Onion Smothered Pork

• 1 6-7 lbs Pork Roast
• 2 large onions, sliced thin
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1 Tablespoon dried Thyme
• 1 Tablespoon dried Rosemary, crumbled
• 1 Tablespoon Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
  
• salt and pepper
• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 lemon juice

Trim fat off of roast. Season pork generously with salt, pepper, chili powder and Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning. Let the roast sit for about 1 hour at room temperature.

In a mixing bowl, combine the onions, garlic, thyme and rosemary and mix.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (F). Add olive oil to a large Dutch Oven on high heat and brown the meat on both sides until brown and crusty (10-12 minutes). Remove meat to a plate. Reduce temperature to medium and add the butter. When melted, stir in the flour, stirring constantly until it it turns a peanut butter brown (about 10 minutes). Add the onion mixture and coat the ingredients and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stir continuously. Bring to a boil.

Return the pork to the Dutch Oven and coat all side with the onion mixture. Cook at 300 degrees for 3 hours, turning the meat every 1/2 hour. The final hour, reduce the temperature to 275 degrees.

Remove meat from Dutch Oven and put the Dutch oven on the stove on medium heat. Remember the pot is hot!!! Simmer and reduce by 1/3 and skim off fat. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning.

Serve over rice.

Galumpkis (Pigs in the Blanket)

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 1 lbs Ground pork
• 2 large Onions chopped
• 3/4 cups partially cooked rice (otherwise it will soak up the meat juices and that's not good!)
  
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• 1/2 capful of Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb
• 2 Large Whole Cabbages
  
• 1 large can Whole Tomatoes or petite diced
  
• 4 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2-8 0z cans Tomato Sauce
• Olive oil
  

To partially cook the rice, cover the rice with water in a pan and bring to a boil. Remove heat and cover.

Brown onions and last 1 minute add the garlic. Cook 1 minute and add the drained rice and stir fry for about 1 minute on high heat. Remove heat and allow to cool. Mix the meats together and add the onion/rice mixture, spices and mix until well blended in a large bowl. Optionally, add some cayenne pepper to kick it up a notch.

Place cabbage in a plastic bag, add 2 Tablespoons of water and cook each cabbage 12-14 minutes in microwave to soften leaves. Do not close the plastic bag! Wait for cabbage leaves to cool, unless you enjoy burning your fingers. Wrap the meat using the larger cabbage leaves. Place about 1-2 Tablespoons of meat in middle of cabbage leave and roll it like a burrito. OK, so I lost a major portion of the American population on that one. Most Americans just don't know how to roll a burrito. Starting from the thick end of the cabbage, wrap the end up, then the sides folded in and finally roll it towards the top, OR the bottom up, the top down and the sides next, or just squinch it up in a pile if you just-don't-care anymore. I prefer the first method. If the last method appeals to you, put down the knife and go lay down until the voices stop talking.

Line the bottom of a very large pot with the outer large, broken cabbage leaves or cut up stalk pieces, so that the Galumpkis don't burn on the bottom of the pot. Place the Galumpkis in the pot and it's OK to stack them if you run out of room. Pour the can of whole tomatoes, with the juice and tomato sauce over the top of the Galumpkis and sprinkle with the brown sugar.

Bring to a boil and then lower heat to very low and cook about 2 hours. Put on the polka music and sip on some vodka while it's cooking. Serve with friends, more polka music and vodka.

Na zdrowie!

Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• 8 sweet potatoes, scrubbed
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 large firm but ripe pear, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 4 teaspoons minced and peeled fresh ginger
• 4 teaspoons (packed) light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1-1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash's Table Blend seasoning

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Place a cooking sheet below the sweet potatoes on lower rack to catch drippings. Pierce potatoes in several places with fork. Bake until potatoes are tender when pierced with fork, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly.

Meanwhile, place cranberries in small bowl; pour enough hot water over to cover. Let stand 5 minutes to soften. Drain well. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pears and sauté until tender and golden, about 4 minutes.

