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

Pin It

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!