Shredded Pork

This isn't the best picture. As a matter of fact you are probably wandering what that really is???? First of all this isn't a recipe it's more of a great tip on how to make the best shredded pork. Ready??? Just buy a regular pork roast (not a pork loin) stick it in your slow cooker cover the top of the roast with liquid smoke and cook for 6 hours on high. That's it. Seriously, this is so yummy...it taste like you have been smoking it in the smoker all day. Not to mention it makes you house smell like you have been smoking it all day too! 

This shredded pork is great for sandwiches, taco, etc etc.. you will love it

.  This time we shredded it, put it over rice, and topped it with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and banana peppers (the yummy jarred ones). It was delicious!

Great Marinade for Steak

This is a great recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki marinade. I used it on steak, but really think I will try it with pork chops next.

1 - 6 oz. can pineapple juice
6 oz. teriyaki sauce
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. minced garlic

Mix all the ingredients in a resealable bag. Marinate any meat,  for at least 45 minutes or up to 24 hours. If the meat needs tenderizing, leave it in the marinade overnight. The pineapple juice does the tenderizing.This recipe is especially good on beef, pork, chicken, and salmon. Grill or broil as desired.

Susie's Valentines Cake Decorating Party!

I have always wanted to do a cake decorating party for one of my girls, and I have always wanted to do a Valentines Birthday party for Susie (since she was born in February). So this year I decided to combine the two. It turned out so cute, and was probably one of the funnest parties we have had.  It was a lot of work, but in the end worth it! I made all of those cakes plates (a dollar store candlestick, and plate glued together), and all of those mini cakes. So with that being said, if you plan to do a cake decorating party remember there is A LOT of prep work!

Canning my own Tomatoe Sauce

Ok so I read an article about the dangers of eating tomato sauce out of a can recently.......Ugh I hate that! We use so much tomato sauce in our house, it really is the one can food item that I always keep in the pantry. I hate that it's so NOT  good for you! So of course I had to try jarring my own. It turned out really good, but I'm not gonna lie it's a chore.  It took a long time and had a lot of steps. I will say it tasted so much better, and fresher, I will definitely try to keep making it!  Here is how I did it..... oh by the way this is the most basic recipe I could find.

• 8 lbs. supremely ripe tomatoes (a bit overripe isn't bad here either)
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 4 Tbsp. jarred or bottled lemon juice
• 4 pint-size jars with sealable lids for canning

Preparation:

1. Rinse the tomatoes clean and pat them dry. Now you need to remove the seeds and skin. This can be done one of three ways: Option 1: Cut a small "x" in the bottom of each tomato and blanch them for about 30 seconds in boiling water, remove to an ice bath, slip off their skins, cut in half and squeeze out the seeds.
   Option 2: Roughly chop the tomatoes and run them through a food mill.
   Option 3: Whirl the tomatoes quickly in a blender and push the puree through a fine sieve.
2. Put the peeled and seeded tomatoes or tomato puree in a pot with the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring now and again, until the mixture is reduced by about a third, about 45 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, sterilize the jars and lids bring a canning kettle full of water to a boil.
4. Put 1 Tbsp. of the lemon juice in each of the 4 jars. Transfer the hot tomato sauce to the hot jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of head space at the top. Screw on the lids, put the jars in a canning rack, and lower them into the boiling water in the canning kettle. Process for 40 minutes.
5. Remove jars and let them cool. Store in a cool, dark place (a cupboard or pantry works great) until ready to use.

Sloppy Joes for a crowd

No doubt I always seem to have a house full of teenagers lately. Most of the time its not planned. They just seem to show up and multiply...weird how that happens. Did I mention they always show up hungry??? Yes they do especially the boys. Here is a great recipe you can throw together quick, easy, and with what you probably already have in your fridge...

  

2 to 3 pounds lean ground beef  

1 cup chopped onion 

1 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional for picky eaters) 

3 tsp garlic powder 

2 tbl mustard 

2 cup ketchup 

2 tbl brown sugar

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.
2. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar; mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper

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Easy Pork Chops For Busy Weekdays

This isn't an actual recipe but I'm going to tell you what I did to make these yummy pork chops! You will be surprised how easy and how good these really are!

In a large skillet add the following ingredients, and cook pork chops til done. 1/4 c soy sauce, 1/4 olive oil, 1/4 vinegar, 1/4 brown sugar. Yep that's it! Serve over rice, and your done!

Oriental Chicken Salad

I 

I love the Oriental Chicken Salad from Applebees so much, I decided to come up with my own version. Here is the recipe I used, and it was great! Might have even been better than Applebees.

• FOR THE DRESSING:
• 3 Tablespoons Honey
• 1-½ Tablespoon White Rice Wine Vinegar
• ¼ cups Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Mustard
• ⅛ teaspoons Vegetable Oil
• FOR THE SALAD:
• 4 pieces Crispy Chicken Strips, Cooked According To Package Directions
• 8 cups Chopped Lettuce (I added a handful of spinach)
• 1-½ cup Coleslaw Cabbage Mix With Carrots
• 3 Tablespoon Sliced, Toasted Almonds (found Mine In The Salad Section)
• ½ cups Chow Mein Noodles