Tailgate Bonanza with Pork and Kroger!

There's not much I love more than a great Tailgate Party!  Our friends and family are quite divided fans but regardless of what team we cheer for, everyone loves great food and great company on Game Day!  I wish there was a way every one of you could come on over to try some of the amazing things we've cooked up with Pork. 

 Since you all can't be here in person, to celebrate Pork and Tailgating, I’m giving away a
PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT $200
so you can stock up on plenty of Pork and other party supplies at Kroger!

Here's what we'll send to you:
-One portable outdoor grill

-Taylor digital thermometer
-Tailgate cooler (contains divided areas to keep your drinks and food separate, storage pockets and an attached bottle opener)
- $100 gift card to Kroger Supermarkets.

 

TO ENTER:
Time's up! We have a winner! 
Madonna who said..."I tweeted
https://twitter.com/avrilsgranny/status/389492543752122368"

Now, back to the Paaaaaaartay!...
We started at King Soopers (our local store in the Kroger Family) to stock up on great Pork products and party supplies.

 They had everything we needed, including some Broncos gear (We're NFL Broncos Fans and NCAAF Ohio State Buckeye fans all the way!)

Now on to the menu!  The stars of the show were definitely the Marmalade Ribs

and Smoked Pork Sliders

We also whipped up a batch of our family-favorite 50 Yard Fiesta Dip

as well as some Spicy Corn Bake

Throw your favorite drinks in the cooler and bring along treats (High Altitude Chocolate Chip Cookies) and you've got one great tailgate!

BBQ Marmalade Ribs

Ingredients:

4 lbs Pork Ribs

Rib Rub:
2 tsp coarse salt
2 tsp paprika
1 T garlic powder
½ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ tsp ground black pepper

BBQ Marmalade Sauce:
3 C your favorite BBQ sauce (we love Sweet Baby Ray)
2 T honey
¼ C. orange marmalade 

combine all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well.

To prepare Ribs in either an oven or smoker:
Conventional Oven:  Preheat to 300 degrees F.  Coat ribs with rub mixture.  Wrap ribs in aluminum foil and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 2 ½ hours.  Remove from oven, coat ribs generously with BBQ Marmalade.  At this point, I like to put the ribs in the fridge (can make ahead up to 24 hours) then when it’s Tailgate time, put them on a hot grill for 2-3 minutes each side to heat them up and sear the sauce. 

Smoker: If you have a smoker, here’s our favorite way to cook these ribs.  Set smoker to 225 F.
Coat ribs with rub mixture, place in smoker for 3 hours.  Remove ribs, coat with a thin coating of BBQ Marmalade and wrap in aluminum foil.  Continue smoking for 2 hours.  Remove ribs, coat generously with sauce and smoke for 1 additional hour.

Smoked Pork Sliders
We created a "Sliders Buffet" so everyone could make their own creations!  This is great for a crowd, especially if you have kids in the mix.

Ingredients:
Pork Loin, around 3 lbs.
coarse Kosher Salt
liquid smoke (in the spice aisle)
24 King's Hawaiian Rolls or other small rolls
3 cups your favorite BBQ Sauce
Honey Mustard
Creamy Horseradish
Butter Pickle Slices
Sliced Olives
Cole Slaw (homemade or storebought)
Sliced Provelone Cheese

Directions:Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Lay out two large sheets of aluminum foil. Lay two large sheets of plastic wrap on top of foil. Placepork loin on the plastic wrap (this keeps the moisture in! It's an amazing slow-roasting secret!:)). Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and liquid smoke, rub all over pork loin. Wrap up plastic wrap tightly around pork loin and then wrap with aluminum foil. Place in large roasting pan. Repeat with other loin half. Bake at 225 degrees 7-10 hrs. until done.  Remove from oven and shred pork.  At this point you can refrigerate or freeze for later use.  To make sandwiches, place Pulled Pork in a slow cooker.  Add BBQ Sauce and heat on low until pork is warm.  Place remaining ingredients in seperate bowls along with a basket of rolls.  Let guests place desired amount of pork on a roll then add toppings to create their own smoked pork creations!

Need More Tailgate Inspiration?  Check out the Tailgating with Pork and Kroger Pinterest board!  You can even repin your favorites for a chance to win a $250 Gift Card!

Disclaimer: I am being compensated by the National Pork Board and Kroger for this recipe and tailgate promotion.

Hawaiian Stuffed Pork Loin

You know what time it is, right? FOOTBALL SEASON! Gourmet Dad is a major college football fan but whether or not you like football I can't think of anything more enjoyable than a tailgate party with friends! I especially love to think outside the "burgers and dogs" for tailgates and serve up food that everyone really enjoy. One of my favorites is this Hawaiian Stuffed Pork Loin. You can even make it ahead of time and freeze so you have zero work to do on Game Day! 

Score big at your next tailgating party with Kroger!  To celebrate the tailgating season, Kroger Grocery Stores are offering discounts on all your favorite cuts of Pork.  Visit your local Kroger and check out Kroger.com to view special offers exclusive to your area.  I picked up this lovely pork loin at my store for this recipe.

Hawaiian Stuffed Pork Loin
Ingredients:
Large Pork Loin (around 4 lbs)
1 lb. lump crab meat
1 1/2 c. plain bread crumbs
1 jar (2 cups) Pineapple or Mango Sa

Marinade Ingredients:
6 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp. Brown sugar
1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
1 tsp. garlic
dash red pepper flakes
dash black pepper
3 Tbsp. tomato sauce (or ketchup if you're in a pinch)
Extra salsa or fresh pineapple, optional, for garnish

Directions:
Place all marinade ingredients in a gallon Ziploc Freezer bag and mix well.  Cut pork loin into 1” round slices.   

 Carefully cut through the side of each piece of pork to make a pocket, making sure not to slice all the way through (or you can just pound the pork loin flat, stuff it, then roll it up after filling). Mix crab meat, bread crumbs and salsa in a medium bowl. Stuff about 2-3 heaping tablespoons crab mixture into pork loin pocket and place in marinade bag. 

Repeat with all pork loin pieces (you can fit about 6 in a bag). Marinade in refrigerator at least 30 minutes. Grill 7-10 minutes on each side. You can also freeze them and defrost when ready to grill.

Get more great tailgating inspiration and play 

Pork’s Repin-to-Win Pinterest Sweepstakes 

 for the chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card!  From now until October 13th, all you have to do is repin one of the recipe images on Pork’s Tailgating with Pork and Kroger board with the hashtag #TailgatingWithPork. Official rules here.

Disclaimer: I am being compensated by the National Pork Board and Kroger for this recipe and tailgate promotion.

Last Minute VDay Gift

I needed a quick and inexpensive gift for a last minute Valentines Lunch party so I designed these cute printables that go into a 5 x 7 frame.  There are 4 different designs that go in a 5x7 frame (can get them at Dollar Tree). I attached a dry erase marker to the top w/ some hot glue and ribbon and wrote something I loved about that person on it. Then, they can erase it, write their own note and pass the love along to their students, family, etc..A perfect little gift that keeps the love going!:)

You could also leave one on your spouse's bedside stand or on the bathroom counter and change the message every day...a great way to share the love!

 

Here's a link to the printable file,  click here or on any image below.  Happy Valentines Day!

We also whipped up some adorable Love Struck Arrows with a free baggie topper printable, check them out here on Tablespoon!

 

 

Quick Halloween Snacks

It's Halloween madness over here!  We have all kinds of parties going on this week!  I wanted to have a few fun and easy snacks for classes and get-togethers and loved the ideas I saw on Pinterest of Cheese Balls in baggies labeled "Pumpkin Poop" and also Candy Corn in baggies labeled "Count's Teeth".  Unfortunately there are no cute free printable labels available.  So, I made up our own and wanted to share them with you.  They're great for quick classroom or party snacks.  Enjoy!

 

Pumpkin Poop Snacks
(put Cheese Ball snacks into baggies, print and attach labels)

 

Count's Teeth Snacks
(Put Candy Corn into baggies, print and attach labels)

 

Sausage & Lemon Carbonara

With school back in session, I'm always looking for quick and easy family dinners.  I made this a couple months ago for my family and it was an instant hit and a new favorite, even with the spinach included. :)  Do you have any easy and healthy go-to family favorites?

 

Sausage & Lemon Pepper Carbonara
Serves 6
Ingredients:

1 package Chicken Italian Sausage links (such as Johnsonville), 12 oz.
1 pound whole grain spaghetti (we also like Barilla Plus)
4 cups baby spinach

2 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic
juice from one lemon
olive oil

pepper

 

Directions:
In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions.  While pasta is cooking, place sausage links in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked throughout.  Remove sausage from skillet.  In skillet (do not clean out any sausage remains, they add flavor!:)) add 3 Tablespoons of olive oil and chopped clove of garlic.  Saute for about 2 minutes over medium heat. 

In a small bown, whisk together eggs, lemon juice and parmesan.  Drain spaghetti and toss into skillet while still hot.  Remove from heat and add egg/parmesan mixture, stirring well as the hot pasta cooks the eggs.  Stir in spinach until wilted.  Slice sausage and add to pasta.  Add freshly ground pepper to taste.

Gluten Free Favs and Giveaway

I am meeting more and more people who can't tolerate gluten or are simply cutting it out for health reasons.  The quality of our grain in the United States has really taken a nose dive in the last 10 years. I try to cook gluten-free once or twice a week just for our health and I thought I'd share some of my favorite GFree sites as well as this fun goodie basket giveaway!

 

 Luckily, there are ton of great gluten-free products and resources out there.  Schar is one of the best and we're giving away a basket of their goodies as seen above (Retail Value: $83).

TO ENTER:

Simply leave a comment on this post. Easy!
(I want you to spend your time cooking fabulous GFree foods:)).  We will choose one winner via random.org on 9/4. Open to US Residents.

For the Gourmet has lots of other great Gluten Free products available and they will ship right to your home. I also love that you can call them (1-888-845-FOOD) and talk to professional chefs!

Even though I've tried many Gluten Free products, I wanted a professional's opinion on this gift basket so I turned to my sweet friend, Miss R.  She has dealt with diabetes most of her life and a couple years ago was also diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  I cannot imagine changing an already complicated lifestyle by removing all gluten from your diet but she accepts her life with an insane amount of grace and even humor.  I have never heard her once complain about "missing out" on something.  I also love her fun, creative personality and how she seems to reach out give everyone a little bit of her sunshine.  I could easily hang out with her all day.

...Did I mention that she's 9?

Yep, she is one insanely awesome kid.  The fabulous Miss R tried the products in this gift basket, she said everything was top notch and especially LOVED the rolls.  Other favorites were the table crackers and the chocolate sandwich cookies.  She said that she also loves the Schar little cheese crackers that weren't included in the basket but available at various retailers. 
To win a basket of your own, simply leave a comment on this post!

 

Also, I've compiled a list of my personal favorite Gluten Free recipe resources, if you have one you want to share, please leave it in the comments!

Gluten Free Girl 

Gluten Free Goddess

It’s Just Not Dinner

A Gluten Free Guide 

Gluten Free Doctor Recipes

Book of Yum

Ginger Lemon Girl

Strawberries are Gluten Free

Hey That Tastes Good!

Elana’s Pantry

The Spunky Coconut

I also love the cookbook Cooking for Isaiah.  I got it when it was first published and have found a ton of favorite recipes in this book!

Disclosure: I was provided the gift basket from For the Gourmet.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions, as always, are my own.

Blooming Berry Cakes

To give some inspiration on ways to use Philadelphia Indulgence, my girls and I whipped up these Blooming Berry Cakes.  They are so incredibly easy and would be a great little treat to make as an after-school snack.  I love how each person can make their own combo of Indulgence and fresh berries!  Don't I have the cutest sous chefs ever?!...Way to go, girls!

 

Blooming Berry Cakes

INGREDIENTS:

1 package store-bought pound cake

2 cups blueberries, raspberries and/or sliced strawberries

Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and/or White Chocolate Philadelphia Indulgence

Cookie Cutters

DIRECTIONS:

1. Slice pound cake lengthwise, then use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes.
2. Spread your favorite Philadelphia Indulgence flavors onto the cutouts.
3. Top with an assortment of sliced strawberries, raspberries and blueberries