In the post-holiday haze, I’ve been craving beef. Never mind that we had a big prime rib on Christmas, which essentially disappeared because it was mind-blowingly good (I know, I shouldn’t have taken a vacation from the blog when I was making that bad boy), but I’m kind of turkeyed and ham’ed out. You too? … Continue reading Pan-Seared Beef Tri Tip
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
Steamed Mussels with White Wine (Moules Mariniere)
Mussels are awesome. They’re briny and seafoody and delicious, they’re super easy to cook, they’re pretty cheap compared to other kinds of seafood, and they are REALLY versatile. I was born in and spent a lot of my childhood in Alaska, and occasionally we’d just pull them off the rocks and load them in a… Continue reading Steamed Mussels with White Wine (Moules Mariniere)
Key Lime Pie – 6 Ingredients
We had a birthday or two come and go recently at Casa Sass, so we were due for a nice dessert. I asked John’s son, who is visiting, what he’d like, and key lime pie was the clear winner. It’s a favorite of mine as well — it makes me think of my mom,… Continue reading Key Lime Pie – 6 Ingredients
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
The Cousin of Breakfast for Dinner
I’m a fan of breakfast for dinner. I am one of those seen-everything-you’ve-ever-done-and-want- to-marry-you fans who is slightly delusional and just knows that someday, we will meet again. For dinner. You, Breakfast, I am talking about YOU and ever since John revealed he’s not really a fan, you’ve stopped answering my calls and texts. Breakfast,… Continue reading The Cousin of Breakfast for Dinner