Stir in cranberries, pecans, ginger, and brown sugar; sauté 1 minute. Mix in 2 teaspoons vinegar and seasoning.

Cut off top quarter of each potato lengthwise; discard tops. Using fork, gently mash pulp inside each potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons vinegar. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon butter-vinegar mixture into each potato; mix with fork to blend.

Mound cranberry mixture in sweet potatoes.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap; let stand at room temperature.

Sweet Potato Casserole

• 6 large sweet potatoes—about 5 pounds
• 7 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup Madeira or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• chopped pecans for topping
  

1. Jab the potatoes in several places with a fork and lay them on the rack of a 375 degree F oven for about an hour (put a cookie sheet on the rack below to catch drips). They are done when a knife slips in and out easily. Meanwhile, butter the 9-cup baking dish and set it aside.
2. When the sweet potatoes are done, hold them under cold water and pull off the skin. It will come off in wide strips. Use an electric mixer or food processor to whip the potatoes with the butter, half & half, Madeira, orange rind, and spices. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
3. Plop the mixture into a buttered baking dish, level with the back of a spoon and top with chopped nuts or dot with slivers of butter.
4. When you are ready to cook this, bake uncovered for 25 minutes at about 350 degrees F.

Halushki (Polish Cabbage and Noodles)

• 2 large yellow onions sliced and cut in half
• 1 large head cabbage sliced (core discarded)
  
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1 capful of Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning
• 1 link kielbasa or 2 pkgs Hot Italian Sausage - cut into 1" pieces
• 2 sticks of butter
• 2 pkgs Egg Noodles
  

In a frying pan, brown the kielbasa or sausage until done.

In a large pot, melt the butter. Brown the onions and add the garlic. Mix in the seasoning and meat and cook 1 minute. Increase the heat to high. Pour the egg noodles on top of the meat and add the cabbage on top of that. Do not mix! Add 1-1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium, cover and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Mix well and test if the noodles and cabbage are soft. Check water level and add if it has all evaporated. Continue to cook, covered until the cabbage and noodles are soft and cooked. Adjust seasoning. Stir at regular intervals to avoid the haluski from burning on the bottom of the pot.

Pork Stew with Ancho Chiles and Lime Juice

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4-1/2 pounds trimmed boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning
• Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy seasoning
  
• 2 medium white onions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 pound baby carrots
• 3 fresh Poblano chiles, seeded and cut into very thin strips
• 3 Jalapeños sliced
  
• 3 bay leaves
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 32oz can Dices Tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Steamed white rice and sliced jalapeños, for serving

1. In a very large cast-iron frying pan , heat the vegetable oil until hot. Season the pork with salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash spices and add half of it to the frying pan. Cook over moderate heat, turning, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a plate. Brown the remaining pork.

2. Meanwhile, in a large casserole pot, stir in the onions, garlic, carrots, chiles, jalapeños, cloves along with some olive oil and heat until the onions are translucent. Season with salt, pepper and more Mrs. Dash seasoning.

3. When all of the pork has been browned, place it into the casserole, with all of its drippings and add the chicken stock, bay leaves, lime juice and tomatoes. Mix and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat until the pork is very tender and the carrots are cooked through, about 2 hours. Discard the bay leaves and stir in the cilantro. Serve with rice and sliced jalapeños.

Sesame and Soy Salmon

• 1 teaspoon chives
  
• 4 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning
• 1 pound center-cut salmon fillet

Stir chives, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, brown sugar and ginger in a medium bowl until the honey is dissolved.

Preheat grill. Place salmon on a double sheet of aluminum foil cut large enough to fold over the salmon. Season salmon lightly with Mrs Dash's Garlic and Herb seasoning and drizzle sauce over it. Fold foil to seal the salmon. Place on grill over low heat for 15 minutes. Open foil and drizzle remaining sauce over salmon and cook 5 more minutes over medium-low heat. Garnish with sesame seeds.

