Ham and Potato Soup with Raspberry Pie Dippers
There is nothing like a comforting bowl of soup in the winter. It’s even better when it’s Ham and Potato Soup with Raspberry Pie Dippers. The ultimate savory and sweet combination.
The inspiration for the dippers came from a sandwich that I love, the Monte Cristo. A local restaurant here serves a ham and cheese sandwich fried with a side of raspberry jam. It’s fantastic!
So that got me thinking, what if I made my favorite ham and potato
What TV show pairs well with a warm bowl of soup and craft beer?
My husband and I binged Russian Doll in just a few nights. If you are a fan of dark comedies then this show is for you.
What beer pairs well with Ham and Potato Soup with Raspberry Dippers?
The beer: Holy Moses Raspberry White Ale from Great Lakes Brewing.
I’m a fan of fruit beers and this one did a nice job of not being too sweet. Even though I already had raspberry in the pie dippers, I felt like more raspberry could not hurt. I was right.
How to make Ham and Potato Soup:
Peel, clean and chop the potatoes and carrots.
Chop the celery and onions. Mince the garlic.
In a large stockpot melt 1 Tbs butter. Add the onions, garlic, celery, and ham. Sautee 2-4 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, salt, pepper and herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking combine in a small dish 1/4 cup milk with 2 Tbs flour. Add to the pot. This will thicken up the soup.
How to make Raspberry Pie Dippers:
Spread a prepared pie crust onto a floured surface.
Add spoonfuls of raspberry jam to the crust. Make sure to have spaces in between each one.
Whisk one egg then brush along the sections that do not have jam on them.
Add the other pie crust to the top of the raspberry jam. Press down between each ‘pocket’ to seal the edges.
Cut the pie dippers along the seams then add to a sheet pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.
Pour the soup into a bowl. Serve with a cold beer and warm raspberry pie dippers.
Want more cold weather comfort food and beer pairings?
- Beef Tips & Gravy with The Double Magician from Short’s Brewing
- Under the Troll Bridge Pasties with Arcadia Ale’s Hopmouth
- Turkey Meatballs with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze with Melonfest Cantaloupe Wheat from Roak Brewing
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 2 stalks carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 large russet potatoes peeled, cleaned and chopped
- 8 ounces diced ham
- 1 Tbs butter
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 Tbs all purpose flour
- 2 9-inch pie crusts
- 5 ounces raspberry jam
- 1 egg whisked
Ingredients
Ham and Potato Soup
Raspberry Pie Dippers
|
|
- Peel, clean and chop the potatoes and carrots.
- Chop the celery and onions. Mince the garlic.
- In a large stockpot melt 1 Tbs butter. Add the onions, garlic, celery, and ham. Sautee 2-4 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, salt, pepper, and herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- In the last 5 minutes of cooking combine in a small dish 1/4 cup milk with 2 Tbs flour. Add to the pot. This will thicken up the soup.
- Spread a prepared pie crust onto a floured surface.
- Add spoonfuls of raspberry jam to the crust. Make sure to have spaces in between each one.
- Whisk one egg then brush along the sections that do not have jam on them.
- Add the other pie crust to the top of the raspberry jam. Press down between each 'pocket' to seal the edges.
- Cut the pie dippers along the seams then add to a sheet pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.
- Pour the soup into a bowl. Serve with a cold beer and warm raspberry pie dippers. Enjoy!
Shrimp Spaghetti
Shrimp and pasta are covered with a creamy, spicy sauce that is big on flavor! Shrimp Spaghetti is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but an elegant enough for date night too.
My husband loves to visit a local Chinese buffet when we go out shopping. One of my favorite dishes on the buffet is a creamy dish they call ‘Shrimp Spaghetti’. So for this Mitten Movie Night, I decided this would be a great recipe to try and recreat at home.
The problem was though, I couldn’t quite pin down what type of sauce is used in this dish. It’s not alfredo sauce. The taste is sweet and creamy. After some research, the closest one I found was Bang Bang sauce.
While the pasta was spicier than what I get at the buffet it was still as good, if not better!
What movie pairs well with seafood and craft beer?
The big movie right now is Bird Box on Netflix.
Luckily I read the book before watching this movie. While it was good, the book is SO much better. It is also written by a Michigan author.
