Slow Cooked Pork with Stuffing

This dish is divine on a cool, rainy day. This says comfort food all over. (photo by Kjunstorm)

Slow Cooked Pork with Stuffing

6 oz. stuffing mix
1/2 onion, chopped
some carrots, chopped
some raisins
1 apple, chopped
1 cup chicken broth
2-3 lbs. pork (I used boneless chops)
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1 tsp. Creole seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
pepper

Toss the first 7 ingredients into the bottom of your slow cooker leaving the pork on top.
Mix the rest of the seasonings.
Sprinkle or rub into the pork.
Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

Make it a meal: Serve with steamed green beans.

Wine: Shiraz

White Sangria

Summer is nearly here and it is important to have your summer cocktail recipes lined up. This one can be made ahead of time except for the seltzer. Add that just before you serve.

I made a pitcher of these for the Kentucky Derby, since I can't stand bourbon and therefore mint juleps were out of the question. My horse did not come in, but my new Estee Lauder lipstick made my pout so pretty.

White Sangria

1/4 cup brandy

1/4 cup sugar

cup up fruit (I chose fresh strawberries and a green apple)

1 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

1 liter lemon flavored seltzer water

Combine the brandy and sugar in a pitcher.
Stir to dissolve the sugar.
Add fruit and wine.
Chill until you are ready to serve.
Add seltzer.

Make it a meal: Serve with pretty appetizers while watching the Kentucky Derby.

Wine: Don't be silly.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

This dish says,"Summertime!" Spice up your life with a little Jamaican flavor. Divas are already spicy, but then again, divas believe too much is just enough. Don't chop things too much, because you're going to put them in a food processor. (photo by naotakem)




Jamaican Jerk Chicken

1 shallot, chopped

2-3 dashes ginger

1-2 dashes allspice

1 dash cinnamon

2 glugs olive oil

1 jalapenos, chopped

salt & pepper

pinch of red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 splash cider vinegar

2 splashes white wine

1 splash orange juice

1 splash Worcestershire

8 chicken thighs or drumsticks (or go crazy and do 4 of each!)

Combine shallot, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, oil, jalapenos, salt, pepper, red pepper, and garlic in a food processor or blender.
Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar, orange juice, and Worcestershire to make a paste.
Brush the jerk sauce onto the chicken.
Place the chicken in the slow cooker and cook for 5-6 hours on low.

Make it a meal: Serve with rice and Sweet & Sour Brussels Sprouts and mangoes.

Wine: Sauvignon Blanc

Sweet & Sour Brussel Sprouts

A minor miracle occurred last night. My man ate Brussels sprouts. He will eat ANYTHING with bacon on it, so I gave this recipe a shot and bingo! (photo by Kellybeanz)

Sweet & Sour Brussels Sprouts

2 slices bacon, cut up in pieces

1 package frozen Brussels sprouts, thawed

2 thick slices of onion, chopped

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup white wine

1 Tbs. sugar

dash of salt & pepper

1 squirt of brown grainy mustard

In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp, then remove to a paper towel to drain.
In the drippings, saute Brussels sprouts and onion for a bit.
Add the vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and mustard.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer until sprouts are tender.
Serve with the crumbled bacon on top.

Make it a meal: Serve with Jamaican Jerk Chicken (see recipe) and rice.

Wine: Zinfandel or Sauvignon Blanc