Easy Pork Roast with Gravy

Here's something kid tested by my kids, and mother approved by me! It's also really easy to prepare and cooks in the crock pot. This recipe comes from Reader's Digest, and they suggest serving it with mashed white potatoes. Rice works well, too. Enjoy!

Pork Roast with Gravy

1 boneless whole pork loin, 3-4 lbs.
1 can chicken broth
1 cup julienned sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1T brown sugar
2 t Italian seasoning
1 t salt
1 t pepper
2 t cornstarch
2 t cold water

Cut roast in half, transfer to 5 qt. slow cooker.  In small bowl, combine broth, red pepper, onion, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and seasonings.  Pour over pork.  Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours, or until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees and meat is tender.

For gravy, strain cooking juices and skim fat.  Pour 1 cup into small saucepan. Combine corn starch and water until smooth.  Stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil, cook and stir two minutes or until thickened.

Do you have a favorite pork roast recipe that your mom used to make? Thanks for visiting, and have a wonderful week!

Reprinted from 4/15/11.

Suzie's Sloppy Joes

I love Sloppy Joes, and this particular recipe is for the crock pot.  Slow cooked and luscious, this dish, also known as a loose-meat sandwich, is sure to please the pickiest eaters!

After visiting the famous Sloppy Joes bar in Key West Florida, I assumed that that's where the name for the sandwich was born. Turns out, it's hard to pinpoint the exact origin.  According to Kerry's Island Kitchen, its history is full of contradictions.

The owners of a restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, where the lose meat sandwich is popular, claim that they had a cook once named Joe, and  the sloppy sandwich was named after him.  And of course, Sloppy Joe’s in Florida says they coined the name.

What's in a name? Taste is what's important, and I can't wait until you taste these! Throw some together this weekend and enjoy!

By the way, I don't know who Suzie is, but this recipe comes from a great book purchase I made at the dollar store called Easy Home Cooking All New Slow Cooker.

Suzie's Sloppy Joes 

3 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups ketchup
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
5 T Worcestershire sauce
4 T brown sugar
3 T perpared mustard
3 T vinegar
2 t chili powder
Hamburger buns

Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in small saucepan. Drain fat.

Combine ketchup, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and chili powder in slow cooker. Stir in beef mixture. Cover and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours. Spoon onto burger buns. Makes 8-10 servings.

I didn't know there were so many names for "the loose-meat sandwich" until I did a little research today.  For instance, in southern Illinois, it's called a Yip Yip, in Nebraska, a Yum Yum and in Northern Pennsylvania, a Wimpie.What are Sloppy Joes called where you live?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

Reprinted from February 4, 2011.

A barbecue competition is like going to a family reunion, only you get to pick your relatives." Judy Fry, The Frying Pan

If you're not from North Carolina, you may not appreciate NC barbecue.  I lived in the Tar Heel State for about 15 years and never liked it's version of BBQ as much as Ohio's, but it is tasty.

My husband, who grew up in NC, really loves it!  And my kids, who are picky eaters, actually like this version I cooked in my crock pot the other day. If you find it strange, douse in your favorite BBQ sauce and you'll love it!

This recipe is from my Slow Cooker Recipe Book that came with my GE crock pot. Hope you like it!

North Carolina Barbecue

3 lbs boneless pork butt, shoulder or blade roast
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomato
1/2 cup vinegar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T sugar
1 heaping T red pepper flakes
1 T salt
2 t black pepper

Combine all ingredients in crock. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours. Pull meat apart with fork when done.  Makes about 3 pounds of BBQ. Great Served with baked beans and cole slaw.

What's your favorite BBQ? Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Reprinted from April 8, 2011

Recipe Friday: Caribbean Pork With Sweet Potatoes

The holidays are upon us! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is just a few weeks away. That means lots of cleaning, decorating, shopping and shipping of gifts, out of town house guests, parties to give and parties to attend.

Throughout all this hassle, you still have to eat everyday!  That's why I'll be posting easy crock pot recipes this month.  Not only are these dishes quick to assemble, they're healthy and delicious, too!  The beauty of the crock pot is, you can throw everything in and forget it! Then, when you come home from work, a hot, home cooked meal is waiting.

I can't resist featuring one more sweet potato recipe, this time in a savory pork dish! There's a little cutting and chopping, so I apologize, but the end result is worth it! This dish can stand alone, or you can serve over couscous or rice.

This was in Woman's Day Magazine about three years ago, and  became a hit in my household. It calls for jerk seasoning, which you should be able to find in the international section of one of the larger grocery stores in your area. Enjoy!

Caribbean Pork With Sweet Potatoes

1 can (14 ounces) lite coconut milk
3 T flour
1 T Caribbean jerk seasoning
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 lb boneless pork butt, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes
2 large (2 lb) sweet potatoes, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups frozen green peas
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Put coconut milk, flour, jerk seasoning and garlic in a 3 quart or larger slow cooker. Whisk until well blended. Add pork and sweet potatoes. Stir until well coated.

Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours, or until meat is tender. When done, spoon off fat. Stir in frozen and cilantro. Cover and let stand 5 minutes for peas to cook. Serves four.

My crock pot is one of my most treasured appliances! Do you own one?

Tweet me @: maria_mckenzie.  Thanks for stopping by!