Sweet Grilled Pork

I got this one out of my Parents magazine. My whole family really likes it and they say that the apricots are rich in beta-carotene.

1 lb. pork tenderloin

Salt and pepper

1/2 cup apricot preserves

2 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

4 apricots, halved and pitted

2 tsp canola oil

1. Season pork with salt and pepper. Grill pork, covered, indirectly (I turn on 1/2 the grill and put it on the other half) over medium-high heat for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, mix preserves and soy sauce. Brush 2 Tbs. of it on pork. Cover and grill 5-10 minutes more, or until the pork is cooked through. Remove from grill; brush 2 more Tbs. apricot mixture over the pork. Cover with foil and let stand.

2. Brush apricots with oil and grill directly over medium heat for 2 minutes per side, or until slightly softened and browned. Slice pork and serve with remaining apricot mixture and grilled apricots on the side. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition per serving: 259 calories; 25g protein; 5g fat; 30g carbs; 1g fiber; 20mg calcium; 1mg iron; 245 mg sodium

Thai Chicken Tacos

This was a good way to use up some cabbage. It comes from Better Homes & Gardens. For the most part, it was well received by the family.

1 lime halved (about 1 Tbsp. lime juice)
1 lb. boneless, skinless Chicken breast cut into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces
1/4 C. chopped cilantro
1 large shallot finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. fish sauce (I used oyster sauce. Hoisin sauce would work too)
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2-1 tsp. crushed red pepper. (I used less than 1/2 because of the kid factor, but there was no heat in the end.)
1/2 tsp. hot chili sauce (I used sweet chili sauce)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
corn tortillas (flour would be easier to get down my kids)
1 recipe cabbage slaw.
Toss together:
2 C. shredded napa cabbage
1/2 C. shredded carrot
1/2 C. sliced green onions
1/4 C. chopped cilantro
1/4 C. chopped peanuts (optional)
1/4 C. rice vinegar -- not allowed by my family :(


Combine lime juice with chicken, cilantro, shallot, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, pepper and chili sauce in a bowl or bag. Marinate at least 1 hour.

In large skillet cook chicken mixture in hot oil until cooked, about 5 min.

To serve, layer two tortillas (I think this is because the tortillas tear, but I think it would be too dry if layered. Do what you want.) Top with chicken and cabbage slaw.

We liked sour cream on top. I think tomatoes would also be a nice addition.

Pork Verde Tacos

Brittney Goodey made these for us yesterday and they were YUMMY - at least Austin and I loved them. Holden and Makayla wouldn't try them.

4-5 lb pork roast in crockpot (if it's frozen, cook on high 9 hours, if thawed, 5-6 hrs on high, 10-12 hrs on low)

In Blender (looks like a lot, but it's just spices)
1 onion, quartered
3 stalks celery
1-2 jalapenos, seeds removed
3 garlic cloves
1/2 c water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
Blend together till everything is chopped. Poor onto roast. Add 3 bay leaves to the pot.

When the roast is shred-able, or 1/2 hour before serving, drain the juice (if you strain it, it makes a good base for taco soup or to use in rice). Shred pork, then add 1 16-oz jar green salsa.

Serve with shredded cabbage and Jalapeno Sauce.

Jalapeno Sauce
Blend together 1 cup mayo, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1 jalapeno (seeds removed), 1 Tbl vinegar, 1 Tbl water, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 clove garlic.

I like mine with homemade tortillas:
Harina de Maiz flour
Water
Proportions on flour bag.

Cheeseburger soup

I got this recipe off another blog. I copied this from her blog, but I made a few changes. I halved the recipe - perfect for my family with no left overs. I also put in 1 whole tomato instead of a can since I had some that needed eating. My family isn't big on pickles, so I didn't add the relish to the soup, but I put some in my bowl. Everyone liked this soup, even Makayla who was disappointed that I didn't puree the tomatoes before adding them to the soup.

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

• 10 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tsp. garlic, minced
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10.75 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
• 2 Tbsp, Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup dill pickle relish
• 1 (2.8 oz) can of French fried onions

1. In a large soup pot or dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from the pot and drain on paper towels.
2. Add ground beef, onion , and garlic to pot with bacon grease. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender. Drain off grease.
3. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, cheese soup, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. Mix in pickle relish.
4. Serve in bowls topped with the cooked bacon followed by the French fried onions. Serves 6 to 8.

