A FRIDGE FULL OF FOOD...

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Balsamic Pork Loin

        

 Pinterest Recipe? Why yes, yes it is.  And an excellent one at that. Easy to put together in the slow cooker and melt in your mouth yumminess!

After clicking several links, I finally tracked it down to Danielle at Let's Dish who adapted it from Wendee who posted it to Allrecipes.com (links below to their versions).  I adapted it slightly from Danielle, mostly to accommodate that I used boneless country ribs instead of a tenderloin or loin. The ribs have more fat in them  so I didn't add the water to either step in their recipes and did remove most of the melted fat (with a turkey baster--great fat removing tool) before adding the sauce.

We will definitely be making this again. 

Recipe by Danielle at Let's Dish, which she adapted from a recipe called Herb Roasted Pork by Wendee on Allrecipes.com

I've adpated it slightly from both so I'll post my version.

8-Year-Old Samuel's Taco Dogs at the R Family Cafe

        

After reading on Facebook the other day that the grandmother of our neighbors was going over to their house for lunch made by her grandkids, I was excited when they posted a photo of their lunch made by 8 year old Samuel and thrilled when he agreed to come over and allow me to interview him for his recipe for "Taco Dogs".

Apparently, entrepreneurally-minded Samuel has been busy this summer running a business he calls "The R Family Cafe".  He charges $2.00/5 year membership for regular lunches and an extra $1 per "romantic meal".  Gene and I will have to take him up on that one!  Wonder what he charges to cook for a dinner party of 4-6?  We might have to contract him for one of our Dexter dinners, although with the violence and Debra's cursing, we'll probably have to send the Chef home to bed prior to  showtime!

When I asked what his little sister was doing while he was slaving away over a hot microwave, Samuel informed me that she "played on the computer" but after lunch provided an impromptu ballet recital for the entertainment.

When asked what he served with his taco dogs, Samuel stated that his mom steamed broccoli from their backyard garden "you know, on top of the stove where the fire is" and then put cheese on it to form a tasty sauce.  He also said that since they had to pick off a few bugs who were trying to munch for free on their garden broccoli, that meant it was extra good. I agree. That's how you know your garden is successful, when you have to fight the critters and bugs for your produce!

All I have to say in closing is "Watch Out!" to all my local chef friends: Dave Ponder, Steve Young, and Brad Lyons, Samuel is on his way up and he's going to be a force to be reckoned with!