Gratitude Week 2

I am thankful this week for the variety of food we've eaten. Although we are both very happy eating the same thing each day, we have been have a lot of fun trying new recipes. 

Action shot!

I am also very thankful for the surplus of (free!) recipes on the internet. This week we made:


SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS

Ingredients

• 6 boneless pork chops
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger (omitted because we had none)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed (substituted garlic powder)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place pork chops in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over pork chops.
2. Cook on Low setting for 6 hours, until internal temperature of pork has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

CAVEMAN POPS



Ingredients
3-5 whole turkey legs
2 quarts water
1/2 c salt
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T seasoning blend (we used mesquite)
1/2 bay leaf
1 T chili powder
1 t seasoning blend
1 t onion salt

Preparation Instructions

In a pot, combine water with the salt, sugar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons seasoning blend, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. Allow to cool, then pour into a large container or bowl filled with ice. When mixture is cold, submerge turkey in the brine. Cover the container and brine in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours, more if you have time.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix the dry rub ingredients. Remove the turkey legs from the brine and rinse them under cold water. Pat them dry. Rub the dry rub all over the turkey legs, getting under the skin when you can.

Roast on a baking sheet in the oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 and roast for another 15 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through. (Update: larger legs will require longer cooking time.)

Remove them from oven and wrap the bottom of the legs with aluminum foil for serving.

Digging in!

I am also thankful for the church choir I have joined on Sunday nights. It feels so good to have some music back in my life! Plus, some additional social time is a refreshing change from studying.


Finally, we are thankful for silver spray paint + old outlet covers we had in our basement. The (free!) silver outlet covers blend much better with the backsplash, and are much more economical than the stainless version!

Now, it's test week, so I am going to go spend my last few hours of the weekend with my fabulous husband! He is the greatest! I hope you all have a fantastic week!