Not really Italian except for the pasta and Parmesan. Made for the little ones who are into ranch dressing … But come to find out, everyone loved this simple pasta dish. We have company and I opted to make this for our little guest. Mom had to see the ingredient list and do a taste test and she approved. The leftovers might even be tastier as the flavors increase.
Not only is this a one dish meal, it’s prepared together, roasted tritip and vegetables. My family … we love a vegetable. This delicious main dish meal is so easy and foolproof. It’s perfect for family and guests. Pop this into the oven … it cooks quickly and is perfect for the summer days that are just too hot for outdoors. 108 degrees here today. Add some asparagus to the red potatoes, red onion and red bells to balance the color. Yes, I was advised this might have just a little too much red going on. You just can’t see the arugula. Five of us had no difficulty eating all of this delicious meal. Give it a try!
Any time is a great time for soup! Hot or Cold weather makes no difference. I reach for soup just about anytime. Even more when I’m under the weather … tired, sad or have overdone with rich foods for days. It just perks me up, mood and all! This is one of my go to soups because I have the ingredients at hand & I love greens … And it’s a bit Italian and Portuguese, two of my favorite cuisines.
About the greens, I love escarole (a variety of endive) but kale and spinach are great substitutes and are readily available. I prefer using fresh greens in this soup but frozen will do in a pinch. Let’s get on with the recipe.
Delicious option for that leftover chicken and rice you had last night. A side dish but can be your main dish especially for that week-end brunch. I love it hot or cold (refrigerated after baking). Was this the rice dish that made such a hit the fall of ’69? Just seems like yesterday the family was gathering for the first born. Thankfully for me <smile> he looks a lot younger than he is. If you need a make ahead dish this is perfect! If you just love the combination of chicken and rice you can’t pass this up!
When I first came across this recipe I knew it was Portuguese in origin. Or at least from my grandmother’s recipe collection. Now that I’ve made this wonderful pudding I’m clueless who to thank. Here is an old fashioned custard bread pudding that isn’t only simple but requires no sauce or additional adornment. Serve this as a dessert or as part of your buffet brunch. It works as a side or lite main dish.
From Cold Cucumber Soup to General Tso’s Pork Chops. It may seem my recipes are random but each has a special meaning for me. Almost all have been cooked or shared by family or friends. I might tweak the recipe a bit to bring it up to date or just provide an easier approach with the same delicious results. My mother has a delightful friend/cook who can create these wonderfully Asian inspired dishes, Adobo Chicken Wings, Tinolang Manok. Yes, even the Japanese Eggplant Appetizer but without the marinara, of course. That was my idea. But what does this dish have to do with all that! Well, I fell upon this history of General Tso’s Chicken. The dish sounded so good! I knew I had just about all the ingredients to prepare this dish especially now with this new friend of mother’s and mine … But no chicken. I had these pork chops and thought, this will work. Oh yes, how clever. Not really … It’s been done already but not with my recipe anyway. Enjoy this meat dish over rice for just an amazing meal.
Dan and David have done it again. My brother, Dan, has been cooking Deep Pit Style for decades. It’s always for a special event where there’s going to be a big crowd. It began with the Willitts’ Pump Company Christmas Celebration. Now he’s asked to do this for wedding receptions, picnics and school or church functions. Even a rodeo! David, his youngest, has taken these photos, and provided much help too. David’s our family’s official chef.
Dan’s going to tell us about the materials to use and how to use them to achieve the right temperature and cook to perfection!
Dan’s going to tell us about the materials to use and how to use them to achieve the right temperature and cook to perfection!
It’s that time! I have the full instructions. This is pretty foolproof. But Dan has some funny stories about first timers. Like a friend who had hoped for succulent pit style turkeys for a Thanksgiving celebration. The pit hadn’t been successfully sealed and the fire kept smoldering. When the pit cover was opened hours later only ash was left. It’s important to bring the dirt right to the very outside edges of the metal pit, the complete depth, as seen here. Otherwise air will leak into the interior and the fire will continue.
Just to clarify, we are cooking with hot ash/coals and with the heated surrounding earth. Not flame. With this said know the initial fire is key. In this 30″ diameter by 40″ deep pit Dan makes a hot oakwood or other hardwood fire and maintains this hot flaming fire for 8 to 10 hours, usually starting at 6am. Once this fire is well underway the pit is filled to the top with hardwood adding more wood as the day progresses. (Do not use pinewood.) After the 8-10 hours of burning, the coals are ready for the meat. (During the fire preparation have your burlap bags soaking in a large bucket of water for the same amount of hours.) Dan places (drops it carefully) a 26″ diameter metal plate over the ash … Lowers the wrapped meat with a hook (wrapping discussed later) onto the metal plate … Places a lid over the top of the metal pit to totally cover … And covers the lid and immediate surrounding area with dirt, packing it tightly to keep air out. Follow this packing with a good sprinkle of water. The fire and burning coals inside will eventually go out. The meat can stay in this underground oven 24 hours without overcooking or becoming cold. If the meat is placed into the pit at say 5pm it can be removed the following day anywhere from 10am to 6pm.
Quick and Easy Enchiladas … Enchiladas have always been a family favorite. In the day, putting together enchiladas seemed like a big laborious process … grating the cheese … cooking the onion … and just in general making it a big operation, preparing dozens at a time. So many tasks back then seem so easy today … Has the process really changed? Yep, it has! This can be done in no time with the help of a few conveniences that either were not available or just not used in the 60’s. Enjoy this easy delicious recipe for Cheese Enchiladas.
It’s Sunday! Pasta Sunday to be exact! Yes, a favorite side dish layered over angel hair for a quick Pasta Sunday Dinner. Deliciously Vegan!
Quick and Easy Hot Pockets. Make this easy tortilla filled treat … fry or deep fry. Chicken, ham and jalapeño Monterey Jack Cheese filling is my favorite but try any number of fillings. You don’t need a tortilla press unless you have a need for perfectly round tortillas. For this recipe perfectly round will make little difference. You just need a rolling pin, waxed paper or plastic wrap. I benefited from a very thin metal blade spatula too. BTW these Mexican Style Hot Pockets are great cold too! Thank you Carly for the Hot Pocket idea!