Meal No. 3040: Grilled Pork Kebabs with Barbecue Glaze

Kristen and Mookie were on hand for dinner last Wednesday night, on a day that started out wet and dreary and grey but which evolved into a gorgeous sunny warm afternoon. That put me in the mood to grill. So for dinner we had pork tenderloin kebabs with a barbecue glaze, along with chili-spiced sweet potatoes and roasted whole green beans. We had our fill of a terrific combination of awesome foodstuffs.

In the bare drizzle of one of the morning trips outside with Sumner that morning, I saw the tiny patches of yellow by the front wall, and I was ecstatic to find the first blooming crocus and tiny daffodils. I'm so ready to be done with cold weather.

At 5 pm, with bright sunshine, it was 71°F here:

And it compared in favorably dramatic fashion with the weather where my sister lives in Indiana at that same moment:

---

"Grilled Pork Kebabs with Barbecue Glaze," an online extra from Cook's Illustrated and based on "The Best Way to Grill Pork Tenderloin," Issue No. 134, May & June 2015, p. 6.

Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies

With a day planned at Thomasville Middle School this past Tuesday, I decided I'd take a plate of cookies with me again. And it was all too easy to make a quick return to the cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies that were recently rediscovered from the RoHo archives. I always appreciate when the folks I pass these onto appreciate them, and I think they did.

---

"Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies," from Hershey's Kitchens. Also on the Hershey's website: https://www.hersheyland.com/recipes/oatmeal-cinnamon-chips-cookies.html.

Meal No. 3039: Texas Pulled Pork Barbecue

This past Sunday night was the culmination of a wonderful slow overnight cook of Texas pulled pork barbecue, along with some of my Mother's version of southern sweet coleslaw. It was pretty on the plate but it was delicious on my palate.

---

Pulled Pork based primarily on "Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork," from cmccreight on AllRecipes.com.

Barbecue Sauce for serving was adapted from "Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce" from recipe for "Indoor Pulled Pork," by Bryan Roof. In Cook's Illustrated, January & February 2010 (No. 102), p. 6-7.

Sweet Southern Coleslaw based on a recipe from Allison M. Jones.

DIY Dog Food for the Very Good Boy of the Roediger House

Just because he's such a sweet boy, and without him even needing it for clearing up another GI issue, Sumner got treated again with homemade dog food. I whipped up another vegetable-rich batch via the slow cooker a week ago and started serving it up to him on Saturday morning. He really, really loves that stuff and makes it disappear in under two shakes.

And then he seeks out a sunny spot, even if it's a 33-degree morning, and looks all beautiful and stuff.

---

Based on "DIY Homemade Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 27 April 2015]

Based on "Easy Crockpot Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 13 May 2015]

Meal No. 3038: Juicy Burgers

A rare work day on a Saturday last weekend found me traveling in the early morning hours over to Vance County, up along the border with Virginia and a good ways east of Winston-Salem. Although we knocked off earlier than a typical weekday professional development session might, and I was glad for a lovely sunshine-y drive back home, I was content to believe I'd "worked" enough and made supper easy all the way around: sous vide juicy burgers that were long ago prepped, vacuum-sealed, and frozen. Once they were properly cooked in the immersion circulator, I tossed them into a hot skillet to finish and that's when some cheese joined in on the party. (I forgot to snap my usual dinner plate photo, so instead: above is Sumner as he stared at those good burgers.)

---

Adapted from "Juicy Burgers," originally from Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks recipe magazine, July 2003, p. 52-53. After Pillsbury was purchased in 2001 by General Mills, home of Betty Crocker (founded in 1921, mind you!), it basically ceased to exist as a company and lives on just as a brand. I guess that's why a Pillsbury cookbook recipe from 2003 is now only found on the Betty Crocker website.

The guidance for cooking the frozen raw burgers at 142°F for 2.5 hours pulled from "How to Make Sous Vide Burgers," from J. Kenji López-Alt, former Culinary Director and current Culinary Consultant of SeriousEats.com. [Updated 24 October 2019]

Meal No. 3037: Blackened Chicken Thighs

With a much-loved and heaping side of roasted Brussels sprouts, last Friday night's evening meal involved another round of chicken thighs, this time baked with a light blackening spice to give 'em some zing. I was glad that the last of the brown sugar cinnamon ice cream was still in the freezer for a sweet finisher.

Meal No. 3036: Baked Chicken Thighs and Spinach

Last Thursday seemed a good time for a good ol' basic dinner of baked chicken thighs over a large bed of baby spinach. And what a shame that I had a batch of brown sugar-cinnamon ice cream for a sweet finish of the supper.

