Team JEGS: NHRA Drag Racing

Team JEGS Recipes by Chef Nicky Morse "The Racing Chef"

The New York Times: “Chef Nicky is introducing the team to a whole new world of ingredients.”

Northern Ohio Live: “Culinary Stars Wolfgang Puck, Nicky Morse and more than 30 others cooked for the crowd; Andrew Firestone, star of television’s The Bachelor, showed off wines from Firestone Vineyards…The event Raised $1.4 million for cancer research.” Nicky Morse is a cancer survivor.

Food Network “Top 5”: “# 1 pick For Foods on the Fly.
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Nicky Morse is the chef for Team JEGS. He is labeled “The Racing Chef”. He travels with Jeg Coughlin Jr. (4 time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) defending champion). Chef Nicky is in his seventh season with the team. You can look for his TV show “The Racing Chef” on Time Warner “On Demand”.

When speaking of a race track one first thinks of hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. However, Chef Nicky has a gourmet kitchen that is second to none- on wheels. I realize that being at a race track is not an affiliation that you would closely associate with fine dining. However, I have a story idea you might be interested in.

Since racing is an all day event over the course of four days, team members do not have a chance to leave and get a nutritious meal. Team Jegs has hired Nicky Morse as a full-time chef to solve that problem. Nicky Morse is from London, Ohio. He cooks lunch and dinner for anywhere between 20-30 people and travels around the country with the team from February to November Among other things, he has worked for a four star restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, he has cooked on the set of different shows on Country Music Television (CMT). He even made it on the Reuters Board in Time Square. He specializes in French and Italian-style cooking and all of his food is prepared at the track in the JEGS' customized industrial-equipped kitchen.

The NHRA POWERADE Drag Racing Series is the premier series for the sport of drag racing in the United States and is one of the most popular forms of auto racing nationwide. The 24-race, $50 million series makes 22 stops across the country including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Dallas, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Denver. Click here to see the 2008 schedule.

2008 Recipes from the Track

		44th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals Cheese Basket This is a fun recipe that is pretty simple. It is an elegant look in a very short time. And, it can be made in advance and held in an airtight container to be used later.
		8th annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Boursin Stuffed Strawberries Get ready for an incredible unique flavor. I have to tell you that I love fruit, cheese and vinegar together. Keep Reading! I know that it sounds like a weird mix, but you have got to try this one.
		3rd annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals Rhubarb Quesadilla It takes just a matter of minutes. It is also one that you can confuse people with by asking: Who wants a quesadilla for dessert? Who has ever heard of a quesadilla for dessert? Well, here is the recipe for one that I really think that you are going to love.
		3rd annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals Smoked Salmon Salad I am going to share the following recipe with you so that hopefully you can eat a good meal at the track while you are on the go. It won’t take much time for preparation, so don’t worry- you will have time to finish tuning the carburetor. If you see me at the track, let me know what you think.
		23rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals Gorgonzola Grapes I would like to share a very delicious hors d’ oeuvre recipe with all of you. It literally takes a couple minutes to prepare, but the flavors are great. You will definitely want to share these after a day at the races.
		NHRA Carolinas Nationals - zMAX Dragway Stuffed Baguettes You don’t have to do too much work ahead of time. You can use convenience items, or foods that can be prepared ahead. You will be able to take these foods to the track in your cooler and prepare a gourmet meal at the track in minutes- possibly seconds.
		54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Italian Stuffed Tomatoes The recipe that I am going to share with you is very colorful and fresh tasting. It is great for a picnic, or for formal dining.
		24th annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals Keith's Smoked Beef Ribs We went back for a taste later and I was amazed. The food was outstanding. Keith said that he would be happy to share his recipe with me so that I could share it with all of you.
		27th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals One Hot! - Ham and Cheese Sandwich Sometimes you just need a good ol' ham and cheese sandwich to satisfy your hunger, and other times you need an incredible ham and cheese sandwich that will satisfy your hunger and your taste buds.
		21st annual Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals Broiled Figs with Goat Cheese The recipe that I am going to share with you is very easy and makes a great appetizer. I am sure that you will enjoy the flavors.
		21st annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals Tequila Queso You can’t really leave Mexico without a little tequila, and I really didn’t want to drink shots. So, we found a really interesting item on the menu that I would like to share with all of you.
		29th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Potato- Cheese Napoleon This is a fun recipe! I am sure that you enjoy the flavors. It is a recipe that is simple, but looks elegant. It is a perfect appetizer by itself or it is great with a grilled meat such as rack of lamb.
		NHRA Nationals - Norwalk, OH Nannys Pecan Pie I saw the most incredible pecan pie that Mitzi’s grandma (Nanny) had made. I finally broke down and had a piece. It was well worth the (Weight). This is the recipe that I would like to share with you.
		39th annual NHRA SuperNationals Spicy Sesame Glazed Sugar Snap Peas I love sugar snap peas. They are not the most expensive item in the produce section, but they are one of the best. This recipe is great to serve with grilled fish and fried rice. I am sure that you will love the taste.
		NHRA Torco Racing Fuels Nationals Tomato Avacado Salad Well- It’s June. You better get ready for the heat. Although it was pretty warm in Topeka, We all realize that it was just the start of few months that can be agonizing if you are working outside the whole day.
		20th annual O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals Vegetarian Plate With Sautйed Morels You have got to realize that these are not easy to find, and they are very expensive. They cost roughly $60.00 per pound fresh and $150.00 to $200.00 per pound if they are dried. You can be sure that I am never going to turn down fresh morels.
		8th annual O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Roast Beef Salad/Roy’s Birthday Cake It was Roy’s birthday when we were in Atlanta. I wanted to make him something special, but I knew that I had better stay away from the desserts.
		12th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals Fin’s Liquid Fortune Cookie You can thank Jeff for the recipe that I am sharing with you this week. I would also like to thank Keith and the whole staff for making our visit so memorable.
		28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Pineapple Butter I show the butter in the picture served with toasted bagels, but you can use this butter for a number of dishes. You can put it on your pancakes with some toasted pecans, or use it to baste your whole roasted chicken. Use your own creativity.
		9th Annual NHRA Nationals Pineapple Mango Milk Shake This shake is simple to make and very refreshing. I hope that you give it a try. I used fresh fruit for the recipe, but you may be able to substitute frozen in a pinch.
		21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals Death by Chocolate Cake You can thank Julia Jordan and her mother Sonja Holton for the next great surprise. They stopped by the kitchen with Apricot Pepper Jelly. Wow- is was great.
		Easter Special Edition Mini Apple Cakes I am not a morning person during the holidays, so my breakfast is usually served close to noon. I would like to share this family breakfast recipe with all of you. It is not hard to make, but it definitely is great!
		39th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals Rich & Cinful Chili I have been fortunate in my career to compete in a number of professional competitions. But, judging a competition is a little different because your decisions affect others, not only your own team. Racers are very serious when the battle begins, so are chefs!
		24th annual Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Walnuts Brussels sprouts are one of the top ten items that people tell me that they do not like. It usually takes a little push for that person to try them again. But, I usually can change their opinion to that they now love Brussels sprouts.
		Pontiac Pro Stock SuperBowl, Las Vegas Indoor BBQ Ribs They are simple to make, and they are sooooooo good! They take a little while to cook, but not much hands-on is needed. You can serve them as an appetizer, or as a main dish.
		Pre Season Poached Salmon with Grilled Baby Squash Well I have got to tell you that I am getting very excited to get back on the road, but I must confess... My clothes are getting a little tight! It is time for some drastic measures. We only have a few weeks.