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

Hearty Coconut Curry with chicken, chickpeas, and green peas

I will admit, I was a bit intimidated at first to try this dish. I had never made a curry before, Now keep in mind this is just a VERY basic curry, but I think it is a great starting point if you are just learning the wonders of Indian cooking. So please give it a try it is wonderfully flavorful!!

 

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons curry powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon paprika

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

salt to taste

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast

halves - cut into bite-size pieces

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

 

Directions:

1)Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until lightly browned. Stir in garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, paprika, bay leaf, ginger, sugar and salt. Continue stirring for 2 minutes. Add chicken pieces, tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

2) Remove bay leaf, and stir in lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes.

 

Im Back! New outlook, And New food!

Long time no see! Man I have missed this blog! Im super happy to be back at it. 
So where did I go you ask?
Well since I started this We have moved, from wonderful Montana and are now Located in Oklahoma. It has been quite a change but everyday I am learning to enjoy this state and all the new experiences (and food of course) that it has to offer. I added two new little boys to our family and we are now a happy family of 5! I have tried so many new recipes lately that I am super excited to share with you all. So bare with me and I will get them posted asap! 
Looking forward to restarting this journey with you all again :)
Stay tuned! 

 

Smoked Sausage Harvest Casserole

I love this recipe! It combines so many Ingredients that I love, Cabbage, cheese, beans yum! This dish is hearty and will fill you up without sitting to heavy in your stomach. I have changed some of the ingredients from the original recipe . It calls for the use of Parmesan cheese, but I like to switch it up and use a sharp cheddar instead, I find it really makes this wonderful dish taste even better!















Ingredients 

2 Tablespoons of Butter
5 Cups chopped Green Cabbage
1 Medium Onion cut in to halves and Sliced 
1 Cup of carrots sliced
1 Can ( 15 1/2 ounces) Drained Red or White beans
1 Can( 14 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons of flour
Dash of ground pepper
Salt to taste'
1 Pound Smoked sausage 

Directions

Heat Oven to 350 Degrees. Melt butter in a large Deep skillet over med-high heat. Add cabbage onions and carrots; saute for 5 minutes. Stir in beans, tomatoes, and vinegar. Sprinkle cheese, flour pepper and salt over Cabbage mixture and stir in. Spoon in to Greased shallow 2qt casserole dish. Cut sausage in to serving size pieces. Arrange on top of cabbage mixture pushing down partially. Cover and bake for 40 minutes or until hot. Makes 6 Servings.
* I made it salt to taste because originally the recipe calls for no salt, and it tastes ok with out it but I found it tasted even better with salt . So please do taste it and try it without first, then if you think it needs salt feel free to add it, I think it Greatly improves it !

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

I think that every family should have a "go to" peanut butter cookie recipe that's easy to whip up with ingredients that you have on hand. No special fancy nuts, or sugars, just a plain classic peanut butter cookie. This is my favorite recipe, I love how it stays soft and chewy. I really dislike hard crunchy cookies! 
This recipe is really easy to remember once you make it a couple times. Please give it a try and let me know if you like it too! 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients 

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

 

Directions

 

 

1.	Combine margarine, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Blend together very well.
2.	Add flour, baking soda and salt with mixer. Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll into balls by hand.
3.	Place on sprayed cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven until edges very lightly browning (about 7 to 10 minutes). Don't overcook. We store them in a glass storage container and they stay soft

Recipe From: Allrecipes - Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

German Potato Salad

This has to be one of my favorite recipes for potato salad. I love that its a warm salad instead of your typical cold version. I received this recipe from a family member , and I trust just about anything she makes so of course this turned out amazing. Please try this recipe out. You wont regret it! What could be better then potatoes and bacon? Yummy! 

Recipe courtesy of TasteOfHome.com  

Hot German Potato Salad

Ingredients

• 2 Bacon Strips Cooked and sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups refrigerated sliced potatoes
• 2 tablespoons diced pimientos

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. In the drippings, saute onion until tender. Stir in flour until blended.
• Add the water, vinegar, sugar, parsley and salt. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook potatoes in a small amount of water until just tender, about 4 minutes; drain. Add the potatoes, pimientos and bacon to the sauce; toss gently to coat. Yield: 2 servings.

Spicy Apple Glazed Meatballs

I have just one thing to say about this recipe. YUM!!! 

I tried this recipe on a whim one day when i was looking for something different to make...something that I hadn't tried before. Now Im not a big fan of spice, but my husband is, and these looked pretty good, so I thought why not. Not only is the recipe easy to follow, but its cheap too , about 90cents per serving.

We used a combination of deer and pork ground meat mixed together.  The only thing I didnt do that the recipe called for was the green onions, and I served mine as meal on a bed of rice, not as a appetizer.

Let me know if you tried them!

Recipe located here Spicy Apple Glazed Meatballs

Deer Steaks!

Tonights menu included grilled deer steaks, Green beans and mashed potatoes. Instead of marinating the deer steaks , I decided to use a rub. This rub is my go to recipe for steaks. Tastes good every time! it really matches well with the flavor of the deer. This is a recipe of our own creation, so please give it a try! You dont need to try it on deer you can use it on beef or chicken as well :)

Deer Steak Rub

Base the amount of spice to your liking, I usually use around a teaspoon and a 1/2 

of each.

- 1/8 cup of Olive Oil

-Tonys Creole seasoning

-Garlic powder

-Onion powder

-Mrs Dash seasoning

-Parsley flakes 

-Fresh Ground Pepper.

1)On a plate pour your oil

2)Add spices to oil and stir till mixed in.

3)Place a steak on the plate of oil and spices and rub the mixture in to the meat.

4) Grill to preference 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins!

I wanted to try a new muffin recipe, and I had some bananas laying around that needed to be used up. So I figured why not Banana muffins, with chocolate chips!! for that added sweetness :) After some searching on the internet for some Tried tested and true recipes, I found this one Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. I was intrigued by the use of sour cream! Needless to say this recipe turned out great! I highly recommend it!

Let me know if you try this!

If you have any other great muffin recipes please leave me a comment and let me know!