PINEAPPLE PEANUT BUTTER RIBS

Hubby is loving the new style of cooking. I’m trying to make recipes that leave plenty of easy to eat for lunch items also. These slow cooker recipes are perfect for while I’m “LEARNING” to eat again. These allow me to cook a few times a week with plenty of C.O.R.N. (Clean Out Refrigerator Night) in between.

PINEAPPLE PEANUT BUTTER RIBS
3 1/2 pounds baby back ribs, cut in half
11.5 ounce frozen juice concentrate (orange pineapple) thawed
6 ounces pineapple juice
1/2 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup fresh minced cilantro
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Whisk together the juice concentrate, liquid aminos, peanut butter, cilantro, ginger, garlic and sugar. Reserve 3/4 cup for dipping sauce later.
  • Place ribs in a large ziplock bag or marinated.
  • Pour marinade over top and turn ribs to coat, cover and seal.
  • Marinade for 8 hours or overnight, turning ribs periodically.
  • Remove ribs from marinade.
  • Stand ribs around the slow cooker if deep enough. If not, loosely layer ribs in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH 1 hour.
  • Reduce heat to LOW and cook 5 more hours.
  • Heat reserved sauce and served with ribs for dipping.

NOTE: Standing the ribs will bring them into contact with the best heat source for crispy brown edges like they had been smoked for hours.

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday.

TERIYAKI SEX on a STICK

SEX ON A STICK
1/2 cup Teriyaki marinade (see below)
fresh pineapple cut into chunks
1 pound Chicken tenders or chicken chunks
1 pound large shrimp, tails cut off
1 pound bacon, cut into halves

  • Soak skewers in water for 1 hour prior to assembly.
  • Stack a piece of pineapple with a piece of shrimp and wrap with a piece of bacon.
  • Thread onto skewer to secure.
  • Repeat until all pieces are assembled. (I alternate chicken and shrimp for even skewers)
  • Brush with marinade,
  • Bake 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and brush with marinade again.
  • Bake for an additional 7-8 minutes or until bacon is sizzling.
 Can be grilled, but watch for bacon to burn.

TERIYAKI MARINADE
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup white wine
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly minced ginger
2 green onions, minced
1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
pinch sea salt
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar

  •  Whisk together all ingredients until well blended and sugar is completely dissolved.

SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN

SWEET and SOUR CHICKEN

1/3 cup apricot pineapple jam**
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
scant 1/4 cup grated onion
pinch red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon chili sauce
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
8 ounce can crushed pineapple, WELL drained (reserve juice)
1/2 teaspoon molasses
splash grenadine (for color)
1/4 cup pineapple juice
Fresh ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2-3 pounds chicken thighs##
Scallion Rice@@
Sliced scallions for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Line a shallow roasting pan with foil and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together the jam, vinegar, chili sauce, brown sugar, grenadine, pineapple juice, molasses, garlic, all but 1/4 cup of the crushed pineapple and onion.
  • Cook over a low heat to heat sauce through.
  • Place chicken skin side up on baking sheet, generously seasoning with fresh ground salt and pepper.
  • Roast chicken 15 minutes.
  • Brush glaze onto chicken pieces (about 1/3 of the glaze).
  • Roast another 10-15 minutes until juices run clear and chicken is cooked through (170°).
  • Turn oven to broil and raise rack to 5 inches below broiler.
  • Brush chicken again with glaze and return to oven, broiling until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Heat any remaining glaze in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Serve over buttered rice.
  • Garnish with scallion greens.

NOTE ** In many places in this country you can’t buy apricot pineapple jam, but I usually buy a jar of apricot and a jar of pineapple and make my own when I can’t find it already made.

NOTE ## You can use mixed chicken parts just as easily, I just prefer thighs. You can also use boneless chicken, JUST BE SURE to adjust cooking times. Also remember that there won’t be any skin to crisp so chicken will dry out some as well as cook faster. IF USING BONELESS PIECES, I brown them in avocado oil in a skillet before adding and tossing with the sauce.

NOTE:@@ To make scallion rice, I substitute a combination of mainly chicken broth with a little pineapple juice for the water in any rice recipe.  I then add 1 tablespoon butter, the scallion whites of the onions and 1/4 cup of the crushed pineapple and then cook per package directions.

BAKED PINEAPPLE ORANGE CHICKEN

BAKED PINEAPPLE ORANGE CHICKEN serves 6
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into large bite sized pieces
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 egg whites, beaten until foamy
1 cup FINELY GROUND Panko crumbs
1 cup Wondra flour
1 cup orange pineapple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Buttered rice (I use chicken broth and scallion whites while cooking)
1/2 cup sliced scallions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Line a shallow roasting pan with foil and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Use 3 shallow prep dishes – 1 for the cornstarch, 1 for the egg whites and 1 for the Panko Wondra combination.
  • Coat chicken pieces 1st in cornstarch, then in egg whites and finally in bread crumb mixture.
  • Place chicken pieces on baking sheet.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
  • While chicken is baking, prepare sauce.
  • In a medium sauce pan combine, 3/4 cup of the juice, se sugar, liquid aminos, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup juice until smooth.
  • Stir into sauce pan and simmer until thickened.
  • Transfer chicken pieces to a large bowl, pour sauce over and GENTLY toss until chicken pieces are well coated.
  • Serve over rice and top with scallions.

