New Jersey raised Chef, Aaron McCargo Jr. is the season four winner of The Next Food Network Star. Now, with a show of his own, the Big Daddy’s House star can also boast his own brand of herbs and spices as well as a cookbook, Simply Done, Well Done.

Here are three of Aaron’s flavourful recipes. Trust us, you’ll want seconds.

Breakfast: Gruyère Cheese Omelet

• 6 large eggs
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and then crumbled
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, whole or julienned
• 2 tbsp canola oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Ina medium bowl, vigorously beat eggs with the salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes for 4 to 5 minutes, until frothy.
3. In another medium bowl, stir together the cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, bacon and basil.
4. Ina 12″ ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs and cook gently, tilting the pan so the uncooked egg slides under the cooked parts. In 2 to 3 minutes, the eggs will begin to set. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over eggs and remove pan from heat.
5. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese melts. Slide the omelet onto a serving platter, folding it over onto itself as you do. Let the omelet sit for 1-2 minutes, and then cut and serve.

Serves 3

Lunch: Spicy Cheeseburger Soup

• 1 cup potato, peeled and diced (1 medium all-purpose potato)
• ½ cup canola oil
• 2 lb ground beef
• 1 cup onion, finely diced
• ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup jalapeno chili pepper, diced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp Italian herb blend*
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ½ quarts beef broth
• ¼ cup beef bouillon powder
• 1 ½ lb white American cheese, thickly sliced
• ¼ cup scallions, chopped (white and green parts)

1. In a large saucepan, put the potatoes and enough water to cover them by about 2″.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Drain and return to the pain. Cover and keep warm.
4. In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat slightly with a wooden spoon, until the beef begins to brown, 6 to 10 minutes.
5. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring, for another minute or two. Add the jalapenos and then the flour, herb blend, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until well mixed and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Add the broth and bouillon powder, lower the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until heated through, taking care not to break the meat up too much.
7. Remove the pan from the heat, add the slices of cheese, one at a time, and stir gently until the cheese melts into the soup and the soup becomes creamy. Add the scallions and potatoes and cook just until heated through. Serve hot.

Serves 12

Dinner: Stuffed Grilled Boneless Pork Chops

• 1 cup orange marmalade
• ¼ cup scallions, chopped (white and green parts)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup spicy chile oil
• 9 oz fresh baby spinach
• 6 slices hickory smoked bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped (about ½ cup)
• 6 oz smoked Gouda cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 tbsp chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 6x 8-ounce boneless pork loin chops
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp canola oil

1. In a small bowl, stir together the marmalade, scallions, soy sauce and chile oil. Set half the marmalade sauce aside for cooking and the other half for serving.
2. Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal or gas grill and oil the grates.
3. In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, bring an inch of water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Steam the spinach in a steaming basket and set in the saucepan until wilted, about 2 ½ minutes. Lift the spinach from the steaming basket and transfer to a large bowl. Add the bacon, cheese and chipotle chilies. Mix well.
4. With a small, sharp knife, slit the side of each chop to create a pocket that goes nearly (but not all the way) through the chop. Wiggle the knife in the incision to open the pocket.
5. Using a spoon or your fingers, stuff each chop with the spinach filling. Secure the opening with toothpicks and then season the chops with salt and pepper. Brush both sides of the chops with canola oil.
6. Grill the chops for 6 to 8 minutes with the grill covered, turning the chops 3 times during grilling. Remove the lid and brush the tops of the chops with the marmalade sauce for cooking. Continue grilling, turning once and brushing the other side with the marmalade sauce for cooking, until both sides of each chop are nicely browned and cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes longer.
7. Remove the chops from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving with the reserved sauce.

Serves 6