SODA SAUCE PORK LOIN & CREAMY CARROT CASSEROLE ~ BLOG 365.49

Using soda, whether it’s cola, 7UP or Dr. Pepper in recipes is truly something I learned from my southern grandmother.

SODA SAUCE PORK LOIN ~ serves 6
MARINADE
1 cup Coca-Cola OR Dr. Pepper
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
3 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, optional
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dry mustard, optional
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon FRESH ground ginger
2 tablespoons QUALITY balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped thyme
3-5 pound pork loin roast

  • Whisk marinade ingredients together in a baking dish.
  • Add pork loin and refrigerate overnight.

SODA SAUCE
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, optional
2/3 cup Coca-Cola OR Dr. Pepper
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Whisk together sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil then reduce to a simmer until thickened.
  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Remove pork from marinade.
  • Roast for 30-40 minutes per pound until meat registers 175°.
  • Pour sauce over pork and roast 30 minutes more.
  • Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing to serve.

CREAMY CARROT CASSEROLE serves 8-10
8 cups sliced carrots
2 medium onions, sliced
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
1/4 cup homemade chicken broth
1 tablespoon prepared creamy horseradish
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3/4 cup FINELY shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup crusty sourdough pieces, small chopped

  • Place carrots in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil and cook until crisp-tender.
  • In a skillet melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add onions and sauté until tender.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Stir in the mayonnaise, chicken broth (or soup), cheddar cheese and horseradish if using.
  • Drain carrots; add to the onion mixture.
  • Transfer to a greased 13×9 baking dish.
  • Toss bread pieces with remaining melted butter.
  • Sprinkle with crusty bread pieces.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes, uncovered at 350°.

NOTE:

  • In a pinch you can substitute crushed Ritz crackers for the crusty bread pieces.
  • You can substitute the mayonnaise and chicken broth for an undiluted can of Cream of Celery soup.

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD ~ BLOG 366.235

A giant salad loaded with the tropical flavors of Hawaii!

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD

MARINADE
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon jalapeno or chipotle ketchup
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid amino
Zest of 1 LARGE lime
2 garlic cloves , minced
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ginger
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Mix together Marinade ingredients.
  • Marinate chicken for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight.

DRESSING

1 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
2 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro/coriander
1 clove garlic, FINELY minced
1/2 teaspoon sugar or QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Shake Dressing ingredients together in a jar, set aside for at least 15 minutes.

CHICKEN & SALAD
1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large chicken breast , halved horizontally
1/2 cup corn frozen, thawed and drained or a can of Green Giant niblets)
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained and juice reserved
4 – 6 cups chopped lettuce
1/2 avocado , cut into wedges
1/2 red onion , finely sliced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
1 small carrot, finely shredded
1/4 cup shredded coconut

  • Heat oil in a non stick skillet over high heat or spray BBQ grill with non-stick spray.
  • Add chicken and cook each side for 3 minutes or until golden.
  • Remove and cover loosely with foil for 5 minutes, then slice thickly.
  • Sear 1/2 cup pineapple pieces and corn in the skillet until golden.
  • Pile salad ingredients on a platter and top with sliced chicken.
  • Drizzle over Dressing.
  • Serve and pretend you’re in Hawaii!

MYRA’S GRILLED FLANK STEAK ~ BLOG 366.130

MYRA’S GRILLED FLANK STEAK adapted from Mary Berg’s mother

MARINADE
1/3 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
1/3 cup dry red wine
1/3 cup QUALITY honey
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons ground ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup avocado oil, plus more for the grill
4 green onions, chopped
2-3 pounds Flank Steak

  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, red wine, honey, Worcestershire, ground ginger, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Whisk in the oil.
  • Fold in green onions.
  • Add flank steak to large container or ziplock bag.
  • If using a ziplock bag remove as much air as possible.
  • Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

 

  • Remove steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you are ready to grill so it can come up to room temperature.
  • Heat your grill to medium-high.
  • Remove the steak from the marinade and dry off the outside with some paper towel.
  • Lightly oil the grill.
  • Season the steak with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Grill 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium rare or until cooked to your liking.
  • Set the steak aside, tented with aluminum foil, to rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the serving sauce.

SAUCE
2 green onions
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger. plus more as needed
1 teaspoon Montreal steak spice. plus more as needed
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon

  • Add the green onions to the grill and cook, turning frequently, until charred, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Finely chop the grilled green onions and add to a bowl along with the mayonnaise, finely grated ginger, Montreal steak spice and lemon juice.
  • Stir well to combine and adjust seasoning, adding a bit more of the lemon juice, ginger or steak spice, to taste.
  • Slice the steak against the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
  • Serve with the sauce on the side.

MOZZARELLA WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD ~ BLOG 366.100

This recipe SCREAMS summer, but with the availability of watermelon year round these days we eat it ALL the time.

MOZZARELLA WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD

4 cups watermelon balls
2 cups grape or cherry tomato halves
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella balls
1 small shallot, diced
1/2 cup basil chiffonades
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1 tablespoon sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Combine watermelon balls, tomato pieces, shallots and mozzarella balls in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, sea salt and black pepper.
  • Pour marinade over watermelon mixture.
  • Fold in basil chiffonades.
  • Chill 1 hour before serving.