Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin

I found this recipe at Allrecipes.com and made a few changes based on the reviews and my own personal taste.

• 1 (16 ounce) can cranberry sauce or Emeril's Recipe
• 1/3 cup French salad dressing or My Recipe
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 (3 pound) boneless pork loin roast

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce, salad dressing, and onion. Place pork in a slow cooker; rub with salt, pepper, and minced garlic; and cover with the sauce mixture.
   
   
2. Cover, and cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for 8 hours. Pork is done when the internal temperature has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). (One reviewer stated that it only took 6 hours on low for her pork to reach 160 degrees, but I'm sure that it depends on the temp your crock pot cooks at on each setting.)

French Salad Dressing

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com but made a couple of changes.

• 1 1/2 cups olive oil
• 1 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1-2 teaspoon(s) chipotle Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth. If a little thick, add a little more olive oil. Store in the refrigerator. (This makes about 4 cups of dressing.)

Cake Decorating

I have enjoyed dabbling in cake decorating from time to time (mostly for birthdays) and happened to come across this blog today (Cake Wrecks). I couldn't stop laughing at all the cake disasters. Check it out if you enjoy a good "Cake Wreck" (when it's not your own).

Week 45 Menu (February 21-27)

This week we are trying to finish the remodeling in our living/dining rooms, my sister and b-i-l are coming over and my 6 month old is working on teeth, so I am trying to keep things super simple.

1. Jambalaya
   
2. Spaghetti Casserole, side salad, and French Bread
   
3. Tuna Pasta Salad
   
4. Baked Haddock**, roasted baby reds, glazed carrots, cheesy biscuits (a variation on Miss Betty's...), and Molten Lava Cakes for dessert (Yes, we are having company so I do get to make dessert).
   
5. My wonderful MIL has invited us over for dinner so I will not be planning a 5th meal this week. We have PLENTY of leftovers the need to be eaten up before Saturday! (She made the Chicken Taco Soup for supper, Mmmmmm.)

**Decided to change it to Roast Pork Loin, still deciding what flavor profile to go with i.e. sweet'n'spicy, honey mustard, or herbed... I'll make the fish next week.

I decided to try Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin as I had 6lbs of whole cranberries in the freezer that I bought at Thanksgiving for $ .48/lb.

Yes, I am a member of CA (Chocoholics Anonymous)

Hello, my name is Rebekah and I am a chocoholic. Like many women and even men, I LOVE chocolate. In fact, with baby #3, chocolate was my only craving. With my other 2 pregnancies I didn't crave sweets at all but things like steamed broccoli (I know, it's weird), French fries, and soft pretzels.

Since having Miss A, a little over 6 months, I still crave chocolate and I'm starting to wonder if I use it as some kind of coping mechanism. As Kramer (from Seinfeld) puts it, I "will always return to my dark master, the cocoa bean."

Anyway, I have said all this to share some new semi-homemade brownie recipes that I came up with (yes, we had company - we hosted a College/Career's activity on Saturday).

Cream Cheese Brownies

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 
• 1 box chocolate fudge brownie mix (the family size box) 
• 1/4 cup canola oil 
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 2 eggs 
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar 
• 4 tablespoons half-n-half, divided 

Directions

1. In a microwave safe bowl, heat 1 tablespoon half-n-half; add chocolate chips, stirring until chips are melted. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, canola oil, butter, eggs, and chocolate mixture just until dry ingredients are moist (don't over mix, there should be some lumps). Place 2/3 of brownie mixture in a greased 9x13 Pyrex pan, set the remaining 1/3 aside. 
3. In a small bowl, whip cream cheese and 3 tablespoons half-n-half together; add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Drop by spoonfuls onto brownie mix in pan, then spread out over the top. Pour remaining 1/3 of brownie mix over cream cheese and, using a butter knife, "swirl" the two together to create a marbleized effect. 
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. 

Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 
• 1 box chocolate fudge brownie mix (the family size box)
• 1/4 cup canola oil 
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon half-n-half, divided 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter 
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Directions

1. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat 1/2 cup of half-n-half in the microwave for 1 minute. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over high heat and cook, without stirring until amber brown. Slowly whisk in the warm cream until smooth and let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter, corn syrup, salt and 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Let cool until thickened at room temperature, about 30 minutes. 
2. In the microwave safe bowl, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon half-n-half; add chocolate chips, stirring until chips are melted. 
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, canola oil, butter, eggs, and chocolate mixture just until dry ingredients are moist (don't over mix, there should be some lumps). Place 2/3 of brownie mixture in a greased 9x13 Pyrex pan, set the remaining 1/3 aside. 
4. Drop peanut butter mixture by spoonfuls onto brownie mix in pan, then spread out over the top. Pour remaining 1/3 of brownie mix over peanut mixture and, using a butter knife, "swirl" the two together to create a marbleized effect. 
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. 

