Lent: Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Lent is a season our family takes very seriously. We give up something important (ice cream for both boys this year) and work to grow in our faith. It is also an awesome cooking season for me.  I finally get to make seafood and the hubby and I love it. There is one small little problem--the kids don't really go for seafood.  They like sushi but that is it (weird I know, not even fish sticks).  So I am often stuck doing the one thing I hate--making two dinners.  To cut down on the duplicate work I have a few go to Lent recipes that freeze well that I cook in bulk.  This allows me to spend time cooking the seafood for us and only quickly microwaving the boys dinner.  The easiest and quickest one is sweet potato quesadillas.  They freeze great, are a cheap meal, and even entertain well. 

Sweet Potato Quesadillas

2 finely chopped onions

3 minced garlic cloves

3 tablespoons olive oil 

4 cups of grated sweet potatoes

1/2 teaspoon of oregano (better if you have fresh oregano but dried is fine)

2 teaspoons ground cumin 

1 teaspoon chili powder (leave out if your kids don't like spicy food)

Tortillas

Grated sharp cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Homemade salsa or guacamole

Saute the onions and garlic in the vegetable oil until translucent. Add the sweet potatoes, oregano, cumin, and chili powder if you are using it. Cook covered for ten minutes stirring frequently or it will stick.  When the sweet potato is tender add salt and pepper to taste.  Make quesadillas by placing the filling and cheese inside then folding over or just use like a taco filling and top with whatever toppings you like. 

(Recipe adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home Cookbook--great cookbook if you are a vegetarian. I have only ever liked this one recipe from the book.)

Porky the Pig Part 4

"10 out of 10 but it's not my favorite" CB

If you made the whole pork shoulder you probably still have some pork in your freezer, so here is another yummy and super easy pork recipe. This one is actually my favorite left over pork recipe. It is probably one of the easiest recipes I make--it is so easy that my wonderful, supportive, intelligent but horrendous at cooking husband is even able to make it.

Hoisin Pork Rolls with Crunchy Slaw

Hoisin Pork: 
2 cups of pulled pork
3 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1/3 cup hoisin sauce 

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tsp oil over medium heat. 
Add the garlic and ginger and stir about 30-60 seconds
Add the pork and hoisin sauce. 
Turn heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes

Crunchy Slaw:
1 bag of raw coleslaw or sliced cabbage
3-5 scallions, chopped (less if your kids are more picky)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1.5 tablespoon rice vinegar (do not substitute traditional vinegars, if you don't have just leave it out)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce 

Small tortillas, white or whole wheat

Mix together cabbage, green onions, and cilantro. Place the oil, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and soy sauce in a resealable jar and shake. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss until coated.

Serve the hoisin-ginger pork along with the crunchy slaw with tortilla wraps. Place both inside of a tortilla and roll up. 


*Based on a recipe from www.mealplanning101.com* Highly recommend this blog!

Kid Favorite: Firehouse Chicken

This is part of a new series of the boys' favorite recipes.  If you don't have kids, don't cook this--it isn't very good. If I was rating it, I would give it a 5/10 but the boys love it. It is second to only their absolute favorite--cheesesteaks and if you have met my boys you would know this is very high praise.

10/10 ~PJ

Firehouse Chicken
2 lbs of bite sized chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, or tenderloins)
1 bottle (about 28 oz) of your favorite BBQ sauce (I use Wegman's Brown Sugar BBQ)
1 can (20 oz) of pineapple chunks
1 onion diced
2 gloves minced garlic

Place chicken, BBQ sauce, un-drained can of pineapple (aka pineapple + juice), onion, and garlic into a 4 qt dutch oven or a pot with a lid. Bring to a boil briefly then turn to medium low and simmer with the lid on for about 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Then enjoy with your little people!

Side Dish Suggestions:
Sweet Potatoes
Corn
Applesauce
Yams au gratin