THE HEAT IS ON!

As much as I’d love to proclaim that I’m an extraordinary cook, in actuality, I’m way more talented with the eating portion when it comes to the art of food.

As limited as I am working a recipe to its delicious end, there are a number of dishes that comprise what I’d call my repertoire of edible and table-worthy creations. Today’s post gives me the opportunity to share some of my favorites with you. If you try them out, be sure to comment and let me know what you thought of the end result!

DRUMSTICKS ON THE GRILL

Not so much a recipe, but rather a process that’s easy and super tasty in the end.

1. First, pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel before heading out to the grill (this would also work in the oven for the most part).
2. Coat the grill grate(s) with olive oil and have a 5-minute timer set on your phone or smart watch.
3. Brush the drumsticks with your favorite barbeque sauce and then cook on medium heat after setting your timer for the five minutes.
4. Once the timer completes, flip the drumsticks over, brush them with the barbeque sauce and reset your timer again for 5 minutes.
5. Repeat Step #4 above until you’ve flipped the chicken over 6 times or until your meat thermometer registers 165° F, coating them with fresh barbeque sauce each time.
6. Remove from the grill and let set about 5 minutes or so before serving.

ROMA MEATLOAF

Love this hearty comfort food at least once over winter, and it’s super easy to put together.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-1/2 lbs. hamburger
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 3/4 cup cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 1 – 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 pinch of sugar
• 2 cups mozzerella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C).

Combine hamburger, egg, cracker crumbs, onions, salt, sugar, oregano, pepper, and 1/3 cup of tomato sauce. Mix well.

Shape into flat rectangle about 10 x 12 inches on waxed paper.

Sprinkle/spread cheese over meat (leaving a border edge for rolling.

Roll slowly like a jelly roll, pressing the ends of the roll to seal all cheese inside.

Place in baking dish (9 x 13 – I use a loaf pan and it fits perfect).

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Pour remaining tomato sauce over loaf and bake 15 minutes longer.

Let it set up for about 10 minutes or so before serving (I add ketchup to it myself, but not in the recipe).

MARINATED BAKED PORK CHOPS

This is a quick and easy recipe that would be perfect for a weeknight meal and goes great with hashbrowns and cheese! On a side note, I added Coca-Cola to this recipe to give it just a bit more sweetness (although I don’t drink soda as a rule, I usually drink a can of Coke while making this meal).

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• A splash of Coca-Cola (if desired)
• 6 pork chops (trimmed)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a small bowl, thoroughly blend soy sauce, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, ketchup, and Coca-Cola.

Place the pork chops in a medium baking dish and spread with 1/2 of the sauce.

Bake pork chops for 30 minutes in the pre-heated oven. Turn and spread remaining sauce over the chops and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until internal temperature has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Let set for a few minutes, baste with remaining sauce in pan and serve.

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I have a number of other recipes I enjoy (just found an excellent and simple brownie recipe with frosting – tastes SO good) but will have to share that on another post in the future.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and also share your own favorite ones in the comments!