Meat

Pulled Pork
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Pulled Pork

Nothing better than a pulled pork sandwich with your son. Say no more!!

 

Ingredients

  •  3 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1 5-pound pork roast, preferably shoulder or Boston butt
  • 12 hamburger buns or 24 slider size rolls, for serving we prefer whole wheat.

How

Mix the spices and salt together in a small bowl, then rub the spice blend over the pork, cover with plastic wrap overnight in the refrigerator. IF you are in a hurry at least let stand for 1 hour

Prepare the sauce see below.

Preheat the oven to 300 ◦. Put the pork in a roasting pan and bake, covered, until it’s falling apart and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 170 degrees, about 6-7 hours. Keep in mind the pot you are using my heavy cast iron pan I do 250◦ Remove the pork from the oven and transfer to a large platter and let rest for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle (warm), use two forks to shred the pork. Put the shredded pork in a bowl, add barbecue sauce, and mix well to coat. To serve, place several ounces of pork on a hamburger bun and top with Spicy Slaw (below).

           

 

Barbecue sauce

  •  2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 1½ cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

In a small saucepan, stir the brown sugar into the hot water until completely dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low heat for approximately 5 minutes.

OK I like to make double the sauce ½ for pouring over the pulled pork and the other on the side. But I know some don’t like a vinegar sauce so I always have a bottle on the side.  Maybe, don’t do the vinegar sauce and just use the bottle. You know you and or your guest.

Serve with coleslaw, chips, oven fired fies.

 

Rose’s Meatballs
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Rose’s Meatballs

What was a Sunday dinner at Rose’s without meatballs? This is a dish that a pinch of and a handful of that really comes to play. A dish that my side of the family would kill for, a plate of pasta topped with some of Rose’s meatballs.  Lyn and I used to sneak these into Dad when he was in the hospital. Well this was my first try and Lyn says I did ok. You really have to make these every week so you get it down. But then I would be 900 lbs. Quick easy but soooooo good.

I must first say we will probably never be able to master what she did but practice is a lot of fun.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. of ground sirloin I used 93% lean
  • 4 eggs – 2 per lbs
  • About 3 handfuls of seasons bread crumbs, each handful was about 1/4 cup
  • About a tablespoon or dried parsley (about a table spoon)
  • About 1/3 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
  • About a table spoon of dried basil (about a table spoon)
  • A couple of teaspoon of garlic powder
  • About a tablespoon of onion powder
  • 1 tsp. Salt and fresh ground pepper

How:

Preheat oven to 350◦

Line a backing sheet with high sides with tin foil and drizzle with then and spread olive oil

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop out and shape into 2” balls. (Approximately) and line the pan with meatballs leaving a little space between each. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, checking after 30 minutes. The will be firm but not too firm. You can place sauce until ready to serve.

Note: for Xmas I put in sauce and let them simmer with the sauce they came out very moist and as Lyn said melted in your mouth.

                        

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Pork Gravy and Pork Loin roast

by Steve Saver on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 2:06pm facebook
This is from an old post I put on facebook.  I just love the taste of slow roasted pork or even a sirloin beef roast. I have never been able to make a pork roast like my mother in-law Rose did, it just melted in the mouth. She turned me on to the fact that pork had a lot more going for it then just bacon. Kosher bacon of course.

Posted to facebook: “Ok I decided that I never use this (facebook) so I should start and what better way than to share something I like to do, cook. I made loin pork roast the other day that melted in our mouths. BTW this is a kosher piece of pork.”

Pork gravy

(Gravy not my recipe, well not just yet this first run at it)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup apple cider or low or no sodium broth
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons agave nectar – eyeball it or here is a hint if you are using measuring devices for honey or the likes. Spray them lightly with oil and they will slide right out of the spoon or cup.
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
  • Pinch of nutmeg or 2 grates

After you have browned the pork on all sides and removed from pan add the apple sauce and use to deglaze scrapping up the brown bits with a wooden spoon over medium low heat, add the rest of the ingredients and stir constantly until it thickens up season with salt and pepper to taste.

Good stuff

Pork Roast

How

I rinsed with water and then patted very dry

Salted with about 2 teaspoons of salt, wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for half the day but it should work if done for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 250 you know your oven.

Optional preheat the oven to 400-450 and turned down to 300-325. I usually do this with meat but where I browned the meat first I did not think it is necessary. I was right. Maybe use if you do not like to brown or making gravy.