A Cookie-Laden Goodbye to the Pilons

For the last few years, Spring Street has enjoyed the wonderful addition of good neighbors in the beautifully-restored Conrad House in the 100 block. (It was once occupied by a former student of mine and her husband, and it was their presence here that led me to the Roediger House and its purchase in 2003.) When the Pilons moved in after the major renovation of their house, we had the understandable connection of old house stuff. But we also came to be very fond of one another, I think. Well, the time has come for them to move on, and to head to Montana which puts them closer to grandparents and other family, and it is a shame to see them go.

As the days were winding down before their ultimate departure last week, I asked them to tell me their favorite cookie choices from the Roediger House kitchen.

Lori is pretty fond of chocolate sugar cookies.

Cody has a preference for lemon sugar cookies.

They both seem to dig the DoubleTree-style chocolate chip cookies.

And when Lori shared with me some fresh eggs she'd gotten from someone local, I promised I'd make some ice cream with it to share, and that was undertaken the weekend before their departure. In other words, I sure tried to load 'em up with lots of sugary goodness so they'd have an extra reason to be sad about leaving town.

Lastly: their parting gift was a poster-sized version of an inside-joke-filled magazine cover graphic I'd made for them when they were off vacationing at the end of last summer. Every bit of it made me chuckle the whole time I was making it, and I think they really got a kick out of it, so we had to memorialize it for them to take to Montana.

---

"Lemon Sugar Cookies," from Melissa Stadler of ModernHoney.com. [Published 21 March 2016]

"Chocolate Sugar Cookies," by Lindsay Conchar of LifeLoveandSugar.com. [Published 25 November 2020]

"DoubleTree Hotel's Chocolate Chip Cookies," by Ayşegül Sanford and her blog, Foolproof Living. [Published December 29, 2013.] Official DoubleTree recipe from Hilton.com was released to the public on 09 April 2020.

"Brown Sugar Cinnamon Ice Cream," from Heather Tullos of SugarDishMe.com. [Published 11 September 2015]

Meal No. 3035: Hamburger Supreme

Before I embarked on my big weight-drop effort, one of my favorite not-so-good-for-you dishes was among the very oldest in my recipe stash: hamburger supreme. It came to the Jones family thanks to my eldest sibling's first mother-in-law, all the way back to the early 1970s. But I've had to stay away from it since May 2018, at least until last Wednesday night. Ground beef in the fridge, nearing its expiration, and uncertainty about what would fit the bill at the dinner decision moment...and I just fell into the seductive trap of its resurrection. Normally it gets topped with unrolled Pillsbury crescent rolls, but I didn't have any...but I knew I had puff pastry in the freezer. (Unfortunately, it had aged out, I guess, so the crust remained rather doughy.) But the filling...!

---

"Hamburger Supreme," from the late Mrs. John T. (Glynn) Johnson of Buies Creek, North Carolina, via Janice Jones Bodenhamer.

Meal No. 3034: Sheet Pan Beef Nachos

Last Saturday night I was caught needing to use some ground beef I'd bought and it'd been the kind of day when a quick supper was the right call. It's awfully easy to rely on a delicious and straightforward recipe like sheet pan beef nachos in moments like those, and they were yet again right on target. Especially since I was well-stocked with homemade lime crema to go with it.

Given how much cold and accompanying wintry weather we have been having in January and into February, you might imagine my delight that it turned out to be a warm beautiful day that Saturday, when we got up near 70°F. Quite the contrast from the small Indiana town that my sister lives in:

---

Taco-Style Meat Based on "Crispy Beef Tacos," by Hilah Johnson. From HilahCooking.com.

"Homemade Chili and Taco Seasoning," from Jamie of MyBakingAddiction.com. [Published 03 February 2011]

"Easy Lime Crema," from Lisa Bryan of DownShiftology.com. [Published 22 April 2020]

Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Tuesday a week ago, I reached deep into the archives for a return of a cookie recipe that I was surprised to see had not been made here since Fall of 2015. It's such a good cookie, so what the heck, y'know? These are the glorious cinnamon chip oatmeal cookie, sans raisins, though, and boy howdy was it ever a temptation and a half.

---

"Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies," from Hershey's Kitchens. Also on the Hershey's website: https://www.hersheyland.com/recipes/oatmeal-cinnamon-chips-cookies.html.

