Archive for Pat’s Kitchen

Pizza Supreme

{ December 10, 2021 @ 8:10 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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I love a good pizza and I have made pizzas for years. Sometime ago I did some research on how to make a really good pizza. I think I have succeeded.

Print Recipe
 Pizza Supreme
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Dough
Pizza toppings
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Dough
Pizza toppings
Instructions
Dough
  1. Cover the dough and let set 45 mins-1 hour. Roll out onto a pizza stone. Suggestion: You can make the dough several hours ahead and put it in the refrigerator. Makes it really nice coming home from church or home from work and the dough is ready to go! It will rise enough in the refrigerator that you do not need to let it rise more.
Pizza Toppings & Extras
  1. You can add any topping you choose and the amount you choose. Fried hamburger works instead of sausage but I like sausage better. Can use small chunks of ham, pepperoni slices, mushrooms, olives, etc.
  2. If you want you can cheese-filled dough, add adding string cheese around the outside edge of the dough. Stretch the dough out a little more and wrap it over the cheese and press to the dough to seal.
  3. Sometimes I also sprinkle garlic powder to the edge of the dough to add a little more zest to the crust.
  4. I used to put my mozzarella cheese on top of everything but that is not the way pizza restaurants do it. It is much better and much prettier and yes, better flavor to put the cheese on top of the sauce, then add the other ingredients.
  5. Bake in a hot oven. 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

A Valentine’s Day to Treasure

{ February 14, 2021 @ 7:52 pm } · { Heatwole Family, Pat's Kitchen }
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Today was a very special day that almost didn’t happen, but it did. This is the third Sunday in a row that church has been canceled due to snow and/or ice. We had a family day planned and it was looking like the weather might not cooperate but we were able to pull it off. Obe, Jill and family came from Harrisonburg and brought my parents. Keith who lives nearby and his crew all made it.

My parents are getting older and mother is facing some health challenges. We and they wanted one more trip to Powhatan.

I fixed chicken pot pies and toss salad for lunch with apple salad and a tray of homemade cookies and candies for dessert. My dishwasher broke down this week and needs repair so I used paper plates (which I never do) to save on time washing dishes. I spruced up the table with my good set of glasses that go with my china. The casual with a touch of elegance made a fun and interesting table! One of the granddaughters noticed!

Our family
Gene and I with mother and daddy.
Mother with her daughter (me), granddaughter (Jill) and three great-granddaughters (Emily, Lauren & Karla)
Keith and his kids (Emily Lauren & Noah)
Obe, Jill Hostetter, Karla and Ryan
Four generations: Mother, Me (left), Jill and Karla
The Hertzler clan great-grandchildren

After lunch we had a taffy pull. This was a throw-back to the good ole days of the sixties. Taffy pulls made a great dating event for young couples. Mother used to make taffy for special occasions such as youth group socials or when a family of cousins came to visit. I thought mother would enjoy watching us enjoy her tradition. I used her recipe. The grandchildren had a good time, they had never pulled taffy. I apparently didn’t boil the syrup quite long enough even though it was the right temperature on the thermometer, the taffy was a little sticky. But we got ‘er done and had a good time laughing at the sticky globs sticking to our fingers. There is an art to making and pulling taffy and I didn’t quite have mother’s perfection!

Boiling the taffy- Lauren
Susan Johnson
Getting started-sticky mess!
Having fun!

Cheerfully doing dishes.

The day ended with a tour of Keith’s new house.

This picture perfectly sums up the day…..