Mock Kneaders French Toast w Cinnamon Butter

Here's a recipe I love from Deals To Meals blog. Makes you feel like you are eating
french toast from Kneaders! It is absolutally {delightful}!! Thanks for letting me share on this blog!
-Amy

Cinnamon Swirl Bread (makes 5 loaves)

5 c. hot water
3 T. yeast
1 c. white sugar
2/3 c. vital wheat gluten
3 T. lemon juice
2/3 c. oil
2 T. salt
14-15 c. white flour

Filling:
1/2-2/3 c. cinnamon butter*
1/2-2/3 c. brown sugar
2 T. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg

In a large mixing bowl (or in your Bosche/KitchenAid mixer bowl), combine the water, yeast, lemon juice, sugar and vital wheat gluten together. Mix together and let the mixture sit until it becomes foamy and bubbly (about 10 minutes). Then add the oil, salt and flour (one cup at a time) to the yeast mixture. The dough should be sticky, but not so sticky that you won't be able to work with it. Once the dough has been incorporated, let it sit in the bowl until it begins to rise (about 15-20 minutes--you don't have to wait too long). Pour a few tablespoons of oil onto the counter and spread into a large rectangle shape. Empty the dough out onto the greased counter. Roll the dough into a very large rectangle shape (doesn't have to be perfectly rectangle). Roll until dough is about 1/4-1/2 inch thick (not as thin as a cinnamon roll dough would be).

Spread the cinnamon butter all over the surface of the dough. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon all over the dough. Roll the dough into a large log, beginning with the end furthest away from you (like you would with a cinnamon roll). Cut the dough 'log' into five equal parts. Take each section and fold the sides underneath the dough piece to try and seal off the cinnamon swirl sections. Pinch the sides and bottom of the dough loaf together as best you can.

Spray each bread loaf with cooking spray. Place the dough pieces into each of the loaf pans and spread the corners of the dough into each corner. Place the loaf pans into a 170 degree oven and let them rise until they are just below the top of the pan. Once the dough reaches the top of the pan, turn the oven to 350 degrees (without opening the oven). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bread is golden brown. Remove from pans after bread has cooled. Serve with cinnamon butter or cut into thick slices and make into French toast.


Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

7-10 thick slices of cinnamon swirl bread
2 eggs
2/3 c. milk
2/3 c. pancake mix (the dry powder/mix)
1 t. vanilla
Dash nutmeg & cinnamon
1 t. sugar
Dash of salt

Mix all of the items together (minus the bread) until smooth. Heat a large skillet or griddle until hot and then grease with butter. Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture and then place on the hot griddle. Cook on each side until golden brown. Serve French toast with syrup, cinnamon butter or whipping cream (or all three :)

*Cinnamon Butter

1 Cup butter, softened (not melted)
1/3 Cup sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 Tablespoon light corn syrup (or 1 T. honey)
1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon (I liked it with extra!)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients together on high speed until light and fluffy.

Pepperkaker (Gingersnaps) ****

3/4C Butter
1C White Sugar

1/8C Molasses
1 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking soda
2C Flour

Beat together the butter and sugar until well incorporated, set aside.

Stir together the molasses and eggs, set aside.

Combine dry ingredients, set aside.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the molasses mixture, mixing well.

Take a TBSP  of dough and roll into a ball, dip in white sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes ( I found 8 min to be the best for my oven/altitude so they were soft still)

Gyros

Flat bread (you can buy it or make your own. I think navajo taco bread would work well, or scones, or naan)
Roast--pork, beef or lamb
Feta cheese
Tomatoes
Onions (optional)

Roast some sort of meat in the slow cooker. I did pork, but it was rather fatty so I think I'll do beef next time.


Sauce
1 c. yogurt
1/4 C mayo
1/4 C sour cream
1 lemon, juiced
salt & pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 packet italian seasoning mix
1/2 cucumber--grated. Squeeze excess water out.

Mix with a wisk and refrigerate until ready.


Place meat, sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and Feta cheese in flatbead and enjoy!