Linking up with Julie over at Back to My Southern Roots.

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FISHY CHICKEN STIR FRY

FISHY CHICKEN STIR FRY

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken, cut into 1 inch strips
1/4 cup Wondra flour
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste
2 large carrots, cleaned and sliced diagonally
2 large green onions, sliced thin
2 cups snap peas, cleaned and halved
1 cup baby spinach leaves
1 tablespoon Bragg’s Amino Acids
1 tablespoon Fish sauce
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Prepared rice, if desired

  • Melt coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Toss chicken strips in flour, slat and pepper.
  • Brown chicken pieces on both sides until golden, remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Add carrots and cook stirring 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Add onions and snap peas.
  • Add Bragg’s liquid aminos, fish sauce and white wine vinegar and cook several minutes until everything is well coated and thickens.

NOTE: We love this meal, but there is a key to making it without family members turning up their noses before it’s even served.  The key is to pre-mix the liquid aminos, fish sauce and white wine vinegar so the fish sauce fragrance isn’t as potent as it is added to the warm pan.

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DECONSTRUCTED PORK EGG ROLL SALAD

DECONSTRUCTED PORK EGG ROLL SALAD serves 2
1 + 1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin angularly – separate whites from greens
2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and sliced thin angularly
2 ounces sweet chili sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons Ponzu sauce (store bought or make your own – recipe below)
1 small package slaw mix (cabbage with shredded carrots and red cabbage)
Fresh Gourmet crispy wonton strips
salt and pepper, to taste

  • Heat oil in skillet.
  • Add pork and white portions of green onions. Add a pinch of salt and cooking until pork is broken up and pink is gone.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of Ponzu sauce and stir to mix well.
  • Remove pork mixture and set aside.
  • Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to hot pan.
  • Add celery, slaw mix and a pinch of salt and pepper, stirring for a couple minutes until celery is crisp tender.
  • Add pork mixture bak to pan along with remaining Ponzu sauce and stir to mix well.
  • Divide the mixture between bowls and top with crispy wontons and green onion tops.
  • Drizzle sauce over top.
  • Enjoy.

PONZU SAUCE

1/2 cup Bragg’s amino acids
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Cover and chill.

Linked with Deb in Hawaii at Kahakai Kitchen

GLAZED SESAME CHICKEN STIR FRY

GLAZED SESAME CHICKEN STIR FRY
1 1/2 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 LARGE egg, beaten
1/2 cup rice flour
1 red pepper, diced or sliced small
3 green onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon honey
1 large can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
1 +2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1/2 pound spaghetti noodles or Soba noodles, prepared al dente’

  • Drain pineapple retaining ALL the juice.
  • Generously season chicken steaks with salt and pepper.
  • Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
  • Dredge chicken pieces first in beaten egg and then rice flour.
  • Heat wok or skillet to medium high.
  • Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil and coat pan well.
  • Add chicken pieces and sear on all sides JUST until done.
  • Remove chicken and keep warm.
  • Add additional sesame oil and heat.
  • Add broccoli florets and saute 1-2 minutes.
  • Add bell pepper and garlic and cook until pepper is tender.
  • Add green onion.
  • Whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, Hoisin sauce and cornstarch until well blended.
  • Add sauce mixture to the wok. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring well.
  • Add in pineapple.
  • Cook until sauce is slightly thickened.
  • Add chicken pieces back in and toss to coat.
  • Add noodles and toss well.
  • Serve immediately.

This is my original recipe and it is great, but today I made thin chicken steaks because I already had them in the fridge, but much prefer the original bite size pieces – they get so much more flavor cooking that way.

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TERIYAKI BEEF STIR FRY

TERIYAKI BEEF STIR FRY

3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided 2 + 1
1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, divided
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound boneless round or chuck steak cut into thin 3-inch strips, seasoned well with garlic powder and pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 cups broccoli florets
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1⁄3 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
hot cooked rice

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water and garlic powder until smooth.
  • Add beef slices and toss to coat.
  • In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat heat oil.
  • Add beef and stir-fry to desired tenderness; remove and keep warm.
  • Stir-fry broccoli and onion in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Return beef to pan, tossing to blend with vegetables.
  • Add carrots and toss to blend.
  • Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, remaining cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; add to the pan, stirring to coat well.
  • Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes more.
  • Serve over rice.

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TAIWANESE CHICKEN

WHY IT WORKS: This recipe is savory and spicy with a chile sauce and tempered by fluffy Jasmine rice. The crispy shallots add a crisp bite to meld all the textures together and tempt your palette.

TAWAINESE CHICKEN
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 pound red cabbage, sliced thin
2 tablespoons rice flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 shallot
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Amino Acids
1 dried chile de árbol
2 + 1 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/2 cup Jasmin rice
1 + 1/2 cup water
Cilantro , for garnish

  • In a small saucepan heat 1 cup water with a BIG pinch of salt and the rice to boiling.
  • Once it boils, cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Cook 12-14 minutes until rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed.
  • Remove from heat and fluff rice with a fork.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil and set aside.