“Blessed and Beautiful”

Taffy Recipe

(From my mother, Fannie S. Heatwole. It is also in “Mennonite Country-Style Recipes” cookbook by Esther Shank, my aunt)

Mix together and let set to soak until soften: 1-1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin and 1/4 c. cold water

Combine in saucepan: 2 c. sugar, 1 c. dark corn syrup and 1 c. milk and approx. 1-1/2 T. chunk of paraffin. Boil 15 minutes. Add the gelation mix and boil to 250 degrees (Firm Boil stage). Stir frequently. Remove from heat and pour into 2 well-buttered pie pans to cool until it is not to hot to handle with your hands. Butter your hands well and pull with partner. There is a nac to pulling and can be seen in the video clip below. Pull until the taffy turns white and very still. Stretch into long ropes and twist in cords. Snip with a large pair of kitchen shears into desired size pieces on a baking tray sprinkled with powdered sugar. Shake to coat and store in the refrigerator.

Yield: enough for two couples or four people.

Important note: Do NOT use hand lotion or soap on your hands the day of the taffy pull or you will ruin your taffy with the flavor of your lotion or soap. I learned that the hard way back in the day when I was dating a young man and ruined our taffy!

Stuffed Peppers

{ October 24, 2020 @ 5:55 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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This week a customer brought me a bag of peppers and a recipe for stuffed peppers. This evening I made them and they were delicious. I do not think I have ever made stuffed peppers as Gene is not a fan of peppers.

What was Gene’s reaction when he came in the house for supper? “You mean I have to pray a blessing over this meal!!!??” I assured him he didn’t have to eat the pepper and he was a trooper. He emptied the stuffing on his plate and admitted it was good.

Gene’s discarded peppers!

Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

1 lb. fried hamburger with 1/2 cup of onions and 1/2 cup chopped celery.

Cook 1 cup of uncooked of Minute Brown Rice and add with 1 packet of Taco Seasoning. Simmer a few minutes and stuff the peppers. Season with salt and pepper.

I set the peppers in a muffin pan and baked at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Yield: 6-7, depending on the size of your peppers.

Thanks Gary and Mary Dunfee for a delicious meal.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

{ March 12, 2020 @ 7:29 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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After noticing a box of delicious looking bacon-wrapped shrimp in the frozen food department at Food Lion, I went looking for a recipe. I just can’t bring myself to pay the price for ready made food that I can make myself! I found several recipes online and finally settled on the one from pinchandswirl.com with a few tweaks of my own. They are easy to make. You can make a batch and put them in the freezer to save last minute work or have them handy for a meal.

These are delicious. The first two times I made them in the oven but the last time I cooked them on the grill. In the oven was good but on the grill is awesome!!! They are so good you don’t even need a sauce to dip them in!

Print Recipe
 Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Great appetizer or main meat for a meal. It is great for those on a keto, diabetic, glutton free, or low carb diet.
Cook Time 25 mins On the grill
Servings
Ingredients
Cook Time 25 mins On the grill
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange bacon slices on wire rack on cookie sheet and bake for approximately 10 mins. (Depends on thickness of your bacon). It should still be pliable and will still look raw.
  2. Let the bacon cool just enough to handle and wrap one piece around each shrimp and secure using a round toothpick. It is after this step that I put the shrimp in a container and freeze for finishing to cook later.
  3. To complete the cooking process in the oven...., sprinkle frozen bacon-wrapped shrimp with salt, pepper and garlic. Return to oven for another 20 minutes until the bacon is done. You do not want to overcook and dry out the shrimp. Serve hot.
  4. To complete the cooking on the grill instead of the oven...., sprinkle the frozen bacon-wrapped shrimp with salt, pepper and garlic. I simply laid the bacon-wrapped shrimp on the preheated grill.
  5. Grill on high for about 25 mins-until bacon is fried just right. The flavor is awesome. I highly prefer this method of cooking over the oven.

Stroopwafels

{ January 25, 2020 @ 3:20 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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About a year ago I discovered the amazing Dutch treat/cookie called Stroopwafels at Costco. After sharing some with my friend Donna, she did some research and found a really good recipe. This week we got together and made some. They are amazingly easy to make and as good as the ones you buy if you have a pizzelle iron. If you have never had a stroopwafel, served with a cup of steaming hot coffee, you are missing out on life!

