DAY 30 RECIPE: SLOW COOKED PORK ROAST WITH BROWN SUGAR AND ROSEMARY GLAZE

It seems I have had a long standing fear of the Pork Roast. Not that I am afraid of physical harm or life ruin at the hands of the pork roast. But I have had more of an intimidation I suppose. Tonight I have over come that! Yay me! I managed to make a tender, moist, delicious pork roast! My plan for my recipe deviated as the day progrssed, but everyone was quite happy with the results! I hope everyone who tries this enjoys it as much! And if anyone else out there suffers from pork roast intimidation, I hope this helps you over come it as well.

DAY 30 RECIPE:

SLOW COOKED PORK ROAST


WITH BROWN SUGAR AND ROSEMARY GLAZE




INGREDIENTS:
1- 1.5-2LB Boneless Pork Roast
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Brown Sugar
½ Cup Apple Juice
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Prepared Mustard
1 Tbsp Rosemary
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
½ Tsp EACH Whole Cloves, Ginger, and Pepper
¼ Tsp Cinnamon


GLAZE:
½ Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Mustard
1 Tbsp Rosemary
2 Tbsp Apple Juice


DIRECTIONS;
In a bowl combine all ingredients EXCEPT PORK. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
Place roast in crock pot. Pour sauce over the roast. Flip it onto the other side to ensure that it is completely covered with sauce.
Cook in slow cooker for 5 hours on low. If you are around it is nice to baste the roast every 45 minutes to an hour.
TO MAKE GLAZE:
About 10 minutes before your roast is done; combine all glaze ingredients in a small sauce pan. Cook on medium low for about 10 minutes, until it reaches a nice smooth consistency. Stir constantly.
Remove Roast from slow cooker and place on a serving plate. Pour or brush glaze over entire roast. Serve.

DAY 29 RECIPE: EASY PEASEY MAC N' CHEESE

I cannot tell you enough how much I really LOVE mac n' cheese! I have probably 4 or 5 versions I make regularly. I come up with new ideas for it all the time, so you can be sure to see more recipes on here in the future! This one is a seriously easy version. A quick solution to the conundrum of the last minute"Oh no! I still have to get dinner on the table!" problem. I make it alot, it's a great sidedish, or if you throw in some veggies and maybe some pieces of leftover meat, it is a complete meal! Hope you enjoy it!

DAY 29 RECIPE:

EASY PEASEY MAC N’ CHEESE


INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Macaroni noodles
8 Cups Water
1 Tsp Salt
2 cups Cheddar, grated.
1 tbsp Flour
1 tbsp Milk
s& p to taste
Optional:
1tsp Dried Mustard
½ tsp Paprika

DIRECTIONS:
Boil water. Add Salt and noodles. Cook for about 7 minutes or until al dente.
When noodles are cooked, drain them and return to pot on low heat.
Add cheese, flour, milk and seasonings.
Keep on heat stirring constantly until cheese is all melted, and everything is evenly incorporated and smooth.
You can serve as is or; put in a casserole dish, add some more cheese on the top and stick under the broiler to brown up a bit (about 5 min)

DAY 28 RECIPE: BACON, TOMATO AND MUSHROOM CASSEROLE

The day BEFORE payday....Does ANYONE ever happen to have wonderul fresh ingredients stocking their house the day before payday? I NEVER do! The day before payday is always kind of a scramble/creative invention day. Well, today I came up with something pretty good! AND I had everything I needed here! The best part was that I was able to do 90% of the work earlier in the day while my kids were in better and more cooperative moods. Hopefully you will find this as helpful as we did!

DAY 28 RECIPE:

BACON, TOMATO, AND MUSHROOM CASSEROLE


INGREDIENTS:
8 Slices Bread
3 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
1 tbsp Oregano
1 Tsp Paprika
1 Tsp Salt
½ Tsp Pepper
½ Pkg Sliced Bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 Small Onion, diced
2 Garlic cloves, minced
2 Cups Sliced Fresh Mushrooms;
OR
1 can Mushrooms, drained
1 28 OZ Can Diced Tomatoes, drained
2 Tbsp Butter or Margarine
1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut bread into 1 inch cubes. Spread on a sheet pan and toast in the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
In the meantime, fry bacon for about 12 minutes. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms to the bacon and continue to cook for another 6 minutes or so.
Spread bacon mixture on some paper towel to absorb excess grease.
In a large bowl combine bread crumbs, bacon mixture and tomatoes. Toss together.
In a smaller bowl mix together eggs, milk, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper.
Pour egg mixture into the larger bowl. Toss everything together.
Butter an 8X11 inch casserole dish. Pour everything into the casserole dish and smooth out.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in your fridge ½ hour to overnight. Remove from fridge, place in oven and bake for 35 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and return to oven, bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

