting them up on my Twitter account @CavemanCooking. Just in case you missed them (or aren’t a “Tweep”), I thought I’d share them, in chronological order (Actually, the first three are from the day before):

Turkey is brined!

Cranberry sauce is done!

Gravy base is simmering!

The “outside the bird” stuffing is ready to go!

Turkey is stuffed and going in the oven!

Spinach Souffle is ready to go.

OMG the house smells good! I keep going outside & coming back in to get a fresh nose full!!
(No picture)

Cavemom’s Orange Yam Turkeys are ready to go!

Table is almost ready!

Shrimp Cocktail is served!

Baked Brie is served!

Turkey is done!

Forgot to get the “before” shot. Oh well! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving pie trio. (From L to R) Pecan, Apple, and Pumpkin. YUM!

Great day … but, our house looks like Fall threw up on it!
(No picture)

Our first T-Day in our new home was absolutely fantastic. Everyone had a great time and were stuffed fuller than our Thanksgiving Turkey! It was especially nice to have the Cave-mom-in-law there, after her harrowing health issues this year. We hope that your Holiday was filled with love, laughter and deliciousness!
If you’d like to see some more pics from our gathering, go to the Cavewoman’s Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16372067@N00/

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.wordpress.com authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Happy 1st Birthday, C3!

Hard to believe it, but this little rag of ours is one year old as of today! Yep, just one year ago I posted the recipe for my Texas Red Grilled Shrimp Tacos, and thus began this public culinary journey. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun … heck, a blast! And, I have all of you to thank for it. I don’t think I’d have the drive or determination to post as prolifically if it wasn’t for your warm and generous embraces.
As you probably know, this past year has been quite a challenge for my family and me. After nearly a year-long attempt, we finally sold our house and moved to an entirely new community. We’ve dealt with a couple of passings. And, we have been confronted by the massive stroke my mother-in-law suffered over the summer. But, when I produce something for the C3 site, I get a chance to leave the daily travails behind and revel in the creative process that exists here. For that, I am eternally thankful.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed the first year of this blog’s existence as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you. I hope to continue with many more, filled with easy yet mouthwatering recipes, delectable dining experiences, ginormous giveaways, and the ridiculous ramblings of a modern Neanderthal. Thank you for indulging me in this grand epicurean quest … adventures like this are no fun alone!
(Insert shameless self-promoting plug here) BTW, there are only a few days left to enter our Want Pasta? Giveaway – a $200 gift certificate for Florentyna’s Fresh Pasta Factory. Don’t miss it!

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Tag! You’re Eight!!

Well, you are one of eight if I have listed you at the end of this post. Actually, this is a fun blogger’s game that was just passed on to me by Kooky Girl from the ALWAYS TRI-ING MY BEST blog. The object is to answer 8 questions given to you by the blogger that tagged you, come up with 8 questions of your own, and then tag 8 bloggers to answer your questions and pass the game on to. So, without further ado, I’ll bare my soul and and reveal the Cave-truth.

1. What do you most enjoy about blogging?
Leaving a footprint in the cyber-sand for the Cavekids. Sure, they’ll have a record of the family recipes. But, hopefully, they’ll also be able to glean a bit of what their “old man” was about when I’m not around anymore.

2. What is your personal acheivement or moment that sticks in your mind and why?
Other than my marriage and the birth of my kids, it would have to be winning the Los Angeles City League Softball Championship. Not for actually winning it, but for what it represented. About a month before we hoisted the championship trophy my step-father passed away. It was devastating to my family, my friends and, of course, me. “Little Joey” was loved by everyone. To say there was an air of depression over everyone is an understatement.
Additionally, our team literally backed into the championship tourney as we hadn’t been playing very good ball. Add in the incredible sense of loss felt by everyone and things weren’t looking good as we started post-season play.
But, something weird began to happen … we started winning in this single-elimination tournament. And, we were making miracle plays to make it happen – “angels in the outfield” is what we were calling it. In fact, the final play of the championship game came as we nursed a one run lead in the bottom of the last inning. There were two outs and they had runners at second and third, with their best hitter at the plate. He hit a rocket deep into the hole between shortstop and third base. Somehow, our shortstop made an improbable diving backhanded short-hop grab! He popped up, turned and fired towards me at first base. However, the throw was a bit errant. Incredibly, I stretched as far as I could to my right without taking my foot off the bag and made a backhanded dig out of the dirt to secure the win.
Suddenly, there was an air of joy over everyone! My mom, my girlfriend (the Cavewoman), my friends, and I, all celebrated with cheers and tears as we realized that Little Joey had a hand in this amazing Championship run. Even the team’s coach honored his influence by giving my Mom a player’s championship trophy in Joey’s name. This championship may be the single most healing act I have ever been a party to.

