Monday, July 12, 2010

Kartofeln Salat (Potato Salad - German Style)

6-8 Potatoes cut into one inch pieces an boiled until just tender
Drain Potatoes, cover with colander (not lid) to allow to cool.

5-6 pieces bacon - cut up small and fried crispy
1/2 lg red onion diced and sauteed until tender
1/2 C cider vinegar
1/2 C H2O
1 TBS flour
1-2 TBS sugar to taste
1-2 TBS Mustard to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Parsley for garnish

Fry bacon and onion.
whisk all other ingredients
add potatoes to bacon and onion or vice versa, depending on which pot/pan will hold it all.
over low heat stir in mixture, until it thickens
serve hot or cold (or in our house both)

Insalta Bella di Paulo

A simple tomato and cucumber salad, in Neuman's Own Basalmic

1 dry qt tomatoes or 3 med / 2 lg tomatoes
2 cucumbers
1/2 red onion
1/2 red orange or yellow bell pepper
2 cloves garlic diced
handful fresh basil torn
1/2 tsp paprika (hot or sweet as desired)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2-3/4 cup Neuman's Baslamic Vinegarette dressing
- there is no substitute. seriously. I've tried many. When it goes on sale,
I buy a case.

Dice tomatoes.
slice cukes to about same size.
coarsly cut onion and peppers - 1/2 x 1/2 inch size
combine all ingredients and marinade in dressing for 1 hr.
serve cooled.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Carolina Style BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork.

I prefer Carolina style, with it's vinegary tartness and sweetness on pulled pork. It complements, rather than overpowers the pork. Oh yeah, I like kraut to cause I'm part kraut. Und kann Deutsche sprechen. Stimmt.
Anyway, I always thought that flavor was in the cooking, and only just realized ...
(duh) the flavor is in the sauce. So today I did this:

1 C Prepared brown mustard (mostly Guldens)
3/4 C Cider Vinegar
1/2 C White Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Pork crock pot juice (see below)
2 TBS chili powder
1-2 TBS Ground black Pepper
1 TBS Hot Szeged Hungarian Paprika >not regular sweet<
You can also use another ground hot pepper in smaller quantities

1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Combine all except the last 2 ingredients, simmer for 30 minutes.
stir in the last 2, heat for 10 more minutes.

Which is a mod from this:
http://bbq.about.com/od/barbecuesaucerecipes/r/blb00114.htm

but... It was too sweet, and not tangy enough. Ergo batch #2 will be:
Fresher vinegar. I don't know how old my vinegar is. Probably beyond vintage.
Brown sugar not white.
Called for 1/2 C white AND 1/4 brown. less than 1/2 C light brown next.

Oh and Crock Pot Pork Juice...

Boneless Pork Loin, abt 5 LBS
1 Can Progresso French Onion Soup (18.5 oz 524g)
1 med onion sliced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
fresh basil, torn
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp HOT Szeged Hungarian Paprika
1/2 tsp salt
(I'm not a big sodium fan, there's plenty in the soup, and you can always add at the table)

Place the onion slices on the bottom of a crock pot
lay garlic, basil on top.
place the pork on top
pour in the soup
sprinkle with seasonings
Low for 8-12 hours.
shred with forks, using bubba style.
*** reserve leftover juice for sauce - see above ***

serve on hamburger buns with sauce - see above.