Sunday Dinner

As I sat this morning trying to think of an appropriate dish to post for today it dawned on me that today was Sunday so why not post something that could be used as a typical dinner for a Sunday.  Considering how tight budgets are right now I also wanted to give you guys something that was cost efficient as well.

Ciao'

Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

Pork Chops (Cut of your choice)
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Seasoned Meat Tenderizer
Cooking Oil
Flour for breading

Directions:

For the Pork Chops I prefer to use a boneless thin cut center chop. I put a little seasoned meat tenderizer on them followed by black pepper and garlic powder.  I cover them in flour and I pan fry them in canola oil. It should only take about 3-5 min per side considering thickness.  You don't want to cook them too long or it will cause your grease to burn and your chops to stick to your pan. Once they are done you need to allow the oil to drain from them so just simply lay them on a plate lined with paper towels.


Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Courtesy of Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

3 medium baking potatoes peeled and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon (or more) whole milk, at room temperature or warmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions: 

In a medium saucepan, cook the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan.

Add the butter, sour cream and garlic. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or the back of a fork until the ingredients are blended. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes are the desired consistency. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed

I'm Baaaack

Whew, after a hectic 1st year teaching I am back for a summer debut.  I'm gonna try and do better posting guys even if it's only once a month! If there's anything you guys would like me to post just shoot me an email at pocaria@1081creations.com and I will do my best to respond ASAP!!

Since I've been out for the summer I've tried 2 new things in the kitchen and I cans say the 1st was a success although it wasn't what we expected.  The 2nd was AMAZING!! I shall share both with you now...

Ciao'

Island Stew Chicken

4 lbs chicken  – cut into serving size pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 cloves of garlic – thinly sliced or crushed
1 teaspoon fresh  ginger – crushed/sliced
2 tablespoon vegetable oil (one that can withstand high heat)
1 medium onion – chopped
1 medium tomato – chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4cup water
dash of black pepper
1/4 hot pepper (I used Habanero)
1 green onion or chive (scallion) – chopped
2 sprigs of fresh thyme (1 teaspoon dried)
1 lime or lemon or 3 tablespoons of vinegar
1/2 teaspoon green seasoning (I LEFT THIS OUT)
1 can chickpeas (Channa) 540 ml/194 fl oz (I LFET THIS OUT)

* I used chicken legs & boneless/skinless thighs since I love the flavor you get from dark meat. 

In a large bowl place the cut pieces of chicken and pour the vinegar/lime or lemon juice and work between all the pieces of chicken. Rinse with cool water and drain. Then add all the ingredients, except the oil, sugar, chick peas and water. Allow this to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or 2 hours to get best results.

In a large heavy pot – I used an enameled cast iron pot,  Heat the oil on high heat, then add the brown sugar and stir. This is a bit of a tricky process and it’s important you get it right. No worries, I have faith in you. You want the sugar to completely dissolve, then start going frothy and finally it will go to a rich dark brown colour. DON”T let it go black or really dark brown or it will give the dish a bitter taste. 

As soon as you get the rich dark brown colour, add the pieces of seasoned chicken and stir so every piece gets colored with the caramel we just made. Use a spoon with a long handle when putting the seasoned chicken into the pot, as the hot oil/sugar combo can cause some splattering.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium/low, cover the pot and allow that to cook for 15 minutes (stir occasionally).

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1-2/3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1-1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup finely crushed hard peppermint candy(optional)
• Additional crushed hard peppermint candy(optional)

Directions

1. 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
   
2. 2 Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl; beat on high speed of mixer 3 minutes. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture, beating until blended. Add candy, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pans.
   
3. 3Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

I covered with cream cheese frosting and it was absolutely delicious! It was also super moist... When we cut the first piece it split on the top like an earthquake had struck! It might have been ugly but the taste was great.  Next time I will try to add some coconut to the icing. ;)

Deception...

So I've been thinking that I wouldn't mind working at a bakery over the summer (since teachers don't get paid for 2 months).  It would be fun and a great learning experience for me to see the ins and outs of daily bakery life...

I went down the street to a Bakery (that shall remain nameless) to try out their goods and to possibly try and  see about being taken under their wing...

When I walked in I as immediately taken aback because the place was tiny, they sold old fashioned dip ice cream, and not to mention they only had 1 type of cupcake in the display case. We weren't greeted as we walked in the establishment either.  Trying to be a good patron I waited patiently as I looked over the few cupcakes they had then I saw the price... a whopping 2.00/cupcake!!! (they were regular cupcakes might I add)

I finally was greeted and I decided I would give them a try and I would purchase 1 cupcake...Eyes backed out on me (smile) I bought a strawberry cheesecake cupcake and I was actually very eager to try it. Oddly enough it was 2.00 even (no tax)...

Once I got back to the car I looked over the cupcake and noticed it looked a bit familiar...the pink specks in the cake looked similar to those of the Duncan Hines/Betty Crocker Strawberry Supreme... I took the first bite and I was HEATED!!!  I was right it was cake mix and the icing was too!!!

I felt so cheated, I had just paid 2.00 for a box cupcake with can icing...

Needless to say I will be trying my best to learn the bakery business on my own to avoid deception again..

Ciao'