Slow Cooker Easy: Sweet and Savory Cantonese Pork

This dish is quick, easy, and delicious!  Made up of pork steak, mushrooms, green peppers, and onion all smothered in a slightly sweet and tangy sauce, all piled on top of rice, the combination couldn't be better.

Like Water for Chocolate Project: Part Two of the Christmas Rolls--The Stuffing

I gave you the recipe for hard rolls in part one of the Christmas Rolls recipe, and here is the second half; the savory stuffing.




Ingredients: 

• 1 can sardines (the kind that I used were packed in olive oil with a bit of lemon)
• 1/2 chorizo sausage
• 1 sweet onion
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 can green chiles (I used mild, but to spice it up, use the hot!)
• 10 hard rolls 
• fresh bread crumbs

Like Water For Chocolate Project: Part one of the Christmas Rolls--Hard Rolls

Just recently I read Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate.  Why have I, someone who loves food, food preparations,culture, and reading, never read this book before now?

I have always heard about the free little libraries that are located all around the world in parks and neighborhoods.  Well, I came across one in a park that I was visiting, and I found Like Water for Chocolate inside, and it had been on my list (which is so long, and I am constantly adding to it) for a long time, so I decided to go ahead and borrow it.

When I started to read this gem of a book, I got a great idea!  Since there is a recipe at the beginning of every chapter, and instructions on how to cook the dish intertwined in the story, the idea that came to me was that I should make each recipe, and present them here to you!  The first of the recipes is for Christmas rolls.  Which, according to the main character, Tita, are traditionally made around Christmas time.  Christmas rolls are hard rolls stuffed with sardines, chorizo, onion, and green chilies.  I'm not usually a fan of chorizo, but combined with the other flavors, it was a flavor explosion!

I have divided this first recipe into two posts since a recipe for hard rolls is also required.

Stuffed Pork Roast

What a meal!  This pork roast stuffed with a savory artichoke stuffing, paired with french bread and goat cheese mashed potatoes, was similar to a thanksgiving meal.  It was that good!

Flavorful and Savory Gumbo

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I have updated this recipe from when I made it way back in January of 2012, and it's even tastier!  I have only made a few minor adjustments, but boy was it worth it.  Packed with flavor and piping hot, this gumbo was a sure winner.  No matter if you are a gumbo lover or not, you're gonna love this--I gare-on-tee!

Mexican chili

I love chili!  A perfect way to warm you from the inside on a chilly day, or just warm you because it is such a comfort meal.  Well, I have come up with a perfect combination: chili and taco soup!  This dish is easy to prepare and super satisfying!  This hearty chili will land a permanent spot on you dinner menu, I know it has on ours.

Budget Friendly: Lasagna Soup

Everyone loves lasagna right?!?  It's not too difficult to assemble either, and that's a plus.  What if it was even easier to make?  That would make it the perfect meal!  This wonderful thick, creamy soup is packed with all the classic flavors of a good slice of lasagna in each spoonful.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella 
• pinch or two of shredded parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
•  4 baby carrots
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon jarred garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 lasagna noodles
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese

Steps:

Put the turkey into a skillet and mix in the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Also mix in 1/2 a teaspoon of salt and the fennel seeds.

Brown and crumble the turkey.

While the turkey is browning, pour 1 can of diced tomatoes into the blender.

Add the old bay seasoning, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Steam the baby carrots.

Add them to the blender, and blend until smooth.

This makes tomato soup.

To the slow cooker, add the soup that you just blended up, the additional diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, the minced onion, dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley, garlic, pepper, and ground turkey.

Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add it to the soup.

Mix and cook on low for 5 hours.

30 minutes before serving time, mix in the ricotta cheese.

Serve with some warm, soft french bread.  Savor the flavor of delicious lasagna in a soup!

The Secret to Perfect Fluffy Pancakes

What a simply wonderful way to make breakfast special.  It does take a bit of practice to make the perfect pancake, and I have a little unlikely secret ingredient to make those pancakes extra fluffy and addictively delicious: white vinegar.

Last Post of 2013: Best Apple Pie EVER!

Well here we are, the last day of 2013.  For me, this year has gone by quickly, yet really slow at the same time.  I can't say I'm too broken-hearted to start a new chapter in my life.  This is the year that I turn 30 (I have a little less than a month to go,)  and I'm quite determined to make it a great one!  Hopefully this new year will be full of new adventures, and great cooking.  So long 2013, welcome 2014!  I wish all of you a wonderful new year!

For Christmas I made an apple pie to bring to one of our dinners.  I got nothing but rave reviews, so I knew that it was a recipe that I needed to share with my readers.

