Oven BBQ Pork Steaks

All the credit for this one goes to The Hubbs!   I came home from the j-o-b to find this in the oven, baking away.  It was sooooooooooooo good . . .very tender and absolutely sweet and delicious.  Best BBQ I've had in a long time.  I imagine this sauce would be good on other items too.  If you cannot find pork steaks, pork chops will be a great substitute.

Oven BBQ Pork Steaks

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2-4 Pork Steaks

1/2 Cup Ketchup

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce

1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Liquid Smoke - just a couple drops

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Nature's Seasoning (or Salt and Pepper)

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Spray a baking sheet or pan with nonstick spray.

Step 2: Place the pork steaks onto the baking sheet.  Season with Nature's Seasoning.  Sprinkle with garlic powder and onion powder.

Step 3:  In a bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire and liquid smoke.  Pour over the steaks. 

Step 4:  Place in the pan into the oven and bake for 1 hour.  If making chops instead of steaks, you may need to decrease the baking time.

Cracked-Top Jello Cookies

Summertime.  We have a love-hate relationship.  I hate heat and humidity and sometimes even sunshine.  But I really do love the longer days and not wearing a coat.  As a child, I usually hid in the basement where it was cool and dark until the evening hours (my parent's house did not have air conditioning).  Then, in the cooler hours, I would go for long bike rides, hang out with friends and enjoy life.  One of the summertime staples that helped me through those long, dreaded, high humidity days - were these cookies.  They are definitely a summertime cookie - fruity, sweet and slightly tangy.  You can use any flavor Jello you want - experiment with your favorites!  I made a batch of orange ones and a batch of cherry lemonade as well.

Cracked-Top Jello Cookies

Yield: 3 - 4 dozen, depending on the size

Ingredients:

1 Cup White Sugar

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup Shortening

1 Egg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

2 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

2 Teaspoons Cream of Tartar

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1 Small Package of Jello
Food Coloring (optional)

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Prepare your cookie sheets by greasing them.

Step 2:  In the bowl of a mixer, cream the sugars and shortening.  Add the egg and mix well.

Step 3:  Add the remaining ingredients and mix until incorporated.  Please note, the food coloring is optional.

Step 4:  Roll dough into a 1-inch balls.  This cookie dough is a bit more dry than a usual cookie, so make sure you really roll them well. DO NOT FLATTEN THEM.  

Step 5:  Bake for 13-15 minutes.  Remove from oven, remove cookies from the baking sheet and place on cooling rack.  Let cool.  

Can't help being overwhelmed with emotion each time I see my mother's handwriting!

Easy Clams Linguine

Mmmmm....a delicious, garlicky bowl of pasta  that will leave you slurping up the extra sauce from the bowl.  Very easy, amazingly delicious.

Easy Clams Linguine

Serves 4

Ingredients:

3 Cans of Minced Clams with Juice

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

3 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 Cup Onion, Finely Diced

4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1/4 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Oregano

1 Tablespoon Basil

1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

1 LB Linguine, Cooked

Parsley to Serve

Parmesan Cheese to Serve

Step 1:  In a large pan, melt the butter and add the olive oil.

Step 2:  Add the garlic and onion to the pan.  Cook until the onion is soft, but not browned.

Step 3:  Add the lemon juice, crushed red pepper, oregano, basil and Old Bay.  Stir until combined.

Step 4:  Add the clams with juice.  Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5:  Pour the sauce over the cooked linguine.  Top with a little parsley and serve with Parmesan cheese.

Amazing.

Balsamic Glazed Asparagus

Delicious, tender asparagus glazed in a sweet, tangy sauce made of butter and balsamic vinegar.  What could be more tasty?  The earthy and bold flavors go perfectly with a tender, juicy steak.  You can thank me later.

Balsamic Glazed Asparagus

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 Pound Asparagus, cleaned and trimmed

1 Tablespoon Low-Sodium Soy Sauce

1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Lay out the asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Step 2:  Place baking sheet with asparagus in the oven and roast it for 12-15 minutes or until desired consistency.

Step 3:  While the asparagus is in the oven . . . on the stove top in a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, butter and balsamic vinegar.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and then turn to low once the butter has melted.

Step 4:  After the asparagus has been pulled from the oven, place on or in your serving dish of choice and pour the sauce over the asparagus.  Serve!