Easter Ham, Slow cooker style

You know how much I love using the Crock Pot to cook with? This recipe is awesome and will give you a ham like you've never tasted before.

Get a nice spiral-cut ham, place it in the crock pot and set it on Low. Take 1 can Dr. Pepper and 1 cup of Grape juice and pour over the top. Take 2 cups brown sugar and pat down over the ham. Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours. The sugar will melt into the ham and blend with the moisture of the soda and juice.

Take the ham out after 4 hours and wrap in foil. Take a 20-ounce can of pineapple rings (with juice) and place them in the juices of the crock pot. Let sit for about 20 minutes, still on low. Remove the pineapple and place with the ham for display. Use cherries to garnish if you like. Take the juices in the pot and serve them as a gravy for the ham. YUM. Gandy

I-HOP cinnastak pancakes and french toast!

I went to IHOP a couple of weeks ago and ordered their cinnastak pancakes. YUM. So I decided to create my own recipe and well, they absolutely destroy IHOPS version. Here you go.

Start with your basic pancake mix. Mix the recipe and add some cinnamon to taste.

Take 2 sticks of softened butter, 1 cup of light brown sugar, and a tablespoon of cinnamon; mix well.

Cook pancakes. The second they come off the grill, spread a generous amount of the butter/brown sugar mix all over the top of the pancakes. Stack 2 per plate. Get some cream cheese frosting (cake decorating aisle) in a squeeze tube and drizzle over the top. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinamon flavored chips. (Chocolate chip aisle)

Get ready to be really happy the rest of the day!

French Toast instead of pancakes works well too! Enjoy Gandy

I'm Back!!!

Kind of took a vacation from the blog, and now I am itchin' to get back in the kitchen. Look for more incredible recipies and idea's starting soon.....Rocco

Broccoli Minute rice

I know e that any good cook would never use minute rice in a recipe, but I have a different approach. Sometimes you have to make dinner in a hurry and time is of the essence. Here is a way to use minute rice and come out with some really tasty sides..

Minute rice is measured one part rice one part water. Change it up a bit. I use one part rice and one part Chicken stock instead. the chicken stock gives the rice a rich full flavor that just enhances the meal. Chop up some fresh broccoli or spinach into small pieces and you have a quick easy dish that tastes like you spent an hour or two making it. Throw in a dash of garlic and onion powder and salt and pepper to taste.

Use Pea's, Carrots, Corn, really whatever you have on hand. Enjoy...Gandy

Broccoli Farfale with Garlic

Great side dish with any meal you make. Simple but rich. Enjoy Gandy

1 pound bag Farfalle (Bowtie) Pasta.
3 cups chopped Broccoli
1 stick butter
1.2 cup olive oil
2 TBLS minced garlic
1/4 cup Parmesean cheese
1.2 cup green olives (Mince in food processor)
1.2 cup roasted red peppers

In a large pot, boil your bowtie noodles in Salted water until almost done (5 minutes remaining) throw the Broccoli into the water and finish cooking. If you add the broccoli earlier it will be mushy.
In a saute pan, melt the butter with the olive oil then add the garlic, minced olives and red pepper. Sautee for 3-4 minutes stirring constantly, DO NOT SCORCH.

Drain Pasta and Broccoli, do not cool down, put into a large bowl, pour Butter/Garlic oil mix on top and sprinkle in Parmesean cheese as you stir. Salt and pepper to taste. YUM!

Throw in some slivered almonds if you like for texture.

McDonalds Awesome Oatmeal

McDonalds is now offering hot oatmeal for breakfast. It is surprisingly good and I decided to put my own recipe on the blog. Enjoy Gandy

Start with Steel cut oats, Quaker makes these in a small blue cylinder type package. Boil 3 1/2 cups water then add 1 cup steel cut oats. Reduce your heat to low and stir every 5 minutes until done. (About 25 minutes) While cooking chop up 1 large Apple (skins on) into small 1/2 inch pieces. Once oatmeal is cooked, add apples, 1/2 cup craisins, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/4 cup chopped nuts, (Walnuts or pecans work best) and 2 TBLS brown sugar. (Save a little of each fruit/nuts for topping.)
I like to put a TBLS of milk or half and half on top to mix in.
This is a hearty flavorful oatmeal that will have you turned off to instand oatmeal forever.

"The ROCCO" official Drink of awesome people

Yes I invented a drink. Pretty complicated recipe, but the advanced mix-master can make this if following the directions perfectly. ....Enjoy...Gandy

Take a large cup
Put Ice in the cup
Pour Diet Pepsi to the halfway mark
Pour Diet Dr. Pepper to the rim.
Let sit for at least 3 seconds to breathe properly.
Enjoy your "ROCCO"

When Life throws cans of soda and ice at you....Make a ROCCO!

Pork Verde Soup

Started with a basic stock and some pork chops and this is what popped into my mind....Enjoy

In a stock pot, chop up 6 medium potatoes, 3 carrots, and 1/4 stalk celery; boil in 2 quarts of water. Add salt and three RAW thick pork chops (or 4 thin ones) cut into 1 inch cubes. When veggies are cooked, add one large can of green enchilada sauce, one can corn drained, and one small can diced green chilies; stir. Add 2 cups of short pasta like Radiatori or Ditalini. Add 1 Tbsp ham base (in bouillon aisle) 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp granulated garlic and 1 tsp granulated onion; mix well. Cook until pasta is al dente. Serve with crumbled tortilla chips, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese. YUM!

Garlic Aioli Sauce (Garlic Mayo)

Trust me when I tell you that this recipe is a keeper. Simplistic in its ingredients, its versatility makes it so good on so many things. I like to use it on sandwiches, but it can be an awesome salad dressing as well.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp sea salt and 2 tsp lemon juice; mix well. Slowly drip in 1/2 cup olive oil, stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken as you stir. After stirring for about 2-3 minutes, add 1 tsp Italian seasoning and 1 tsp garlic salt. Mix well and refrigerate. Enjoy Gandy.

I made a sandwich on New Year's Eve that was out of this world. Here is the recipe: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice open some french bread; place on a baking sheet. Spread garlic aioli on both sides. Cover both sides with your favorite sliced cheese. (I prefer havarti or a smoked gouda.) Bake 4-6 minutes until cheese is melted. Heat sliced chicken breast and place on top of cheese (one side); pour some BBQ sauce on top of the chicken. Cover chicken breast with fresh spinach leaves and drizzle honey on top. Add more of the garlic aioli and finish off the sandwich. YUM!

New Years Fresh Salsa in 5 minutes

Here is a great idea for a quick party. I love any Mexican food and this was featured on KSL studio 5 last week. I made a couple of quick adjustments to make it even tastier. Enjoy Gandy

Take one can black beans with juice, one can mexi-corn (corn with Mexican twist), 2 medium sized tomatoes-diced, 1 bunch cilantro-chopped, 6 scallions (green onions) chopped, 1 medium red onion-diced, 2 avocados-diced, the juice of 2 limes and 1/4 cup rice vinegar. Mix well and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chips or spread on a tostada shell and munch away. Very simple, fast, fresh and delicious.