What beer pairs well with Shrimp Spaghetti?
The beer: HonkeyTonk Brewing Co. West Coast IPA
We picked this beer up along with a few others while we were in Nashville in November. I’m more of a New England IPA fan but my husband is a lover of all things IPA.
How to make Shrimp Spaghetti:
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Thaw the shrimp then remove and discard the tails.
In a pan add the butter, shrimp and half of the chopped green onions.
Sauté the shrimp until cooked through.
Next, mix the ingredients for the sauce. It’s so simple – mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce
To the pan the shrimp is in, add the cooked spaghetti and the sauce. Stir to combine. The spaghetti will warm the sauce so no need to cook further.
Top with the reserved green onions.
Tips & Variations for Shrimp Spaghetti:
- Want a less spicy dish? Swap out the sweet Thai chili sauce for
sweet & sour sauce. - I use pre-cooked shrimp to save time. If using uncooked shrimp prepare and cook according to package directions.
And here you are…….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Spicy Southern Kitchen
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 8 ounces shrimp I used pre-cooked shrimp but use whatever you like best
- 1 Tbs butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 green onion stalks chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1/2 tsp Spanish paprika
Ingredients
|
|
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Thaw the shrimp then remove and discard the tails.
- In a pan add the butter, shrimp and half of the chopped green onions.
- Sauté the shrimp until cooked through.
- Mix the ingredients for the sauce. It's so simple - mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce and paprika.
- To the pan the shrimp is in, add the cooked spaghetti and the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Top with the reserved green onions. Serve and enjoy!
Tips & Variations for Shrimp Spaghetti:
- Want a less spicy dish? Swap out the sweet Thai chili sauce for sweet & sour sauce.
- I use pre-cooked shrimp to save time. If using uncooked shrimp prepare and cook according to package directions.
Pesto Fries
Want an out of this world french fry recipe for when you’re craving something salty and crunchy? Pesto Fries are drizzled with a buttery pesto sauce then sprinkled with cheese. The perfect snack or side to any main dish.
Who doesn’t love a big pile of hot, crispy french fries? They are like a really great little black dress, they go with everything and can be dressed up with a few accessories. The ‘accessories’ for these fries happen to be a delicious pesto sauce that is drizzled on then baked in. Sprinkle with some cheese and you’ve got a great dish for this Mitten Movie Night.
This recipe is inspired by a hot dog food truck that we had dinner from at our local energy cooperative customer appreciation day. I was sad that I didn’t get the name of it because if I had, I probably would be following it like a Grateful Dead groupie.
While waiting in line to order the smell coming out of the food truck was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Once I was up to the window I ordered a bacon-wrapped hot dog and for the side, pesto fries. They came out piping hot and loaded with pesto, cheese and tasted even better than I expected.
I locked the flavors away in my mind and knew that like most wonderful things I eat, I had to come home and recreate this Pesto Fries recipe and pair it with some great craft beer.
What movie or TV show pairs well with fries and beer?
I’m sure you have probably heard of a little show that is sweeping the horror scene called, The Haunting of Hill House. While Halloween is over this show will keep you in the creeps for a long time. My recommendation when you start watching is to plan for a binge session because you will NOT be able to turn away.
What beer pairs well with Pesto Fries?
The beer: Sunspot Hefeweizen Ale from Greenbush Brewing Company.
This beer was in a mixed 6 pack of Michigan beers that my husband picked up at one of his favorite beer store in Southwest Michigan.
What makes a Hefeweizen a great beer to pair food with?
This German beer is a drinkable beer that pairs well with nearly everything. It’s light and drinkable and you can enjoy it while you fill up on delicious food, not the beer.
Better yet, Hefeweizen has a fruity, lemony appeal so it may lend as a little breath refresher for all the garlic on these Pesto Fries.
How to make Pesto Fries:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or to the temperature that is on the package of fries.
On a sheet place parchment paper. Spread the whole bag of frozen french fries to the pan in a single layer.
Cook according to package directions, mine took about 30 minutes flipping halfway through.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the pesto sauce to go on top.
In a heatproof cup or glass measuring cup melt the butter.
To the melted butter add the minced garlic.
Add the prepared pesto sauce.
Finally, pour in the olive oil. Stir to combine completely.
Take the french fries out the of the oven and pour the pesto sauce over the fries. Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.
