Sweet-and-Sour Pork

PREP/TOTAL Time:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Cornstarch

2 tablespoons Water

1 pound Boneless Lean Pork Chops (cut into 1-inch cubes)

1 tablespoon Corn Oil

1 can Pineapple Chunks, Undrained (8 ounces)

1/2 cup Dark Corn Syrup

1/3 cup White Wine Vinegar

2 tablespoons Ketchup

2 tablespoons Reduced-sodium Soy Sauce

1 tablespoon Minced Garlic

1/2 cup chopped Yellow Pepper (1-inch pieces)

1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper (optional)

Cooked Brown Rice (optional)

Substitutes:

3/4 pound Boneless Lean Pork Roast (cut into 1-inch cubes)

1 tablespoon Canola Oil (in place of Corn Oil)

1 Garlic Clove (minced)

1/2 cup chopped Green Pepper (the tanginess of the yellow peppers blends well with the pineapple)

Other Items Needed:

Small Bowl

Large Skillet or Wok

Asian Food is One of My Favorites & This One is SO Simple!

• In a Small Bowl, COMBINE the Cornstarch & Water until SMOOTH.
• Set aside.

 

• In a Large Skillet or Wok, COOK Pork in Corn Oil until browned.

 

• ADD the Pineapple, Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Ketchup, Soy Sauce & Garlic.

 

• Bring to a BOIL.
• REDUCE heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Add the Yellow Pepper (or green).
• COOK for 2 minutes.

 

• STIR the Cornstarch Mixture & STIR into the Pork Mixture.

 

• Bring to a BOIL.
• COOK & STIR for 2 minutes or until thickened and the pepper is Crisp-Tender.
• Add Crushed Red Pepper (if you like a little spice!)
• Serve over Brown Rice if desired.

 

Makes 2 Servings 

 

Best with a Zinfandel!

 

 

dévorer! 

  

 

 

Southern Honey-Pecan Pie

PREP:  15 Minutes  BAKE:  45 Minutes + Cooling

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Sugar

3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

3 Eggs (lightly beaten)

1 cup Honey

1/3 cup Butter (melted)

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Chopped Pecans

1 unbaked Pie Crust

1/2 cup Pecan Halves

Other Items Needed:

Small Bowl

Pie Pan

Aluminum Foil

Wire Rack (optional)

Let's Get Started on This Southern Staple!

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a small bowl, COMBINE the Sugar & Flour.
• STIR in the Eggs, Honey, Butter, Vanilla & Salt.

• ADD Chopped Pecans & MIX well.

• POUR into the Pie Crust.

• ARRANGE Pecan Halves around edge & center of pie.

• COVER the edges loosely with aluminum foil.
  
  
  

• BAKE at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
• REMOVE the Foil.
• BAKE for 20-25 minutes longer OR until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

• COOL pie on a Wire Rack.
   
  Store Leftovers in the Refrigerator
   
   
  Makes 8 Servings
  (according to your slice size, of course! :) )
   
   
  Vanilla Ice Cream will only ENHANCE the flavor!  
   

  

 dévorer!

 

Margherita Pita Pizzas

PREP/TOTAL TIME:  20 Minutes

Ingredients:

4 Pita Breads (6 inches)

2 tablespoons Sunflower Seed Oil

2 tablespoons Minced Garlic

2 cups Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese (8 ounces)

3 Plum Tomatoes (thinly sliced)

1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

Other Items Needed:

Baking Sheet

Substitution:

Olive Oil (in place of Sunflower Seed Oil)

2 Garlic Cloves (in place of Minced Garlic)

Quick & Easy Dinner Tonight!

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• PLACE Pita Breads on an ungreased Baking Sheet.
• BRUSH with Oil.
• TOP with Garlic.

• ADD 1 cup of Mozzarella Cheese.
  
   
• ADD Tomatoes, Garlic Powder, remaining Cheese & SPRINKLE with Italian Seasoning.
  
   
• BAKE at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until Cheese is Melted.
  
   

 

Makes 4 Servings

 

This recipe is delicious with a sweet red wine like Madeira.   

dévorer!

Steak Sauce Turkey Sloppy Joes

PREP:  15 Minutes  COOK:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

3 pounds Ground Turkey

4 medium White Onions, chopped

2 Carrots, chopped

1 tablespoon Garlic Powder

1 can Diced Tomatoes, undrained (28 oz.)

1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 cup A.1. Steak Sauce

2 tablespoons Chili Powder

2 tablespoons Paprika

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

15 Hamburger Buns

Other Items Needed: 

Dutch Oven

Colander

 Substitutes:

2 Celery Ribs (in place of Carrots)

1 Garlic Clove (in place of Garlic Powder)

Quick & Easy Meal for Plenty!

• In a Dutch Oven, COOK the Turkey, Onions & Celery over Medium heat until the meat is lightly brown.
• ADD the garlic.
• COOK 1 minute longer.

 

       

• DRAIN.
• STIR in Tomatoes, Worcestershire Sauce, Steak Sauce, Chili Powder, Paprika & Pepper.

• Bring to a BOIL.
• REDUCE the heat; SIMMER, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened & heated through.

• SERVE on Hamburger Buns.

Makes:  15 Servings 

Best enjoyed with a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot!

dévorer!  

Cuban Black Beans

PREP:  20 Minutes + soaking  COOK:  1-3/4 Hours 

Ingredients:

2 cups Dried Black Beans, rinsed

6 cups Water

1 teaspoon Thyme Leaves

3 medium Green Peppers, chopped

2 medium White Onions, chopped

1/2 Sunflower Seed Oil

3 tablespoons Garlic Powder

1 can Tomato Puree (15 oz.)

1/2 cup Chicken Broth

2 tablespoons Sugar

3/4 teaspoon Salt

Other Items Needed:

Large Saucepan

Large Skillet

Substitutes:

1 Bay Leaf (in place of Thyme leaves)

Olive Oil (in place of Sunflower Seed Oil)

6 Garlic Cloves (in place of Garlic Powder)

Takes A Little While.... But Well Worth It!

• SOAK the Beans according to package directions.
• DRAIN & RINSE Beans, discarding liquid.
• PLACE Beans in a large saucepan.
• ADD 6 Cups Water & Thyme Leaves.
• Bring to a BOIL.
• REDUCE the heat; COVER & SIMMER for 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours OR until tender.

 

• While the beans are soaking, in a large skillet, SAUTE the Green Peppers & Onions in the oil until tender.
• ADD the Garlic & COOK 1 minute longer.
• STIR in the Tomato Puree, Chicken Broth, Sugar & Salt.
• BRING to a BOIL.
• REDUCE heat, SIMMER, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until thickened.

 

• DRAIN the Beans. (discard Bay Leaf if you used that)
• STIR Beans into Tomato Mixture.

 

MAKES:  9 Servings

 

This dish makes a wonderful side with any meat!  It has also be requested twice since I first made it!

 

dévorer!