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Archive for the ‘Cooking’ Category

Menu Plan Monday

Posted in Menu Planning, tagged on July 25, 2011|

Here we are again…another Monday and this happens to be the last one in this month which seems incredible.  July has just flown right by!  This week is supposed to be a little more bearable weather-wise around here and I am glad of it.  Last week, south central Kentucky saw temperatures in the high nineties with heat indexes well over 100 degrees and sometimes over 110 degrees.  I know I was very thankful for my office job and air conditioning.

Since this week may be a little cooler, I plan on cooking a little more this week than last week.  I am planning on trying about three or four new recipes this week so stick around for the results.  My in-laws (best ones ever) bought me a countertop ice cream maker for my birthday so I am anxious to try different recipes for that as well.  To show you how thoughtful they are, they also included a vegan ice cream cookbook since I am extremely lactose intolerant.  I can’t wait to try some out and see how they compare to the real deal.

Southern Plate’s Deep Dish Pizza (new)

Ham Biscuits with roasted potatoes & cucumbers (2 nights)

Basic Pancakes with bacon (new)

Salisbury steaks with roasted potatoes

Homemade Fudge Rounds (new)

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Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Posted in Cooking, tagged , , on July 23, 2011| 16 Comments »

I am a big fan of pork, whether it is pork chops, shredded pork BBQ, baked ham, or this simple recipe.  I came up with this one on my own so it is REALLY easy!  Ha!  I am not the person who usually comes up with the recipes, I just cook them.

This one is my little creation with just three ingredients and about an hour of your time needed.  That’s not too bad, is it?

Pork tenderloin, approx. 1-1.5 lbs.

Montreal grilling seasoning

BBQ sauce of your choice (I want to try to make my own sometime.)

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Season the loin with the grilling seasoning.  Preheat your grill to medium (about 375 degrees) and then prepare it for indirect heat.  My grill has three burners so I left the middle and the right side on medium and turned the left burner to low-medium.  Then I put the pork loin on the left side.

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Grill the meat for about 15 minutes then turn once, and only once.  I have learned in my limited grilling experience that the fewer times you touch the food, the better it will be.  Also, use tongs to turn it, not a fork.  When you stick the meat with a fork, you will lose the good juices.

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Cook for about 10 more minutes, then apply the BBQ sauce and cook for about 5 minutes more.  Using this method, the sauce won’t burn and become hard.

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Let the meat rest for about 20 minutes then slice and enjoy!

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Please join me over at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage for her Full Plate Thursday feature.

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Menu Plan Monday

Posted in Menu Planning, tagged on July 18, 2011|

Here we are again…it’s Monday!  Time just seems to fly by, doesn’t it?  Sometimes I would like to slow down the world a little bit.  How about you?  There are so many things that I would love to see and do but there never seems to be enough time.  Oh, well.  I guess that means that I need to slow down myself and enjoy doing what I am doing and not think about the things that don’t get done, but that can be hard for a type-A like myself!

I was a little ahead of myself on our schedule last week.  For some reason, I had it in my head that we had to attend a baby shower yesterday.  It’s next Sunday! (Slaps head)  At least I have the gift ready on time.  Other than that, there shouldn’t be much going on around here this week and I am thankful for that.  Our house is showing signs of neglect and a good housecleaning is in order before long.  I hope all of my readers have a blessed and successful week in whatever they are doing!

This week’s list looks a little short because we may eat out a couple of times, but who’s complaining?  I am not, that’s for sure!

Cheesy corn chip skillet

Grilled burgers and fries

Pizza night

Steak & Seafood night

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mallow Bars (new)

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Southern Plate’s Apple Julep

Posted in Cooking, tagged , , , , , on July 16, 2011| 4 Comments »

For the July edition of the Picture Perfect Cooking-Southern Plate project, I have chosen a very refreshing drink that I think everyone would love!  It is sweet with just a hint of tartness from a little bit of lemon juice and it goes down so easy.  Sometimes a little too easy, since these juices have quite a bit of natural sugar, so a little glass goes a long way!

I first had a drink like this in the Applewood Farmhouse restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN a couple of years ago.  I tried to duplicate it, but I could not get the taste just right.  I think Southern Plate did though because this is just how I remember it!  Make this on a hot summer day and watch it disappear!

1 quart apple juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

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Mix all of the ingredients in a pitcher and chill until ready to drink.  Serve over ice and enjoy!

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Please join me at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage where I linked this recipe.

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Menu Plan Monday

Posted in Menu Planning, tagged on July 11, 2011|

Another week has passed and Monday is here again which means it is back to work and routine after a shortened holiday work week.  I survived my 20 year class reunion Saturday night. I, along with three other classmates did most of the planning which means we had to get there early to set up and stay ‘til the bitter end to clean up.  We had over thirty classmates plus their guests and everyone seemed to have a good time.

I HAVE to go to the grocery this week to pick up some essentials and we are attending a baby shower for C’s cousin and his wife this coming weekend so this week’s list is, again, a little short.  The taco ring did not get made last week so it gets pushed to this week which is great since it makes enough for two nights.  Happy hot July to everyone!

Grilled pork chops with roasted potatoes

Taco Ring (2 nights)

Grilled hot dogs and chips

Southern Plate yellow cake with peanut butter frosting (This didn’t get made last week either.)