Take out and serve individually with parmesan-romano cheese sprinkled on it.
Looking for a dish to serve with Pesto Fries?
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
Ingredients
- 1 28 ounce bag of french fries cooked according to package directions
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbs prepared pesto
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan-romano for topping
Ingredients
|
|
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or to the temperature that is on the package of fries.
-
On a sheet place parchment paper. Spread the whole bag of frozen french fries to the pan in a single layer.
-
Cook according to package directions, mine took about 30 minutes flipping halfway through.
-
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the pesto sauce to go on top.
-
In a heatproof cup or glass measuring cup melt the butter.
-
To the melted butter add the minced garlic.
-
Add the prepared pesto sauce.
-
Finally, pour in the olive oil. Stir to combine completely.
-
Take the french fries out the of the oven and pour the pesto sauce over the fries. Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.
-
Take out and serve individually with parmesan-romano cheese sprinkled on it. Enjoy!
Brown Sugar Scones with Chocolate Drizzle
This Scones Recipe is full of brown sugar flavor, chocolate and sprinkled with walnuts. Brown Sugar Scones with Chocolate Drizzle is the perfect start to the day with coffee or an afternoon treat with tea.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
I received Imperial Sugar complimentary but all opinions stated in this post are my own.
Just like the Swedish Sticky Cake that I made this week for Choctoberfest, scones have been a recipe that I’ve been wanting to try for a while. Once I knew that Imperial Sugar would be a sponsor again this year I knew exactly what I was going to make, Brown Sugar Scones. Then, since it’s Choctoberfest, add lots and LOTS of chocolate over the top!
Imperial brown sugar is my favorite brown sugar to use. I also used brown sugar for last years Choctobfest for a holiday recipe called Cracker Candy. Can’t wait to make that recipe again this year for Christmas.
Imperial brown sugar is so easy to use and it comes in a great sealed bagged so you don’t have to mess with transferring it to another container or worrying about it getting hard. Time and time again Imperial products are ones that I turn to in all my baking. To find out more about Imperial visit their sepcial Halloween page here.
So now let’s stop daydreaming about brown sugar and get on to this brown sugar scones recipe.
How to make Brown Sugar Scones with Chocolate Drizzle:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixer add flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and egg. Start stirring the ingredients and slowly add butter 1 Tbs at a time. When all the dough has combined place the dough on a floured surface. Form the dough into a round disc and roll out to about a 1-inch thickness.
Cut the dough now into 8 triangles and place onto a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Put into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Take out of them and let cool.
Once the scones have cooled in a microwave proof cup add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and whipping cream. Microwave for 30-40 seconds. Stir to combine the chocolate until it is all combined. Drizzle over the scones that add nuts.
Are there other ways to top scones?
Yes! Swap out these substitutions:
- White chocolate and dried cranberries.
- Milk chocolate and crushed pistachios.
- Butterscotch and mini milk chocolate chips.
Place the scones back onto the baking sheet and put into the refrigerator to let the chocolate set, for about 2 hours.
How to store scones:
- Store in the refrigerator on a plate for up to 4 days.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy
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| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
scones
|
- 2 cup flour
- 1 Tbs baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 6 Tbs butter cut into Tbs peices
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbs heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup walnuts crushed
Ingredients
|
|
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixer add flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and egg. Start stirring the ingredients and slowly add butter 1 Tbs at a time. When all the dough has combined place the dough on a floured surface. Form the dough into a round disc and roll out to about a 1-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough now into 8 triangles and place onto a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Put into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Take out of them and let cool.
- Once the scones have cooled in a microwave proof cup add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and whipping cream. Microwave for 30-40 seconds. Stir to combine the chocolate until it is all combined. Drizzle over the scones that add nuts.
- Place the scones back onto the baking sheet and put into the refrigerator to let the chocolate set, for about 2 hours. Enjoy!
How to store scones:
- Store in the refrigerator on a plate for up to 4 days.
Roast Beef Sandwich
Say goodbye to boring pieces of bread with uninspiring meats on them! This Roast Beef Sandwich has tender roast beef, bacon, onions and mushrooms loaded on top of a soft loaf of Italian bread. Don’t forget the chunky blue cheese spread!