3. What is your favourite party drink?
Fruit Infused Tequila. The only problem with this stuff is that it goes down way too smoothly. Just serve it over ice and let the party begin!

4. If you could go on holiday tomorrow, where would you go?
Jamaica, mon! Put together incredible natural island beauty, pristine beaches, Caribbean cuisine, and a leisurely attitude, and you have a Caveman’s paradise.

5. What is the most unusual ingredient in your store cupboard right now?
Pink Salt. The Cavewoman just got it and said I have to make something with it because it’s supposed to be better for you than regular salt. Looks like I have some homework to do!

6. What do you do in your “free” time?
When I can actually acquaint myself with that rare commodity, I mostly go fishing. Though, I have been known to spend my spare time playing guitar, poker, golf, or going skiing.

7. What is the name of the last restaurant you went to?
Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park. I will be doing a post about them shortly.

8. What is your favourite style of cooking to eat out (rather than cook yourself)?
I’ve got three words for you: SUSHI! I could eat raw fish everyday. Especially when it is super fresh and prepared with some imagination.

Okay, now for the questions I will ask my taggees!

1. Why did you start your blog?
2. Where, and how, did you celebrate your 21st birthday?
3. What brings you the most joy from life, other than your family and friends?
4. What was the last sport you actually participated in?
5. What, and where, was the best meal you’ve ever had?
6. If you were given $1 million dollars that you had to give to someone else who would it be, and why?
7. What is your favorite “stranded on a deserted island” movie?
8. Have you told someone what they mean to you today?

And the lucky eight are:

1. Bored Cook – Because I want a good laugh.
2. Vendela Vents – Because I love her sarcasm … and this will probably piss her off good!
3. Mother Rimmy – Because you always need a mother’s perspective.
4. Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice – Just because.
5. What’s Cookin’ with Doc – Because, sometimes, you have to consult a doctor.
6. Nibble Me This – Because I want him to nibble on these questions for a while.
7. Ptsaldari – Because she hasn’t been writing much lately … and she should be!
8. Drick’s Rambling Cafe – Because I’m dying to see what he’ll ramble about.

There you go! Have fun with this, folks. I did!

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

It’s Official!

We launch our new giveaway tomorrow, Wednesday 10/13/10, at 10am PDT! As you know, we don’t do things small around here. So, I hope you are hungry … and like Italian!

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

New Axe Campaign

Axe body spray has launched a new national ad and webisode campaign featuring the voice of someone we all know and love … ME!
Check out the TV ad:

And, the first three webisodes:

Gotta love Trey and Julius!

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

A Night To Refresh

With all that has been going on in our Caveclan lately, I just haven’t had the time to post up many recipes, reviews or tips. For that, I do apologize. I hope to get a few things up in the coming week or two.
As for my Cavemom-in-law, she is far from fine, but definitely on the improve. I’d like to thank all of our friends and family (terrestrial and cyber) who have continued to offer words of encouragement, healing prayers, and rejuvenative thoughts during this family crisis. One thing that I have discovered during this 30 day nightmare is that while we expend boundless amounts of energy helping our loved one to convalesce, we also need to take the time to heal ourselves from the stress and strain of the situation. With that in mind, I headed out for a late-night Ninja fishing session on Tuesday. It turned out to be just what the Cave-Doctor ordered … it was an epic night of fishing and fun. If you’d like to read the about entire experience check out the Ninja Buzz post on my new fishing blog Caveman Catching. I hope you enjoy it!