Print Recipe
 Dutch Stroopwafels
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings
depending on size
Ingredients
Waffle
Caramel Filling
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings
depending on size
Ingredients
Waffle
Caramel Filling
Instructions
Waffle
  1. Mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl. I used my Kitchen Aide mixer with the paddle and blended/kneaded for several minutes. It will be the consistency of cookie dough. Cover the bowl and let rest for 45 mins.
  2. Preheat a Pizzelle Iron on medium setting (if it has a setting). Divide the dough into small balls about the size of pingpong balls.
  3. I discovered my melon scoop slightly rounded made a perfect size waffle. With a little practice we soon figured out the size of our ball with the cookie cutter and had very little scraps leftover.
  4. Place one dough ball at a time on the hot iron and close the lid. Squeeze the lid shut for a few seconds to help spread out the dough. Cook until no steam escapes and it has turned a golden brown. (This does not take long). You can peek-it won't hurt the waffle.
  5. Carefully remove the waffle from the iron using a fork and immediately use a 3-1/2 inch round cookie cutter to cut of the edges for a perfectly circular waffle. The waffle will be very thin but while the waffle is still hot, gently split it using a sharp knife. If this feels too tedious, you can just use unsplit waffles, however, the "real" Dutch Stroopwafels are split! Continue the process until all waffles are cooked and split.
Caramel Filling
  1. It works best for us if prepared the caramel after we were done cooking and splitting the waffles, Cook the caramel by heating the water, sugar, butter and corn syrup over medium heat until the sugar dissolved, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the cinnamon, salt and vanilla and boil to "soft ball stage" (234 degrees). Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes or the caramel starts to set a little Spread between the waffles and press together. I used Caramel ice-cream topping the first time I made the waffles but prefer this recipe.
Leftover Scraps
  1. A first it felt wasteful to see our little pile of scraps from cutting the waffles into perfect circles but I discovered they were delicious to nibble on. After they cooled, I put them in a zip lock bag and the scraps made a great snack-even without the caramel.
  2. Yield: 40-48 split waffles or 20-24 unsplit.
Recipe Notes

Chili Soup and Garlic Bread

{ November 12, 2019 @ 7:27 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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It might be still fall but today felt like winter. The high temperature of the day was first thing this morning (41 degrees) and as the day progressed it got colder. It was a bone chilling cold and rainy day and for a while this afternoon we had a blustery snow shower.  A steaming hot bowl of chili soup at supper time hit the spot with a side of garlic bread.

Print Recipe
 Chili Soup
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Soup
Keyword Chili Soup
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Soup
Keyword Chili Soup
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Fry hamburger and onions together until meat ls browned.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and cook for about 15 mins.
  3. If you like, you may add some Cayenne pepper or Texas Pete hot sauce for a little more zap!
Recipe Notes

Cheesy Garlic Butter

1/2 cup Softened Butter

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/3 c. Parmesan Cheese

1 T. Minced Chives (fresh or dried)

1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Using your mixer, whip all ingredients together. Generously spread on both sides of sliced French Bread and place on the grill or under the broiler of the stove until lightly browned. Toast both sides.

Note: I usually double or x 4 this recipe and keep it in the refrigerator, especially during the winter soup months. It keeps for months in the refrigerator.

 

Homemade Doughnuts

{ February 16, 2019 @ 7:22 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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When it snowed, my mother often made doughnuts. A low pressure system along with a toasty warm house makes perfect conditions for extra light yeast breads. When it snows, I always get the itch to make something using yeast. I just have too, it is in my genes! Today broke cold with freezing rain, sleet and snow. Even though the mess only lasted for the morning and didn’t amount to much, it was enough for me to want to make doughnuts.

After lunch, granddaughters Emily and Lauren came over and helped me with the project.

 These doughnuts are so light and soft you can hardly handle them!

