Monday, July 12, 2010

Independence Day Lunch!!

Happy 4th Ecclesia! I hope you loved today's lunch! I couldn't resist making BBQ two weeks in a row. Well, I actually didn't think last week that I would want to make BBQ for the 4th of July....anyways, I did, here it is! Enjoy!!



1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle root beer
1 (18 ounce) bottle your favorite barbecue sauce (sub root-beer bbq sauce recipe below!)
8 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted

Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker; pour the root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Note: the actual length of time may vary according to individual slow cooker. Drain well. Stir in barbecue sauce. Serve over hamburger buns.

Root Beer BBQ Sauce

1 cup root beer
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon mild-flavored (light) molasses
1 teaspoon liquid smoke*
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Cool slightly. Transfer to bowl. Cover and refrigerate. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead; keep refrigerated.)


Roasted Potato Wedges with Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise



For potatoes:
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds baking potatoes (about 4 medium), each cut into 8 wedges

For cilantro-lime mayonnaise:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
2 teaspoons grated lime 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice


Roast potatoes: Put a 4-sided sheet pan in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 450°F. Stir cumin, oregano, and 3/4 teaspoon salt into oil in a large bowl. Add potatoes and toss. Arrange potatoes, cut sides down, in 1 layer in hot pan and roast, turning once, until golden, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, make mayonnaise: Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lime zest and juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small serving bowl. Serve potatoes with mayonnaise.

THESE WERE THE BEST POTATOES I HAVE EVER MADE!!! SO SIMPLE YET SOOOOO GOOD WITH THE DIP!!

Creamy Cliantro-Lime Slaw



1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons (or more) fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lime peel
1 serrano chile, seeded, minced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
8 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
2 green onions, minced (about 1/8 cup)

Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, 3 tablespoons lime juice, lime peel, chile, and garlic in large bowl. Stir in cilantro. Add cabbage and green onions; toss to incorporate evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Season slaw with more lime juice, salt, and pepper, if desired, just before serving.

A tad different, but excellent!!

The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 (1 ounce) bottle Red Food Color
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (try to find clear or whitish yellow vanilla...or your frosting will be slightly brown! But still delish!!)
1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.