Well, it’s official. This Mitten Movie Night marks 1 month until….my birthday! In honor of the downward slide and creeping closer to the middle of 40, I figured I would treat myself to one of my favorite food groups-sandwiches. There is nothing better than a BIG sandwich that you can sink your teeth into and just enjoy. The best thing about sandwiches is that almost anything goes and that goes for this roast beef sandwich that’s anything but average.
When I was thinking of what type of sandwich to make I decided to make it like a big sub sandwich. Growing up, my mom would make sub sandwiches in the summer and it was always a special treat. While I was at it I thought some bacon would be really good with this too. Then finally, let’s slather a blue cheese sauce on it.
What movie pairs well with a roast beef sandwich and beer?
For the movie recommendation, I HIGHLY suggest Father of the Year. Who doesn’t love Adam Sandler movies? David Spade returns to a little bit of Joe Dirt character which made this movie too funny! So now on to the roast beef sandwich recipe.
What beer pairs well with a roast beef sandwich?
The beer: Pooltime Ale from Bell’s Brewing.
The beefy concoction will pair perfectly with this refreshing summer brew. This beer is slightly tart from the cherries which make a perfect contrast to all the beef and tangy blue cheese in this. I may even say that I hit this combination out of the park!
How to make this Roast Beef Sandwich:
First, start by cooking the bacon. I like bacon very crisp so I cooked it for about 6 minutes then turn and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes.
Take the loaf of bread and cut it in half. Spread with butter and place face down on a cookie sheet.
Put into a preheated 350-degree oven and let it toast up for about 5-8 minutes.
Once the bacon is done remove it from the pan and put on a plate with paper towels to allow it to drain. Remove all the grease in the pan from the bacon reserving about 1-2 tsp.
Add 1 Tbs of butter to that (this is not very diet friendly if you can’t tell) then add the sliced mushrooms and onions.
Let those cook down for about 5 minutes. Then add the roast beef.
While those cook flip the bread over and spread the cheese equally on each side. Put back into the oven and let the cheese melt, around 5 minutes.
Make the sauce by mixing the blue cheese, mayonnaise and horseradish sauce together.
Crumble the bacon and add to the cooked roast beef. Take the bread out of the oven then pile it high onto one side of the bread then top off with the other.
Cut into 6 pieces then serve. Let others add lettuce, tomatoes, and the blue cheese mixture as they like.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 pound cooked roast beef from the deli area
- 8 ounces white mushrooms cleaned and sliced
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1-1/2 Tbs butter
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup horseradish sauce
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- lettuce and tomato for topping
Ingredients
|
|
- Start by cooking the bacon. Cook for about 6 minutes then turn and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes.
- Take the loaf of bread and cut it in half. Spread with butter and place face down on a cookie sheet. Put into a preheated 350-degree oven and let it toast up for about 5-8 minutes.
- Once the bacon is done remove it from the pan and put on a plate with paper towels to allow it to drain. Remove all the grease in the pan from the bacon reserving about 1-2 tsp.
- Add 1 Tbs of butter to that then add the sliced mushrooms and onions. Let those cook down for about 5 minutes. Then add the roast beef.
- While those cook flip the bread over and spread the cheese equally on each side. Put back into the oven and let the cheese melt, around 5 minutes.
- Now make the sauce which is just mixing the blue cheese, mayonnaise and horseradish sauce together.
- Crumble the bacon and add to the cooked roast beef.
- Take the bread out of the oven then pile it high onto one side of the bread then top off with the other. Cut into 6 pieces then serve. Let others add lettuce, tomatoes, and the blue cheese mixture as they like. Enjoy!
My Dad’s Chicken & Rice
My Dad’s Chicken & Rice is a chicken and rice recipe that you will want to have in your back pocket for busy nights. Fancy mixed vegetables, crispy chicken, mushrooms and crunchy water chestnuts make this a delicious dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
I’m serious when I say that I have been eating this meal most of my life. It’s a recipe that my dad invented, thus the name ‘My Dad’s Chicken & Rice’. He cooked it for us growing up and when I was old enough he gave the recipe to me and I’ve been making it myself for about 20 years now.
My dad is a great cook! He makes the most unbelievable grilled chicken. My mouth is watering a little right now as I’m thinking about it. I want to think that he got his skills from my grandmother. On Sunday’s growing up, we would have big dinners of lamb, creamed spinach, and croissants.