 

  • While the rice is cooking, prepare the sauce.
  • In a saucepan combine the Bragg’s amino acids, sugar, water and as much of the chile as you desire and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved and the sauce has reduced by half.
  • Remove the chile.
  • Pour sauce into a large mixing bowl.

 

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat.
  • Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Add chicken and cook 5 minutes and then flip to second side and cook 5 minutes more until both sides are browned well.
  • Remove chicken to cutting board for shredding.
  • Shred chicken pieces and add to bowl with sauce.

 

  • Add a scant 1/2 cup water to pan and warm.
  • Add cabbage to the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Stir occasionally and cook until wilted and water has been absorbed.

 

  • Slice shallot into thing rings.
  • In a mixing bowl toss the shallot rings with the rice flour, separating the rings into individual pieces.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil over medium high heat.
  • Add shallots in a single layer to sizzling oil.
  • Stir frequently until browned and crispy, 2-4 minutes.

 

  • Divide the rice between 2 plates.
  • Top with cabbage.
  • Top with shredded chicken.
  • Top with shallots and cilantro.

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CARIBBEAN CHICKEN

This recipe was designed after one of hubby’s favorite dishes at the Cheesecake Factory, SWEET & SOUR CRISPY PINEAPPLE CHICKEN & SHRIMP.

CARIBBEAN CHICKEN
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained well
4 chicken breasts
Rice flour for dredging
Avocado oil
1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
1 brunch green onions or a small shallot, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 sweet red mini peppers, sliced thin
1/2 cup snow peas
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup Sesame Ginger Dressing
1/4 cup Bertolli Balsamic glaze
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup lukewarm water
Jasmine rice

  • In a saucepan combine the orange juice, pineapple juice,  and sesame ginger dressing bringing to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and add balsamic glaze and honey, cooking until slightly reduced.
  • Whisk together the cornstarch and water.
  • Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
  • Dredge chicken  and shrimp pieces in rice flour, shaking off the excess.
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat until sizzling.
  • Saute’ chicken pieces until cooked through. The add shrimp pieces and cook through.
  • Remove chicken and shrimp pieces and keep warm.
  • Whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce and cook through until slightly thickened.
  • Add green onions, peppers, snow peas and mushrooms to the pan you just took the chicken from sautéing until softened.
  • Add pineapple and sauce to vegetables, stirring to coat.
  • Add in chicken pieces, tossing to coat.
  • Serve over rice.

NOTE: Use the drained juice to make yourself a cocktail.

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PINEAPPLE SESAME PORK and BROCCOLI

PINEAPPLE SESAME PORK and BROCCOLI

1 1/2-2 pounds boneless, skinless pork shoulder, cut into bite sized pieces
1 inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
1 clove black garlic, minced
1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons Bragg’s amino acids
1 1/2 pound broccoli
2 shallots, thickly sliced
2 + 1 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 of a small pineapple, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Fresh ground salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Place roasting pan in oven while it is preheating.
  • Cut pork into 4 steaks about 1 inch thick.
  • Seasons steaks with salt. Set aside.
  • Whisk together dressing ingredients – ginger, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the amino acids in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil.
  • Remove stalk from broccoli. Peel, trim and slice stalk into 1/4 inch planks.
  • Divide florets into bite size pieces.
  • Blanch stems and florets for about 10 seconds until bright green.
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet to cool.
  • Pat broccoli dry and add to medium bowl with shallots, sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt.
  • Transfer broccoli mixture to hot roasting pan, roasting 8-10 minutes until crisp tender.
  • In a large cast iron skillet heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil over medium high heat.
  • Cook pork, stirring frequently until a deep golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
  • Transfer to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
  • Pour off most the oil from the skillet.
  • Add pineapple and 1 tablespoon of water, turning often until softened and starting to brown.
  • Add butter and pork juices from the cutting board, tossing until sauce is glossy and emulsified.
  • Stir in the remaining vinegar and amino acids.
  • Season as needed with salt and pepper.
  • Add broccoli mixture to reserved dressing , tossing to coat.
  • Add pork pieces.
  • Top with pineapple mixture.
  • Toss to coat.
  • Serve with rice.

 

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CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 cup sliced celery
5-6 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup sliced carrots
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons cold water
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken pieces (I like a combination of breast and thigh pieces)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes +/-
1 pound spaghetti or vermicelli

  • Prepare spaghetti according to package directions.
  • Over a medium high flame heat the peanut oil in a heavy skillet.
  • Saute’ the celery, onions, bean sprouts and cabbage until cabbage is wilted.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces.
  • Add a bit more oil and saute’ chicken pieces.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Add the broth, sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar. Simmer for several minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • Whisk the cornstarch into the cold water until smooth. Add to the broth mixture and bring to a boil.
  • Add vegetable mixture and chicken pieces back in, heat through and coat well.
  • Toss with prepared pasta and heat through.


I use my salad spinner for draining pasta to get all the excess water out.