DAY 27 RECIPE: GIANT HOT WINGS

My husband, James, LOVE LOVE LOVES spicy food. This has been quite a challenge for me. I CANNOT eat spicy food and never have. I am actually allergic to peppers of any kind, so we have some really different tastes, to say the least! I can't even eat chilli powder in the smallest amount or my face triples in size!
When we were growing up, we never had spicy food. The hottest it got was Spaghetti! My Mom is not huge on seasoning her food SORRY MOM!  I will say though that my Mom is an amazing baker, and has taught me well!
So I have been learning ALOT over the last 4 years or so in the seasoning ans spice department. There have been quite a few mishaps, and poor James has always been my willing guinea pig. The not spicy enough is not that terrible, but when I over spice it, there are some interesting side effects! I have found a good balance in most things now, so I am happy to share what I have found.
These |wings" are pretty spicy, but I am told they will not burn you out! Hopefully you will find a chance to check these out and you all can give me some feed back! Hope you enjoy!

DAY 27 RECIPE:

GIANT HOT WINGS


INGREDIENTS:
10 Chicken drumsticks
½ Cup Ketchup
4 Tbsp Hot Sauce ( I used hot chilli sauce, it makes the sauce a little thicker)
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Onion Powder
1 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Molasses

DIRECTIONS:
Pre Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix all ingredients (except Chicken) in a large zip top bag, massage to thoroughly mix all ingredients together.
Add chicken and smush around.
If your chicken won’t all fit nicely into one bag, separate the sauce and chicken into two bags.
You can let this sit in the fridge for up to 4 hours or so; or you can throw it in the oven right away!
When you are ready to cook them, throw them in a FOIL LINED casserole dish. Pour any leftover sauce over the top of the chicken and throw it in the oven for 45 minutes.

*** This recipe works wonderfully for regular sized chicken wings as well, or mini chicken drumsticks. If you use the these instead of the drumsticks, use about 2 pounds of chicken.

DAY 26 RECIPE: gARLIC AND HERB SOFT BREADSTICKS

 Today I was not feeling all that great. Did I feel like excerting alo of energy making dinner? NO. What did I do? Well, I had some leftover soup, so I thought I would serve that. I also thought it would be really nice to make some delicious soft breadsticks. I like making those, they are tasty and the kids like to help. So the kids and I made the bread sticks, so I hope you all enjoy the recipes and the photos!

DAY 26  RECIPE:

GARLIC AND HERB SOFT BREAD STICKS


INGREDIENTS:
1 & 1/3 Cup White Flour
1 & 1/3 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3 Tbsp Butter or Margarine
1 tsp EACH Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, and Salt
2 Tsp Oregano
2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Cup Lukewarm Water
1 Tsp Sugar
2 & ¼ Tsp Quick Rising Yeast
2 Tbsp Butter or Margarine, melted.
1 & ½ Tsp Garlic powder
Pinch Sea Salt

DIRECTIONS:
Pre Heat oven to 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, dissolve sugar in water. Sprinkle yeast over top cover loosely with a tea towel and let site 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine flours, thyme, basil, rosemary, salt, oregano and 2 tsp garlic powder.
Cut in 3 tbsp of butter until crumbly.
Add yeast mixture and mix with a fork until dough forms into a ball. This may be a little easier if you use your hands!
Make “worm” shapes from the dough(roll into long cylinders) about ½ inch high and 5 inches long.
Place on a parchment lined sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile mix 1&½ tsp of garlic powder with melted butter.
Brush garlic butter over the bread sticks and return to oven for 5 more minutes.

DAY 25 RECIPE: SPICY BEEF SOUP

Well, today I used up the leftover roast beef from last nights dinner.  I made Spicy Beef Soup (James' Favourite!). Super easy to make, especially if you are using leftover beef! You can use whatever kind of leftover beef you might have, or you could use fresh as well, just extend the initial cooking time. A totally versatile recipe. You can also add whatever veggies you have on hand. So many options! Just remember, if you add quick cooking veggies (brocolli, cauliflower, peas, etc) add them during the last few minutes of cooking only! Root veggies can stay in much longer! Hope you enjoy this!
DAY 25 RECIPE:

SPICY BEEF SOUP


INGREDIENTS:
2 Cups Cooked Beef, in small pieces (I used leftover roast beef)
2 Tbsp Canola Oil
1& ½ Cups Carrot slices
2 Ribs Celery, sliced
1 Medium Onion, diced
1 Can Mushrooms, drained
OR
2 Cups Fresh Sliced Mushrooms
3 Garlic Cloves, Finely minced
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Thyme Leaves
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Pepper
1 & ½ Tsp Chilli Flakes

DIRECTIONS:
Heat Oil in a dutch oven or a large sauce pan over medium high heat.
Add beef and sauté for 6 minutes to achieve a nice deep brown colour.
Add veggies and continue to sauté for another 8 minutes.
Add Broth and seasonings. Reduce heat to low and let simmer at least ½ hour, up to 2 hours.

