Ginger Pork Spring Rolls

One of my favorite cookbook series are those from America's Test Kitchen. If you're not familiar with ATK, it's a real kitchen based outside of Boston that tests and develops the best recipes, publishing cookbooks and the Cook's Country television show on public television. I love their recipes because not only are they tried and true but they give a great explanation of why a particular method or ingredient was chosen above another. I've made a variety of dishes and have loved almost all of them. My newest foray was with this Asian infusion recipe that was both easy and delicious (my two favorite words for cooking!).

Ginger-Pork Spring Rolls - serves 4

Have it:
1/4 c. hoisin sauce
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 tbl. Asian chili-garlic sauce
1/4 c. water
1 16 oz. bag coleslaw mix
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
6 scallions, white parts minced, green parts sliced thin
1 tbl. vegetable oil
1 lb. ground pork
3 tbl. grated fresh ginger
12 9-inch rice paper wrappers

Do it: 1. Combine hoisin, soy, and chili-garlic sauces and water in small bowl. In another bowl, mix coleslaw, cilantro, and scallion greens.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add pork and 1/3 c. hoisin mixture and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger and scallion whites and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer pork to bowl with coleslaw mix and toss.

3. Spread clean, damp kitchen towel on counter. Soak 4 wrappers in bowl of warm water until just pliable, about 10 seconds; spread out on towel. Arrange 1/2 c. filling on each wrapper, leaving 2-inch border at bottom. Fold in sides and roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Serve, passing remaining hoisin mixture at table.

The dipping sauce was hubs favorite part, great flavor and could easily be used for other Asian inspired dishes.

Source: America's Test Kitchen, The Best Simple Recipes

Barbecued Pulled Pork

There are some recipes that require a trip to the grocery store and then a second trip to a specialty store and substitutions because really, that spice is impossible to find. Then the shopping excursions are followed by prep work and cooking time. Whew! By the time all that work is done, you're almost too tuckered out to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thankfully, there are great recipes that make great meals that can be made with enough time to grab a glass of wine after loading the dishwasher. This bbq pulled pork recipe is an easy Crock-Pot weeknight or Sunday game day meal for a crowd. The crucial part is allowing enough cooking time and picking a barbeque sauce you really love.

Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches - Serves 8-10

Have it:

1 pork shoulder roast (about 2 1/2 lbs.) *smaller roasts will require a shorter cooking time

1 14 oz. your favorite barbecue sauce (my favorite is from a neighborhood spot, The Smoke Daddy)

1 tbl. fresh or bottled lemon juice

1 teas. brown sugar

1 medium onion, chopped

8 hamburger buns or hard rolls

Do it:
1. Place roast in 4 1/2 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker. (My pot is bigger but as long as the roast is 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. its ok). Cover; cook on Low 10-12 hours or on High 5-6 hours.

2. Remove roast from Crock-Pot slow cooker; discard cooking liquid. Shred pork with 2 forks (this is my favorite part, its so tender!).

3. Return pork to Crock-Pot slow cooker. Add barbecue sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar and onion. Cover; cook on Low 2 hours or High 1 hour. Serve shredded pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls.

Source: Crock-Pot The Original Slow Cooker Recipe Collection

Easy Roasted Potatoes - Makes 2 servings, easily doubled or tripled.

Have it:

3 medium/large red potatoes, skin on
Onion powder

Paprika

Oregano

Pepper

Salt

Garlic Powder

Thyme

1/4 cup olive oil

Do it:

1. Clean potatoes. Cut into quarters or eighths. (The smaller the size the faster they will cook.) Place into a bowl and microwave for 4-5 minutes to soften.

2. Eyeball the spices, about a 1/2 teas. of each and mix in the olive oil. Toss the potatoes in the oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until cooked through.

Enjoy! Hearty, homecooked barbecue that's easy to make. Who knew?!