After that I patted dry again and sprinkled with pepper, dried oregano, crumbled dried rosemary

Then I browned over medium high heat (you know your stove) with a little oil, on all sides took about 10 minutes and put on a rack, fat side up, in my roasting pan. Stuck the baby with a thermometer and set it to 150

Ok here’s the thing I got to talking with Lyn and did not notice how long it took to cook. Estimate about 15-20 minutes per pound but then you know your stove.

Let it sit on counter loosely covered for at least 15 minutes, slice and season to taste. My wife’s a pepper head.

Now eat baby!

You can do the same for sirloin beef roast just use liberal salt and pepper, different gravy though,  I don’t do gravy for the beef. Slow and low cooking makes a tender flavorful roast with these cuts. Season to taste after slicing.

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Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus, Red Bell Peppers and Caramelized Onions

My wife came up to me with that smile and this recipe in her hand as I was entering in the Herb Rub Flank Steak and said guess what you’re trying tomorrow. Tomorrow came and it was the football wild card playoffs games and I kept saying in a minute, when she asked should we let the meat come to room temperature I jumped on the suggestion agreeing hole heartedly and quickly jumped back into my chair. It was NY and the game was boring but it was the playoffs. Anyway I soon heard the wok going and dishes rattling and soon she stood beside me with a huge smile and a nice aroma, the food smelt nice too. For our taste, we both thought it needed a little more spice, kick, heat but not sure at what point to add it. She sprinkled some red pepper flakes on after but just did not give the results we like.

Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus, Red Bell Peppers and Caramelized Onions

Servings: 4

Dish: Main Dishes

Date added: 2006-10-16

Recipe number: 69

Recipe By:

Laura Giannatempo

Courtesy of Sustainable Table ®

Description:

Do not be fooled by the long list of ingredients. This recipe is very easy and incredibly tasty, inspired by the sharp, tangy flavors of Asian cooking. A wok would be ideal, but a good skillet or sauté pan will do the trick.

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Note: We thought maybe adding some crushed red pepper flakes to this but think it might be too much since we like to marinate a lot longer than suggested. We are the overnight marinate believers.

  • 1lb flank steak
  • 2-3 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 sweet organic onion
  • ½ pound locally grown asparagus
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup free-range chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 3 tablespoons of water
  • Optional  a pinch or two of crushed red peppers (1/4 to ½ tsp. or more)

Directions:

1. Trim the excess fat and cut the flank steak in small, bite-size pieces. Combine the ingredients for the marinade and let the beef marinate for at least 20 minutes. We like overnight marinating.

2. Meanwhile, cut the onions in thin slices. The bell peppers should be seeded, deprived of the inside white spine and cut in 1-inch slices. Cut the tougher ends of the asparagus and slice them on the diagonal into 2-inch long pieces.

3. Bring a medium pan of water to a boil, reduce to a simmer and throw the asparagus in for about 2 or 3 minutes. Drain them, run them under cold water and dry them.

4. In a wok or sauté pan over a high flame, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the marinated beef strips, making sure it makes a nice sizzling sound. Once the meat is nicely browned on the outside, but still tender in the middle, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size, take it out and set it aside on a plate. You may need to sear the beef in two batches if your wok is not big enough.

Note: Now this is where we think the heat might work in the oil as it is heating up. Add crushed red pepper to the oil as it heats up. Stand back and have the exhaust fan on. A pinch or two depending on your taste.

5. Add 1 more tablespoon of the oil, and briefly stir-fry the asparagus for 3-4 minutes at medium-high heat. Set the asparagus aside and keep warm.

6. Add another tablespoon of oil, if necessary, and add the onions. Toss and turn until they have a nice golden brown color, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the peppers and stir until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add sugar and vinegar, and cook for a few more minutes until the onions begin to caramelize.

7. Add the stock and bring to a simmer cooking for another 2 minutes to reduce the liquid. Add the cornstarch and water mixture if you want a thicker sauce.

8. Return the beef and the asparagus to the pan and stir for another minute or so to amalgamate the flavors. Serve immediately with some white or brown rice.

Tips:

Serve this dish with plain white or brown rice.

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Seared Beef Tenderloin

This is an expensive cut of meat but it just melts in your mouth, I’ve tried broiler, grill but this methods beats them all. Lyn and I treat ourselves maybe once every month and a half and it has become a staple for Xmas or New Years. We could or should only eat half of one but heck we pig out on this one. They are small after all.

 

Seared Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients:

  • 1 or 2 – 8 OZ tenderloins 2” thick
  • 1-2 Tbsp. vegetable or peanut oil – something with high smoke temp.
  • Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven with rack in center to 425°. First depending on where you buy there might still be a little membrane on it I say, remove it.