While the doughnuts were rising we played Mancala.

Lauren did the frying.

Oh, yes, we always make the “holes”.

Doughnuts fried and ready to glaze. We always glaze immediately after frying while they are still hot.

Emily did the glazing.

And I made the batches of glaze and packaged the doughnuts.

When we were all done, we sat down and had a feast.

The recipe I use came from a dear friend, Gladys Harman. I have never found a recipe that I like any better. This is also my mother’s favorite. So, when I make doughnuts, it is a fun trip down memory lane.

Doughnuts

Dough:

Mix together in my large Kitchen Aid mixer bowl: Let set a few minutes until mixture is bubbly.

  • 4 c. warm water
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 6 T. or 6 pkgs of instant yeast

Add:

  • 1-1/2 cup (3 sticks) melted margarine
  • 3 tsp. salt
  • 3 tsp. mace (This is a spice. It is optional but we love the flavor-it’s what makes these doughnuts so special)
  • 4 beaten eggs
  • 14 c. bread flour (approximate)

I start with 6-7 cups of flour and beat on high for several minutes until the dough gets very elastic.  Slow the speed and gradually add as much flour as your mixer can handle. I dump the dough into a very large metal mixing bowl and finish by hand. Cover with several tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cover with a cloth and let rise 1 hour or until double in size.

Divide the dough into 4 or 5 pieces and roll into a rectangle about 1/2 ” thick on a floured counter top.  I use my card table (so I can move it close to the stove when I am ready to fry), covered with a cloth sprinkled with flour to lay my cutout doughnuts on. Let rise until double, approximately 30-40 mins.

Fry the doughnuts in hot oil (375 degrees) until golden brown, flip, and fry the other side. I like using my cast iron skillet.  Lay the fried doughnuts on a tray covered with paper towels to help absorb the oil.

A tip to help fry the “holes”… do not fry with the large doughnuts, fry the small ones by themselves. Put as many in the skillet as you can and stir constantly while they are frying.  You can not fry one side and flip them. They will not stay flipped.

This is a large recipe and makes about 10 dozen very soft doughnuts-depending on the size dough cutter you use.

These are my two favorite doughnut cutters:  Either one can be purchased on line.

This one is 2-5/8″ diameter and I have used it for years. Makes a small nice-size doughnut.

 I just got this one and it is 3.5″ diameter and makes a doughnut about the same size as a Krispy Creme. I love the larger size but you have to be careful when frying this one that your oil is not too hot or they fry too quickly and the inside of the doughnut is doughy-not quite done.

Glaze:

Mix together In a pint size glass measuring cup and let soak at least five minutes: (I like to use my hand beaters to mix it together).

  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 pkg plain Knox gelatin

I use by double boiler pan to dip. When the water in the bottom pan comes to a boil I turn it down on  and add:

  • The water/gelatin mix
  • 1 box (1#) of XXX sugar
  • A few drops of vanilla flavoring
  • A few shakes of salt from the salt shaker.

Mix with hand beaters until mixed together and smooth.  You can start dipping the doughnuts immediately. I lay the doughnuts on a wire rack on a cookie sheet to dry.

You will need to make the glaze about 3 times to dip all the doughnuts and “holes”. As soon as I put the first batch into the double boiler pan, I get the water/gelatin mix started for the next batch.

A doughnut secret:

Always freeze the doughnuts after making even if you are going to eat them the next day, as the glaze tends to soak into the doughnuts making them stale. When ready to serve, remove from freezer, and zap in the microwave. Fix yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy.

Cuisinart Ice-Cream Maker

{ October 18, 2018 @ 4:49 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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My daddy has always loved chocolate and ice-cream and I think he gave the gene for both to most of us kids and grandkids. I remember as a child (way back in the late 50’s) my folks making homemade ice-cream on Saturday mornings in the basement. They would make one or two freezers so that we had enough to last us for the week. Flavors included peach, vanilla, chocolate and butterscotch. Daddy had rigged the freezer to make it electric-he had a knack for figuring out creative labor-saving tricks.  We lived on the farm and mother always fixed a hot sit-down meal for both lunch and supper, complete with dessert which was often ice-cream or a candy bar.

