Ron's Recipes

Serves two (adjust as needed).

Two skinless salmon filets, about 6 oz. each
1/3 cup olive oil
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. seafood citrus-twanged seasoning, such as Tone's Salmon & Seafood Seasoning
1 tsp. liquid smoke
Juice from a lemon (zest optional)

What spices must be on your shelves if you would like try any of Ron's recipes?

Well, I don't use a ton of spices. And I also stay away from exotic, expensive stuff like saffron. In fact, with a fond wink to M*A*S*H, I'm more of a meatball chef. But I never hear any complaints from my dinner guests!

I have a lot of irons in the fire. Besides my 40 HPW job, I also run a website business. I host sites for customers, but I also maintain four heavy-duty sites of my own that require lots of creative content.

Ergo, I have to stick with a few tried-and-true ingredients to cook with. I don't have time to experiment.

Following are the essential spices and edibles you'll need to have on hand to successfully replicate Ron's recipes.

Serves two (adjust as needed)

Two medium potatoes
1/2 sweet onion
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Two cloves garlic, squeezed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, or dried Italian cheese blend
1 tsp. Greek seasoning

First of all, you charcoal grilling purists, no offense intended, but you may as well leave now.

I have cooked hundreds of meals over charcoal. And yes, it adds a distinctive flavor impossible to duplicate with gas. But the problem is that Weber Kettles and the like have one cooking position: DIRECTLY OVER THE FIRE!

Ron's recipes depend on slower heat than that intense blast you get three inches above the coals. So, with apologies, cook my recipes over charcoal at your own risk. Gas grills are highly recommended as the heat source of choice.

I have always had a passion for French fries. But they are one of the highest sources of saturated fat in the American diet.

But don't despair! Ron's healthy fries taste every bit as good as the real thing! And they are very kind to your arteries.

Ingredients for two servings:

Two 4" potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Greek seasoning
1/4 cup Parmesan or Italian blend grated cheese

This delicious chicken offering has a spicy cumin overtone softened by citrus zest. So good you'll cry! Serves 4-5.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
2-4 garlic cloves, squeezed
zest and juice of 1 lime, 1 lemon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil