Pulled Pork Shepherd’s Pie

by Erin LemJuly 17, 2015

Show your kids that pie can be savory. This recipe courtesy of The Endless Meal food blog will wow your sense. Plus, it uses up whatever leftover vegetables you may have lingering in your freezer or veggie drawer. Read on for the full recipe!

Serves 4

Ingredients:
For the pulled pork
1 – 21/2 pound pork butt
1 bottle of beer
A few splashes of BBQ sauce
A handful of brown sugar

For the shepherd’s pie
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large onion, minced
Oil for sautéing
2 cups frozen corn
2 cups frozen peas
3 large potatoes
Salt and pepper
Sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Method:
1. Place all ingredients for pulled pork in a medium pot. Add water to the pot so that the liquid is about ¾ of the way to the top of the pork. Bring to a boil then reduce the temperature to very low. Keep at a low simmer, covered, for 2 hours. 2. After 2 hours remove the lid and shred the pork with 2 forks. There will still be a lot of liquid left. Return the pot to medium-low heat and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. In a large pot, boil peeled potatoes until they are very soft, about 15 minutes. Drain water and mash the potatoes with a potato masher or with an electric mixer. Add butter or cream if desired and season generously with salt. Set aside.

3. Saute onions with a splash of oil in a large pan over medium high heat for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. remove from heat and stir in peas and corn.

To assemble the pie
1. Place a thick layer of pulled pork on the bottom of your casserole pan. Next add the corn mixture in another thick layer. Drop large spoonfuls of mashed potatoes over the top of the casserole then gently spread the mashed potatoes so they cover the entire top surface. Top with grated cheddar cheese.

2. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the shepherd’s pie is bubbling and the cheese on top is melted and starting to brown.

Notes:
This shepherd’s pie is a great way to use up any leftover pulled pork. The prep and cook times do not take into account cooking the pulled pork. If you are making the pulled pork especially for this recipe, please note that the time will be quite different from what I have listed here. Also, feel free to add any other veggies you love to eat. The sky’s the limit here.

Have you ever tried making Shepherd’s Pie? What do your kids think of this dish? Leave a Comment below!

For more fab recipe ideas, head over to The Endless Meal, a food blog run by Kristen, a recipe developer and food photographer. Be sure to follow her on Facebook by clicking here.

5 Ingredient Pasta al Pastore

by writerredtriMay 11, 2015

This recipe for Pasta al Pastore courtesy of our friends at A Little Yumminess almost makes itself. Store bought, well-made Italian sausage (chicken, turkey or traditional pork) is the key to this easy dish. Well-seasoned sausage takes away the need to add your own seasonings and when possible we suggest using good ricotta.

Ingredients
4 hot (or mild for kids) Italian sausages
1 lb package rigatoni or pasta of choice
1/2 lb fresh ricotta
2 tablespoons olive oil
Grated pecorino/parmesan cheese (optional)

Method
1. Boil well salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook till al dente.

2. In a skillet, add oil, heat and then add sausage meat. You can crumble it with the back of the wooden spoon. Saute till cooked – 5-7 minutes.

3. Reserving 2-3 ladles of pasta water, remove pasta from water and add to sausage in skillet.

4. Add the reserved pasta water. Cook for a minute or so. Turn off heat.

5. Stir in ricotta and if using sprinkle with pecorino/parmesan.

For more easy, kid-friendly recipes click HERE

Tell us if you adapt this recipe at all to suit your kids’ taste buds. Fill us in below!

This is a guest post from our friends Simran and Stacie at a Little Yumminess. Be sure to visit their blog for more fab, kid-friendly recipes!

Ready to Roll: 7 Food Trucks for Hire

by Abbey McGeeApril 9, 2015

Food trucks have revolutionized lunch time, bringing gourmet “fast” food to the streets of Seattle. But in addition to working the food truck circuit, most trucks are willing and able to attend school functions, little league events and even family parties, bringing their delectable delights to your door. Bypass the popcorn and candy concessions and let one of these food trucks serve you at your next big shindig.

Buddha Bruddah

New on the food truck scene, Buddha Bruddah combines Asian mixed plates with some Aloha spirit, cooking up delicious food and friendly, Hawaiian-inspired service. Buddha Bruddah usually has four plates on the menu: thai red chicken curry, sweet and spicy pork, Hawaiian grilled beef, and Huli Huli ginger chicken, accompanied with various sides. All options are popular with adults and older kids and are generously portioned so sharing with a toddler is easy to do. Smaller appetites will love the sides: yakisoba noodles, Phad Thai, and mac salad. Buddha Bruddah uses high quality products and makes all sauces from scratch. And for those who like a little heat, they offer a fresh made spicy chili bar that will set your mouth (and heart) on fire.

Phone: 425-827-2188
Email: drea@buddhabruddah.com
Online: buddhabruddah.com

photo: Buddha Bruddah

Does your family have a favorite food truck? Tell us about it in the Comments below.

— Abbey McGee

Hog Heaven: Best BBQ Joints for Atlanta Families

by Phebe WahlApril 5, 2015

Here in Hotlanta, we go hog wild for barbecue. And nothing pleases little piggies more than the winning combo of pulled pork, texas toast, mac-and-cheese and banana pudding. In honor of May as National Barbecue Month, here are the hottest spots to pig out around town.

Swallow at the Hollow
Worth the drive to Roswell, this barbecue joint will set the bar high for their understanding of quality ‘cue. In a cabin with indoor picnic tables, a canoe over the door, and vinyl records on the wall, they also offer up a killer pork sandwich.

Insider Info: There’s no doubt that the barbecue being served-up at Swallow at the Hollow is good; just know before you go that they serve wet ribs, not dry, and their mustard-based sauce hails from the Carolinas as opposed to Memphis.

Details: The Swallow at the Hollow, 1072 Green Street, Roswell, 678-352-1975

Community Q
Picking a favorite barbecue joint is a lot like taking medicine: the drug has to work, first, but you really decide which one you’re going to stick with based on the side effect profile. Community Q is good medicine. The barbecue is reliable and delicious, but you’ll make this your favorite spot because of the sides (mac and cheese in particular).

Insider Info: The owner, David Roberts, was part of the Same and Dave’s BBQ team in Marietta before heading in-town to open up Community Q.

Details: Community Q BBQ, 1361 Clairmont Road, Decatur, 404-633-2080

Fox Bros. Barbecue
Take the kiddos to Fox Bros. for a taste of Texas style brisket, but don’t distress! They also offer up a killer pulled pork sandwich, fried pickles and a crowd-pleasing mac-and-cheese.

Insider Info: Sneak in some veggies by ordering the fried okra, which is fried fresh instead of frozen. They’ll think you’ve just discovered a new genre of french fry!

Details: Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, 1238 DeKalb Avenue NE, 404-577-4030

Dave Poe’s
In Marietta, follow your nose to Dave Poe’s for some of Atlanta’s best pulled pork and killer sides. Located inconspicuously in a strip mall, this spot won’t evoke the cabin-y, folksy feeling of some of the other BBQ options in Atlanta, but your kids won’t care because they’ll be so busy chowing down on the amazing mac-and-cheese.

Insider Info: Be sure to save room for dessert as their banana pudding is slap-your-mama good.

Details: Dave Poe’s, 660 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, 770-792-2272

Jim n Nicks
While this is a chain, it did originate in Birmingham where they’re rumored to know a thing or two about barbecue. Don’t expect any weird pork “fusion” dishes. They know what they know and that is some darn good barbecue. They also have a full kids menu that includes both a spare ribs plate, a barbecue slider plate, and other options for those who’ve yet to develop a palate for pork.

Insider Info: Moms, if you’re looking for something a bit more ladylike, the Pig in the Garden salad (pork or chicken) is killer.

Details: Jim n Nicks, multiple locations

Date Night
Date nights used to mean an expensive restaurant, heels, and maybe even a blow-out. But now that we’ve got kids, date nights are usually at the mercy of schedules, showering availability, and are driven by whether or not someone remembered to make a reservation (unlikely). Why not head out for a low-key barbecue date night at one of the following places? Leave your little piggies at home though, because these spots may be esteemed for their pork, but they don’t cater to the small set.