Dessert was almost always chocolate pudding with whipped cream. I loved those Sunday’s and I try and keep the tradition alive in our house. Sunday’s here usually start with Swedish Pancakes and end with a big comforting meal like Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast.
For quick weeknight dinners though, I look to this chicken and rice recipe. It’s full of chicken, meaty mushrooms, and crunchy water chestnuts. Perfect when you want a one-dish meal that goes from stove to table with little cleanup.
How to make My Dad’s Chicken & Rice:
First, take the chicken and cut into cubes. On a plate, put the flour, garlic powder, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the mixture coating all pieces.
In the bottom of a large pan, I use a covered stockpot, heat about 1 tbs. of oil in the bottom of a pan.
Add the chicken to the pan and cook until all the chicken is nice and crispy around 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally to make sure all parts are browned. *Look at that! Again, this is what makes this dish amazing.*
Once the chicken has cooked take it out of the pan and set aside. In the same pan add butter and let it melt. Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion. Cook until the mushrooms start to shrink and the onions are browned.
To the pan add the chicken back in. Now add the wet ingredients: chicken broth, fancy mixed vegetables (do not drain liquid), water chestnuts (do not drain liquid), and soy sauce.
Finally to the pot add the rice and stir it all together. Cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes check to see if you need to add any additional chicken stock so that the rice doesn’t dry out and stir so the rice doesn’t stick to the pan.
If there’s still plenty of liquid allow to cook another 5-8 minutes covered.
Taste to make sure that the rice has cooked thoroughly and then add salt, pepper, and more soy sauce to your taste. I always end up adding more but please add at your discretion. Top with some crunchy noodles.
Tips for making My Dad’s Chicken & Rice:
- The key to really good chicken and rice is making sure the chicken in really crispy. In order to do that it means cooking the chicken separate from the mushrooms and onions.
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Originally published March of 2016. Updated photos & recipe July of 2018.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins cut into chunks
- 1 cup instant brown rice
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 Tbs butter
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts chopped
- 1 14-ounce can fancy mixed vegetables
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
Ingredients
|
|
- Take the chicken and cut into cubes. On a plate, put the flour, garlic powder, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the mixture coating all pieces.
- In the bottom of a large pan, I use a covered stock pot, heat about 1 tbs. of oil in the bottom of a pan. Add the chicken to the pan and cook until all the chicken is nice and crispy, around 10 minutes. Stiring occasially to make sure all parts are browned. Once the chicken has cooked take it out of the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan add butter and let it melt. Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion. Cook until the mushrooms start to shrink and the onions are browned.
- To the pan add the chicken back in. Now add the wet ingredients: chicken broth, fancy mixed vegetables (do not drain liquid), water chestnuts (do not dain liquid), and soy sauce. Finally to the pot add the rice and stir it all together.
- Cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes check to see if you need to add any additional chicken stock so that the rice doesn't dry out. If there's still plenty of liquid allow to cook another 5-8 minutes covered.
- Taste to make sure that the rice has cooked thoroughly and then add salt, pepper and more soy sauce to your taste. Enjoy!
Tips for making My Dad's Chicken & Rice:
- The key to really good chicken and rice is making sure the chicken in really crispy. In order to do that it means cooking the chicken separate from the mushrooms and onions.
Hacienda Torta Cubana
This copycat recipe for Hacienda Torta Cubana sandwich is made with homemade salsa bread stacked high with pulled pork, salty ham, cheese, and pickles. Add some Apricot Sriracha Sauce for some sweet heat!
Did you know that this weekend kicks off not only Cinco De Mayo but also the Kentucky Derby? Double celebrations for this Mitten Movie Night. Who is ready to party? I know I am. For this very special day, I made this copycat recipe that I really love from a very popular restaurant, Hacienda. Really going out for this recipe I made the bread from scratch then piled this Hacienda torta Cubana high with slow-cooked pork, ham, cheese and a special spicy sauce to top it off.
What beer pairs well with a Torta Cubana?
The beer: Latitude 42 Brewing Company, Nectar of the Goddess.
I really love this beer it is fruity and perfect for the warmer weather. Complimenting the sweet and spicy topping on this sandwich and cut the salty taste of the pork and ham.
