Month: July 2022

Dinner

The Best Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwich

One of my all-time favorite comfort foods is a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. Nothing is makes your day like coming home to the sweet smell of your dinner all ready to enjoy. This recipe is so easy and only takes a few minutes to prep, so its great to make before heading off to work!

The best pulled pork sandwich
Enjoy with some delicious homemade BBQ sauce

Enjoy with your favorite store bought or homemade BBQ sauce, we love this Frank’s BBQ Sauce in a pinch!

Top with coleslaw

Ingredients

  • 3.5-4 pound pork loin
  • 1 small yellow or white onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1-2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce
  • Burger buns

Directions

  1. Add all of your ingredients except for your BBQ sauce to your crockpot and stir, adding the pork loin in last.
  2. Turn your crockpot on low and cook for 6-7 hours, less time if you have a smaller piece of meat.
  3. Take your pork out when finished cooking and shred with two forks.
  4. Strain the liquid out of the crockpot and return the shredded pork and onions, adding your BBQ sauce. I say 1-2 cups depending on how much meat you have, and how saucy you like your pork.
  5. Enjoy on your favorite burger buns and top with coleslaw. I recommend trying my favorite homemade coleslaw recipe!
Side Dishes

The Best Cole Slaw You’ll Ever Eat

This Cole Slaw recipe comes from a family friend and my parents have been making it for years. I like a vinegar slaw but creamy cole slaw will always have my heart.

This recipe is good to eat after making it but I do recommend letting it sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. Really letting the flavors mix together and have time to sit makes it even more delicious. I usually make it a day ahead of when I plan on having so it’s ready when we need it.

Here is what the Cole Slaw looks like after first mixing everything together… So yummy

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this slaw recipe is on top of our homemade pulled pork sandwiches, so good.

Here is the Cole Slaw after sitting over night

Ingredients

  • 1 bag of slaw mix
  • 1/2-1 green bell pepper finely chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoons red onion grated
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/8 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Directions

  1. Put your slaw mix, green bell pepper and red onion in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  2. Add the rest of your ingredients to a smaller bowl and whisk to combine, then pour over your veggie mix.
  3. Stir everything together and store in and airtight container in the fridge, for 4 hours to over night. This will last in the fridge for a few days!

Tips: You can always make your own cole slaw mix by chopping up cabbage and carrots, I just find using the mix so much easier.

This recipe makes a good amount for one family but if you plan on making it for a crowd I would definitely double it.

If you try this recipe please tag me on instagram because I would love to see it!

Desserts

The Best Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

One of my favorite things to bake is cookies, and I have to say these peanut butter oatmeal cookies are the best. I make them more often than any other cookies and I get so many compliments and people asking for the recipe.

This makes about three dozen cookies so if you aren’t making them for a crowd, you could half the recipe. I always end up making the full batch and sending them with my husband to the firehall. I also love to give them away because who doesn’t want homemade cookies! The last batch I made lasted until 9 am at the firehall, they were devoured, and they are so easy to make.

Scoop your dough evenly after refrigerating
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with chocolate chips

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup or two sticks of butter (softened)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I used dark but light is fine)
  • 2 large eggs room temperature (I let mine sit on the counter about 30 minutes before baking)
  • 1 cup peanut butter (we love the 100% peanuts peanut butter)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (you can use baking vanilla in a pinch)
  • 2 cups whole oats
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350° or 325° if you have the option for convection
  2. Whisk your flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside
  3. In a large bowl, beat your butter until smooth and creamy, then add your sugars and beat again until creamed (a minute or two). Add your eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and beat again until everything is combined. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula.
  4. Add about half of your dry ingredient mixture to your bowl and mix, then add the rest and mix until well combined. Add in the oats and chocolate chips and stir to incorporate.
  5. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours up to overnight, if you don’t have that kind of time just pop it in the freezer until you’re ready to make.
  6. Line your baking sheet/s with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat and scoop even balls of dough onto them and bake for 12-14 minutes. If your dough is a little too hard to scoop, let it sit out for 30 minutes to thaw. A scoop makes this job super easy!
  7. Remove cookies from the oven and let cool for a few minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Also try my favorite peanut butter cookies!

Cocktails

Basil Gin Sour Cocktail

This Basil Gin Sour has been my favorite cocktail every summer for the last 4 years. I am always trying new great cocktail recipes, but I always come back to this. Not only do you have the nice fresh lemon juice, but the hint of fresh basil in this cocktail is amazing!

Basil Gin Sour

We always have fresh basil growing in the summer but this year we bought a huge pot go it so we have an abundance. We have been really enjoying all of the fresh cocktails, pastas and pizzas with it so I definitely recommend getting a plant if you don’t have one already!

Ingredients

  • 2 oz of your favorite gin
  • 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • 5 fresh basil leaves rinsed

Directions

  1. Get your cocktail shaker add your ingredients to the smaller cup. Before I add the basil I like to lay it flat and give it a good smack between my hands to release the oils and then tear them in half.
  2. Add a handful of ice to the larger cup and pour you ingredients into your cup with the ice.
  3. Give a good smack to your shaker to secure it and shake vigerously for 20-30 seconds.
  4. Strain into a chilled glass and enjoy!

Tip: For the simple syrup, add 1:1 parts water and sugar together by bringing water to a simmer, once it starts to bubble, turn off the heat. Add your sugar and stir until dissolved and let cool. Store in an airtight container like a mason jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.