Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pork

Here's a great recipe I recently came across and have made a few times since. Brown up some thick cut pork chops and throw together some ingredients for a teriyaki sauce then off it goes to slow cook the rest of the day. Shred and serve up with your favorite rice and veggie. This is one of the few recipes I like because it doesn't come out dry for me. I've been using my slow cooker on low for 5-6 hours for most things, yours could be different.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pork
adapted from Six Sister's Stuff

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 boneless pork loin thick cut chops (2 1/4 lbs)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup Tamari
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water

In a large 12-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is simmering and hot. Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Brown the pork chops for 3 minutes on each side in the hot oil until golden. Transfer the chops to the slow cooker.
Add the garlic to the drippings in the skillet and stir constantly over medium heat until the garlic is aromatic and just golden. Stir in the tamari, broth, brown sugar and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remover from heat. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce.
Pour sauce over chops. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours until the meat is tender. Shred chops with forks and serve over rice.

brown them for a nice flavorful, golden sear

cooked, ready to shred

 enjoy,

S'mores Pie

When I saw this recipe online, I knew I had to make it for one last little hoorah before I start back into my workout routine. I adapted it making it gluten free and of course my family couldn't tell. I used my favorite gluten free flour blend (linked) and made some GF graham crackers (links). I used both chocolate chips, because I already had them and some chocolate bars. It came out just fine.  This baked up all nice and puffy and just looked amazing! I tasted a bit and it reminded me of a big cookie, a rich big cookie! This will easily serve 8-12 people, you won't need a big piece. 

S'mores Pie
adapted from Wishes and Dishes, serves 8-12

1 stick Softened Butter
1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
1 whole Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup GLUTEN FREE All Purpose Flour
1 cup GLUTEN FREE Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
7 oz Marshmallow Creme
6 whole (1.55 Oz Bars) Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, Unwrapped (I used about 7 oz chocolate chips)
1 cup Mini Marshmallows
1/4 cups Milk Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9″ pie pan (or tart pan) with baking spray.
In a large bowl beat butter and sugar together until combined, then add egg and vanilla and stir them in. Stir in flour, graham cracker crumbs and baking powder.
Divide the dough in half. Carefully press half the dough in the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie pan as best you can (I used wet hands, makes it easier). Evenly spread the Marshmallow Creme over the bottom crust.
Separate chocolate squares (or sprinkle chocolate chips) and place on top of the Marshmallow Creme.
Place the 1 cup of marshmallows on top.
Using the remaining crust, pat sections of dough on top of and around all the marshmallows (they will not be completely covered and that is what you want!).
Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chocolate chips, then bake 20 minutes until lightly browned.
Remove pan from oven and set it on a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting.

gluten free crust carefully pressed into tart pan 

(I like that it cuts pieces better than digging them out of a pie dish)

marshmallow cream spread

I used both chocolate chips & chocolate bars

plop pieces of GF crust for top all over and slightly press together

can I just eat it like that?

oh wow, look at that!!

go ahead, take a bite!

 enjoy,

Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Jalapeños

Everything is better made at home right? Shhh, I'd like to keep my job though lol. We make these yummies at work for you to take and bake and I thought I'd make them for my family at home. Mr. and I ate about the whole pan, they're that addicting! I baked them for 25 minutes and they were good, the cheese didn't melt out and the jalapeños were just slightly crunchy. You can go 5 more minutes if you want them softer. Don't waste those baked on little cheesy crunchies either, mmm!

Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Jalapeños

6 slices bacon
12 medium-large fresh Jalapeños
8 oz brick cream cheese, cold (can use less fat one)
1/2 C. or so, cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook bacon in a hot skillet until just crispy. Drain and let cool. Once cooled, diced up finely, set aside.
Cut jalapeños in lengthwise, cut out seeds and membrane (or be daring and keep some in if you want spicy!).
With a sharp, wet knife, cut cream cheese into 12 even slices. Add a slice to each jalapeño half. Top with a little cheddar and a sprinkle of bacon. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake 350' for 25 minutes. Best served warm.

cold cream cheese & a wet knife make it easy to slice

easy to "fill"! 

ready to bake

nom nom! It's like two treats in one!

 enjoy,