Heirloom Market BBQ: This spot just ITP is being lauded as Atlanta’s best BBQ, and the marriage of Korean spices with Georgia pork know-how is turning all who try it into believers. Heirloom Market BBQ, 2243 Akers Mill Rd. Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Daddy D’z: Head here to check out the scene and don’t forget to try the “que wraps,” which are what happens when a corn dog marries a barbecue sandwich and then starts a family. Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt, 264 Memorial Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30312

Ms. Betty’s House of Ribs: Chicken or ribs, baked beans or mac and cheese: whatever you please, you’ll find it in this double-wide parked next to a smoke shed. This is a trip to make for the real BBQ aficionados out there, who know that any pork worth its sauce is smoked outside, and can be smelled well before you walk into the restaurant, dining trailer, what have you. 1281 Bouldercrest Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 404-243-8484

Where do you like to go for “que” in Atlanta? Share with us in the comments section below!

—Shelley Massey

Photos courtesy of Daniel B., Thom P., Jack S., Eowyn, Brian L., and Ivan S. via Yelp

Thai Basil Pork (or Chicken!)

by writerredtriMarch 16, 2015

This dish is quick and easy to make, yet full of the flavors that Thai cuisine is beloved for. Don’t worry if you don’t have all three sauces in your pantry. Soy sauce alone is fine, just taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Ground chicken or turkey also works well in this dish, as well as fresh seafood: shrimp, scallops, mussels, and firm-flesh fish like salmon or halibut. To make it an-all-in-one dish, add some frozen vegetables.

Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings as part of a multicourse family-style meal

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 cloves garlic, minced (2 tablespoons)
5 Asian shallots or 1/2 small yellow onion, cut into thin slices (1⁄3 cup)
1-1/2 pounds ground pork
6 red Thai chilies, cut into rounds (optional)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1-1/2 cups packed fresh Thai or Italian basil leaves
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Method
1. Preheat a large wok or skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Swirl in the oil and heat until it becomes runny and starts to shimmer. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic and shallots and cook until the garlic is light golden and fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds. Raise the heat to high and stir in the pork, breaking up clumps with the edge of your spatula. Stir and cook until the meat has just lost its blush, 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Reduce the heat to medium and throw in the chilies. Add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar and stir to coat the meat evenly. Stir in the basil and cook until the basil is wilted and the pork is cooked through, another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with pepper. Serve hot with freshly steamed rice and a side of veggies.

Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Patricia Tanumihardja writes about food, travel, and lifestyle through a multicultural lens and has been published in numerous national and regional publications. Pat’s debut cookbook, The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook—Home Cooking from Asian American Kitchens is now available in paperback. She is also the creator of the Asian Ingredients 101 app, a glossary on-the-go that’s the perfect companion on a trip to the Asian market, and blogs at theasiangrandmotherscookbook.wordpress.com. She currently lives with her family in Seattle.

Photo credit: Lara Ferroni

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

by writerredtriMarch 16, 2015

If it’s still to early in the season to fire up your grill or you don’t own one, you can still enjoy BBQ flavored ribs. The secret? Your slow cooker. With minimal prep work and ribs that fall off the bone, this recipe is a great weeknight go-to meal. Just be sure to pack your table with napkins—you’ve been warned.

Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds pork loin back ribs
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspon pepper
3 tablespoons liquid smoke
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 cup cola
1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce

Method
1. Spray the inside of 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

2. Remove inner skin from ribs. Mix brown sugar, pepper, liquid smoke, garlic and slat; rub mixture into ribs. Cut ribs into about 4-inch pieces. Layer ribs and onion in slow cooker. Pour cola over ribs.

3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until ribs are tender. Remove ribs from cooker. Drain liquid from cooker and discard.

4. Pour barbecue sauce into shallow bowl. Dip ribs into sauce. Place ribs in cooker. Pour any remaining sauce over ribs. Cover and cook on low heat setting for one hour.

Have you tried this recipe?

recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker’s Slow Cooker Cookbook
photo courtesy of Hexidecimal

Easy Green Chile Stew

by Erin LemFebruary 23, 2015

For a dish that’s versatile enough for dinner or breakfast check out this low-carb stew from food blogger Kim of Mom, Can I Have That? Whether you decide to add a fried egg or not, your kids will love the tasty flavors of this dish that doesn’t require many ingredients or steps (thanks food processor!).

Serves: 8

Ingredients:
2 pound pork loin, cubed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chile powder, optional
¼ of an onion
2 small garlic cloves
1 27 ounce can, whole Hatch green chilies
3 tablespoons oil
2 cups water

Method:
1. Heat oil in a big frying pan and brown the cubed pork loin.

