Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Original West Coast Sauce

Create your own pulled pork sandwiches. This was fabulous!

Be adventurous and really you cannot go wrong.

Pork Roast 
4-5 lb pork butt roast
Make a rub with equal portions approximately
1 tsp of paprika, cumin, pepper, garlic powder, salt and sugar
2 Tlb olive oil

Rub the pork with oil and then the spices
Add the pork to the pan
Add 1.5 to 2 Cups of apple juice to pan
Cover and cook for 4 - 4.5 hours at 325º F


After the pork is cooked, shred with a fork for your sandwiches
Add a cup of BBQ sauce to the pork mixture

Orange Spicy Chipotle Sauce

Add to pan and cook on medium heat:
2 Tlb of olive oil
Then add and Saute: 
1 onion chopped
4 cloves of minced garlic
2 sticks of chopped celery

Roast Peppers in dry frying pan: 
2 ancho (something spicy) dried peppers
2 chipotle (something smokey) dried peppers

In a large pot add:
sautéd mixture and the roasted peppers
1 can roasted chipolte in sauce
1/2 C apple juice
2 cups of stock
1 can tomato sauce
1 C ketscup
2 Tlb worscheshire sauce
2 Tlb orange rind grated
1/4 C white vinegar
1/2 C cider vinegar

1/4 C white sugar
2 Tlb molasses
2 Tlb honey
1 tsp ginger
2 Tlb paprika
1 Tlb mustard powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp pepper
salt to taste
2 Tlb persimmon jam or any sweet like apricot jelly
Add drippings from pork roast
Blend mixture till smooth
Add more sweetness, bite, or spice Adjust to your own flavour craver.
We froze the remainder for another day.



Cole Slaw
1/2 small red cabbage shredded
2 -3 carrots shredded
1 medium onion diced
Add:
1/2 C yogurt
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Assemble and serve with fries or chips or with your favourite side.

Red Mole Sauce

This was my first time and either it was beginners luck, or I tapped into my Mexican ancestors. 

A hint of spicy, smoky, nutty; made with chilies, tomatoes, tomatillos, nuts and chocolate.

5 Cups stock
2 guajillo dried chili peppers, stemmed and seeds removed
2 ancho dried chili peppers, stemmed and seed removed
3 chipotle dried chili peppers, stemmed and seeds removed
( peppers should have a variety of smoky and spicy flavours)
1 piece of dried bread (size of one roll)
2 corn tortillas or 3 Tbl masa flour
2 - 5 tomatoes
5 -8 tomatillos
1 Tbl butter
1 onion
5 garlic cloves
1/3 C assorted nuts
(pine, peanuts, almond, pecan or pumpkin)
1/4 C raisins
2 Tbl cumin powder
1 Tbl dried thyme or fresh sprigs
1 tsp all berry spice
3 cinnamon stick
1 tsp cinnamon
5 ounces of chocolate ( milk and dark combined)


Heat half of the stock in a pan till it simmers (around 5 minutes) and remove.

Prepare chilies by cutting them into flat strips and removing the seeds.  Roast the chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat stirring constantly for around 3 minutes, until warm and aromatic.

Add the stock to a blender and the chilies.

Add the corn tortillas and bread to the skillet and toast.  Add bread and tortillas to the stock in the blender. Let this soak for around ten minutes. Blend together.  Add more stock as needed.

Cut the tomatoes and tomatillos into quarters pieces.  Roast the tomatoes and tomatillos till they are soft and blackened about 4 minutes per side. Add to the blender.

Melt butter in a large frying pan, add chopped onion, garlic, nuts, raisins, cumin, cinnamon stick, all spice, thyme, and cinnamon. Cook stirring constantly till the spices emulsify and the onions are soft.  Remove cinnamon stick and thyme sprigs; add to the blender. Blend till fully mixed and then add to large frying pan.

I used fresh thyme sprigs and removed them after.  

The blender got pretty full in the end. It took a few hours of roasting but well worth it and fun to make.  

I froze a few containers for future meals.










Add the mixture from the blender to the frying pan and add the chocolate. Melt the chocolate and simmer for about ten minutes.







Smoother either your chicken or enchiladas with this decadent authentic traditional Mexican sauce and bake.

I served chicken with mole with plantain, salad with cactus, mexican cheese and tomatoes, beans and orzo.  

Pulla -Finnish Sweet Bread

This is my first time and it was fantastic.  My mom said she had this growing up and makes it at Christmas for gifts for the neighbour. Great toasted with jam.

Ingredients and Directions

Step One

In a bowl, mix together the following ingredients:
11/2 Cup lukewarm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp yeast
And let it sit for around 10 minutes.

Step Two

Add to the mixture:
1 1/2 Cup (scalded the cooled) milk
1 C sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp cardamon
1/2 C water
1/2 C butter (melted)
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 C flour
3/4 tsp raisins (optional)

Beat all the ingredients together with a whisk until smooth.

Step Three 

Add more flour: 
3 1/2 flour

I used the bread maker at various stages to help mix it up and it was easy.

