Pork Butt

If you want an economical and versatile piece of meat, you can't beat a pork butt! I find them on sale all the time for $.99 a pound, some times even less! Last night when I grilled Fajitas, I also thawed out a pork butt (2 birds with 1 stone again). I made a rub with brown sugar and a variety of spices and coated the butt with it. I put the pork on the back of the grill while I was grilling the Fajita meat. When the Fajitas were done, I moved the butt up to the front (fat side down) and added a few wood chips. While we were eating, the pork was smoking over what was left of the fire. When we finished dinner, I removed the pork and put it in the Crock Pot and added about an inch of water. This cooked on low for about 8-10 hours until it was falling apart. It may not take as long in your cooker, check it at about 6-8 hours.
Once it was falling apart, I put it on a platter and shredded about half of it. I piled the shredded pork onto warm buns and topped with BBQ sauce. I served this with baked beans and potato salad. The leftovers are very versatile, they can be served hot or cold. Try them anyway you would a roast, maybe with some mashed potatoes and gravy.

Fiesta

Tonight we had Fajitas. I had a skirt steak and some chicken breast already marinated in the freezer. I do this when I bring the meat home from the store. My favorite marinade for Fajitas is salsa and orange juice. You just trim the fat, put the steak and chicken in separate freezer bags add the marinade of your choice and pop them in the freezer.
Once they thaw, just grill the meat to medium rare. It will finish cooking when you add it to the skillet with the sliced onions and bell peppers. In a skillet cook the bell peppers and onions in some oil until tender-crisp. Slice the steak and chicken across the grain and add to the peppers and onions. Turn up the heat and saute until chicken is cooked through and veggies are caramelized. I served mine with warm flour tortillas, shredded cheddar, shredded lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, refried beans, and Spanish rice.

China American Style.

We have a wonderful restaurant near us called Skillman Wok. They deliver!! So tonight we ordered a variety of items, egg rolls, spring rolls, beef and chicken satay, crab rangoon, spareribs, dumplings, and fried rice. We took it all in the living room in front of the TV and while we ate, we watched Shanghai Noon with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. What a fun dinner, and no cleanup!!

A little taste of Italy.

Tonight we're having Chicken Parmesana with Fettuccine Alfredo and salad with the Giardiniera I put up after Christmas.
The Chicken Parmesana is simple, just lightly tenderize some boneless chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge them in flour, then egg wash, and finally Italian bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese. Saute in olive oil until golden brown, turning once. Transfer to a baking dish and top with your favorite marinara and mozzarella and bake @325 for about 20 minutes. The Alfredo is also easy. Boil Fettuccine and drain. Saute garlic in a little butter, add Fettuccine and toss with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.Season to taste with salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg. You can find the Giardiniera in the pickle section of the grocery, or make your own (see my 12/26 post). Mangiare!

Happy Birthday!

January 14, 1923- March 4, 2007

Happy Birthday Daddy!
We love you and miss you very much!!