Eat on $30 Project – Day 2 {Pulled Pork BBQ Sammies w/Carrot Slaw & Baked Sweet Potato Chips}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 23 comments

Eat on $30 Project – Day 2 {Monday}

It’s day 2! Here is the link to the Introductory Post to the Eat on $30. Read this if you haven’t so you can catch up on the who, what where & why of things. PLUS there is a list of all of the other fab foodie participants & you should naturally check them out as well & see what they’ve been cooking up!

Okay a few observations thus far…This is much harder than I thought it would be. Perhaps it’s that I’m putting too much thinking into it, but I really don’t think so (LOL). I find that YOU HAVE to think about everything 10 x’s more. I have to weigh, “Do I NEED this, do I WANT this, can I AFFORD this?”

Eat on $30 Project – Day 1 {Pulled Pork Nachos w/Corn, Avocado, Tomato & Black Bean Salsa}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 32 comments

Sunday Day 1….Eat on $30 project!

Pork, Pork & more Pork…Hope you like pork : )   If you didn’t read the introductory Eat on $30 post click here & it will let you know all about it. Otherwise, you’re going to be wondering WHY I’m breaking down EVERY single thing we drank & ate! Just sayin’!

I started this challenge a little out of sorts today. My plans for the day were already out of whack straight out of the shoot….Which leads me to Observation #1. Things are not always going to go according to your Budget Plan. You’ll read all about that below.

Bucatini al Prosciutto {Bucatini with Prosciutto}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pasta, Pork | 22 comments

Okay before the pasta police come after me,  I didn’t actually use Bucatini when I made this recipe to photograph it, but that’s what is supposed to be used. I didn’t have any in my pantry & ever since my little specialty store closed, they’re extremely hard to find. So, I used Trenette pasta instead. It’s a fab pasta that has a little texture on the outside which helps this creamy-licious sauce stick to it! So if you can’t find any bucatini you can use any long type pasta you have on hand.

Il Pane Casatiello

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Bread, Pork, Poultry | 29 comments

Week 5. Well, we’re moving right along through the The Bread Baker’s Apprentice – Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread,. Are you out there baking along with me? I don’t want to be having all this fun by myself & of course gaining all this weight by myself! LOL! Although this has been a delicious adventure it really is wreaking havoc on my waistline. I really need to put myself on an exercise program to go along with this baking challenge!

Okay, back to bread…I must admit I was quite terrified when I started this challenge. I am NOT a baker. So the thought of all of this measuring and being at the mercy of yeast just frightened me. As you may know I’m a by sight & taste kind of cook. I put in my ingredients, taste & adjust. Cooking is very forgiving. Baking on the other hand, not so much. But I do find myself enjoying this immensely. Hoping my book makes it through this challenge. Already after week 5 it’s looking very worn with it’s buttery fingerprints & oil stained pages. LOL

I was particularly excited this week to be making an Italian bread. Evviva (hooray!) Okay, everyone knows by now that I’m crazy about all things Italian. So, suffice it to say I was jazzed. So before I got started on this bread I did a little research so I could give you some background.

Homemade Pasta ~ Pasta fatto in casa

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pasta, Pork, Poultry, Reviews, Seafood, Sides, Vegetables | 40 comments

I recently got a brand new Imperial Pasta Maker! Yes, it’s an old school hand crank version but for me there isn’t any other way to make it. It’s a machine that will be around for you to pass on to the next pasta maker in your family. There is NOTHING like homemade pasta. You should really try it if you have not.

There is nothing wrong with dried boxed pasta (I use them all the time) but there is just something special about fresh homemade pasta. It’s much easier than you would think. It is time consuming but not difficult. If you wanted to speed up the process you could even mix the dough in your mixer or food processor. The recipe posted will make enough for 4 regular portions. I usually make at least two of this recipe to feed my family of 5 but we’re big pasta eaters. If you were making this as a prima, or first course, I think one batch would be fine.

Johnsonville Brat Throwdown!

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pasta, Pork, Poultry, Reviews, Vegetables | 20 comments

Are you ready for a Throwdown? Why YES I am! My foodie friend Kristy at The Wicked Noodle invited me to join in a “friendly” Johnsonville Brat Throwdown. There was only one rule…we were challenged to come up with a recipe using Johnsonville Brats! Well, never one to shy away from a challenge (I have been known to be banned from board games because of my competitive nature) I threw on my Johnsonville <3′s bell’alimento apron & I jumped right in!

Napa Valley Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 20 comments

I really like Pork Tenderloins. You really get a lot of bang for your buck (& right now we know how important that is)! They are a very economical way to serve a lot of people & serve them well. The tenderloins I buy usually come two to a package & I made two full stuffed tenderloins with the ingredients below. This recipe is really easy peasy. Don’t let the ingredient list scare you.

Rosa’s Pork Chops

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 12 comments

This recipe is a one that my Mom was taught in an Italian cooking class while we were living in Friuli, and now she has passed it on to me. I’m guessing Rosa was the chef. So Rosa, where ever you are, Grazie’ Mille!

In typical Paula fashion I have modified the recipe slightly. I know, I just can’t help myself. But I believe that Rosa would approve.

This dish has a plethora of flavors. Plus anytime I can use rosemary in a dish – I’m there! (My Rosemary bush is practically the size of my car & in case you’re wondering I drive a Suburban.) I like to use what I have handy & I definitely have Rosemary handy! LOL

Ginger Pork Dumplings

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer, Pork | 9 comments

I love these dumplings! The combination of ginger, garlic, scallions, and pork is simply scrumptious. Not to mention, they are so much fun to make. They are a little time consuming but if you have a helper it goes quickly!

Remember when making your dumplings that less pork mixture is better. If you put too much the dumplings will tear during steaming and come apart. You’ll know if you put too much. If you have never made dumplings before don’t be afraid, the first few will be a little awkward but once you get the feel of them, it will go smoothly. Practice makes perfect.

Kielbasa Lasagne

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pasta, Pork | 3 comments

This is such a comfort food for me. I have had this dish since I was a child. It’s a nice variation on a traditional lasagne. I love the unexpectedness of the kielbasa sausage inside. The flavors work so well together. It’s quick and easy to make.

You can double the recipe if you need more than 8 pieces. Be sure to use wooden toothpicks, you don’t want to use plastic, they’ll melt! This is quite hearty & is actually even better the next day (if there is any left).