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
Category: Tips & Tricks
O M G, Glorious Ghee – How to Make Ghee
You might remember when we had a long discussion about the benefits of lard, and you may have thought me out of my mind when I described the health benefits over some cooking oils and other culinary fats. And then, hopefully, you scored some or made some organic pork lard of your own, and became… Continue reading O M G, Glorious Ghee – How to Make Ghee
Best. Easiest. Guacamole. Ever.
I love Mexican food. There’s not much I love more. It being Cinco de Mayo, I figured why not post up some guacamole? I know Cinco de Mayo is more of an American, or Mexican-American holiday than is celebrated in Mexico proper, but any excuse for some tacos, chips & dip, and a cold beer or… Continue reading Best. Easiest. Guacamole. Ever.
Tangy Broccoli Slaw
This week at the farmers market, cauliflower and broccoli were in great abundance. One farm had broccoli on the stalk, instead of just the flowery crowns, and to me that was absolute perfection. I think the broccoli stem is highly underrated! It’s delicious, raw or cooked, great in soups, salads, or even sautéed. This week,… Continue reading Tangy Broccoli Slaw
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
Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad)
In case I haven’t previously made it clear, I am a fan of salads. I love them in the spring and summer, but also in the fall and winter. Pasta salads, slaws, cucumber-tomato salad, salads with grains and veggies, I love them all, no matter the season. So, as summer slips away and we move… Continue reading Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad)
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
Organizing My Spices!
It’s the last days of Summer, and that makes it time for me to do some spring cleaning. Fall cleaning. Fall cleaning! You see, with autumn come cooler weather and holidays. With both of those come lots and lots of cooking. Yes, even more than we already do! Heating up the house with the oven… Continue reading Organizing My Spices!