What's Cooking for New Year's Day?

I just sent my husband to the grocery to buy all of the goodies that we need for our traditional New Year's feast. Hopefully I will have the insurance worked out by the time he returns. My neighbor told us that Wholesale Insurance has great rates so I'm hoping this won't take long.

This year I am planning to smoke a pork butt for barbecue sandwiches. Since I am from Memphis they will be smothered in homemade cole slaw. For a side we will be having my Southern Girl Turnip Greens soup. It covers two southern traditions for a prosperous new year, greens and black eyed peas both represent wealth, or money. Who's hungry?

Happy New Year

I wanted to go ahead and wish everyone a happy New Year. I hope that the next year brings you everything that you want. My wish for you is health, happiness and prosperity. If you have those three then it is pretty easy to find anything else that you desire. Be safe and Happy New Year!!

What Did You Get?

What did you get for Christmas? I've been talking to friends and family and it seems that even though the economy is bad everyone still managed to celebrate the season. My sister in law in Texas is going to a Plano cosmetic dentist to fix a problem that has been bothering her. My best friend and her husband gave themselves a family vacation to Disney. I got the induction compatible cookware set that I had my eye on. So, what did you get?

What's a Tostone?

If you read my Cuban roast pork recipe and wondered what a tostone is, I'm going to tell you. This is going to be quick because I'm supposed to be shopping for Hudson jeans to finish up my Christmas list. :)

Tostones are fried green plantains. Plantains are in the banana family but starchy. When fried green they are sort of like a potato and called tostones. When they are fried after ripening they are sweet and called sweet plantains or plantanos maduros.

To make tostones peel and slice them on the diagonal about 1/2 inch thick. Fry them on medium heat until lightly browned. Remove from the oil and smash them flat. Return them to the oil to crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt.

Miami Memories - Cuban Pork Roast

My husband and I both love Cuban food. It comes from living in Miami for a while. There were excellent and reasonably priced Cuban restaurants everywhere and we were spoiled. Since we moved I've had to learn to cook it myself.

Tonight we had Cuban roast pork, back beans and rice, tostones and of course plenty of chopped onion and fresh lime to squeeze over the top. While it's traditional to prepare the pork in the oven, I do it in the crock pot. It yields a moist and tender pork roast. Here's the recipe.

Cuban Roast Pork

Pork roast
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
3 to 5 cloves crushed garlic
s & p
1/2 c orange juice
1/4 c each lemon and lime juice
1/2 c sherry
1 sliced onion

Place everything into a gallon zip lock bag and seal. Marinate overnight. Pour it all into the crock pot and cook on high 8 hours. The roast will NOT be covered by the liquid contrary to the way you usually cook in a crock pot. It should be falling apart tender when done.

Twitter This

Do you twitter? When I first heard about it last year I couldn't imagine liking it. I guess I need to eat those words, I am now a twitter-holic. It is a great place to connect with people from all over the country and world. I regularly tweet with people from Australia, the UK and other places. I hear about news event long before they are on TV. If I want to know practically anything I just ask. Need a recipe? Tweet it. Want to know the best diet pills? Someone will answer you. Its a fun, entertaining and informative place. Tweet me if you are there, I am @Katie2u!

Starting to Show Up

I know that I have mentioned before that we live in a resort town. The population swells and contracts depending on when the vacationers and second home owners show up. The snow birds are beginning to make themselves felt. I am also noticing some of the part time residents arriving.

My neighbor across the street showed up yesterday. They live in Georgia. She was telling me that they are looking for another beach rental home to buy. This time they are considering Outer Banks vacation home rentals. They would buy it and rent it out part time like they do with the house here. Sounds like a tough life, right?

Almost Done

I spent the day out among the crowd that was Christmas shopping. Actually, it was not that bad. I think the weather deterred some of the people. It was cold and rainy, two things that Floridians hate. It is a relief to say that I am practically done. I still need some stocking stuffers and a few small things but the majority of the gifts are purchased. Now if I could just say that they were all wrapped I would be happy!

This Post is for You, Guys

I know just about every guy out there still hasn't bought a holiday gift for their girl yet. I'm going to help you out. Or I should say Bella True is going to help you out. They are an online jewelry retailer and they have an awesome section that spells out what type of jewelry to buy and when it is appropriate. They tell you what you should be giving to someone you just started dating all the way through what to give your wife.

Even when it comes to something like earrings you have to know what kind to buy. Quit sweating the decision and let them help you out. Your girl will wonder how you got so smart.

Late to the Party

Somehow I missed out on the craze of making Puppy Chow or Muddie Buddies. No, not the dog food, the holiday treat made from Chex cereal, chocolate and peanut butter. How did I miss this? Chocolate and peanut butter are my two favorite things. Reeses Peanut Butter cups are my number one pick for candy. Needless to say, I have added it to my holiday list of goodies. I may need a round of weight loss pills after the season is over but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. :)

Puppy Chow

9 cups Chex cereal of your choice
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large bowl.

In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Green Chili Steak Recipe

It is a rainy and cold day here and that puts me in the mood for something spicy. I haven't prepared this Green Chili Steak recipe in a while so I decided to give it a go. Serve it over white or brown rice, your choice. I will saute some fresh broccoli with garlic and lime juice and prepare a salad for sides and dinner will be ready.

Green Chili Steak

3 T. olive oil
2 lbs. round steak, cubed
1 c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans (14 oz) diced tomatoes w juice
1 can chopped green chilies
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper

Heat oil in large skillet and add the cubed beef. When almost brown add the onion and garlic and continue to saute until onions are tender. Add the tomatoes with their juice, green chilies and seasonings. Cover and simmer until very tender, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Add water as needed while cooking if it looses too much moisture. Should be the consistency of a thick stew.