What a comfort apple pie is.  Slightly tart and sweet apples, smothered in a sweet spiced syrup, all stuffed in a homemade (after years of doing a store bought one, I finally faced my fear and conquered it) flaky crust.  Serve it warm with some sweet vanilla ice cream, and it is simply the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Holiday Dishes: Dutch Worsteboojes

Literally translated: sausage rolls, these made quite an delicious treat!  What could be better than a a pork and beef mixture all wrapped up in dough.  These tasty bites weren't too, too difficult to make, and they definitely weren't too difficult to polish off either.

Worsteboojes can be found year-round in many regions, however in Limburg, worsteboojes are traditionally eaten after returning from midnight mass.

A Greek Christmas: Lemon Pork

I know, I know, I haven't made a post in the past couple of weeks as I promised I would do.  Our computer died.  The computer was down and out for a week.  But I have a couple of new holiday dishes for all you readers, so I will post them both this weekend.

The first of the meals that I made was Greek inspired: I made lemon pork.  Pork is a major staple on the Greek dinner table from December 6 through January 17.  Lemon pork is packed with flavor!  To compliment this dish, I also made roasted acorn squash and sweet potatoes with a lemon and maple syrup glaze.  I used pomegranate seeds to garnish my plate.  Pomegranates are a symbol of Christmas in Greece.  Pomegranates symbolize marriage, fertility, life, and hope.  I also made some candied walnuts to go on top of the squash, but they were so delicious, that I ate them all before I took a picture.  Oops.

Holiday Dishes: French-Canadian Tourtière (Meat Pie)

As I stated on the Off The Menu facebook page, through the end of the year, I will be making traditional holiday dishes from around the world.  This week I chose to make a tourtière.  This dish originated in what is now Quebec, and is traditionally served on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or Christmas.

A tourtière is usually made of beef and pork, however I made mine with ground turkey that is seasoned to perfection.  Throw in some mashed potatoes, and top it all with a flaky golden brown crust, and you have yourself one satisfying meal in a pie that I just might be making at holiday time from now on.

A Comforting Meal: Mac and Cheese Casserole

Who decided that mac and cheese is only for kids, because who doesn't love it?  Noodles smothered in cheddar cheese; so yummy!  What a comfort too.  When you've had a rough day, this is the perfect meal to fill you up, and make you feel better.  This casserole full of mac and cheesy goodness, plus little sausage bits and seasoned fried potatoes cubes spread throughout, and topped with crunchy potato chip crumbs. 

Peanut Butter Banana Bread With Mini Peanut Butter Cups

What a simply wonderful breakfast or snack, banana bread makes.  This banana bread has a twist; it has  peanut butter in it.  But wait, it also has another special treat in it; mini peanut butter cups!  So don't throw out those squishy bananas, make a treat that the whole family will love!

Italian Favorites: Double Battered Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant parmesan is one of Chef Matt's absolute favorite Italian dishes; he's crazy about it!  He was the first one to introduce me to eggplant parmesan at the age of about 20.  Before I met him, I had never even tried this tasty dish.  When I first had it, truth be told, I couldn't see (or taste that is) what all the fuss was about.  There was something about it that I wasn't crazy about.  After thinking about it, I figured it out; too much eggplant, and not enough breading.  So, I decided that I needed to make this dish for myself, and see if I could make it in a way I would like.  After some experimenting, I realized that double battering the eggplant slices was exactly the taste combo that I was looking for.  Eggplant that is extra crunchy and packed with flavor, who could ask for anything better?

Jerk Chicken Quesadillas with Mango Salsa

With the delicious slow cooker jerk chicken I made sweet and savory quesadillas filled with jerk chicken and melted cheddar cheese, topped with tangy mango salsa.  The taste combination was out of this world amazing.  This is a winner for sure, that I will definitely be making again... and soon!

Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

What a fantastic meal!  I've said it before, I love, love, love my Slow Cooker.  My kitchen smelled wonderful all day, and I couldn't wait for dinner time.  The smell was even sweet, yet spicy; cinnamon and nutmeg combined with molasses, and a hint of habanero added to the mix.  Make this once, and I guarantee you'll be making it time and time again!

Empanadas

I love empanadas!!!  Savory with a slightly sweet and spicy tone, they simply can't be beat.

This recipe is quite labor intensive because there are a lot of steps involved, but the efforts are  worth the end result!

The Perfect Winter Meal: Chili

Who doesn't love chili?  Chili is especially great when it is cold outside, and you need a meal to warm you from the inside.  However, chili is a perfect dinner for any night!  Loaded with beans, meat, and diced tomatoes, it is the perfect combination to fill you up.

The Secret To Making The Best Lasagna And Home Made Turkey Meat Sauce

When it comes to Italian food, lasagna definitely tops my list.  What's not to love?  Gooey cheese sandwiched between layers of pasta noodles, all smothered in delicious sauce.  I made this recipe a tad healthier by using ground turkey instead of ground beef.  Read on for how to recreate this classic meal, homemade sauce and all!