As I said in the intro, I made the bread for this sandwich from scratch. This Salsa Bread was so good and I was pleased with how well it took off on the blog. In fact, just two days it is now my #1 post on the blog. If you do not want to make the bread from scratch any sandwich bun will work.
Need a use for leftover pulled pork?
Then this Hacienda torta Cubana is the perfect use for that. When I recently made my Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese I got the pork on a great deal and cooked it all at once. I used half for that recipe than the other half for this one.
How to make a Hacienda Torta Cubana:
Divide the pork and ham up and you will make each of these made-to-order in one pan.
To a pan add the pulled pork and ham. Start to cook it over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Flip the meat.
Butter the bottoms of the bread with some butter then add to the pan butter side down.
Add cheese to the top of meat then cook for another 2-3 minutes until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Remove and stack the sandwich on a plate and then prepare the Apricot Sriracha Sauce.
While the description for the sauce on this is ‘Spicy Chipotle’ I decided to use one of my favorite condiments, sriracha.
Mix together some Apricot Jelly and sriracha according to taste but use the general recipe below to what I use and adjust from there.
Assemble the sandwich with warm and toasted salsa bread.
Pile high with the pork, ham, and cheese. Add the pickles and the sauce. Top off this deliciousness with the last piece of bread.
And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
sandwiches
|
- 6 buns or 12 pieces of Salsa Bread/Regular Bread
- 1 cup cooked pulled pork
- 1/2 pound cookied ham
- 1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced dill pickles
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1/4 cup Apricot Preserves
- 2-4 tsp Sriracha Sauce depending on taste
Ingredients
Torta Cubana Sandwich
Apricot Srircha Sauce
|
|
- Divide the pork and ham up and you will make each of these made-to-order in one pan.
- To a pan add the pulled pork and ham. Start to cook it over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Flip the meat.
- Butter the bottoms of the bread with some butter then add to the pan butter side down.
- Add cheese to the top of meat then cook for another 2-3 minutes until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove and stack the sandwich on a plate and then prepare the Apricot Sriracha Sauce.
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
A creamy homemade cheese sauce coats noodles and makes the perfect bed for pulled pork. Drizzle this Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with BBQ sauce then top with spicy jalapenos and pickled red onions.
Welcome to the first Mitten Movie Night of Spring! We are ready to settle in and start enjoying the warmer weather. Today I am sharing a recipe that is inspired by a wonderful meal that we had while on our Spring Break trip to Florida, pulled pork mac and cheese.
A little more on the backstory of where this recipe originated from. This year was the first year that we actually ventured out of Michigan for Spring Break. The Winter has been long and we were all in need of some serious Sunshine. So we headed down to a place that I grew up going to as a kid – Venice, Florida. Right on the Gulf of Mexico we couldn’t have asked for a better place to get away from it all….well expect for the traffic with everyone else having the same idea…but I digress and do not want to complain because this was easily one of my favorite vacations we’ve ever had. I mean look at this picture of the boys heading down to the beach. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.
While we were in Florida we visited my friend and her family who hosted us for Easter. Visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter & Hope. Then enjoyed lots of time at the pool, the beach and eating really good food. On the suggestion of one of the residents at the condo we headed over to Darrell’s BBQ. It was a treat because anyone with kids and driving 24 hours to get to a location knows it means lots of fast food and we were ready for a sit down meal. The husband had the pulled pork platter, Big A had a burger and Little A and I shared a big bowl of pulled pork mac and cheese with piles of pork and sweet BBQ sauce. It was so good and one that I kept note of so I could make it as soon as we got home.
What beer pairs well with Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese?
The beer: Hopsoulution Double IPA from Bell’s.
Even though most of this post talks about Florida, I am a Michigan girl and happy to be home because we do have some of the best craft beer in the country. Wouldn’t you know we came back just in time for the release of Hopsoulution Double IPA.
How to make Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese:
Let’s start with the pulled pork. For this pulled pork mac and cheese recipe, I made the pork in the slow cooker. You can easily smoke the meat if you like but I ran short on time and really didn’t feel like pulling out the smoker so the slow cooker worked just as good.
Mix the beef broth and seasonings in the bottom of the crock pot and add the pork. Set for 6-8 hours on low and the pork is ready to be taken out and pulled.