Meal No. 3033: Salmon Croquettes

Using the sous vide to help get some sizable slabs of salmon properly cooked, it was a wonderful return to the tasty temptations of salmon croquettes on Tuesday a week ago. I pulled out some garlic-chili-lime aïoli I'd tucked away and also roasted a fair quantity of asparagus cuts. It was a great filling dinner on that chill February eve.

---

Recipe sent to me by my sister Allison, and adapted from "Salmon Burgers" (p. 396) and "Herb Sauce" (p. 395), from Denise Austin, Shrink Your Female Fat Zones, Rodale Books (2003).

"Chili-Lime Aïoli," from David Wald of Princeton, NJ, May 2009.

Meal No. 3032: Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

It is not the permanent condition of a northwest Piedmont North Carolina winter, but Monday a week ago was, according to the National Weather Service, officially sh*tty. Cold, all day drizzly rain, icy build-up, and did I mention cold? Ah, but it was slippery enough that my work that day was postponed till later this month, so I got to enjoy a fine day at home.

Sumner liked the idea of making himself at home, stretched out on me and sleeping while I was trying to do some work. But hey: at least I managed to get an article submitted for journal review, even while I was a dog's lap.

It was an ideal day for soup, so after a two-year break without it, I made the amazing ultimate cream of tomato soup that used to a frequent item on a Roediger House menu. Ah, but the previous evening's peasant bread had enough remaining that I could make adorable diminutive grilled cheese sandwiches...That.Were.So.Good.

Enough soup and bacon remained for a nice supper of leftovers the following Wednesday night:

---

"Ultimate Cream of Tomato Soup," from Cook's Illustrated, November 1999. Recipe can also be found online at Cookography.com.

Lime Frozen Yogurt and Sugar Cookies

After our really terrific and filling dinner Sunday before last, there was a meager dessert offering: a first-time batch of lime frozen yogurt and some sugar cookies that seemed a bit stingy on their moisture content. I guess it was edible but not noteworthy!

---

"Homemade Key Lime Frozen Yogurt," from Jessica Segarra of The Novice Chef blog. [Published 21 August 2011 / Updated 10 July 2020]

"Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies," originally from Kelly of AmericanCupcakeAbroad.com. [Published 20 February 2012]

Meal No. 3031: Pan-Seared Pork Medallions in Ginger-Soy-Shiitake Cream Sauce

Well, it's been a minute or so since I last made the incredible and long-time favorite meal of pork medallions in a ginger-soy-shiitake cream sauce. Having the RoHo regulars over on the first Sunday night in February was all the reason I needed to bring this back out of the archives, after a nearly two-year absence from the dinner table here. Company mashed potatoes and the ol' traditional Campbell's green bean casserole turned it into comfort food at a Level 11.

As the neighbors down the street plot their departure from Winston-Salem, it allowed me to benefit from their bread flour oversupply, so I used that to try a new and reasonably easy peasant bread loaf...which was a delicious accompaniment. I used to have bread all the time, but now it is rare indeed.

That Sunday did begin with a very early awakening, just after 4:30 am. It sounded like gunshots. It stirred Sumner from his slumber as well. Then there was another round of them, and I thought it sounded more like a bundle of firecrackers. And then a third round, and I was less certain. Later that morning, I saw a news story that gave me pause. This was about 1.5 miles from the house...could I have heard those gunshots? I don't know.

---

Based on "Pan-Seared Tuna with Ginger-Shiitake Cream Sauce," from The Bon Appétit Cookbook by Barbara Fairchild, 2006, p. 398-399.

"Campbell's Classic Green Bean Casserole," by Dorcas Reilly, Kitchen Manager at the Campbell Test Kitchen, 1955.

"Company Mashed Potatoes," a Jones family favorite.

"Easy Same-Day Peasant Bread," from Jenny Rosenstrach of the CupofJo.com blog. [Published 02 February 2022] Adapted from Alexandra Stafford of AlexandraCooks.com. [07 November 2012 / Updated 06 January 2022]

French Yogurt Loaf

On the first Saturday of February, it was a treat and a pleasure to get to head two blocks south on Spring Street to join the neighbors for a wonderful mid-morning brunch meal. But it was also for a sad reason that we were doing this: they are about to move away to Montana. In this hot housing market, of course, their house has sold lightning quick, for a pretty penny, but they've been such great neighbors and darn it! Anyway, I reckon because a good southern woman raised me, I figured I'd best not show up at their front door empty-handed, so I made a couple of citrus-hinted French yogurt loafs: one to share with them, another half to share with new neighbors across the street, and the remaining half to selfishly hold onto.

---

"French Yogurt Cake," by Andrew Knowlton. In Bon Appétit, May 2012, p. 30.