Season the filets with salt and pepper, sort of liberal but not too much.

Heat the pans, add the oil and when hot sear the filets in oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. It should sizzle when you put it in. Now turn them over and place the pan in the oven and roast to desired doneness. Let sit for 5 minutes.

This cut should be done to rare or medium-rare in my opinion to obtain the maximum tenderness and flavor.

Here’s a chart for you

  • Rare: Sear, roast and rest 5 minutes
  • Medium-rare: Sear 5 minutes, roast 6 -7 minutes, rest 5 minutes
  • Medium: Sear 5 minutes, roast 9 minutes, rest 5 minutes

Serve with sauted onions or mushroom sauce or just plain the way I like them, mashed or bake potatoe, salad, vegetable.

Optional

We tried buffalo tenderloins once they were very good and a little learner.

Hints:

I once forgot to turn on the exhaust fan and had to deal with the smoke during searing.

Buy a good cut of meat like I said we buy mostly organic and from Wholefoods or a good butcher.

Herb Rub Flank Steak
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Herb Rub Flank Steak

I love flank steak you can do so much with it tonight we are trying a stir fry, recipe to come. Anyway this is one of my favorite especially around late spring early summer when my rosemary is growing and calling me to run my hands along a sprig. I just love the smell it leaves on them. We tried many different combinations and came up with this but as I said we like to experiment so send me ideas you think might work.

Herb Rubbed Flank Steak with Sweet Potato Pancake and Broccoli

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ to 2 lbs. beef flank steak.
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh rosemary or 1 Tbsp. dried crushed if your house is too dry and it just never last the winter.
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh marjoram or 1 tsp. dried, crushed.
  • 3 table Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried, crushed.
  • Yes you should see my deck in the height of the summer.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced about 1 ½ tsp. minced.
  • 1 ½ tsp. paprika (try with the different kinds each adds a slightly different kick).
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt.
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper.
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. extra virgin Olive Oil.

ingredients

How

Trim fat from the meat. Score both sides of the steak in a diamond pattern by making shallow cuts at 1 inch intervals, set aside. In a small bowl mix the rosemary, marjoram, oregano, garlic, paprika, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Stir in the oil until combined. This makes your rub.

rub

Divide the mixture roughly by half, spoon mixture over one side of steak and rub in with your fingers. Repeat on the other side. Come on give it a good massage it is a rub.

give it a roob rubbing all sides

I like to wrap it with plastic wrap then put on plate but you can put in a shallow dish unwrapped as long as you can cover it tightly. Place in refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours, got better results the longer I waited.

wrap in plastice wrap

Grilling: Ok I have done both but I mostly use a gas grill but since I am a nice guy you can grill directly over medium coals. Grill 17 to 21 minutes uncovered or until medium doneness about 160° turning once halfway. For gas grill I found preheating grill to high, reduce heat to medium. Place on grill over heat.  And grill as above Ha fooled you, both about the same.

Transfer to a cutting board cover loosely with tinfoil let stand for 10 minutes. To serve, slice very thinly across the grain. Some say across and at an angle you try it an let me know which way you prefer just remember across the grain.

slice and serve (2) slice and serve (1)

Grill Tip:

  • I keep tin foil shinny side down on the grill while preheating this really cooks anything that was left on last time and turns it into easy to remove ashes.
  • Wipe down with veggie oil on a wad of paper towels held by tongs.
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Meatloaf 101 with Mrs. Kostyra

Ok I mentioned that this was the only meatloaf my wife would allow me to make, no tweaks, no changes just follow the directions. Thanks Martha for bringing meatloaf back into our house, although we don’t eat it as much anymore.

Meatloaf 101 with Mrs. Kostyra

I believe this is Martha Stewart’s mom.

Prep 30 minutes

cook 90 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 slices white bread, torn into pieces
  • 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut into eighths
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place bread in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade; pulse until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl, and add ground beef.
  2. Place onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade; pulse until fine. Add to meat mixture, using hands to mix well. Add egg, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, salt, and pepper; use hands to combine thoroughly. Place in an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pan.
  3. Combine remaining 1/2 cup ketchup, remaining teaspoon dry mustard, and brown sugar in a bowl; stir until smooth.
  4. Brush mixture over meatloaf; place in the oven with a baking pan set on the rack below to catch drippings. Cook until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 160 degrees, about 90 minutes. If top gets too dark, cover with foil, and continue baking.
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Meatloaf with a hint of Mexican – well Texmex

My wife used to make this for our son and it was the only meatloaf besides Martha Stewart’s mothers she would let me make. I used to use the recipe on the Quaker oats oatmeal box when I was uneducated I guess. It worked for me when I was single and lasted a few meals. He like this so much we bit the bullet and planned buying a BJ’s club size package of taco seasoning, he stopped eating it a few months later, go figure.

