Orange Soy Pork Loin

Ok, if you haven't noticed, I like pork.  Pork Loin is one of my favorites.  I love the combination of flavors in this one.  It's easy to cook and everyone in my family enjoys it. 

If you're not a fan of Rosemary, cut back a bit as it is a bit strong of a flavor in this one. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 (5 pound) boneless pork loin roast

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, red onion slices, rosemary and garlic. Place the pork roast in a baking bag, and set in a roasting pan or baking dish. Pour the orange juice mixture over the roast, making sure to coat entirely. Close the bag according to package instructions.
3. Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the loin is at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Remove from the oven, and let stand for about 10 minutes to settle the juices. Carefully open the bag and remove the roast. Slice and serve with a little of the drippings drizzled over.

Corn Bread to go with your Baby Back Ribs

I found this recipe when my bag of corn meal exploded and I had to find a use for it.  I think this is one of the best recipes I have tried.  I like it as a great side when I make my Baby Back Ribs. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Quick Baby Back Ribs.

I can't hear the words Baby Back Ribs without starting to sing the Chili's commercial jingle..."baby back ribs..bbq sauce."  This is quick and easy.  I'm going to give two different ways to cook it that depend on what you have available: gas grill or charcoal.  {singing} baby back ribs...bbq sauce {/singing}

Ingredients

• 1 cup mesquite chips, soaked
• 1 (2 pound) slab baby back pork ribs (make sure membrane is removed)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika (or regular if you don't have Hungarian)
• 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder (or regular if you don't have ancho, but it won't taste as good)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1 cup barbeque sauce

Directions

1. Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect heat - a pile of charcoal on one side, nothing under the food. Once it is going, throw some soaked mesquite woodchips on it.
2. Remove the membrane from the ribs if the butcher has not already. Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, chile powder and thyme; rub onto the ribs. Cut the slab of ribs in half.
3. Place the ribs over indirect heat, and close the lid. Cook for 20 minutes, then brush with barbeque sauce. Cover, and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

 alternate directions for gas grill:  we cook them in the oven at 500 for 15 minutes, then on the grill for 15.  It won't have the mesquite flavor, but will still be awesome. 

Drop Biscuits and Gravy

I love Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast.  I love Biscuits and Gravy for lunch.  I love Biscuits and Gravy for dinner.  This is an incredibly easy recipe for a quick meal that everyone will love.  I serve mine with eggs on the side with some hot sauce!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon butter or margarine, melted
• GRAVY:
• 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

 Directions

1. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Combine milk and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, cook the sausage over medium heat until no longer pink. Stir in butter until melted. Sprinkle with flour. Gradually stir in milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Serve over biscuits.

Bacon Cheese Frittata

Ok, we have a lot of eggs and bacon, so I thought I would make something quick tonight that capitalizes on these two items. My choice is a Bacon Cheese Frittata. A Frittata is a dish kinda like a Quiche or an omelete , but without the crust of the quiche and the folding of the omelete. 

Ingredients: 

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Pour into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with onions, bacon and cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

 That's it!  It's pretty easy.  And tasty!  I serve it with some potatoes and toast.  Hope you enjoy!

Sweet Pork Loin Roast

This is one of my favorite pork dishes to make.  It's sweet and we joke that it's almost like pig candy.  It's very easy to make and doesn't use a lot of ingredients. 

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 pounds boneless pork loin roast

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly flour an oven bag. (I use foil if I'm out of oven bags)
2. In a small bowl, blend brown sugar, applesauce, and ginger.
3. Place pork roast in the prepared oven bag. Pour the brown sugar mixture over the roast. Seal bag, and cut several small slits in the top.
4. Cook the roast 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the internal temperature has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C)