The directions are to knead it for 3 minutes and then let it rest for one.  Repeat and knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until the dough becomes soft and satiny. Cover with a damp cloth and let it sit in a warm place for an hour.

Punch down and cut it into three equal pieces. Then cut the three pieces in to three again.  Roll our each piece into long strips about 10 inches long and braid the three together.  You will have three fairly large loafs.

Cover and let it it rise for 30 minutes.

Beat one egg and brush each loaf. Bake at 385 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes.

Variation-add almond slivers on top.

Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

For this use what you have in terms of nuts and dried fruit; there happened to be a lot in the cupboard so it was a good time to make a hearty breakfast bar.

Ingredients 

1/3 Cup white flour

1/8 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 Cup honey

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 Cups chopped nuts  (pecans, walnuts and/or almonds) and ground flax and chia seeds

3 Cups of variety of chopped dried fruit

(apricots, dried cherries, prunes, cranberries, blueberries, figs and/or dates)

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F .
Prepare all the nuts by chopping and the fruit. You do not need to chop the dried berries.  Remove the pits if you are using dates and cut them in quarters.


In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients together and mix add nuts.  Whisk in a separate small bowl, the egg and vanilla.

Add fruit mixture to large bowl and egg mixture.

Mix it all up and press into greased (with butter or sprayed with oil) 8 by 8 pan and press down till even looking.

Place on middle rack in oven and bake for 30 -45 minutes till done.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

  A very healthy alternative dinner.  We always change the ingredients and use what we have. This day, we happened to have smoked gouda which was a really flavourful change. 

Ingredients

4 medium size peppers
1 Cup white basmati rice
3-4 Tbl olive oil
3-4 cloves of minced garlic

1 medium chopped onion

6 -8 assorted chopped mushrooms
500 grams extra lean ground turkey meat
1 C corn
1 /4 Cup variety of fresh herbs
(thyme, sage, oregano, basil or chives)
salt and pepper
1 -2 Cups cheese

Directions

Half the peppers and clean them out.

Cook rice.

Saute onion, garlic, mushrooms and turkey meat with olive oil in large pan. Add corn, rice and salt/pepper. Mix together. Add half the cheese to mixture. Fill peppers with mixture and top with remaining in cheese.
We used a Cup of smoked gouda and parmesan cheese.

Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees F for 25 -35 minutes. Remove cover and cook until tops are golden brown.

We served with a salad and this makes a great meal.

Samosas with Mint Chutney

We have both always wanted to make samosas and surprisingly it was not as difficult as we had thought it would be.  They are so delicious! Give it a try. 

There are no mistakes in cooking, just new creations.

Dough
2 C white flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbl vegetable oil
3/4 C warm water

For dough, combine dry ingredients and stir in oil and slowly add warm water till it comes together. It takes about 5 minutes. Form into ball, wrap and set aside n fridge.

Filling Mixture
1 can of chick peas
1 C peas
5 large peeled, cooked and cubed potatoes
3 cooked diced carrots
1 medium minced onion
1 hot green or 3 red chilli peppers (your preference)
1 inch (1 Tbl) fresh grated ginger
4 cloves of minced garlic
juice of half of lemon
1 bunch cilantro
cooking or vegetable oil for mixture and for frying

Spices 
2 Tbl masala
2 Tbl cumin
1 Tbl tumeric
1Tbl red chilli powder
1 Tbl fennel seed
2 Tbl ground coriander seed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

 Prepare all your veggies first-boil potatoes in lightly salted water, cook diced carrots and set aside.

Add oil to a frying pan and saute´ onion and garlic till clear. Add spices to pan and stir for a minute till spices are toasted.  Add chillies and ginger. Add chic peas and peas and saute´for 5 minutes.



Remove from heat and stir together with other veggies and lemon juice. Add more spices to desired taste.

Assembly of Samosas

On a lightly flour surface, roll a ball

(size of golf ball) of dough to make a 

6 inch circle, and then cut in half.   

Get the dough as thin as you can.  

Add water to the edge, fold the two 

corners up and over and seal together 

to make a pocket.   Holding in one hand 

add a couple of spoonfuls of mixture.  

Add water to the rounded edge, fold 

down and pinch to seal.

Add to heated oil.  Cook at medium heat till golden brown about 2 to 3 minutes per side.










Mint Chutney


Add all the following ingredients to a food processor or blender
and blend till desired consistency.

You may want to add the water a little at a time so
it is not too runny.

1 bunch cilantro
11/2 C fresh mint
1 green chilli minced
1 medium onion minced
1 Tbl tamarind or lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C water or as needed

Spaghetti Squash No Dish Casserole

I got this wonderful recipe from a friend years ago and it is fabulous. 

A great dish to for your spaghetti squash and guests! 

Preparing the Squash 

Cut spaghetti squash in half; remove and discard the seeds.

Place the spaghetti squash halves (filled with a quarter inch of water in each) on a baking pan in a preheated (350 Degrees F) oven and bake for 40 minutes till tender.

Scoop out the insides of the squash (after it cools) using a fork and shredding lightly.  Leave some on the bottom for support.  Make sure you save the shell to fill with the mixture as this is your baking dish.