CALLING FOR SOME HELP:)

Hello my fabulous readers! Not sure if there are many of you, but whoever I have I think you are FABULOUS!!!
I have a favour to ask of you all....My sister and I have entered a cooking contest! We actually entered this quite a few months ago. It seems Pillsbury has had some issues with this contest, and it has been more than a little frustrating. Finally everything is up and working, but now there are only two days left to vote. I am posting this in hopes to get some more people to go and vote/rate for my sisters recipe and mine! We need to have a super HUGE response in these next two days even to place at all. I feel so frustrated, irritated, upset and stressed about this! I would love to have had the contest based on the merit of the recipe, but alas, that is not how this contest goes.So I am counting on some support from my readers, friends, anf family:) Thank you in advance to everyone!
anyhow, this  is the website:http://www.bakingchallenge.ca/index.php
the recipes to vote on are:
Swiss and Sage Turkey Bites
and
Individual Peach Cobblers

DAY 24 RECIPE: GARLIC ROAST BEEF

Here it is, another Sunday Dinner. I have had many MANY years of fighting with my enemy, the roast beef. The roast beef still tries to pull one over on me most of the time, but I got it this time! I have learned to watch very closely. In such a short amount of time, this nemesis of mine can easily over cook and turn into my saw dust special. I have also learned that, A) It is best to remove this from the oven a little before you think, as it will continue to cook once it is out; B) Let the roast sit about 20 minutes or so before you cut it; as this will allow everything to "settle"; and C) I make the roast a bit ahead of time and leave it sit in the pot with all the broth and whatnot for up to 2 hours or so. Keeps the roast warm and tender. This also frees up the oven for yorkshire pudding and whatever else you wish to make with it.
Anyhow, finally here is the recipe!

DAY 24 RECIPE:

GARLIC ROAST BEEF


INGREDIENTS:
1 2-4 LB Roast Beef
2 Tbsp Canola Oil
3 Tbsp Flour
1 Tsp Oregano
1 Tbsp Thyme
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Pepper
5 Garlic Cloves, peeled and halved
1 Large Onion, roughly chopped
2 Ribs Celery, cut into 2 inch sections
1 Cup Whole Baby Carrots
8 Cups Beef Broth
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

DIRECTIONS:
Pre Heat oven to 275 Degrees.
Mix together flour, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
Make 10 slits in roast. Shove garlic pieces into each of the slits.
Pat flour mixture over entire roast.
Heat oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat.
Put roast in dutch oven and brown/seer on all sides.
Remove roast from dutch oven and reduce heat to low.
Carefully add 2 cups of beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir constantly, picking all bits of the bottom, for 2 minutes.
Take off heat, add onions, celery, and carrots.
Place roast on top. Pour remaining broth over everything.
Cover and bake in oven for approximately 40 minutes per pound.
***Cooking time depends on how big your roast is and how well done you like it. 40 Minutes per pound should give you a medium well roast.

Oh Sunday....time for some Celebrity Rehab and tasty food:)

Today is Sunday. What does that mean to you? Have to go back to work tomorrow? Have to work today? Church? Hubby FINALLY goes back to work tomorrow? haha. Cleaning day? Sleep in day? Who knows!? It means lots of different things to lots of different people. To me, it means, hateful football on the TV, relaxing with my family, one of my favourite show on TV tonight! (Celebrity rehab). But does it have to mean a big time consuming meal at dinner? I know it seems to be a traditional Sunday night for lots of people. Never really was in my family when I was growing up.
Over the years I have thought that perhaps I was missing out on something. Now that I have my own little family, I thought a few times, that I would try to implement this Sunday Dinner tradition. Now I have realized that, it just creates more stress on a day that should be relaxing! Sometimes we end up having the big, time consuming meal. Mostly it ends up being left overs or throw togethers. As much as I love to cook, I think that maybe spending some quality time with my family shall outweigh slaving in the kitchen.
Of course, with that said, tonight we are having roast beef with mashed potatoes, veggies, and yorkshire pudding. Am I a hypocrite? haha.
I would love to hear some thoughts from anyone reading this...what does Sunday mean to you? And do you implement the "Sunday Dinner" tradition in your family?