Grocery night

Baby shower

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Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Posted in Cooking, tagged , , on July 9, 2011| 21 Comments »

I am always on the look-out for slow cooker meals that my family will enjoy.  This recipe was featured on one of the best cooking blogs out, Our Best Bites, way back in February of 2008.  I just found it recently and decided to give it a try.

This is so easy, so good, and can feed about 6 or 7 people with one batch.  The only thing I changed was that the recipe called for red wine and we don’t partake so I didn’t have any to use.  I used more beef broth, but next time I may substitute some steak sauce or BBQ sauce for the wine for a little extra kick.

Also, if you have the time and patience, (I didn’t this time), let the leftover cooking juice set for a while and spoon the fat out.  It makes a great au jus for dipping the sandwiches.  I did pour a little of the juice on the sandwiches as I was putting them together.

Beef chuck roast, approx.. 3 1/2 lbs.

16 oz. beef broth

10.5 oz. French onion soup

6 oz. red wine

1 tsp. garlic powder

Salt & pepper to taste

6-7 hoagie rolls

Sliced provolone cheese

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Trim the excess fat off of the roast and season meat on all sides with salt and pepper.

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Pour beef broth, onion soup, red wine, and garlic powder into a slow cooker and place beef roast in liquid.

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Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Take beef out and let it rest, covered with aluminum foil, for about 15 minutes.  Slice or shred the beef and return to the slow cooker on low or very low for 30 minutes.

Lightly toast the rolls and evenly distribute the cheese between them.  Divide the beef onto the rolls and spoon the beef juice into small bowls for dipping.

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This recipe is linked up at Lady Behind The Curtain’s Cast Party Wednesday & Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday.

Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by West Bend.

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Menu Plan Monday

Posted in Menu Planning, tagged on July 4, 2011|

Happy Independence Day, everyone!  Hopefully, today will be filled with celebrations of all kinds.  C & I decided to celebrate by staying home and taking it easy on this long weekend and it was just what we needed! 

I don’t have as many meals listed this week because most of what I am making will last us for 2 or more meals which I like very much for a busy week like this one.  I made enough shredded BBQ yesterday to have enough for today as well and the other dishes make plenty, too.

This weekend is my 20 year high school reunion and I think it will be tons of fun.  I have helped plan it with 3 or 4 other ladies so hopefully everyone that is coming will have a great time.  I know it has been really enjoyable to spend time with people that I don’t get to see very often.

Shredded pork BBQ with oven baked fries & basic slaw

Cheesy steak sandwiches with oven baked fries (2 meals)

Taco Ring (2 meals)

Pizza night

Southern Plate’s Yellow Cake with Peanut Butter Icing

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Basic Cole Slaw

Posted in Cooking, tagged , on July 2, 2011| 11 Comments »

C loves Cole slaw so I try to add it to a meal at least once a week.  I usually take the easy route, like this recipe, and buy the shredded mix and make the dressing.  Soon, I hope to make it completely from scratch and add my own touch to the vegetable mix and dressing, but for now, I will stick with the quick and easy way!

1 package Cole slaw mix (This one has green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots.)

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use light.)

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp milk

salt & pepper to taste

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In a large bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, sugar, and milk. 

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Stir in the slaw mix.  Add the salt and pepper to taste.  Chill until ready to serve.

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This makes a fairly dry slaw, so if you like yours wet, make a double batch of the dressing.

I am linking this recipe at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage’s Full Plate Thursday.

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Menu Plan Monday

Posted in Menu Planning, tagged on June 27, 2011|

Another week has passed and I survived my first week back to work after vacation, but just barely.  Why does that first week back seem so long…even longer than the week before vacation.  Oh, well.  At least there is a long weekend coming up for the Independence Day holiday.  Happy birthday, America!

This week’s menu is made up of old faithfuls and favorites because it is time to enjoy the summer and not worry about fancy meals quite so much.  It will be nice to keep it simple and be able to enjoy a little deck time in the evenings just relaxing.  There is also have an event coming up very very soon, my 20th high school reunion. Gulp!  I can’t believe I am old enough to have a 20 year reunion, but since I wasn’t a child genius, I am certainly the right age.  I am looking forward to seeing some of my classmates that I haven’t seen probably since graduation.  I am sure it will be a blast!

Here is this week’s plan.  Get out there and enjoy the sunshine if you can!

Homemade sloppy Joes with oven baked fries

Cheesy corn chip skillet and salad

Grilled hot dogs & chips

Hot ham & cheese rolls

Grilled pork chops with grilled potato wedges

Shredded pork BBQ with oven baked fries

Pecan Pie

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Fudgy Brownies

Posted in Cooking, tagged , on June 25, 2011| 10 Comments »

I found this recipe on the Taste of Home website last year, but had not had a chance to try it.  When I was searching through my files for something new last week, I found this and thought it would be perfect.  Boy, was I right!  This is so rich and decadent that a little goes a long way, but it is so good!

Try this with a big tall glass of cold milk to wash it down.  Yummo!

 

1 package fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)

1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 to 3 tablespoons peanut butter

2 tablespoons cold 2% milk

4-1/2 teaspoons instant vanilla pudding mix

1 can (16 ounces) chocolate fudge frosting

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Bake the brownies according to package directions.  I used 2 smaller baking dishes instead of the 9×13 because I was taking this to two difference places.

When the brownies have cooled, combine the confectioner’s sugar, butter, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla pudding mix in the bowl.  Mix until creamy then spread over the cooled brownies.

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Now spread the chocolate frosting over the peanut butter layer and chill for 30 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

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I linked this recipe at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday!  Check it out here.

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