Braised pork belly

NOTE: this recipe also works with thick cut pork chops or pork steaks. I also use it on pork loin that I trim into rib cuts

2 lbs pork belly-remove skin

1 cup mirin (in asian food section)

1 cup low sodium soy sauce

½ onion chopped

1 tspn garlic (fresh crushed or chopped)

2 cups broth—I use swansons low sodium

red wine-about 1 cup (drink the rest)

Slice pork belly in 2-3” sections, combine soy and mirin and place in either plastic bag or shallow dish, add pork belly and marinate at least 30 mins or overnight

Place pork belly in heated pan and sear each side-remove and set aside

Place wine, marinade, broth, onions, and garlic in oven proof pan- bring to boil, add pork belly and cover and place in 300 degree oven for 2-3 hours(depends on thickness of pork belly). After 2-3 hrs place pan on top of stove on simmer to finish. After 30 minutes of simmering turn up heat and reduce sauce until slightly thick.

Serve over couscous, rice, or pasta. Serve small cup of sauce on side for dipping or drizzle over pork belly placed over couscous.

Breakfast Meals

Egg Pie-serves 4 or 2 healthy eaters

6-8 oz hash browns cooked crisp (enough to cover bottom of 8” pie/cake pan

6 eggs

Teaspoon or so of water

2-3 oz Onions and garlic to taste (I like fresh but powder can be used NOT salt)

Natures seasoning to taste (I used about a teaspoon)

Fry hash browns til crisp

Line bottom of pie/cake pan with hash browns

Lightly season with Natures seasoning (about ¼ of what you use)

Beat eggs with water until fluffy

Add onions and garlic and rest of Natures seasoning

Pour on top of has browns

Bake at 350 until firm (about 20 mins regular oven, 15 convection oven)

Slice and serve with fresh fruit

Options:

Add ham, sausage, or back (cooked) to egg mixture before baking

Add salsa (homemade is best) to top of pie immediately prior to serving

Breakfast casserole- serves 4 or 2 healthy eaters

1 can refrigerated croissants

2 servings sausage or bacon – cooked

6 eggs

¼ onion chopped fine

1 clove garlic diced

½ tomato (always optional)

4 sliced mushrooms

Cheese-grated or sliced

Seasoning to tast (I prefer Natures seasoning or Maui herb seasoning)

Spray 8” cake pan with non stick spray

Line 4 croissants as bottom crust

Mix meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and seasonings

Por over bottom crust

Top with remaining croissants

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

Top with sliced tomato and cheese and serve with fresh fruit

BBQ Wings--Also good for football tailgate parties

12- 18 chicken wings-doesn't matter if all drums or even if boneless wings
1/2 cup BBQ sauce- your favorite kind, I like KC Masterpiece Honey BBQ for these
1/2 tsp onion powder (not salt)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (more if you like a garlicky taste)
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste-can be left out completely)
1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste)
11/4 cup butter/butter substitute

Extra BBQ sauce for basting

Melt butter in small sauce pan, add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour over wings, ensure all sides are coated.

Place on rectangular pan- non-stick or use Reynold's non-stick foil and place in 350 over for 30-40 minutes (depends on your oven). Turn after 15-20 minutes. Baste as needed with extra sauce.

When done these make a slightly sweet (if you use Honey BBQ sauce) BBQ wing that is a great addition to tailgate parties. Can be made in advance and heated on grill at tailgate (indirect heat). However, if you are attending a University of Hawaii game make sure you include copious amounts of alcohol because the tailgate party is the best part of the game this year :-)

Football game HOT Wings

12- 18 chicken wings-doesn't matter if all drums or even if boneless wings
1/2 cup Franks* Hot Sauce (I like Franks, you can use your favorite sauce)
2 tbsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder (not salt)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (more if you like a garlicy taste)
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste-can be left out completely)
1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste)
1/8 tsp cumin - if you don't like real spicy leave this out
1/4 cup butter/butter substitute

Thaw wings, if thawed, rinse and pat dry and place in a container that allows the wings to all sit on the bottom (like a large flat Tupperware-or imitation- container with lid....you can also use a zip lock bag if no container.

Mix all ingredients except butter and Hot sauce in small dish. Melt butter, add 1/4 cup hot sauce when melted and mix well. Remove from heat and add rest of ingredients and mix well. Cover wings with this mixture and marinate over night (min 4 hours).

After done marinating, pour wings and mixture on cookie sheet with small lip/rectangular pan  that is either covered with non-stick  Reynolds wrap or use parchment paper (this is for easy clean up, any non stick pan will work as long as it has a small lip so no drips).

Baste with the rest of the hot sauce and place in 350 oven for 30-40 minutes. It is best if you turn the wings after 15-20 minutes and add a little more hot sauce.

These come out tender, spicy, and perfect for a tailgate party or just snacks at home.

PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU DO NOT LIKE REAL SPICY : DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!. IF YOU LIKE MEDIUM SPICY : use less spicy hot sauce and omit cumin and red pepper

BBQ wings recipe to follow :-)