Thanksgiving Tip...

When making mashed potatoes, heat the milk and butter together, over medium heat, until thoroughly warmed and the butter is melted (there should also be a few bubbles forming on the surface of the mixture). THEN add the milk/butter mixture to the hot, cooked potatoes. Apparently it is supposed to be way better than dumping in the cold butter and milk. 

Also, mash with a fork if you have the patience.  Supposed to give them a great texture!

Bon appetit!

Adobo chicken

So I'm on a crusade to try all the recipes I pulled from my cooking light mags and deem them yummy or not. Here is the first one, we liked it!

Ingredients:

1 tbls canola oil

8 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned

2 cups chopped onion

5 garlic cloves, minced

6 tbls soy sauce

3 tbls water

3 tbls white vinegar

2 tbls honey

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 bay leaf

3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken sauté 4 mins on each side or until browned. Remove chicken. Add onions sauté 3 mins. Add garlic; sauté 1 min, stirring frequently.

Return chicken to pan. Add soy sauce, and next 5 ingredients ( through bay leaf); bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 12 mins. Uncover and cook 20 mins or until Chicken is done and sauce thickens. Discard bay leaf. Serve over rice!

It also says to serve with sliced oranges.

Pulled Pork

Honestly, this is the best thing ever-- spend 5 seconds to make a dinner that will last all week. And its delicious.

1. Have a crock pot.  (I bought one for this.  Worth it.)
2. Put 3 Ingredients in the pot.  I used:

• pork shoulder aka pork butt (I bought a huge thing from Costco, 8 lbs)
• 1 full bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's, and 
• 2 cans of soda (you can use Dr Pepper, root beer, Cherry Cola... whatevs-- I did caffeine-free Coke).  Some people also say to use your favorite seasoning on the pork before you put it in-- up to you. I did a little salt and a little Lowry's.  I don't think it is necessary, but again, up to you.

3. Turn on crock pot and let cook on high for 6-8 hours.
4. Shred meat and call to tell me how awesome I am for sharing this with you.

pic via

Serve on Heather's awesome homemade rolls. Add cheese if you're "like that."

PS Also it's the BEST thing to make if you're bringing dinner to people because it is delicious comfort food, cheap, and super simple. You can also freeze the leftovers or feed an army-- when I made this it lasted for at least 16 servings.  Prob more like 20. And cost way less than $20 total. Serious.