Monday, December 14, 2009

Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce

Sometimes slow is fast.  That's the case with this wonderful invention: the slow-cooker.  It takes a little effort on the front end, and then you get to enjoy the fantastic aromas in your home through out the day and the glory of an effortless evening meal.  Yes, I'm excited.

Here's a phenomenally good slow cooker recipe to try.  I got it from a cookbook entitled "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook."  It's excellent!  

Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce

Serves 4

 One 2-pound boneless pork loin, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 or 4 pieces

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and cut into strips

1/3 c. teriyaki sauce (or make your own with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and honey)

2 TBSP. rice vinegar

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ c. creamy peanut butter (chunky works too)

 For serving:

½ c. chopped green onions

¼ c. chopped dry roasted peanuts

2 limes, cut to make wedges

  1. Put the pork, bell peppers, teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and garlic in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on LOW until the pork is fork-tender, 8 to 9 hours. 

  1. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and coarsely chop or shred the meat.  Add the peanut butter to the liquid in the cooker; stir well to dissolve the peanut butter and blend with the liquid to make the sauce.  Return the pork to the sauce and toss to coat the meat evenly.

  1. Serve in shallow bowls over rice or rice noodles, and sprinkle each serving with some of the green onions and peanuts.  Pass the lime wedges.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Soft Drop Sugar Cookies

My dad and I like to plan the menu for any of our big family gatherings.  He was the first person in my life to show me the joys of cooking.  So, for this Christmas, he delegated the desserts to me.  And by the way, I can't wait to see my sisters!!!  To experiment for the upcoming festivities, my kids and I made a batch of soft drop sugar cookies tonight... which we made half-way healthy.  I striped the tops of each cookie with melted dark Wilbur chocolate, and everyone was suddenly happy just looking at them... and ecstatic eating them.  
Here ya go!

Mix wet ingredients.  Mix dry ingredients.  Mix them all together with electric mixer.  Drop by the tablespoon onto a baking stone or cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8 min.

1 c. butter (soft)
2 eggs
1/2 c. plain whole milk yogurt
1/2 c. whole milk 
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. agave nectar
1 squirt of liquid stevia extract
1/2 c. granulated organic sugar or raw (I used granulated fructose)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. sprouted organic wheat flour
2 and 1/4 c. unbleached organic white flour (I used the kind that has the germ added back in)

Enjoy!! 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A fresh taste for your leftover turkey!

Hi.  Here's a perfect use for your leftover turkey.  My neighbor and friend just made it today and gave me some.  God bless her!  I had no idea what I was going to make for supper tonight.  And I've been craving fresh vegetables and salads, so this hit the spot.  The recipe is here:  http://www.recipehouse.com/Amy's-cookbook/recipe/1/Asian-Chicken-Slaw

Asian Chicken Slaw
Healthy main dish salad for the summer or anytime!

Ingredients
1 (16 oz.) bag cole slaw mix
1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded
2 c. broccoli florets
1 c. snap peas
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 c. sliced scallions
1/2 c. chopped cashews
Dressing:
1/4 c. soy sauce or "Bragg's Liquid Aminos"
2 TBSP. white vinegar
2 TBSP. peanut butter
1 TBSP. honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly grated ginger (or from a jar)
1/2 c. olive oil
1 TBSP. sesame oil

Instructions
In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, chicken broccoli, snap peas, red pepper, and scallions. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the salad with the dressing. Top it off with the chopped cashews.


Cooking in season

Hi guys, 
Gotta share a cookbook with you.  I just got my first cookbook that is specifically laid out by seasons so I can buy fresh and local foods and know what to do with them when they are freshest and highest in nutrient density.  Yeah!  How inspiring!  It's called "Simply In Season" and here's the link:  http://www.worldcommunitycookbook.org/
I happened to purchase it at the Hans Herr House in Lancaster... talk about inspiration for doing things the old fashion way.  Actually, I was just glad for electricity when I left that field trip.  It was a cold day with Lucas's kindergarten class.  But they were troopers.  Cold weather is a good reason to snuggle!  Random thoughts.  Snuggle on!
Amy