Dessert: baked stuffed apples

There was an Utterli image here but that service has long since gone by the wayside. I found this post looking for the recipe and decided to add a current image. (updated 10/7/12)

The 'before' baking look:

A good seasonal dessert that is easy to make: Bake stuffed apples.

When they come from the oven nice and warm, the vanilla ice cream just melts all over. Delicious!
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Sunday dinner - Italien pork chops and rice

This week's circular from Stop & Shop included a recipe for Italien Pork Chops and rice. This is the view just as it being set to simmer for 20 minutes.

The recipe is one I'd make again. Tasted good and it was a one pot meal; great for clean up after.

Italien Pork Chops and Rice

from the Stop & Shop circular week of 11/7-11/13/08.

Ingrediants:

2 teaspoons - Italien herb spice (divided)

one quarter teaspoon salt (optional)

one half teaspoon ground black pepper

one pound pork chops (boneless or bone-in, trimmed of fat)

2 teaspoons oil

one teaspoon minced fresh garlic

one cup chopped green onions

one cup uncooked long grain rice

1 can diced tomatoes (with basis, garlic, and oregano)

one and one quarter cups of water

Step by Step:

Mix Italien seasoning, salt and pepper together. Pat dry the pork chops and coat with seasoning mix.

Heat oil in large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook chops on boths sides until brown, about one minute each side.

Remove from skillet.

Reduce heat to medium and add onions. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes until tender.

Add garlic, cook about 30 seconds.

Stir in rice, tomatoes, water and remaining seasonings. Bring mixture to a boil.

Place chops atop rice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently about 18-20 minutes until pork reaches internal temp of 155 degrees F and rice is tender.

Steve's 2 Cent variations

Instead of the salt, I substituted Mrs Dash's Salt Free Seasoning Blend.

As prior recipes in the circular seemed to be lacking in spices, I was "strong" in measuring the spices this time around and it came out tasting very nice.

If you want to substitute brown rice for white, I would recommend cooking the long grain brown rice according to package directions about half the time recommended, then drain and add to this pot when the rice is called for.

If you want to subsititute one of the minute rice brands, I would only add the rice in that case about half way through the simmer period (i.e. ten minutes).

I used a deep dish cast iron skillet. It has been well seasoned and seemed to add to the flavor of the meal.

Enjoy!

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Built by Ben

Built by Ben, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I like the pun in this sign I saw during our walk down Wachusetts St this morning.

"Quality has never BEN this good"

Deja Brew - variety pack

Image by shersteve via FlickrFriday night was brewing night at Deja Brew. We had six kettles lined up for our group and made the following beers:

Goibniu:

A Great rendition of a true Scottish Ale

Killer Honey Ale:

A smooth red ale, light hop palate and good malty character

Oktoberfest Beir:

A slight fruity accent with a deep gold color

McTartan’s Scotch Ale:

McEwan’s Clone – Amber & slightly sweet, some smoke

Llevar Porter:

If you like Ravell , you’ll love this one. Vanilla accents

Hearty Christmas Ale:

A hearty Ale, spicy, flavorful and inviting!

Four of these we have done before and were so good, we wanted to do them again. Two are new: McTartan's Scotch Ale and the Hearty Christmas Ale.

We return to bottle on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Deja Brew is a good deal of fun and a great way to truly understand and appreciate beer. I learn something everytime I go.

Additional posts on the Deja Brew experience can be found here.

Kettle line up - Deja Brew

the six kettles are lined up. the first one is already poured and cleaned. the remaining kettles are in the finishing stages before pouring off to ferment.

For other posts on the Deja Brew experience, you can click here

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