Sweet and Spicy Pork in the Crockpot

Let's learn about Allison. 

I'm not a big pork fan. Bacon, meh. I'll take it, but after about 2 pieces I'm done. Yes, my mother is crying right now. Its ok, she can have my share of bacon in the world. 

We did, however have a pig growing up. A pet pig. Not a pig for butchering and eating. A pet. Gus. 

He was pretty rad. 

I wasn't much of a pork fan until I played around and made these...in the crock pot. Roll your eyes, but my crock pot is my life saver. 

These chops are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. As you can see, they come out juicy and tender. Serve over Wild Rice with Sauteed Carrots. 

Cowboy Beef and BBQ Bean Sandwiches

Are you sick of crock pot recipes yet? Yeah, I didn't think so. 

If you are, and you discredit my blog because I use it so much...that's ok. I probably would too. But hey, I never claimed to want, need, or attempt to slave in my kitchen for 10 hours while preparing a recipe that you would probably never make. 

Just being real, folks. 

These, on the other hand (you know that one that isn't changing a diaper/running after a child/pulling weeds/trying to find something to wear/feed the dogs/and  never make it to work on time), can be thrown into the beloved crock pot in minutes. Win. 

These made me feel like I was eating a sophisticated Sloppy Joe. I topped mine with some cole slaw mix (you know, the one I made from the vegetables I have time to grow in the back yard, right next to all my dying flowers) from a pre-made bag.

These were quite flavorful and my husband even went back for a second sandwich. That, my friends is the unspoken good job I find worth more than gold, a Louis Vuitton bag, my car tag...

Enjoy. 

Ravioli with Browned Butter Balsamic Sauce

I have created a monster. A delicious, creamy, rich and addicting monster.

Next to breakfast, Italian food is one of my all time favorite things to make eat. Top it with browned butter and I'm in!

This recipe calls for balsamic vinegar and PLEASE use a good one. Quality balsamic vinegar will make or break this dish. I personally used a balsamic vinegar with raspberry and fig. See, I told you it was a monster.

I also chose a four cheese stuffed ravioli. I would stick with a vegetarian type ravioli for this recipe. I think anything with meat wouldn't mesh well with the sauce. Squash, spinach, and mushroom would all be great choices!

Chicken Tamale Bake

Fun fact about Allison.

I hate the word "bake" when used to describe what we all know as a casserole. Can't we just call it a casserole? Why not?

Guess what? Dishes known as "bakes" are just as delicious as casseroles.

I probably could have eaten the entire pan of this myself. Um, hello? Cornbread? Yep.

Good thing I preach portion control.

Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu

This recipe is similar to my most popular one, Skinny Chicken Parmesan. Slicing the chicken breasts in half helps bring this classic recipe to only 238 calories per serving. This recipe makes 4 servings, but you can easily double it for a larger get together and make it in a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Serve along side steamed veggies, a large salad, or crusty bread and you have a quick weeknight dinner!

Flint : Part 2

Time for part two! Dinner!

Go here to read part one! I was pretty excited for dinner (mainly because I know it always ends with dessert) and my husband went with me! Date night! Something fun and unexpected-we were seated with another pair of diners! Luckily, they were pretty much the coolest people we could have been sitting with. I don't know how they managed to pair us up so well, but I was impressed. Maybe it was just luck?

Here is a peek at the menu:

Let's talk cocktails.

The guys both started with an Old Fashion. Whoa. That will almost knock you out cold. Seriously.

We were allowed 2 drinks and being adventurous, they chose the Orange Squeeze as their second drink. It wasn't great. VERY florally. Like carpet freshener florally. 

My first cocktail was The FLINT: Sailor Jerry rum, passion fruit, orange juice, and that green stuff? A serrano pepper! It was unexpected, but very nice.

Tiffany got The Spa: Absolut vodka, cucumber mix, lemon juice, and simple syrup. It was delicious and very light and clean tasting. (Yes, as strangers, we shared a taste..or two.)

Tiffany also ordered the Cotton Candy. LOOK AT HOW FUN THIS IS!

It was definitely the sweetest drink that was ordered, but downright fun to watch our waitress make.

I ended with a glass of wine to accompany my entree. 

Look! Here we are! Its fun making friends over dinner.

Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Pork and Black Eyed Peas topped with Quail Eggs

Vine Ripe Tomatoes (similar to a Caprese salad, but with avocado. Yes, please)

Kiwi Salad

Buffalo Chili (which was actually really good)

Wise and I both ordered the 7 oz filet with FLINT potatoes and broccolini.

Seared Halibut

Time for DESSERT!!!! These.doughnuts.were.to.die.for. I am still thinking about them. They were little doughnut holes covered in cinnamon and sugar accompanied with 3 dipping sauces: Bacon Fudge, Mixed Berry, and Maple. I could eat truck loads of these.

Wise ordered the Strawberry Shortcake which is soaked in rum. Delicious.

And our new friends shared a piece of Carrot Cake.

Overall, the service in the evening was better. If you recall, we were pretty much forgotten about during breakfast. Our server didn't stop by and I'm not really sure she even knew we never got our order until I was gnawing my arm off. Our evening server was great about coming by, being patient with us while we tried to make selections, and offering some of her favorite menu items. That being said, we were seated immediately and left 2 hours and 30 minutes later. Again, this was a run through for the staff and I have totally been in those shoes before. Its not fun and is full of stress. I still felt 2 and a half hours was a bit excessive, but from what I hear, that is getting better now that they are open.

I really enjoyed our dining experience and the food. My steak was under-cooked even after sending it back, so I don't think I would order it again, but there were many other tasty looking options available. Would I go back? You bet. In fact, you might just see me sitting in a corner drowning in doughnuts and pancakes.

Thank you to FLINT for such a great opportunity!

Inside Out Chicken Pot Pies

MMMM. Let's talk about pot pies. When I think of pot pies, I think of red box Banquet turkey, chicken, and possibly even beef with strangely cubed meat and that distinct sauce that screams freezer section. They were delicious. I could kill a pot pie in my day. 

Homemade pot pies have always intimidated me, mostly due to the thought of laboring over or using puff pastry dough. No thanks. 

These little pies came together quite nicely and were unbelievably tasty. I will share a little tip that will make whipping these up a breeze. I put the chicken breasts needed for this recipe into the crock pot, covered them in chicken broth, and threw in a bouillon cube or two in. Cooked on HIGH for 4-6 hours, they were perfect for shredding! It was no fuss chicken at its finest. Thank you crock pot. 

Inside Out Chicken Pot Pies

Ingredients

1 can refrigerated biscuits

1/4 cup butter

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup corn starch

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup fat free half and half

1 teaspoon dried parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Flatten each with hand or rolling pin. Drape each biscuit over and upside down ungreased muffin cup to create a bowl. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Remove biscuit bowls from muffin cups; set aside.


Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, vegetables, and garlic, cooking until vegetables are cooked through, 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle corn starch over chicken mixture and stir for an additional minute or two, until corn starch is no longer visible. Add broth and bring to a boil. When broth begins to bubble and thicken, stir in half and half, salt, pepper, and parsley. Add frozen peas and parsley; mix well. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. To serve, spoon chicken mixture into biscuit bowls.

Melt In Your Mouth Baked Chicken

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

I wonder how many of you just closed the window and moved on to a much cooler blog? Probably a lot. Those of you who did stay, I'm excited to share another way to change up your chicken dinners! I have seen a similar recipe made with mayo (ick) but this is a nice twist made with 0% Greek yogurt. Husband approval was through the roof with this one. I consider that a win.

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!