Double Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies

• 1 box chocolate fudge brownie mix (the family size box)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup coffee
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, canola oil, butter, eggs, and coffee just until dry ingredients are moist (don't over mix, there should be some lumps). Place 1/2 of brownie mixture in a greased 9x13 Pyrex pan, set the remaining 1/3 aside.
2. Sprinkle chocolate chips and then marshmallows over the top. Pour remaining 1/3 of brownie mix over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Week 44 Menu (February 14-20)

This week is a little hectic due to both the hubby and I being sick, :o( so I'm trying the keep things really simple.

• Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, and Crockpot glazed carrots
• Bratwurst Stew
• Sub Sandwiches
• Tacos (homemade seasoning mix)
• Homemade Pizza

Bratwurst Stew

I happened to catch a small segment of an Emeril show the other day and he was making a bratwurst stew (homemade sausage was the show's theme that day). I decided that it looked so delicious that I would try it. I got some Johnsonville brats for a really low price considering it's winter and they're brand name, but haven't had any luck finding the recipe for Emeril's version online. I made this a couple of weeks ago and finally am updating the recipe here. I did not add the flour and milk when I made this but wish I would have. I am just guessing on the amounts for both, so play around with it. Or, if you like more of a thin soup/broth consistency don't add the milk/flour mix at all.

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, cut into strips
• 1 red pepper, julienned
• 8-10 (salad-sized) baby red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 carrots, julienned and then cut into 1" lengths
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 4 Johnsonville brats (leftover grilled ones), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 cups beef stock (Emeril's recipe used beer, but we don't buy/use alcohol so I'm substituting beef stock)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
• 1-2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, cook onions and potatoes until onions are tender and translucent (5-8 minutes). Add peppers, garlic, and carrots, cook another 5-7 minutes.
2. Add brats, beef stock, and seasonings. Cook until potatoes are fork tender.
3. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together milk and flour until smooth; add to soup. Stir until thickened, like a stew.

I served this with some homemade fluffy biscuits, and you can add soda crackers as well.

Week 43 Menu (February 7-13)

I will be doing a bit of Semi-Homemade style cooking this week because I got some really good deals on pre-made foods.

• Potato Crusted Haddock (I will substitute haddock for sea bass in this recipe) or Baked Haddock, Wild and Brown Rice (Uncle Ben's Ready Serve), and California Medley veggies (our grocer had carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower on sale this week so it will be fresh vs. frozen)
• California Medley Soup & French Bread Bowls (I will be attempting to make bread bowls using my French bread dough recipe.)
• Homemade Pizza
• Grilled Brats, Potato Salad (I think that this would be considered my husband favorite food), & Relish Tray (my kiddos LOVE carrot sticks, broccoli, etc. but you could also do fresh fruit or fruit salad)
• Bratwurst Stew and Fresh Bread (haven't decided which kind I'm gonna make yet that's why there is no link) - I saw this idea on one of Emeril's shows but can't find his recipe anywhere. So I'm going to come up with my own - let me know if you try making one this week and what you put in it.

A Baked Valentine

To save some money, I've been looking into some different homemade "baked" valentines for my hubby. Here are some ideas:

• Make a delicious meal for the whole family, then put the kiddos to bed early and serve Molten Chocolate Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh sliced strawberries (cut the recipe in half and use 6-7 oz. ramekins) as dessert for just you and the hubby. Watch a movie together or just cuddle on the couch while eating dessert.
  
  
• Make the hubby's favorite food (Jared's is potato salad).
  
  
• Chocolate "Paint" - I know I may get a little grief for posting this being a conservative baptist, but I enjoy being married (if you get my drift) and store bought is a little expensive.
  
  
• Prep-ahead "Breakfast in Bed" - i.e. cinnamon rolls (can be made the day before, refrigerated, then baked the morning of), quiche (can be made completely the day before and then warmed the day of; or you can prep everything the day before, and then combine and bake the day of), program the coffee maker the night before, etc.).
  
  
• Make your own chocolate covered fruits (strawberries, etc.), truffles, etc.