We were in the mood for a quick dinner. I rubbed some basic barbecue rub on a boneless skinless chicken breast and grilled it for about 8 minutes a side over a medium heat on my Weber grill. I brushed it with barbecues sauce the last 5 minutes. The missus made rigatoni and heated some marinara sauce from the freezer. We had Kittencal’s Coleslaw left over from the night before.
If you cook regularly, you always have the making for a great meal, even if you are in a hurry.
The Old Fat Guy
I had been kind of out of energy due to some major dental work. However, I am on the mend so it was time to start cooking again. I started by making the same bread I made in the post Sourdough Bread Instructables’ Style. However, I substituted 50 % of the flour with whole wheat flour.
The Verdict
There is a constant trade off when you substitute whole wheat flour in bread. The whole wheat gives a great flavour but the white flour gives a lighter texture. This tasted great. By using only 50 % whole wheat, it still had a great sourdough loaf texture with a crispy crust and good sour taste. However, it just wasn’t quite as light as the all white flour version. Sigh, there will be an argument with myself about which way to go every time I make this loaf again.
The Old Fat Guy
My recipes for Sweet and Sour Pork call for putting a cornstarch batter on the pork and then shallow or deep fat frying it. This is messy and not particularly good for you. So, I decided to modify it and make a recipe where you just stir fry the pork.
The Ingredients:
• 500 grams/1 pound boneless pork loin or pork sirloin cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch chunks.
• 1 can (398 ml/14 oz) pinapple chunks
• 50 ml/1/4 cup white vinegar
• 50 ml/1/4 cup brown sugar
• 50ml/1/4 cup ketchup
• 50 ml/1/4 cup light soy sauce
• 30 ml/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 375 ml/1 1/2 cup green pepper, 3/4 inch cubes
• 375 ml/1 1/2 cup onion, 3/4 inch cubes
• green onion, chopped (for garnish)
I started by mixing the sweet and sour sauce. I mixed the liquid from the canned pineapple, the vinegar, the brown sugar, the ketchup, the soy sauce and the cornstarch together. I then heated over medium heat, stirring until it thickened. Set aside.
Next, I cut my pork, onions and peppers to size.
Then I heated a tablespoon of oil in my wok and cooked the pork in two batches until browned and cooked through. I took the pork out and put it on a plate. I stir fried the peppers and onions for 2-3 minutes and then added the drained pineapple and the cooked pork. I stir fried another 2-3 minutes. I added the pork and sauce and lowered the heat to simmer until the sauce was heated through.
I sprinkled chopped green onion over the top and served it with rice.
The Verdict
This was OK. It really reminded of the bland sweet and sour pork served in westernized Chinese restaurants. The sauce had the sweet and sour counterpoints but could use some jazzing up. However, there was no problem with not frying the pork in fat. I won’t from now on.
So, this was a good meal but I can do better with the sauce.
The Old Fat Guy
I made an excellent Sourdough Bread in an earlier post. However, a friend sent me another recipe that made a smaller loaf. I am a sucker for a new recipe and gave it a try. Continue reading Sourdough Bread, A Different Recipe
If you’ve read any of this blog, you know I love to cook. However, I am blessed with a wife who makes great food. She Who Must Be Obeyed spoiled me rotten and made an incredible meal. Orange Chicken, her incredible creamy coleslaw, broccoli salad and baked potatoes. Sell my clothes, I think I’ve gone to heaven. Continue reading Orange Chicken In A Claypot
She Who Must Be Obeyed wanted spareribs. She threw a frozen rack on the counter first thing in the morning. You intrepid hero took things in hand and put the ribs on a heavy pot that has been turned over. This is a quick way to defrost items as the pot is an excellent conductor of heat and has a large surface area. Continue reading Smoked Spareribs, No Foil
We still have 8 inches of snow on the ground and it got down to -5 C (23 F) at night. However, it is sunny and got up to 6 C (43 F). So, it must be time to get out on the porch and make burgers. Continue reading End Of Winter Burgers
Since I have retired, She Who Must Be Obeyed and I have had a lot more time together, a very good thing. We have been developing a whole new set of traditions. For example, we have home made pizza on the day I retired.
Today, we started a new one. Saint Patrick’s Day Margaritas. Be nice. They are green.
The Old Fat Guy
There has been a commercial running for Becel Margarine where two bears watch a family making salmon through a window. Sadly, I am very suggestible and I had to have salmon. So I tried the recipe. Continue reading Becel Maple Mustard Salmon, The Commercial Got Me
I had meetings in town. I was going to a Toastmaster Meeting in the evening. We needed a quick meal.
We took some loin chops, sprinkled on some Cabela’s Open Season Pecan Honey Seasonings and grilled them. Continue reading Barbecued Pork Chops, A Quick Meal