Ingredients for the Casserole

1 Cup cooked rice  
4 garlic minced cloves
Assortment of diced peppers
1 diced onion
oil for cooking vegetables

We added some other vegetables that were in the fridge ie rapini, broccoli, corn etc.




Sauté 4 cloves of garlic, one onion,
and vegetables.

Add the cooked rice to the pan, and then the squash.

Add fresh or dried herbs, salt and pepper to taste.

Mix thoroughly.

Add the mixture to the squash shell.

Grate cheese -cheddar and parmesan and place on top of squash dish.  Be generous.

Bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes till cheese is golden brown and melted.

Toasted Bacon, Lettuce and Fried Green Tomato Sandwich-BLFGT

Both of us grew up enjoying fried green tomatoes 

and tomato and bacon sandwiches.  

This is a delicious variation combining them both.  

A delicious treat!

Directions for bacon
Heat oven at 350 F
Place bacon on cookie sheet
Leave in oven for 7-10 minutes till desired crispness
And no need to flip the bacon while cooking
Let cool




Directions for Tomatoes
Slice in desired thickness
Dip into flour and shake off excess
Shake salt and pepper on top
Fry in a heated pan with oil and butter

Toast sour dough bread just before tomatoes are done.
Add mayo and lettuce and serve with a pickle.

Here is the sandwich open with the fried green tomatoes 

on the sour dough bread.  

Rosolli (Beet Herring Salad)

When I asked my mom this summer, what are some of the traditional Finnish recipes you grew up with, she said "beet and pickled herring salad".  After my request she made this for the entire family. Everybody loved it! The version without pickled herring is called Punajuurisalaatti. I feel the herring adds the best part.

The diverse ingredients made a unique variety of textures and flavours. 

2 medium potatoes (cooked, peeled and diced)
2 tart (Granny Smiths) apples (peeled and diced)
2 carrots (cooked, peeled and diced)
1 medium onion (minced)
2  medium dill pickles (diced)




3/4 cup diced pickled or salted herring or sardines
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups cooked, peeled and diced beets
tsp of chopped dill

Sour Cream Dressing
1 C sour cream
1 Tbl. lemon juice
2 tsp. beet juice
1/4 tsp sugar

Whipped Dressing (alternative) 
1 C heavy cream
2 Tbl lemon juice
2 tsp beet juice
dash of salt and sugar

Add all the diced vegetables (except beets) and herring and toss.  Just before serving add the beets. Gently toss.

Serve in a salad bowl lined with crisp lettuce and serve chilled with a generous spoonful of dressing.
The other option is to mix the dressing in or on the side.





After serving this to my friend, she said the flavours marry well together so nicely!

South Asian Quinoa Medley

Comfort  food that is yummy, healthy and low fat.

Mix together 
1/2 C yogurt and 1/2 tsp of curry powder
Set aside n fridge for topping.

Ingredients
1 Tlb olive oil
2 C mushrooms
1 chopped onion
1 1/2 C carrots
half chopped cauliflower
1 Tlb minced ginger
2 -3 cloves of minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp coriander and cumin

1 tsp tumeric
4 C broth
1 C uncooked quinoa
1 c dry lentils -red rinsed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
bunch of kale or spinach
1/2 C green onion



Chop and then saute´ the vegies in a large pot.  after cooked add the spices and cook together for half a minute.




Add broth, lentils, quinoa, and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook for another 20 minutes.
Stir in chopped kale/spinach and green onions and simmer for 3 minutes.


Serve and top with yogurt mixture, cilantro or parsley and enjoy.


According an article in  Prevention Magazine January 2010 lentils are good protein, belly- filling fibre and fights fatigue, regulates blood sugar and according to reports can decrease a women's chance of Breast cancer by 24 %

Quinoa is known as the super food, a complete protein, full of fibre, high in magnesium and iron.  It is also a good source of calcium which I never knew.

Stewed Rhubarb

 Appropriate for the season and for a somewhat fast yummy different healthy (I believe) breakfast. 

Ingredients

1 C rhubarb

1 C strawberries

1 banana

3 C water

couple of squirts of stevia

Method

Cook in a large pot till desired consistency. Serve over vanilla flavoured yogurt.  

This is something I grew up on and still love. 

Szechuan Chicken Wings

Add sauce together and let chicken
wings marinate for a few hours.

2 lbs chicken wings
Sauce ingredients:
1/4 C each of various sauces oyster and hoisin
2 Tlb soya sauce
1 tsp fish sauce
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tlb grated ginger
1 Tlb sesame seed oil
1/2 C chopped cilantro
5 cloves of minced garlic
2 thin hot chilli pepper minced

Bake 30 - 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
Watch so they don't burn.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Turkey Mushroom Soup

Chop and  Saute´ in olive oil in a large pot.

4 garlic gloves
4 celery stalks
3 carrots
1 medium or two small onions

Add and simmer for 45 minutes: 
2 large potatoes peeled and cubed
6 C turkey stock
2 C brown or button sliced mushrooms
2 Tlb onion flakes
1/4 C fresh fresh sage and thyme
salt and pepper

After 20 minutes add:
2 C cubed turkey meat