I have an indoor grilling station...

I have an indoor grilling station that I rarely use. It's a shame, I should use it more, but I don't because it takes a bit of cleaning up and unless I'm in the cleaning mood, I just choose an alternative cooking method. Well, I found this recipe that I wanted to try, Sweet and Sour Pork Kabobs. It sounded good and looked even better...so I thought, hm...it's worth the extra work - plus, it's low calories and low cholesterol!

Here's what you need:

2 medium carrots, sliced into 1 inch pieces; 1 - 8 oz can pineapple slices; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon cooking oil; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1.5 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 clove garlic - minced; 12 ounces lean boneless pork - cut into 1 inch pieces; 1 small green pepper - cut into 1 inch squares; 1 small sweet red pepper - cut into 1 inch squares

In a saucepan cook carrots, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 8 minutes; drain well. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Cut pineapple slices into quarters; set aside. For sauce, in a saucepan combine reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, and garlic. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes more. Thread cooked carrots, pineapples, green and red pepper, and pork on four 12 - 14 inch skewers, leaving 1/4 inch between each piece of food. Grill kabobs on an uncovered grill directly over medium hot coals for 8-12 minutes or till pork is no longer pink. Turn kabobs occasionally and brush often with sauce. Serves 4.









I'm joining Michael Lee for her Foodie Friday over at Designs by Gollum. Be sure to drop by for delicious treats!

Warming Up!

I'm sharing a table to warm up on this cold winter day, a table perfect for my husband's tasty chili!



Since it's a casual meal, I thought I'd use a simple setting: mix-matched vintage flatware, everyday place-setting, and jars for drinking glasses.



The blue bottle with porcelain cap is vintage and the fabric is actually a skirt that I picked up while thrift shopping.



Come on in and warm yourself up!









I highly recommend his recipe, it's the perfect dish for a cold winter day!

Tasty Turkey Chili

Prep Time: 10 min - Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients: 1 large onion, 2 tablespoons corn oil, 1-1 1/4 pounds fresh ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 - 15oz can pinto beans, 1 - 15oz can black beans, 1 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes in juice, undrained, 1 - 6oz can tomato paste, 1 - 14.5 oz can chicken broth, 1 cup frozen corn kernels, 4-5 green onions

Preparation

Peel and chop onion. Pour oil into large saucepan and heat over medium heat for one minute. Add onions to oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until onion is almost clear. Add ground turkey breaking up large pieces and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in garlic, chili powder, black pepper, and cumin until well combined. Strain pinto and black beans, rinsing thoroughly and drain. Stir beans, diced tomatoes and their juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, and corn into pot. Heat 5-6 minutes stirring often. Rinse and slice green onions, add to pot. Add rice if desired.

Yield: 8 one cup servings.

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday and Michael Lee over at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Drop by for a vist, won't you?

Happy New Year!

I can hardly believe it's 2011, but here it is, it's official!

I always love this day, it's relaxing and stress free ~ the road map for the year, right? Well, that's the plan. We begin the day watching the parades, then the games, then food. Our traditional meal for the day: ham ~ for health, cabbage ~for wealth, black-eyed-peas ~ for good luck, cornbread ~ for life, and grapes {because I like them!}



I wish for you a blessed new year!