Sesame Miso Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp white miso
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 Cup rice vinegar, preferably unseasoned
6 Tbsp neutral vegetable oil, such as canola
2 tsp honey
Sea salt

Directions

1. Sprinkle the sesame seeds into a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, shaking the pan frequently, until the sesame seeds have darkened and become fragrant, just a few minutes. Immediately transfer them to a plate to cool; if you leave them to cool in the pan, they can burn.
2. Use a fork to whisk the miso and sesame oil in a small jar fitted with a lid until smooth. Add the vinegar, vegetable oil, sesame seeds, and honey, close the lid tightly, and vigorously shake to emulsify the dressing. Taste and add more honey if desired, plus salt, and shake again. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Slow-cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients

3 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp hot paprika
1 tsp mustard powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 lb - to - 4 - boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 Cup apple cider vinegar, plus more to taste
3 Tbsp tomato paste
6 potato buns
Barbecue sauce and prepared coleslaw, for serving

Directions

1. Combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar, the paprika, mustard powder, cumin, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet; add the pork and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 5 minutes. Remove the pork and transfer to a plate; whisk 3/4 cup water into the drippings in the skillet. Transfer the liquid to a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker.
3. Add the vinegar, tomato paste, the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 cups water to the slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the pork, cover and cook on low, 8 hours.
4. Remove the pork and transfer to a cutting board. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Roughly chop the pork and mix in a bowl with 1 cup of the reduced cooking liquid, and salt and vinegar to taste. Serve on buns with barbecue sauce and coleslaw.

Per serving: Calories 508; Fat 20 g (Saturated 6 g); Cholesterol 152 mg; Sodium 1,270 mg; Carbohydrate 31 g; Fiber 3 g; Protein 49 g
Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine

Non-alcoholic Apple Pie Punch

This recipe comes from Diane Lee.

4 cups apple cider
1 cup pear nectar
3 cups ginger ale
1 apple, diced (gala, cortland or empire)

Mix and serve.

Hedgehogs

Ingredients

2 Cups walnuts
1 Cup dates, pitted and chopped
2 Cups flaked coconut
1 Cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs

Directions

1. Grind nuts and dates. Mix 1 1/2 cup coconut and remaining ingredients.
2. Scoop up in tablespoons, shape into balls and roll in remaining coconut. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until coconut browns, 10 to 15 minutes, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) .

Creamy Chicken Stew

Comes from TasteofHome.com.

Ingredients

3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon each salt, pepper and paprika
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes,1/2-inch pieces
3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup each coarsely chopped green and sweet red pepper
1 cup diced celery
1 medium onion, diced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
7 cups chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Warm biscuits

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, cook and stir the chicken, salt, pepper and paprika in oil until the chicken juices run clear, stirring occasionally; drain. Add the vegetables, basil, bay leaf, celery salt and 5 cups broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender.
2. Remove bay leaf. In a large saucepan, melt butter; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Pour into the Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until heated through. Serve with biscuits.

Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust 

1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs (can use Oreos without filling)

3 tablespoons melted butter

Cheesecake

1 1/3 cups chopped bittersweet chocolate

16 oz cream cheese 

2/3 cup sugar 

2 tablespoons brown sugar 

2 tablespoons cocoa

3 eggs

1/2 cup heavy cream

2/3 teaspoon vanilla

Ganache

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or chopped)

1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Bring all ingredients to room temperature before you begin.
2. Lightly coat a 7x3-inch springform pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
3. Mix chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter to a large bowl and stir until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Using a measuring cup, press the crust and try to line the sides about to the middle of the pan edges. Freeze for at least 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, melt the bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler and set aside to cool somewhat.
5. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy on medium-low speed.
6. Add the sugars and cocoa and beat until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
7. Add the eggs one at a time and beat after each addition until well combined.
8. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat well, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
9. Fold in the melted chocolate. Pulse for another 20 seconds.
10. Remove crust from freezer and pour cheesecake batter mixture into the prepared pan. Cover the top with foil.
11. Place metal trivet into a 6-qt Instant Pot and add 1 1/2 cups water.
12. Gently transfer the cheesecake pan on top of the trivet.
13. Select manual setting and adjust pressure to high. Set time to 30 minutes. You can do 35 minutes for a denser cheesecake.
14. When finished cooking and the Instant Pot beeps, release pressure naturally for about 20-30 minutes.
15. Carefully open the pot and transfer cheesecake to a cooling rack. Let it cool for 1 hour, after which run a paring knife around the edges.
16. Transfer cheesecake to the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
17. For ganache, heat the heavy cream until it reaches a low simmer. Pour over the chocolate chips (or coarsely chopped chocolate). Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. The ganache will harden as it cools. Pour or spread over the cooled cheesecake.

1 Bowl Baked Oatmeal

This comes from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Ingredients

1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) milk (dairy or nondairy)

2 large eggs

1/2 cup (120ml) pure maple syrup*

1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled*

1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana

3 cups (240g) old-fashioned whole oats*

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 and 1/2 cups mixed berries, fresh or frozen (do not thaw)

optional for topping: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×9 inch or 11×7 inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Any similar size or shape pan works, though 8×8 inch would be too small. See recipe note for 9×13 inch pan.
2. Whisk all of the ingredients together in 1 large bowl. Pour into prepared baking pan. Top with nuts, if desired. (Or stir into the oatmeal.) Bake for 35 minutes or until the center appears *almost* set, which gives us a soft oatmeal as pictured above. For drier and more solid baked oatmeal, bake until center has set.
3. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon or slice and serve with yogurt, if desired. Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

1. Make Ahead Instructions: Bake the oatmeal, cool completely, and store in the refrigerator all week for easy breakfasts. Reheat in the microwave or cover and bake in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10 minutes. To freeze, bake and cool oatmeal. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Warm to your liking. I love cutting the cooled baked oatmeal into bars or servings and freezing them individually for a quick breakfast to thaw. Wrap each in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag or container.
2. Don’t: Do not make oatmeal batter ahead of time. The oats will soak up all the liquid! Whisk it all together, then bake right away. See make ahead instructions above for alternative.
3. Eggs: Eggs bind the casserole and add wonderful flavor. If needed, you can replace the eggs with 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana.
4. Sugar: I recommend pure maple syrup because the flavor is outstanding and the baked oatmeal is extra moist! You can also use packed brown sugar, coconut sugar, or honey.
5. Butter: What wonderful flavor! The baked oatmeal can taste rubbery without it. Don’t replace with a non-fat alternative. Melted coconut oil is a wonderful dairy-free substitution.
6. Oats: Whole oats give you the best texture. Quick oats soak up more moisture and dry out the baked oatmeal. If using steel-cut oats, soak the oats in the milk for 20 minutes, then stir in the rest of the ingredients. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
7. Add-ins: Instead of berries, try the same amount of peeled chopped apples, peaches, pears, bananas, or other fruit. Or 1 cup chocolate chips, dried cranberries, nuts, or raisins.
8. 9×13 inch Pan: Double the recipe for a 9×13 inch pan. The baked oatmeal will be extra thick and require at least 10 extra minutes in the oven. Tent with aluminum foil if the edges are browning too quickly.
9. Nutrition Information per Serving (with unsweetened applesauce and unsweetened almond milk using Spark Recipe Calculator): Calories 227, Total Fat 8g, Carbohydrate 34g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 15g, Protein 5g.