Meatloaf with a hint of Mexican – well Texmex

Preptime: 30 minutes

Cook: 45 to 50 let stand for 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Lbs. of ground chuck
  • 1 envelope of taco seasoning – 1 ¼ ounce
  • ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • 1 can of Mexican style tomatoes and chilies about 8 to 10 oz.

How

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Shape the mixture into a 10 x 6 loaf and place in a lightly greased 13×9 inch pan. Yep no meatloaf pan. Cover and refrigerate for 8ish hours. Good thing to mix in the morning and make at night. Top the meatloaf with the tomatoes and chilies.

Bake at 425° for 45 to 50 minutes until meat is no longer pink. Pour off juices. Sprinkle meatloaf with cheese and let stand for 15 minutes.  You can top with catsup or salsa.

Serve: With mash potatoes and a green vegetable.

You can use the leftovers and make quick tacos the next day.

Sloppy Joes (light)
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Sloppy Joes (light)

I remember bringing this to work one day and the owner told me we had a lunch meeting one of our hard drive vendors. I offered it to one of my sales people who I knew would eat anything and keep on going. When I returned he attacked me and asked me who made it…My Wife…he was ready to propose to her then and there who cared about me.

Sloppy Joes (light)

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground round
  • ¾ cup minced onion
  • ½ cup diced green pepper
  • ¼ cup diced celery
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup low calorie organic catsup
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp. vinegar
  • ¼ tsp. dry mustard
  • ¼ tsp. chili powder
  • ¼ tsp. fresh cracked pepper
  • 6 whole wheat hamburger buns, or sandwich thins

Combine first 5 ingredients in a non-stick skillet. Cook over medium heat until beef is browned, stirring to crumble.

combine and brown                    brown

Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towel.  Return beef mixture to the skillet and add water and the next 7 ingredients stir to mix well.

Add remianing ingredients bring to boil and simmer

Reduce heat and cook uncovered about 15 minutes occasionally stirring. Spoon about ½ cup of mixture onto a bun and serve. Sides your choice I prefer a salad or in this case Kale with Smoked Paprika by Lyn.

sloppy joe with kale and potatoe

or try this Sloppy Joe Salad

 

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Beef Brisket with Caramelized Onions and Merlot Sauce

Again another brisket recipe this one was sent to us by Missi, my pseudo adopted daughter, back when she was trying meat again. We tried a few times then moved on to others but it is well worth mentioning. Thanks you Missi and Williams-Sonoma.

 

Beef Brisket with Caramelized Onions and Merlot Sauce

A hearty entrée for a Passover meal, this brisket tastes even better when it’s cooked a day in advance. Cut the cold meat into thin slices and reheat just before serving.

Ingredients:

  • 1 first or flat-cut brisket, 4 to 5 lb.
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup diced carrot
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 can (28 oz.) plum tomatoes, with juices
  • 2 cups Merlot or other full-bodied red wine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • For the caramelized onions:
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 3 cups thinly sliced sweet onions such as Vidalia
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup pitted dried cherries

 

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 325°F.

Season the brisket on all sides with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven or a large, wide ovenproof pan with a tight-fitting lid, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the brisket and brown well on both sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Add the onion and carrot to the pan and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until softened, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and juices, 1 cup of the wine and the bay leaf. Mix well and bring to a boil. Return the brisket to the pan, cover and place in the oven.

Cook, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until the brisket is fork tender, about 3 hours. Remove from the oven and let cool in the juices. Carefully lift the brisket from the juices and transfer it to a deep platter. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Let the pan juices cool, then pass through a food mill or press through a sieve into a bowl. Discard the solids and refrigerate the juices until ready to use.

Just before serving, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Cut the brisket across the grain into thin slices. Arrange the slices, slightly overlapping, on an ovenproof serving platter. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes to heat through.

Meanwhile, cook the onions: In a large fry pan over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onions and sauté, stirring often, until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. While the onions are cooking, pour the remaining 1 cup wine into a saucepan over high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the dried cherries and bring to a boil. Boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pureed brisket juices and return to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, remove the brisket from the oven. Pour the sauce evenly over the top. Top with the caramelized onions and the remaining 1/4 cup dried cherries. Serve immediately.

Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Lifestyles Series, Holiday Celebrations, by Marie Simmons (Time-Life Books, 1998).