2. Chop the onion and garlic. Open the can of chilies and process with the onion and garlic in a food processor until the chilies resemble a thick chunky paste. Pour the puréed chilies, and their juice from the can, over the browned pork.

3. Add the two cups of water, cumin and chile powder. DO NOT ADD ANY SALT – YOU WILL BE SORRY – WAIT UNTIL THE VERY END. Stir and turn pan down to medium-low to low heat. Simmer several hours until the chilies cook down and the pork is tender. I keep adding a little water up until the last hour of cooking. You don’t need to add chicken broth for flavor or the green chile stew will be too salty. It will be very flavorful just by adding water.

4. Ladle into a bowl and top with a fried or poached egg.

Have you ever cooked with green chilies? Tell us if you’ll try out this dish in the Comments below.

Looking for more great family recipes? Check out Kim’s food blog, Mom, Can I Have That? for tasty low-carb recipes your family will love.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

by FoodNetwork.comOctober 13, 2014

You’ve ordered them in restaurants across the country, now bring this classic sandwich to the comfort of your own home with this no-fail recipe the kiddos will love, too. The pork tenderloin is simmered and then tossed with rich flavorful sauce. Adjust the spices according to your kids’ taste buds and serve up the pork on hamburger rolls.

Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Yield:6 servings
Level:Easy

Ingredients:
3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 pork tenderloin, about 1 pound, cut into 4 pieces
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
3 cups (6 ounces) broccoli slaw
6 whole wheat hamburger rolls, split

Method:
1. In a large Dutch oven heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened and lightly browned, 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne and cook until toasted, 1 minute more. Stir in the broth, ketchup, 1/3 cup vinegar, and molasses. Bring to a simmer and add the pork. Simmer, covered, until the pork is just cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil with the remaining 1 tablespoon of vinegar and the mustard. Add the broccoli slaw and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

3. Remove the pork to a cutting board and let stand for 5 minutes. Increase the heat on the remaining sauce in the pot to medium-high and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

4. Shred the pork with two forks into large chunks and add back into the thickened sauce. Toss well to coat. Let stand 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, to let the pork absorb the sauce. Serve on a bun with the slaw on the sandwich or on the side.

What do you think of these pulled pork sandwiches?

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown tenfold and is now the second largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 11.6 million readers.

Pass on the Pie: 7 Birthday Party Eats That Aren’t Pizza

by Anna KnoebelSeptember 17, 2014

No one eats more pizza than a NYC mom or dad. A mom we know even admitted to a childless friend that she eats pizza at least three times per week. The childless friend gaped. How? Why? Birthday parties of course. The primary parenting social event. Sure it’s easy. Sure it’s a crowd pleaser. But wouldn’t it be nice to eat something different? In an effort to vary your birthday party diet, here’s our favorite birthday party eats that thankfully are not pizza.

Alternative #1: Empanadas
Talk about big flavor for small fries. In wheat or corn based empanada shells, Empanada Mama stuffs all manner of no-brainer kid favorites like cheese, chicken, and ham. For adults, try Caribbean roast pork, sweet Italian sausage, or spicy chicken. Empanadas are not easy to slice, so call ahead to order mini versions of your favorite combinations.

Empanada Mama
189 E. Houston St.
Lower East Side
Online: empmamanyc.com
212-673-0300

Photo Credit: Jordin Ruderman

Alternative #2: Sustainable Eats
For 10 years, Ciao For Now has catered events and photo shoots, but they’re perhaps most appreciated at kids birthday parties, where their healthy and delicious food is most unexpected. Local ingredients and sustainability differentiate this food from the rest, and options include chickpea fritters, tea sandwiches, mini quiches, curried samosas, and spanakopita. Kids will eat what they like and your adult guests will love the rest.

Ciao For Now
107 W 10th St.
West Village
Online: ciaofornownyc.com
212-929-8363

Alternative #3: Kimbap
Ever heard of kimbap? These sushi lookalikes are a hugely popular fast food in Korea, and more like a salad than a fish. Filled with cucumbers, spinach, carrots, radish, and proteins like beef and spicy tuna, kimbap is an instant hit among kids who love to pick apart (and eat) the colorful insides. Gochujang in K-Town’s Food 32 Gallery has some of the best, and when you call the manager to order, you can also order from any of the other stalls in the place.

