Yearly Archives: 2013

Recipe // smoked mozzarella pasta salad

May 14, 2013

It’s becoming that time of year where backyard barbecues are in full force, and potlucks are on the agenda.  I love this pasta salad, it has such a unique smoky flavor from the smoked mozzarella, that makes it really stand out!
The addition of fresh spinach and roasted red peppers really helps complete the salad.
Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
1 1b box of pasta cooked according to package directions.  I like penne or rigatoni
3/4 cup mayo
juice of 1 fresh lemon
1 tsp honey
1 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
8 ounces fresh smoked mozzarella, cubed
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
3/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/2 cup shredded parmegianno reggiano cheese
1-2 small cloves garlic, minced very small
In a large serving bowl, combine mayo, lemon juice, honey, vinegar, pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic, and whisk.  Stir in the remaining ingredients, and taste for spices.
Serve immediately or keep refridgerated.
Enjoy!

DIY: color-blocked painted stick necklaces tutorial

May 6, 2013

My children just love to collect things, rocks, sticks, bugs, you name it!

We thought it would be fun to put some of their collections to use, and make some color-blocked painted stick necklaces.

My cute little Norah loved the project, and got down to business painting her stick.

It turned out rather cute!  This would also be a fun gift for your children to give for Mother’s Day!

Be sure to check out the full step by step tutorial for the necklaces over on Less than Perfect Parents!  I am a new contributor over there for kid’s craft ideas.

[all photos by me, Caroline Armelle Drake]

Recipe // easy bbq pork sliders

May 2, 2013

Now that the weather is finally warming up, picnics, barbecues, and summer get togethers are on their way soon!  I recently made these yummy barbecue pork sliders for my son’s second birthday party, and they were so easy to make for a large crowd, and they turned out to be very tasty especially on the pretzel rolls from Costco!
Crockpot Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders
adapted from Paula Dean
Serves 10-15
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
5 pounds boneless pork butt or shoulder
2 cups barbecue sauce (homemade or store bought) -I prefer sweet baby rays
10 to 12 soft rolls (I loved the pretzel rolls from costco)
5 garlic cloves peeled and sliced in half

Directions

In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne, if using.  Rub the spice mixture on all sides of the pork.  Poke the pork with a knife and place the sliced in half garlic cloves into the meat throughout the pork shoulder. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Place pork in a slow cooker.  Set on low heat and cook for 10 hours.  Transfer from the slow cooker to a roasting pan and shred with two forks, removing any large pieces of fat.  Pour the broth into a heatproof pitcher or large fat separator, and skim off the fat.  Put the pork back into the slow cooker.  Combine the barbecue sauce and about 2 cups of the skimmed broth.  Stir into the pork and cook 2 hours.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the pork from the slow cooker.  Place the meat on a serving platter or on individual buns.  Serve the remaining sauce alongside.
Enjoy!