Monday, May 30, 2011

Lipton Onion Soup Mix (Dry)

This is a good substitute to use in recipes - and a lot cheaper than the prepackaged stuff.

Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Recipe from cdKitchen

1/4 c. dehydrated onions
2 tsp. beef bouillon
1/2 tsp. onion powder

Combine all ingredients together.
Equivalent to 1 package soup mix.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Kalua Pork

This is so amazingly easy and it is SO SO GOOD.  Even my non pork loving husband thought this was fabulous!
You pretty much cant go wrong here.

Kalua Pork
Recipe from J&M Walkenhorst

5 lbs. pork shoulder (butt roast)
1/4 c. water
liquid smoke
~2 Tbsp. kosher salt

Trim off any thick fat from the pork, but don't leave it bare.
Lightly rub the entire roast with salt.
Then rub in a thin layer of liquid smoke.
Place pork in the slow cooker with water.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Shred pork and return to pot.
Stir to evenly distribute juices.

This is great served over rice, on a sandwich, in a quesadilla, etc.
This also freezes well.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pizza Sauce

This is a quick and delicious sauce for any type of pizza.
The leftovers can be frozen in individual baggies so you can have a great tasting sauce anytime.

Pizza Sauce
Recipe from Mindika Moments
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 large or 6 regular cloves garlic; minced
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can Italian diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 c. fresh basil (or 2 Tbsp. dried)
1/2 c. fresh grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

In a food processor or blender combine the cooked garlic, along with the olive oil and all other ingredients.
Pulse or blend until everything is well combined; 2-3 minutes.
Spread over pizza crust or divide into servings and freeze.

Makes 4 cups.
(I get enough sauce for 6-7 pizza's, but it will depend on how big your crust is as well as how much sauce you like).

Thursday, May 19, 2011

BBQ Ribs

BBQ Ribs
Recipe from Nancy Tippetts

2 cups brown sugar
Large Rack of Pork Ribs

Fill a large pot full of water and bring to a boil.
Add ribs and sugar.
Simmer for 2 hourrs on low.
While ribs are cooking, prepare BBQ sauce (below)
When done boiling, baste ribs with BBQ sauce on grill for a few minutes.

BBQ Sauce
32 oz ketchup
10 oz Whortcheshire Sauce
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 cups brown sugar
2 oz liquid smoke
garlic salt (to taste)
Cheyenne pepper (to taste)

Simmer for at least 30-45 minute.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Potato Skins

These are really simple and very delicious.  I made mine on the grill, but you can easily use your broiler as well.
Potato Skins
4 baked potatoes (Idaho)
vegetable oil
4-6 slices bacon
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
scallions or chives

Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half, lengthwise.
Scoop out the insides, leaving about 1/4" of flesh all the way around the skin.
Brush both sides of the potatoes with oil.
Broil each side until slightly crispy.
Spread cheese evenly inside each skin.
Top with bacon.
Place under broiler again just until cheese melts.
Dollop each with sour cream, and arrange chopped scallions or chives on top.
Serve immediately.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This is a great recipe for regular peanut butter cookies, or you can choose to add the Hershey's kiss.
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter
3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
dash salt

Cream shortening and sugars.
Add vanilla and eggs.
Add remaining ingredients and mix.

Form into balls (about the size of a quarter), and roll in granulated sugar.
Place on a greased cookie sheet.

If making regular peanut butter cookies, smash each ball with a fork; going across, and then again going down.
If making kiss cookies, skip this step.

Bake at 350 for 7 minutes.
Remove from oven, and press a kiss into the center of each cookie.
Put back in oven for an additional 2 minutes.

If making regular cookies, bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Spinach, Carmelized Onion and Sun Dried Tomato Pizza

This might just be my new favorite pizza.  And if you don't know, that is saying a lot.  Make this.  And then bring me at least one piece...
Spinach, Carmelized Onion and Sun Dried Tomato Pizza
Menu Managed Original

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
large handful baby spinach leaves
1 large onion, carmelized
3/4 c. sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained, with some oil reserved
2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Prepare dough and roll out.
Brush entire surface of dough with reserved oil from sun dried tomatoes.
Sprinkle 1 c. mozzarella over dough.
Arrange spinach in a single layer over entire pizza.
Spread carmelized onions over spinach leaves.
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over onions.
Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.
Arrange sun dried tomatoes on top and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over everything.
Bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Monday, May 2, 2011

BBQ Chicken BLT Sandwich

 This sandwich was inspired from BLUE LEMON - a few of my friends ordered this and it looked good enough for me to go home and try to reinvent it.  It was pretty scrumptious!
BBQ Chicken BLT
2 large (or 4 small) chicken breasts
grill seasoning
1/2 lb. turkey bacon (butterball)
sliced tomato
lettuce
honey mustard sauce
French Bread (preferably home made)

Butterfly fillet chicken breasts (cut all the way through), leaving you with 4 pieces.  If you are using small chicken breasts, skip this step.
Pound out chicken until it is about 1/2" thick.
Season chicken with grill seasoning and grill.

Meanwhile, cook bacon to desired crispiness.
Cut French bread in half lengthwise, rather than in slices, then cut into sandwich size servings.
Toast bread on grill or under broiler.
Layer chicken breast, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato and bacon on bread.
Stick with toothpicks to keep together.

This is definitely large enough to count as a main dish!  Serve with chips, fries, fresh fruit, grilled corn, etc.