GRILLED PORK WITH PINEAPPLE

Pork...sometimes very unforgiving....overcooks in seconds....but we all love good pork chops, tenderloin, ribs..you name it! The secret is to brine pork like we have all learned to do with our Thanksgiving turkey. Simple, salt, sugar, some citrus like orange or lemon, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme and of course pepper...covered in water for hours or overnight. So after hours of brining..here is a great recipe for pork chops.

Ingredients:

4 boneless pork chops about 3/4 inch thick

1 pineapple thickly sliced

3 tbl orange marmalade

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup roasted cashews, chopped

salt

pepper

Season previously brined pork chops with salt and pepper. On a grill or in a grill pan cook pork about 2-3 minutes a side. Add pineapple to pan. Brush chops and pineapple

with 2 tbl marmalade and grill 3-5 minutes more turning once. Pork should be slightly pink and 160 degrees in the center.

In a bowl combine yogurt and 1 tbl marmalade and a pinch of pepper. Spoon this mixture over chops and pineapple and sprinkle with nuts. Just delicious!

5 INGREDIENTS!

ENJOY!

BANANAS SUZETTE

I know I have disappointed many in the few few few desserts I have blogged. I do like ice cream and depending on the fruit preparation..I am in! So here ya go!

Ingredients:

2 ripe yet firm bananas

1/4 cup orange juice

3 tbl sugar

1 tbl butter

1/4 cup tart dried cherries

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Lots and Lots of vanilla ice cream

Cut the peeled bananas on a diagonal into about 8 pieces each. In a large saute pan combine orange juice, sugar and butter. Heat about 1 minute or until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Add the bananas and cherries and cook for 3-4 minutes just until bananas are tender. Stir in nutmeg.

Place a BIG scoop of vanilla ice cream in a bowl and top with banana-cherry mixture. You will be a hit and these cooked fruit desserts are very elegant and people think they take a lot of effort...!!!!

CHEERS TO DESSERT!

ENJOY!

SAUSAGE-FRUIT KABOBS

Try to find good melons, tomatoes, peaches, plums in our winter climates....the list goes on and on of foods we will have to wait months to get....

One thing we can all count on is apples. This is a great meal for kids who love apples and with this sweet marinade it's perfect. It also makes a great appetizer for your winter party. I serve it as a main course and replace the bread with rice. You can add more veggies or pineapple too.

When cooking with apples be watchful which variety you choose. Cooking apples include; Braeburn, Fuji, Gala and Granny Smith, while Red Delicious are better served raw.

Ingredients:

4 tbl Dijon mustard

4 tbl honey

12 oz cooked smoky sausage cut on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick

1 apple, cored and cut into 1/2 inch wedges

1 zucchini halved and cut into 1/4 inch slices

6 oz crusty bread cut into 1 inch pieces

Olive Oil

Try to use metal skewers so they won't burn, but if you use wooden make sure you soak them for about 30 minutes in water before using. Preheat your broiler. In a bowl combine mustard and honey. On four skewers, alternately thread pieces of sausage, zucchini and apple. Leave a bit of space between pieces. Reserve some of the honey-mustard mixture. Brush remaining mixture over the skewers and place on an unheated broiler pan. Broil 4-5 minutes. Then thread bread on the remaining 4 skewers and lightly brush with oil. Add bread skewers to the broiler pan. Turn sausage skewers. Broil 3 minutes more until sausage is heated through and bread is toasted on all sides. Serve with remaining honey-mustard mixture.

HOPE THE KIDS LOVE THEM!

ENJOY!