Monday, July 27, 2009

Pea Soup

So this is a go-to soup for me. If I don't want to buy lunches during the week, I'll make a batch on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!!

1 medium onion, roughly diced
1 bag dried split peas (picked through)
1 ham steak ( I like Cook's. Note: Smoked is definitely better in this soup, but try honey or maple if you're feeling adventurous)
3 cups water
3 cups ham stock
salt and pepper
hot sauce to taste

In a stock pot or dutch oven heat 2T olive oil over medium heat until it gets shimmery. Saute the onion for about 5 minutes or so til it's translucent. You can always caramelize them for a more pronounced onion flavor. Add in the peas and continue to saute for 5 minutes. In the meantime, roughly dice your ham steak. I like bigger pieces because they cook down a little bit.
Add in the water and ham stock. Add the ham. Cover and simmer the soup for about 1 hour, occasionally stirring to break up the peas (also so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan and burn = bad aftertaste!).

Enjoy with a loaf of four cheese bread, or for a healthier, heartier version, stir in 2 cups cooked brown rice.

I had a hankerin'

For pulled pork. So Ray and i were at BJ's and I saw this beautiful, and better yet, cheap cut of pork (pretty sure it was butt)

So I seared it on all sides and refrigerated overnight. In the mean time I whipped up some BBQ, because it just tastes better out of the bottle.

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons mustard (dry or wet)
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt (I think Celtic salt has the best flavor for this)
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 dashes hot pepper sauce (and then some more for good measure!)
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 capfuls Apple Barrel Schnapps

I quadrupled the recipe and also refrigerated overnight. Next morning before heading to the gym I put the pork and 3/4 of the sauce into the slow cooker. Low and slow for about 8 hours and you have near perfection my friends! Once the eight hours are up, add in half the reserved BBQ sauce to brighten the flavor a bit. YUM!!!!

Best served on fresh rolls with baked beans. Make sure to grab some KFC coleslaw!

Friday, July 24, 2009

First Time Charm

So I've decided to get on the bandwagon and start blogging. It is the "it" thing to be doing after all, and one must follow all trends of course.
I'm usually talking about food with people, and have been asked to share recipes, so what better place to do that than a blog? My goal is to post at least two recipes a week. We'll see how I do.
So.....Here it is. TheyCallMeJoJo's blog. Ohhhhh....... SHINY!!!!

JoJo