When I was in first grade I received a five cent allowance per week that I could spend on ice-cream at school.  With five cents I could only buy ice-cream once a week as that was the cost of a Dream-Sicle (Vanilla/Orange Serbet Popsicle) or an Eskimo Pie (A chocolate covered vanilla bar on a stick. The decision of which to buy was so hard as I loved them both equally. And believe me, we did not have this store-bought treat at home.

My next ice-cream memory was us kids going by ourselves to see our Aunt Doris Heatwole who lived in the tenant house across the road. Aunt Doris and Uncle Charles were newlyweds and one day she served us kids store-bought Hershey’s vanilla ice-cream.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had never eaten anything so lusciously smooth and tasty. I can still remember how wonderfully delicious it was and am still very partial to the Hershey’s brand even though it is not easily available.

I remember one time when we were kids, I would guess I was around 8 or 9 years old, and we had worked extra hard one Saturday cleaning the chicken house and then harvested the potatoes out of the garden. Daddy and Mother treated us to a trip to Kline’s Ice-Cream. That was a reward better than money (which was precious) and it was so hard to decide which flavor to choose.

My next ice-cream memory would have been some years later when I was an adolescence or young teen. Our family still ate ice-cream, it was still the dessert of choice, but now my folks were purchasing it in the store!  Mother would buy multiple boxes of wonderful exotic Sealtest flavors; Butter Brickle, Peppermint, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip, Black Cherry, Chocolate Marshmallow, etc. every week.  I can remember going with mother to the grocery store when it was on sale and she had me go through another check-out lane with some of the tubs as she was embarrassed with how many she bought. My memory was 10 or 12 boxes though mother disagrees with me on the number!!!! But we’ll just let it be our little secret, I know I am right!!!!

By the time we were married, homemade ice-cream was back in vogue. Through the years I have made ice-cream for special occasions and we even hosted an annual church homemade ice-cream social at our home for many years.  Finally, last year one of my two freezers (6 quart) broke and I decided to downsize and replace it with the newfangled, state-of-the-art freezer that does not require ice or salt to freeze.

After doing some research, I settled on the Cuisinart 2-quart freezer from Bed, Bath and Beyond. This little freezer works like a charm. Instead of ice and salt, you freeze the thick-walled bowl for 5-6 hours and in 25-30 minutes you have homemade ice-cream to serve.

It is fun, easy to use, easy to clean, low mess, quiet, sits on your counter, and you don’t have to take it apart to add fruit or candy chips at the end, just pour it in the top. I also like that it makes a small quantity.  If you keep the tub in the freezer it is ready to use on a whim provided you have the whipping cream on hand!

 

There is only one problem…. because it is so easy to use, combined with that little ice-cream gene that begs to be fed, I want to make it more often that I should!  I have a recipe I really like to use that came from my friend Mary Long that is gelatin based instead of custard based. That helps with ease of making and the calories count!  Someday I am sure that nutritionists will make a special spot for ice-cream on the food chart as one of the essential food groups.

“Dairy Queen Ice-Cream” (for 2 quart freezer)

  • 1 envelope plain Knox gelatin, soaked in 1/4 cup cold water for several minutes

Add and refrigerate several hours:

  • 1-1/2 cup milk (I like to use whole or 4%-can use 2%)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • For chocolate ice-cream add 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Just before pouring into your freezer bowl/tub add 2 cups whipping cream (can substitute evaporated milk) and stir until well blended.

It takes 25-30 minutes for it to set up nice and firm.  Between 20-25 minutes add chopped fresh fruit or candy pieces if you desire.

