Hey! It’s me! It’s been a while, and for that I apologize. Life caught up with me, but with the seasons changing I am drawn even more to the kitchen. I love it when the mornings are crisp and the evenings are perfect to be standing at the stove or enjoying smells coming from the… Continue reading Tuscan Pork Riblets with Balsamic-Dijon Glaze
Category: Pork
Grilled Crispy Pork Belly
I love pork belly, from which bacon is born. Sometimes I’m not sure which I like more, the salty-smoky-cured bacon, or the juicy, tender, and delicious pork belly in all its intact glory. Pork belly is a super-versatile cut, especially if the skin is left on, and it’s absolutely fantastic by itself, in tacos, in… Continue reading Grilled Crispy Pork Belly
Baked Pork Rinds (Baked Pork Cracklins)
HOMEMADE. PORK. CRACKLINS. Do I have your attention yet? Calling all Paleo / Atkins / Baked-not-fried / I-Love-Snacks people and Secret Pork Rind Lovers: I MADE PORK RINDS. I know, right? WE CAN MAKE PORK RINDS. Here’s the kicker: Mine are baked. BAKED. How can this be? Delicious crunchy pork rinds that are BAKED? Done… Continue reading Baked Pork Rinds (Baked Pork Cracklins)
“Quick” Easy Pozole — Mexican Pork & Hominy Soup
There’s a running joke here at Casa Sass that my winter Pozole cooking starts at the first sign of Spring, when I must plant the hominy corn in soil tended for generations; that I start raising the baby piggies and growing the peppers, onions and oregano; and if I pushed it, I am pretty sure… Continue reading “Quick” Easy Pozole — Mexican Pork & Hominy Soup
Easy Cajun Stew
You know when you have a mishmash of things in your kitchen and you experiment a little and throw things together and hope it comes out? That was me, last night. It was our first real chilly, grey, and rainy day of the autumn and I figured I’d make some soup. With flavored broth, some… Continue reading Easy Cajun Stew
Sunday Red Gravy: Spaghetti and Meatballs
I’m not Italian, but I can’t deny the appeal of a house that smells like slow-cooked tomato sauce — the herbs, the garlic, a hint of pork, maybe some soft Italian bread. Here in Oklahoma where I live, autumn is creeping in and the evenings are becoming perfectly chilly. Excellent weather for some spaghetti and… Continue reading Sunday Red Gravy: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Easy Meal: Pasta Carbonara!
Okay so, I know I haven’t been around much and I have to sincerely apologize — between house guests, yard work, a clown, caretaker and character of a bulldog, and lots and lots of the kind of work that actually pays me, I’ve been kind of swamped! I felt it only right that one of… Continue reading Easy Meal: Pasta Carbonara!
Pasta Bolognese (Italian Meat Ragout)
Ever since we had John’s Baked Ziti a few weeks ago, I’ve been jonesing for pasta. I didn’t need anything particularly cheesy, but I really wanted the richness and comfort of some meaty noodles. Meaty. Noodles. I had always wanted to try to make a ragu/ragout style meat sauce, and started checking around for ideas… Continue reading Pasta Bolognese (Italian Meat Ragout)
Carnitas! (Fried Mexican Pork)
I have a soft spot in my heart for Mexican food. To me, Mexican food can be sort of the perfect comfort food. Once you get past really Americanized Mexican food and Tex-Mex (all of which have their place, and I dig on all of them), you find authentic Mexican food is an amazing mix… Continue reading Carnitas! (Fried Mexican Pork)
Pork Fat Rules: Making Lard
Lard. I said it, I said that four-letter “L” word. STAY WITH ME, don’t be scared! If you make it through today’s blog, you’re going to learn all the things I’ve learned in the last month or two, and you might even come away inspired! Come, friend, let us travel to the land of porky… Continue reading Pork Fat Rules: Making Lard