About 20 minutes before the pork is ready to come out start the macaroni and cheese. Boil the pasta according to package directions. Once it is done remove from the pan, drain and set aside in another bowl.
To the pot you cooked the pasta add the butter and over medium heat melt the butter. Once it has melted stir the flour into the butter until it is slightly smooth (you may see some lumps) then add the milk. Stir until combines and you have a nice sauce appearance.
Now add the nutmeg, pepper, garlic powder then finally add the 3 different cheeses. Make sure you stir the whole time. See how awesome this sauce comes out. The ‘pull’ of the cheese. Thick enough to coat all the noodles. Another word for it is ‘cheesetastic’.
Add the noodles to the pot and stir to get all the sauce all over the noodles. Now set out a plate and add the mac and cheese.
Heap some pulled pork on there. Drizzle with BBQ sauce (I recommend my Best BBQ Sauce). Finish off this pulled pork mac and cheese with pickled red onions and jalapenos.
And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 8 hours |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 1/2-2 pounds boneless pork loin
- 2 cups beef broth I use beef broth base
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp Spanish paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cups dry pasta (I used rotini) cooked to package directions
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 Tbs flour
- 1-1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded colby jack cheese
Ingredients
Pulled Pork
Mac and Cheese
|
|
- To a slow cooker add beef broth, onion powder, minced garlic and seasonings then set for 6-8 hours on low and the pork is ready to be taken out and pulled.
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. Once it is done remove from the pan, drain and set aside in another bowl.
- To the pot you cooked the pasta add the butter and over medium heat melt the butter. Once it has melted stir the flour into the butter until it is slightly smooth (you may see some lumps) then add the milk. Stir until combines and you have a nice sauce appearance.
- Add the nutmeg, pepper, garlic powder then finally add the 3 different cheese. Make sure you stir the whole time.
- Add the noodles to the pot and stir to get all the sauce all over the noodles.
- To plate: Add the mac and cheese. Heap some pulled pork on there. Drizzle with BBQ sauce. Finish off with pickled red onions and jalapenos. Enjoy!
Salad Delight
Salad Delight has tropical fruit, fluffy marshmallows, and whipped cream and toasted coconut. It makes this vintage dessert perfect for the holidays, cookouts or anytime.
This Mitten Movie Night I’m taking it to the tropics so salad delight it is! Don’t let the name fool you this ‘salad’ is a tropical fruit salad that is a sweet treat. Fruits, marshmallows and whipped cream topped with toasted coconut. This vintage recipe stands the test of time and perfect for holidays, picnics or any night of the week. I may not be able to escape to a warmer climate right now but I can make this salad delight, sit under a bright light with sunglasses and sip on a mango sour beer. Sounds good, huh?
What TV show pairs well with fruit salad?
Recommended watching: We are catching up on a new to us show, Atlanta. If you are a fan of Donald Glover either the show he started in Community or his music you will see him at his finest in this drama. A little thing you may not know about him thought (and no he is NOT related to Danny Glover) he was actually discovered by Tina Fey and wrote for my favorite show ever, 30 Rock.
What beer pairs well with Salad Delight?
The beer: In The Flesh from Two Brothers Artisan Brewing.
With this, I am serving it as a side with some slider sandwiches. A perfect beer to pair this with is In The Flesh from Two Brothers Artisan Brewing. I’m a really big fan of sour beers and this one made with mango is on the top of my favorites list. The sourness does cut the sweetness of the salad. Delicious!
Now on to this salad delight that’s not a salad at all.
How to make Salad Delight:
While I do usually like to have pictures of each step there simply was no reason for it. All you have to do is set the whipped cream and frozen fruit on the counter and let thaw. You could also do this overnight in the refrigerator. Once the items have thawed make sure to drain the frozen fruit as it may have water in the bottom.
Next, open the can of crushed pineapple and drain that too. You don’t want it making your salad runny.
In a medium sized bowl add the fruit, pineapple, whipped cream, chopped banana, and marshmallows. Mix to combine all the ingredients.
In a small pan on the stove over medium heat melt 1/2 tsp of butter. Add the coconut and toast for 2-3 minutes. Take off the stove and let cool.