Yield: 15-16 ice-cream scoop servings- 1/2 cup each.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

Varieties:

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: add 3 packages (1 cup) of chopped peanut butter cups to chocolate ice-cream at the end.
  • Butterfinger or Kit Kat Ice-Cream: Add 1 c. chopped butterfinger or Kit Kat candy bars to vanilla ice-cream at the end.
  • Cookies n Creme: Add 1 cup crushed oreos to vanilla ice-cream at the end.
  • Heath Bit: Add 1 cup Heath Bits (Baking Bits) to vanilla ice-cream at the end.
  • Fruit Flavors: Add 1 cup crushed fruit to vanilla ice-cream at the end.

Note: One downside to homemade ice-cream is how rock hard the leftover ice-cream freezes when put in the freezer.  I have discovered that this gelatin based is different and you can actually dip it right out just like the store bought ice-cream.

 

 

 

 

 

Beef Brisket-Smoked and Crockpot Style

{ September 2, 2018 @ 7:57 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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Quite a few years ago Gene wanted me to cook a brisket. I had never cooked one and it seemed like a big deal and I just never got around to doing it. One weekend while I was away, he went online, looked at recipes and cooked one in the crockpot. He was so happy with the way it turned out-it really was delicious and very moist.  I was very proud of him. I discovered it wasn’t hard at all!!! We worked on the recipe a little more and the following recipe is what we came up with. I cooked it at our local farmers market for a number of years and it has also been a hit when I have cooked it for some of our store events. It is great when cooking for a large group and it freezes well. You can make it weeks ahead of time.

Beef Brisket in a Crockpot.

I have a 22-quart Hamilton Beach electric roaster oven that I use. It will hold about  24 lbs of raw meat. The following recipe is for a 3-4 lb. brisket. In ( ) is for 24-36 lbs. of meat.

Barbecue Sauce: mix together and pour over meat.

  • 1 cup water (12 cup)
  • 3/4 cup ketchup (9 cups or 7 lb. 2 oz tub or 114 oz.)  (Note 64 oz bottle =7 cups)
  • 2 T. brown sugar (1-1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp. Chili powder (6 tsp)
  • 1 tsp minced garlic (4 T.)
  • 1/2 tsp celery salt (6 tsp)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (1-1/2 stp)
  • 1/c cup chopped onion  (6 cups)
  • 1/4 c. Worcestershire Sauce (3 c.) (Note: 1 bottle is approx 2 cups)
  • 1 T. Apple Cider Vinegar (3/4 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp. dry mustard (6 tsp)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper (Hot Pete or Cayene powder) (3 tsp)
  • 1 T. Liquid Smoke (1/2 cup) Found in grocery store where Worcestershire Sauce is.
  • 1 tsp. Paprika (4 T.)
  • 1 tsp salt (4 T.)

I use the highest heat setting until it is cooking well and then turn it down to about 350. Cook until fall apart tender. The large batch takes 4-6 hours. Take a fork and knife and pull the meat apart. It should fall apart if it is done. Long shreds of meat I cut into smaller pieces.

This is a very juicy. Serve on hamburger buns and delicious with sauteed fresh onions and peppers.

****************************************************************

The other way to cook brisket is to smoke it.

Smoked Beef Brisket

This will do a 12 lb. brisket. To prepare your meat remove any excess fat and silver skin. Rub all sides with the following rub.

Rub:

  • 2 T. salt
  • 2 T. ground black pepper
  • 2 T. garlic powder

Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees. I use Hickory or Apple wood chips. Soak a handful in water several minutes. After you put them in your chip tray in the smoker, start soaking another handful. Mine last about 1 hour in the smoker.  Lay the brisket in the smoker on one of the racks and smoke for 4-5 hours.

