Big Flavor. No Nonsense. Straight From the Galley.

Welcome on my blog! My name is Mike I learned to cook feeding hungry sailors — now I cook for my family of four and share every recipe here. Real food, bold seasoning, no culinary degree required.

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps — All the Flavor, None of the Shell

All the taco flavor, none of the shell. Crunchy lettuce does the job. Seasoned ground turkey in crispy butter lettuce cups is the lighter take on taco night that still feels like a real meal. The lettuce provides the crunch that a taco shell normally gives, the turkey…

15 Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes — One Pan, Maximum Flavor

If you own one pan, make it cast iron. It sears better than stainless, it’s more durable than nonstick, it goes from stovetop to oven without thinking twice, and with proper care it’ll outlast you. My cast iron skillet has seen more action than any other…

Meatloaf Sandwich — Arguably Better Than the Original Dinner

Day-after meatloaf between two slices of white bread is arguably better than the original dinner. I know that sounds controversial. I know the meatloaf dinner itself is sacred. But there’s something about cold leftover meatloaf — firm enough to slice clean,…

Friday Pizza Night — Homemade From Scratch

The other Friday tradition in our house. My kids rotate between submarine dinner and pizza night — pizza wins slightly more often because they get to build their own. Start with homemade pizza dough (make it Thursday night for the best flavor — the overnight cold…

Salisbury Steak — Fancy Hamburger in Mushroom Gravy. Outstanding.

Let me tell you what Salisbury steak actually is — it’s a fancy hamburger patty smothered in mushroom gravy. That’s it. And it’s absolutely outstanding. Don’t let the old-school cafeteria reputation fool you. When it’s made right — with…