Sprinkle on top of the salad.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 3 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 medium banana chopped
- 20 ounces can crushed pineapple drained
- 1 cup frozen Daybreak Blend, thawed I use WaWona Organic Daybreak Blend from Costco
- 1 cup marshmallows I used regular but you can use Tutti Fruity too
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 tsp butter
Ingredients
|
|
- Set the whipped cream and frozen fruit on the counter and let thaw. You could also do this overnight in the refrigerator. Once the items have thawed make sure to drain the frozen fruit as it may have water in the bottom.
- Next open the can of crushed pineapple and drain that too. You don't want it making your salad runny.
- In a medium sized bowl add the fruit, pineapple, whipped cream, chopped banana and marshmallows. Mix to combine all the ingredients.
- In a small pan on the stove over medium heat melt 1/2 tsp of butter. Add the coconut and toast for 2-3 minutes. Take off the stove and let cool.
- Sprinkle the coconut on top of the salad. Enjoy!
Skillet Chicken, Mushrooms & Garlic
Looking to have a cozy Friday night in? And how would you like to make up a chicken dinner that can be made all in one pan and bake while you lounge on the couch reading or watching movies? Am I speaking your language yet? This skillet chicken, mushrooms & garlic is the perfect dinner for a great night in.
So tonight for Mitten Movie Night I made one of my favorites, a simple chicken dinner. I love nothing more than chicken with a light gravy and mashed potatoes. This meal paired so well with the White Chocolate Blonde from Grand Armory Brewing that we picked up when we were out hunting for Hopslam. With only a hint of chocolate, it went great with the meaty mushrooms, tender chicken, and light sauce perfectly.
Recommended to watch: The Secret of Marrowbone. This movie had me thinking about it long after it was over. A little bit of horror with a surprise twist at the end. So cuddle up because the weather is still cold and let’s get to the recipe for skillet chicken, mushrooms & garlic.
Do you have a cast iron skillet? If not this skillet chicken dish works well in a dutch oven too. I’ve been using my cast iron like crazy since I got it this summer. Before having one I always thought that it would be too intimidating but I was simply wrong about it. Easy to clean and you can make everything from burgers to dessert in it.
Start off by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. On the stove heat the pan and add the 1/4 cup olive oil. On a plate add the flour, salt, pepper, and thyme. Combine the spices and flour together then dredge each chicken piece into it then add them skin side down to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, flip over and cook another 5 minutes on the other side. While the chicken is cooking chop the onion, clean the mushrooms and get the garlic peeled.
Once the chicken is cooked remove and put on a separate plate. The chicken does not have to be cooked you just wanted to crisp up the skin. To the same pan add 1 Tbs of butter. With a spatula bring up the little bits on the bottom of the pan and add the onions. Brown them until translucent for 2-3 minutes. By now the kitchen should be smelling amazing!
Now that the onions are cooked add the liquids: wine and chicken stock. Add the chicken back to the pan. Then finally add the mushrooms and garlic on top of that. Turn off the heat to the skillet on the stove top then put the whole pan into the oven.
Cook the chicken for 60 minutes but to keep it moist every 15 minutes take a spoon and pour the juices from the pan over the chicken. While it’s cooking make up some mashed potatoes and a vegetable side. Plate it up and here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 60 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 4 pounds chicken thights I used bone in
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 8 ounces while white mushrooms cleaned and stemmed
- 1 whole garlic head peeled
- 1 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbs butter
Ingredients
|
|
- Start off by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. On the stove heat the pan and add the 1/4 cup olive oil.
- On a plate add the flour, salt, pepper and thyme. Combine the spices and flour together then dredge each chicken piece into it then add them skin side down to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, flip over and cook another 5 minutes on the other side.
- While the chicken is cooking chop the onion, clean the mushrooms and get the garlic peeled.
- Once the chicken is cooked remove and put on a separate plate. The chicken does not have to be cooked you just wanted to crisp up the skin. To the same pan add 1 Tbs of butter.
- With a spatula bring up the little bits on the bottom of the pan and add the onions. Brown them until translucent for 2-3 minutes.
- Now that the onions are cooked add the liquids: wine and chicken stock. Add the chicken back to the pan. Then finally add the mushrooms and garlic on top of that. Turn off the heat to the skillet on the stove top then put the whole pan into the oven.
- Cook the chicken for 60 minutes but to keep it moist every 15 minutes take a spoon and pour the juices from the pan over the chicken. Plate it up. Enjoy!
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