Category: Entrees

Pork Chops Two Ways: Smoked Grilled or Parmesan Encrusted…but never dry.

Yes!Chef! loves pork. No, that’s not strong enough.  HE REALLY LOVES PORK.

I am coming around to being a pork lover (see Pulled Pork Sandwiches).  I have never much liked pork because whenever I had it growing up or even in my adult life it was always so dry.  I do not like dry meat.  And, I especially did not like pork chops because they were always drier than dry.  Over-cooked hockey pucks.  Pttooey.  That’s what I had to say about dry pork chops until…

Continue reading “Pork Chops Two Ways: Smoked Grilled or Parmesan Encrusted…but never dry.” →

Karen Schmautz10 Comments

Pulled Pork Sandwiches al Fresco and a Family Celebration

Pulled Pork, Spicy Slaw and Corn on the Cob with Compound butter

I think I’ve mentioned before that my family loves to get together and celebrate.  Frequently, we have nothing special to celebrate, but we just like to get together, laugh and eat good food.  However, on Sunday we had many reasons to celebrate:  it was the first time the whole family had been together since Christmas, my daughter had returned from 5 1/2 months in Africa; we’ve officially welcomed daughter’s boyfriend into the family, my oldest son and his girlfriend had returned from an interesting vacation to the hot midwest, my youngest son had his first accident in the car and neither people nor property (except a few cinder blocks) were hurt; Yes!Chef! was starting a new job and I had just landed a great magazine photo shoot.  Yes, those were all good reasons to celebrate.  But, mostly we just all wanted to get together.

The Fam: Together at last

Continue reading “Pulled Pork Sandwiches al Fresco and a Family Celebration” →

Karen Schmautz16 Comments

Rosemary Julep, or What a pleasant way to wait out a power failure

Sit down for a spell on our newly refurbished deck and have a Rosemary Julep (Julep:  Noun. A sweet flavored drink made from a sugar syrup, sometimes containing alcohol or medication.) ?? Medication?

Continue reading “Rosemary Julep, or What a pleasant way to wait out a power failure” →

Karen Schmautz12 Comments

Fried Green Tomatoes, Two Spicy Sauces and One Great Burger

So, I was at the Farmers Market the other day, where I could probably hang out everyday if it was possible, and I saw some great things: fruit, artichoke flowers, colorful purses, Z-pies (frozen little pot pies), cheeses, breads and–Green Tomatoes!

I do love Farmers Markets and I do love Fried Green Tomatoes.  I also purchased some Buffalo Mozzarella from Dedrick’s Cheese (a little cheese shop based in Placerville.)

Continue reading “Fried Green Tomatoes, Two Spicy Sauces and One Great Burger” →

Karen Schmautz14 Comments

Out of Africa or The Healing Power of a Simple Chicken

My daughter (right) and a good friend who adventured with her and an elephant

I have been missing the last couple of weeks, but I’ve had very good reasons.  First my daughter returned from Africa.  She had been there for a little over 5 months working in a Day Home (of sorts) for Street Boys.

Smiles

Continue reading “Out of Africa or The Healing Power of a Simple Chicken” →

Karen Schmautz3 Comments

A Simple Saturday Night Meal or Barbecue Chicken and Fried Baby Artichokes

Barbecue Chicken, roasted asparagus, fried baby artichokes with Greek Yogurt dip and red grapes

It had been a long day of work-outside-in-the-yard for Y!C! on Saturday. We ordered some useful-yet-decorative cement blocks for the yard, so Y!C! and my youngest son hauled those around to make our yard look a bit more tidy.

Continue reading “A Simple Saturday Night Meal or Barbecue Chicken and Fried Baby Artichokes” →

Karen Schmautz6 Comments