To toast seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Pork Chop Chile Burros

• 6 pork chops - fat removed and cut into small pieces
  
• olive oil
• approx 1 Tablespoon flour
  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy seasoning
• 1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (7 oz) small can green chile salsa
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 (7 oz) small can Herdez salsa verde

Brown pork chop pieces in olive oil until cooked. Coat with flour and put everything in crock pot, stir and simmer on low for at least 4 hours. Server with pinto beans, shredded cheese, extra salsa and of course ice cold beer.

Honey-Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey Marinade

• 3 racks baby back ribs (about 5 pounds)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whiskey
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
• 1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Honey Glaze Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup red pepper flakes, preferably Korean
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons sugar

1. Marinate the ribs: Arrange the rib racks in a large glass or ceramic baking dish, overlapping them slightly. In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce with the whiskey, honey, ginger, white pepper, sesame oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the marinade over the ribs and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
2. Make the glaze and dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey with the hot water. In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice with the fish sauce, soy sauce, pepper flakes, cilantro and sugar; stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Preheat the oven to 300°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange the ribs on the baking sheet, meaty side up. Roast for about 2 hours, until tender. Baste the ribs with the honey mixture and roast for another 15 minutes, until browned and glossy. Remove the ribs from the oven and baste again with the honey mixture.
4. Preheat a grill. Grill the ribs over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred, about 4 minutes. Transfer the racks to a cutting board and cut into individual ribs. Arrange the ribs on a platter and serve the dipping sauce alongside.

Adapted from recipe on www.foodandwine.com

Bucatini Carbonara

• 6 ounces bucatini or perciatelli
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces pancetta, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1 shallot, very finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
• 4 large egg yolks
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley
• Freshly ground pepper

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat until most of the fat has been rendered, 7 minutes. Add the shallot and garlic and cook over moderate heat for 1 minute. Add the cream and simmer over moderate heat until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the hot pasta to the skillet and stir to coat, 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water, the 2 tablespoons of grated cheese and the egg yolks. Season with salt. Divide the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with parsley and pepper. Serve, passing more cheese at the table.

Adapted from recipe on www.foodandwine.com.

Tamale Pie

Corn meal mixture

• 3/4 cup Yellow Cornmeal
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 1 egg beaten until it screams

Tamale Pie

• 2 pounds ground turkey (or beef, if you want to die from clogged arteries)
• 1 small onion chopped
• 16 oz Canned Chopped Tomatoes
• 2 cups whole kernel corn (frozen or canned)
• 1 cup Pinto Beans cooked
• 1 ea jalapeño diced (for pussies) or 1 - 4 oz can diced jalapeños
• 1/2 cup Black Olives drained and sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 7 oz can Green Chiles diced
• 1 teaspoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy seasoning
• Sharp Cheddar cheese for topping (kinda like icing on a cake)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix cornmeal, milk and egg and set aside.

Brown meat and add onions and garlic. Saute until onions are soft and transparent. Stir in remaining Tamale Pie ingredients and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes and mix thoroughly.

Stir in cornmeal mixture and again mix thoroughly.  Place in 2-1/2 quart casserole and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and sprinkle on sharp cheddar cheese and bake 5 more minutes.

Serve Green Chile salsa.

Chicken Mexicana

Ingredients

• 4 Chicken (skinless/boneless) Breast cut into 1" cubes
• 3-4 sliced jalapenos
  
• 1 - 7oz can Embasa Salsa Mexicana
• 1 - 7oz can diced Green Chiles
• 2 teaspoons Mrs Dash Extra Spicy
• 1 teaspoon Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 4 cloves garlic diced
• 1/2 bunch Green Onions (use both green and white parts)
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil for frying

Directions

Heat olive oil in large frying pan on high and add chicken. Turn so that chicken does not stick to pan. Reduce to medium high and cook the chicken until almost done.  Add garlic, jalapeños, green onions, green chiles, salsa, and all seasonings, cover and cook 1 minute on high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Stir chicken regularly. Cook for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and cook for about 5 minutes on medium-high. Wasn't that easy??

Server with yellow rice.