Food 32 Gallery
11 W 32nd St.
K-Town
Online: foodgallerynyc.com
917-355-7884

Photo Credit: Kevin Shand

Alternative #4: Passes as Home-Cooking
If you’re wishing your mom would morph into Grandma Reed and prepare the birthday feast for you, order from Gila’s Nosh. It’s a family-run Mediterranean restaurant in Kips Bay, and when you call, it’ll probably be Gila who answers. Tell her who’s coming and she’ll tell you what you need. From bourekas, to the baked-that-morning challa, and homemade hummus and pita, the woman doesn’t miss a note. Try the Kube Nabousia (bulgar dough stuffed with shredded beef and pine nuts), which is quite possibly the Gila’s own invention.

Gila’s Nosh
221 E 23rd St.
Kips Bay
Online: gilanosh.com

212-213-3334

Alternative #5: Dumplings
We’ve seen kids polish off 6-8 of these little guys in one sitting, and if they’re filled with high quality veggies and protein, it’s like a full course meal hidden in a noodle. For a time-tested NYC favorite, we recommend Vanessa’s Dumpling House. 50 chive and pork dumplings cost less than one large pizza, and Vanessa’s even serves seasonal options like pumpkin and zucchini and spicy beef and banana.

Vanessa’s Dumpling House
220 E 14th St.
East Village
Online: vanessas.com

212-529-1329

Alternative #6: Breakfast
Most of these kids parties start early, so why not make it a brunch feast? You can never go wrong with smoked salmon and bagels, and the same holds true for biscuits and eggs. Paradis To-Go, the Franco-American cafe near Union Square caters all such options, and more, offering made-to-order pastries, frittatas, breakfast sandwiches and even homemade granola.

Paradis To-Go
114 4th Ave.
Union Square
Online: paradistogo.com<
646-416-6709

Alternative #7: Pierogis
In some parts of the country, pierogis count as a food group, and we know why. These semi-circles of dough come stuffed with pleasing fillings like sweet potato, meat, spinach, and cheese. They’re small enough to require eating a variety, at which point your guests will be stuffed with all manner of vitamins and minerals. Little Poland, the East Village stalwart, serves top notch versions of its national dish. You can even order them in bulk to fry at home.

Little Poland
200 2nd Ave.
East Village
212-777-9728

What other food would you add to our list? Tell us in the Comments!

— Anna Knoebel

Best Meal Delivery Services for Busy Parents

by Samantha LandeMay 8, 2014

Having a little one can throw your usual activities like cooking and sleeping into a tailspin. To help, we rounded up meal delivery services that help you eat healthfully and cut out the time it takes to gather recipes, grocery shop and make dinner. Click through our album to discover everything from nutrient-packed snacks to mommy-geared meal kits — all delivered to your door. Look at it this way: Less time for cooking means more time for sleeping, right?

For a Quick Fix: Hello Fresh

A box of fresh ingredients along with easy-to-read menu cards delivered to your door? Doesn’t sound like a bad deal to us. And all of the menus contain dishes with less than 30 minutes of cook time so you can spend more time with the little one. All options are packed with locally sourced (they are based out of NYC) ingredients and recipes that will suit both kids and adults, like mango glazed chicken and cheesy pork enchiladas.

How it works: View the menu for the week and select three meals that fit your fancy. Portions are fit for 2 or 4, depending on the sizes you choose. Each box is shipped out on Wednesday and includes the 3 meals you choose.

Cost: For 2 portions of the 3 weekly meals it’ll cost you $69 plus delivery.

Delivery area: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Online: hellofresh.com

What meal delivery service do you love? Let us know in the Comments!

— Samantha Lande

ML Interest Tag: pork

Pulled Pork Shepherd’s Pie

Related reads

5 Ingredient Pasta al Pastore

Related reads

Ready to Roll: 7 Food Trucks for Hire

Buddha Bruddah

Related reads

Hog Heaven: Best BBQ Joints for Atlanta Families

Related reads

Thai Basil Pork (or Chicken!)

Related reads

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Related reads

Easy Green Chile Stew

Related reads

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Related reads

Pass on the Pie: 7 Birthday Party Eats That Aren’t Pizza

Related reads

Best Meal Delivery Services for Busy Parents

For a Quick Fix: Hello Fresh

Related reads