Remove the brisket from the smoker and wrap in tin foil, sealing all edges. Continue cooking in the smoker (or oven) until the meat thermometer reads 200 degrees in the thickest portion of the meat. Depending on the size of your brisket this will take another 4-6 hours. Remove from the heat and allow the meat to rest (unwrapped) for 1 hour. Slice very thin with a sharp knife or meat slicer.

I like a ketchup based barbecue sauce with smoked brisket.

Barbecue Sauce: 

Saute: several minutes

  • 2 T. butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup chopped onions

Add and cook 15-20 minutes until thickened.

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (or vinegar)
  • 1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Prepared mustard

Yield: 2 cups.  This will store for several weeks in the refrigerator.

****************************************

If you feel industrious, here a link to my homemade hamburger bun recipe.

 

Smoked Pulled Pork Barbecue

{ September 1, 2018 @ 7:06 pm } · { Pat's Kitchen }
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I have been wanting a smoker for quite awhile and finally this summer I purchased a Masterbuilt smoker. I am no pro, but I have been having a good time perfecting the art of smoking.

First of all, I’ll tell you a little bit about the smoker I chose and then I will share with you the recipe I am using. I chose a Masterbuilt electric. I liked the front door opening and three easily accessible racks. It’s not too big but big enough.  it is easy to regulate, has a moisturizer pan and a wood chip tray. The only thing I wish was different would be for the wood chip tray to be accessible to refill without having to open the door. It has a nice size drip runoff hole in the bottom. I saved a few dollars and did not chose the glass door front because this is a smoker and the glass would be smoked up in one use and you wouldn’t be able to see in it. I am very happy with my choice. I would rate it a 4.75 star and the only reason for not the 5 would be the wood chip tray. But seriously, it really is not a big deal.

 

The temperature gauge is on the front of the door.

After talking to other smoker owners, browsed recipes online and experimented, I have finally come up with a recipe we really like. Everyone is different, but we prefer the vinegar-based style from North Carolina over the ketchup based.

Now for my recipe….

Rub for pork butt: This will do a 4-5 lb. I double it for an 8-10 lb. Rub on all sides of the butt and let set (refrigerate) several hours or overnight before smoking.

  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp fine black pepper
  • 2 tsp. onion powder

 

Moisturizer for smoker: This goes in my pan in the smoker. (double for 8-10 lb).

  • 1 c. water
  • 1 T. “Better than Bouillon” (ham flavored)
  • 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

Preheat the smoker to 210-225 degrees. I lay the pork butt on the rack in my smoker and use the moisturizer in the pan and Hickory chips in the smoker box.  Presoak the chips in water a few minutes. I soak a handful and when I use them, then I start soaking another handful. It takes about 2 lbs. altogether.

Smoke 4-5 hours. I remove the butt from the smoker and lay  on a foil line pan, drizzle with the unevaporated moisturizer from the smoker (with all the meat drippings) over the meat and wrap tightly with foil.

Insert a meat thermometer into the middle of the butt but don’t hit the bone, I poke it through the foil. Bake (250 degrees) in the smoker (or you can use the oven) for several more hours until the thermometer reads 200 degrees. Remove from smoker and let the wrapped meat “rest” for at least 15-30 mins. Can do longer-several hours. I started this 8 lb. butt at 7 a.m. this morning, smoked it until 12 and then finished cooking in the smoker at 3 p.m.

I used my Kitchen Aide mixer with the paddle to shred my meat. It works like a charm, shreds it beautifully and only takes a minute. I do half of the meat at a time.  I pour any juices left in the pan on the shredded meat and then add salt to taste.

 

My favorite smoking tool are my “Bear Claws”. They are great for handling the big hunk of meat cold or hot. The cooked meat doesn’t fall apart using them and it is also great for picking up the shredded meat. I ordered mine online.

I have worked on a homemade hamburger buns to eat with the pork.  You want to talk about a good meal…….!!!

Link to Hamburger Bun recipe.

Additional sauce if desired to serve:

  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Crushed red pepper flakes-if you like it spicey

This will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

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