Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

I really enjoyed this recipe. It took me a while to find a pulled pork recipe that I felt comfortable making. I didn't want one where you just dump a gallon of BBQ sauce on it and call it good. I wanted more flavor then that. And I definitely didn't want one that involved soda , they may taste good but not healthy that's for sure.  So eventually I came across this one. Yes it includes BBQ sauce, but only a limited amount, and you are more then welcome to add more, my family just doesn't like it swimming in BBQ sauce. I accompanied this recipe with homemade hamburger buns and homemade coleslaw. It truly put it over the top! I will be posting the Hamburger bun recipe as well! Link to Homemade Bun Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons table salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (2-3) pork tenderloin
• 1-2 cups barbecue sauce (use as much as you like)

Directions:
1)Mix all spice rub ingredients in small bowl.

2)Cut each tenderloin (2) into three pieces so it fits easily into your crock pot. Place tenderloins in a 9x13 Pyrex dish. Massage spice rub into meat. Cover tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3)Unwrap and place pork in slow cooker liner. Add ¼ cup water. Turn slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, until meat is fork-tender.

4)Transfer meat to cutting board. “Pull” by tearing meat into thin shreds with two forks or your fingers ( be careful it can be really hot)

5)Place shredded meat back in slow cooker liner. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce. Add more if desired. Heat on low for 30-60 minutes, until hot.

Makes about 8 pulled pork sandwiches. 
Link to Orginal Recipe 

Creamy Tomato Basil and Cauliflower Soup

On rainy cool days, one of my favorite things to make is soup! I have such fond recipes of my omas soup, that no matter what soup brings some sort of comfort. I am not a fan of plain tomato soup, but tomato mixed with some other type of vegetable, then yes! So I looked around for a while, and finally came upon this recipe. This recipe is fairly easy, and most of the ingredients you will have on hand. 
Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 of a head of cauliflower, chopped
• 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 32 oz chicken stock
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/3 cup chopped basil
• 5 oz shredded asiago cheese
• Reduced fat sour cream

Directions:
1. In a large soup pot, melt butter. Add onions and garlic and saute 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
2. Add chopped cauliflower and saute another 2-3 minutes. Add chicken stock (should cover cauliflower). Let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cauliflower is tender.
3. Add cans of diced tomatoes, chopped basil basil, and greek yogurt. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until creamy and there are no lumps. (You can also pour the soup into a blender in two batches, and blend until smooth. Then pour back into the pot.)
5. Once blended add 5 ounces asiago cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer for another 15-20 minutes, stir to combine melted cheese.
Orginal Recipe Here

One Pot Wonder South West Pasta

Can I just say one thing? I LOVE one pot meals. Hardly any dishes? simple easy recipe? Sounds like a winner to me! 
Comforting pasta dishes are always a hit in my house. My boys love pasta , and so does my husband! This is one of our favorite recipes, So please give it a try! 

Ingredients:
1 13.5 oz. box of whole wheat rotini (or any pasta you like)
2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 medium green bell pepper cut into thin strips
½ medium red onion, sliced
1 15 oz. can Rotel canned tomatoes and chilies (I used the Mexican blend with lime and cilantro)
¼ cup taco seasoning (I used Old El Paso, medium)
1 tsp. salt (if the taco seasoning you use contains a lot of salt, you may want to reduce this)
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
4 cups fat-free chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup Mexican cheese blend, plus more for topping (Optional)

Directions:
1)Add all but the last 2 ingredients (beans and cheese) to a large pot. Stir, cover, and bring to a rolling boil.
2)Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. There should be ¼ to ½ inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot when it is done.
3)Remove from heat. Stir in the black beans and cheese (optional). Let it rest for 5 minutes to warm the beans, melt the cheese, and absorb the excess liquid.
Recipe Courtesey of---> http://thewholesomedish.com/one-pot-wonder-southwest-pasta/

Carrot/Potato Mash

I love mashed potatoes, but having plain potatoes can get boring after a while, so I am always looking for ways to make my mashed potatoes more interesting. This is one of my favorite ways to make them. It adds more nutrition and more of those yummy flavor!
I dont have an exact recipe for this, usually I just guess at it and taste it through out making it to see how the flavours are working out.

Peel and cut potatoes and carrots, Boil together in the same pot until both are tender enough to mash. 
Drain.
Add butter, usually I add about 2-3 Tablespoons. 
Add salt to taste
A sprinkle of brown sugar about 1 Teaspoon
1/4 cup of sour cream and a splash of milk.
Then mash until combined.

These just look so much prettier then regular potatoes! 

 

Creamed Kale

Yes, I jumped on the Kale band wagon, I know not many are a fan of kale, but after trying this I would be surprised if you didn't LOVE it! Even my toddlers liked this recipe, and that's saying something! So please enjoy this lovely indulgent but healthy kale recipe.
I paired mine with a BBQ chicken Thigh and White bean Mashed potato substitute. Recipe coming soon for those!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 small shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces cream cheese
18 ounces frozen kale, lightly steamed
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 - 1/2 cup whole milk
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
 In a large skillet add butter and olive oil and set over medium heat.
Once melted add in shallots and garlic. Saute until soft and fragrant.
Add in cream cheese, break up with spatula and let melt into the pan. If it starts to burn turn down the heat.
Once it's mostly melted add in steamed kale and stir.
Stir in Parmesan cheese.
Pour in 1/3 cup whole milk, stir and add more milk if needed for creaminess and moisture.
Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
*Recipe From--> http://www.nutmegnanny.com/2014/11/12/creamed-kale/

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

I don't really need to explain much in regards to these cookies. They are awesome. My whole family loves them, they don't last long that is for sure!! Please give them a try!

 

 

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter
2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Whole Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/2 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
3 1/2 Cups Quick cooking Oats
2 tsp. Vanilla

 

Directions:
Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax paper or parchment paper. Let cool until set.

*Recipe Courtesy Of* -->http://www.bubblews.com/news/1149225-the-best-ever-chocolate-oatmeal-no-bake-cookies

Old Fashioned Butter Milk White Bread

I love Homemade bread, it is so much better tasting then store bought bread. Bread can be a bit time consuming to make, So I searched and searched for a recipe that took a bit less time then your typical Bread recipe. 

Eventually I found this recipe and I knew it was a winner. In the first part of this recipe all the hard work is done by the bread machine! Honestly, you hardly have to do anything other then wait for it to rise again after it comes out which is only an hour! 

Now please believe me when I say this recipe is super easy! I have three boys under 3 and a house to take care of and even I find time to make this recipe!
Give it a try! You wont be disappointed!

Old Fashioned Butter Milk White Bread

Ingredients:
1/3 cup Water
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbl of butter or vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 tbl brown sugar
3 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp yeast
4 tbl gluten (optional)

Directions:
 Put all ingredients in your bread machine, according to your manufacturers settings. Mine go in the exact order listed above.

Select dough setting. Mine takes about 1 hr 30mins

Once your dough cycle is finished, punch down the dough and place it in a greased loaf pan. I like to use Pam. I spray it all over the loaf pan, place in my bread dough and then spray the top with more Pam. I then put plastic wrap over the top and wait for it to rise. It should rise up and above the edges of the pan.

Once doubled in size, bake at 350' for 30 minutes or until lightly brown on top.

Take out of the oven and immediately rub a cold stick of butter over the top.

I do enough, so that my bread has a light coating of butter on top.

Let cool a few minutes and then remove from pan and onto a plate, 

where it will completely cool.
**Recipe courtesy of**-->http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2011/05/old-fashioned-buttermilk-white-bread.html