Meatball Goodness

Rachel Ray's Gorgonzola Meatballs with Tomato Bay Cream  are so hearty, so delicious, so balanced in flavor. Quick to make, (duh, 30 Minute Meals) they are perfect for any night of the week. I served them with Spinach Mashed Potatoes... Just thaw and drain a package of frozen, chopped spinach (RR says this is one of the best deals at the grocery) and mix it into your regular mashed potato recipe. The potato-spinach mixture gets another flavor boost from the tomato sauce. One of those meals where a divided plate just wouldn't do...

Tip: Watery spinach will kill this dish. To really get all the moisture out of the spinach, place it in the center of a clean dishtowel. Twist the ends of the towel to make a little bundle and squeeze over the sink.

While we're on the subject of mashed potatoes, let's talk about butter. My absolute favorite brand is Kerrygold. Not only is it wrapped in gold foil, the stuff actually tastes like gold. Perfectly creamy,  perfectly salty, it elevates any dish to the top platform. Don't feel like spending 5 dollars on butter? Okay, but at least try it once. You'll never say "Parkay" again!

Sandwich (im)Perfection

This sandwich is sooo messy, but it is pure heaven between two slices of charred bread.
I'm not really sure what to do about posting recipes that I get from a source... I'll have to ask Mark. So maybe I'll just describe it and post a link... it's from Cooking Light Magazine.

Event: Sandwich Night at Home with the Hubby
Menu: Chipotle-Pulled Pork Sanwiches, Color Slaw, Tecate

Chipotle Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
Pork tenderloin, simmered in barbeque sauce and canned diced tomatoes, with an added kick from chopped chipotle peppers. Sauteed onions, with the savory goodness of thyme. Sliced dill pickles and gooey provolone. Layer it all on a sliced kaiser roll (or HEB's three-seed multi-grain bread, as I did this time) and give it a good press on a hot griddle. 


I served it with Color Slaw... and Tecate. 


Color Slaw:
1 bag rainbow slaw (a mix of julienned broccoli, cabbage, carrots, etc)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 c rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp ground dry mustard
2 tsp celery seed
2 tsp toasted sesame seed
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne


Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with your favorite BBQ or sandwich.