Fresh Fettuccine with Quick Meat Sauce

Serves 4

coarse salt & pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 lb. ground pork
1/2 lb. ground beef chuck
1 c. dry white wine (I used combo: white wine, white wine vinegar & apple juice)
1 can (28 oz.) whole peeled tomatoes in juice, chopped
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/4 t. red pepper flakes
18 oz. fresh fettuccine
grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

1. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion & garlic; season with salt & pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 3-4 minutes. Add pork & beef; cook, breaking meat up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 2-3 minutes. Add wine; cook until evaporated, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano and red pepper flakes; cook until sauce is slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes.
2. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, and return to pot; add meat sauce, and toss to coat. Serve immediately, topped with parmesan, if desired.
** I only used half the fettuccine and half the sauce, freezes nicely for another meal!

Pulled Pork Tacos

These tacos take a while to make since they are slow-cooked in the oven, but they're fantastic and great for summer!

approx. 1 lb boneless pork roast
apricot jam
1 smallish onion
salt and pepper

Rub the roast with the salt and pepper, then coat with apricot jam. Set on a double layer of tin foil, and sprinkle chopped onions around (you can also put in a jalepeno pepper for more spice). Wrap foil around roast and onions, place in a baking dish, and roast for about 4 hours at 300 degrees.

When it's done, take the wrapped roast out of the baking dish, then just transfer the meat portion back into the dish, so it's easier and less messy to shred with a couple of forks. Once it's all shredded, pour the onions and juice left in the tinfoil over the meat and mix.

Serve with flour tortillas, and a little lime juice and cilantro. Yummy!

Ham BBQ

Hi everyone! This isn't exactly a summer salad or vegetable dish, but it's a great summer dinner because it's easy, cheap and doesn't require the oven. It has been SO HOT that just the thought of using the oven gives me heat stroke.

My husband's family makes Ham BBQ every time they are together. He grew up in Pennsylvania, and apparently it's a local thing. When I joined the family, I was very scared to try it. I've even been hesitant to post this recipe. It sounds strange but it really is delicious, I promise!

1 pound thin sliced deli ham
2 tablespoons butter
ketchup
sweet relish (dill works too, though)

Chop the ham into small pieces. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add ham and squirt in enough ketchup to coat the meat. Add some relish (I have no idea how much---maybe two spoonfuls??). Cook until the sauce starts to bubble. Serve on hamburger buns.

Raspberry Pork Chops

This is one of Mike's favorite meals. It kind of sounds complicated, but it really isn't. A side of mashed potatoes makes it complete.

1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp sage
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a small bowl, combine thyme, sage, salt and pepper, then rub mixture over pork chops.

Melt butter and olive oil in skillet. (You have to use both oil and butter or the sauce won't turn out right.) Cook porkchops for 4 - 5 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet and keep warm in preheated oven. (Sometimes I just stick them in the microwave without starting it.)

In the skillet, combine raspberry jam, orange juice, and vinegar. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until sauce is reduced to desired consistency (it will thicken as it cools). Serve pork chops with sauce added on top.

Country Style Spare Ribs

These are delicious! I'm not sure if these are one of Mike's favorites, but they are a family favorite!

Country style pork spare ribs (boneless) washed and placed in a 9 X 13" pan.

Mix sauce in medium mixing bowl:
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup Colgin Hickory Liquid Smoke (I can't always find the Colgin brand and haven't noticed a difference)
2 dashes soy sauce
1/2 cup Pace Picante sauce -- mild
1/4 cup brown sugar (you can add a little more if you like)
1/2 tsp. pureed garlic

Pour part of the sauce over ribs in pan, cover, and bake at 350 degrees for 4 hours (make sure there is enough sauce so they don't burn. Pour off most of the liquid and add more sauce and return to oven for a little longer (20 minutes or so).

Tastes great paired with baked potatoes.

Quick Ham Sandwich

1 lb. deli ham
1 lb. swiss cheese or cheddar
8 hamburger buns

Sauce:
1/2 stick butter
1 T. mustard
dash of Tabasco
1 T. grated onion [1/8 t. onion powder]
1 T. poppyseeds

Melt sauce together in pan or in microwave. Put on top and bottom of buns. Layer with ham and cheese. Wrap in foil. Bake at 450*F for around 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.