Meal No. 3030: Sausage, Potato, and Onion Hash

Last year, in search of some variation when I had some ground lamb to use up, I came across a delicious recipe for a potato and onion hash (an Americanization of the French word for "chop"). It also proves to be well-suited when the chosen protein is country sausage instead. That's what I served up in the supper bowls on Friday night a week ago, to the delight of all comers.

---

Based on "Rosemary Garlic Ground Lamb and Potatoes," by Ashley Singh Thomas, founder of the food blog My Heart Beets.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Brought back quickly by popular demand, the much-loved long-time family favorite chocolate pecan pie reappeared as a dessert Thursday a week ago. I cooked it a big longer, since my recent resurrection of this dandy dessert netted a less well-set result. I could tell there was more of a cooked egg flavor in it but that caused no measurable hesitation regarding quickness or quantity of consumption.

---

"Chocolate Pecan Pie," a Jones Family favorite since at least the early 1980s. Also known as "Blender Pie," the recipe came from the late Lib Keith, who had a hair-cutting business at her house and whose son took my sister Allison to her first prom in high school.

Meal No. 3029: Supper-Sized Baked Beans

Last Thursday, I got to spend my day with another cohort of administrators in training. We met at a nearby elementary school, only a couple of miles from the house, but boy howdy was it a rainy bone-chilling day! At suppertime, I was more than happy to make a big pot of hearty beefy supper-sized baked beans. When they were ready and I was able to serve 'em up, I was already licking my hungry lips.

---

"Baked Beans," from Redith Mozelle Newman Quesenberry (1927-2019) of Carroll County, Virginia, via Cindy Coulson of Cana, VA.

Another Round of DIY Dog Food

Monday a week ago marked the start of a quick downward slide for Sumner that culminated in a Wednesday diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, also known as acute hemorrhaginc diarrhea syndrome. And over those couple of really bad days, it was not a small amount of blood that he was depositing over in the pooping plot we just call "The Azaleas." I'm glad our vet was able to see him Wednesday morning and he put him on an IV bag and also prescribed both an antibiotic and a probiotic (interesting: never put those two up against one another before).

The doggie doc wanted to check Sumner again Thursday morning so we left the vein catheter in his front leg overnight...so Sumner has had his first cone-of-shame experience. I'm glad they've modernized those and made them a lot more comfortable!

As soon as his gastric distress started, I went ahead and got to work on bland homemade dog food, full of sweet potato, lentils, kidney beans, carrots, spinach, peas, and brown rice.

I cooked two split chicken breasts in the sous vide to finely dice and add in for more protein.

Sumner's appetites and good spirits never really waned, although by the second day of the syndrome he was beginning to drag just a bit. He rebounded almost immediately once treatment was started and you'll be happy to know his back end is back up and running. It only cost an unanticipated $800.00 to bring that sweet boy back from that brink.

---

Based on "DIY Homemade Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 27 April 2015]

Based on "Easy Crockpot Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 13 May 2015]

Meal No. 3028: Roasted Salmon and Broccoli

Thanks to a workday in Catawba County on the first day of February, I made my return travel via I-40 which brings me back to town by a pretty decent and infinitely accessible Harris Teeter. I emerged from there loaded with groceries far beyond what was on my list, and that included huge slabs of salmon filet and fresh tender crowns of broccoli. You see where this is going, don't you? Tossed in olive oil and seasoned only with salt and pepper, the cut broccoli florets roasted until they'd developed a bit of char. In the meantime, with my handy temperature probe to keep me within reach of my precise targets, the salmon was spiced and roasted to an ideal state, It was a meal of size and substance, and I loved it.

Meal No. 3027: Juicy Burgers on the Grill

For a very long time now, my go-to for weeknight burgers on the grill came from a grocery store check-out magazine that my mother introduced me to when I first moved back to Winston-Salem in 2001. With the promising name of "juicy burgers," it lives up to its moniker, in part because it borrows from the approach used with meatloaf, actually, although the flavor is much more burger-centric and I play a bit with the seasonings every time I do these. I do not always include bacon but I had some on hand, and they were pretty satisfying last Monday, for the very last night of January!

---

Adapted from "Juicy Burgers," originally from Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks recipe magazine, July 2003, p. 52-53. After Pillsbury was purchased in 2001 by General Mills, home of Betty Crocker (founded 101 years ago, mind you!), it basically ceased to exist as a company and lives on just as a brand. I guess that's why a Pillsbury cookbook recipe from 2003 is now only found on the Betty Crocker website.