October 01, 2005
Easy Lunches on a Snowy Day
The winter season is quickly approaching. It’s that time of year when children come running inside after playing in the frigged weather. When the air is so cold, children need warm meals in their bellies. Here are some great lunch ideas for the cold months to come.
1. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup- This is quick and easy. Throw a can of soup on the stove. Butter a couple slices of bread. Throw a slice of cheese between the bread. Toast sandwiches on a frying pan. You’re done!
2. Macaroni and cheese with hamburger- Everyone has a box of macaroni and cheese laying around. Brown some hamburger and throw it in with the pasta. This throws a heartier twist on a classic favorite.
3. Pigs in a blanket- This is a simple creation that can be made up ahead of time and frozen. Take regular hotdogs and roll them up in crescent roll dough. After cooking, these suckers are great to freeze and thaw out for a snowy day.
4. Chili and oyster crackers- This is a classic. Take your favorite chili recipe and add oyster crackers. Children love to dunk them in their bowls. You can even use this for supper as well.
The perfect addition to all of these meals is a nice cup of hot cocoa . After building a snowman when I was a child, I remember coming into the house smelling the sweet aroma of hot cocoa simmering on the stove. I can still smell it like it was yesterday!
August 28, 2005
Maple and Mustard Pork Burgers
As is the case with most that love to cook, I have a particular feeling of obligation to use local ingredients. And when I say "Canadian" to most people, they think pretty much the same thing as me - maple syrup.
While it is mostly used at the breakfast table, this is a very good alternative to using briown sugar on meats such as chicken and pork. And the flavour it brings is just as crazy as the Canucks themselves!
Below is a really good recipe for some burgers that I have found are great to entertain with and are also kid friendly.
Maple and Mustard Pork Burgers
Burgers
2 pounds ground pork
2 large French shallots chopped, fine dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Glaze
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons spicy grainy mustard
1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of liquid honey
½ teaspoon of dry mustard
1 teaspoon orange zest chopped fine
6 large onion buns, sliced.
In a bowl combine the ground pork, chopped shallots, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form the mixture into 6 patties of equal size about 1 inch thick. Place patties onto a tray and cover with plastic wrap place in the refrigerator until ready to grill.
In a separate bowl combine the glaze ingredients. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined.
Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Oil the grill and brush the burgers with prepared glaze.
Place pork patties directly over the fire. Grill with out turning for 7-8 minutes basting every 2 minutes or until dark golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside. Flip the burgers and continue to cook for a further 7 minutes basting every 2 minutes. Remove burgers and place them on a tray.
Place sliced buns on the bun rack of barbeque to warm and slightly crisp (about 1 min). Serve these sweet and savoury burgers with warm onion buns and whatever toppings your stomach is rumbling for (just don't forget the Canadian Draft beer!).
Posted by at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)