Can You Feel The Tropical Breeze?

{Insert Jimmy Buffet tunes here}

The dish I decided to make this week is Tropical Ham Sandwiches. It is from my Gooseberry Crock Pot Book...again. I need to get away from the crock pot! It's just so yummy and easy! Maybe next week...

Here's the supplies...

1 1/2 lbs. cooked ham, finely chopped {I used ham slices cause it was the easiest way to get the exact amount I needed AND it was easier to chop}
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. Dijon mustard
1/4 c. green pepper, diced
1 T. dried, minced onion {Walmart only had chopped so I crushed it a little more before adding it}
20 oz. can crushed pineapple
12 sandwich buns

I used my Pampered Chef chopper {the same one Teresa from NJ Housewives uses} to chop the ham and the green pepper. I'm such a star struck crazy girl...

Add all ingredients EXCEPT BUNS in your slow cooker. You know they had to put that "EXCEPT BUNS" part in there because some idiot added them to the pot...hahaha...that is totally a bit from David Spade's Las Vegas routine. I can hear him laughing now...I love his weasley little laugh.

Mix it all up...looks pretty! I was so happy not to have to handle RAW meat! Cover and cook on low setting for 3 to 4 hours. Uncover and cook on high setting for 15 to 30 minutes, until sauce is thickened. Stir and serve on buns.

I served it with baked beans and mandarin oranges. I planned on having salad, but it died.

This was a yummy summery sandwich. My only problem was that it made my bun mushy on the bottom. I can't stand some textures and mushy bread is one of them. This was yummy, but I kinda liked it cold the next day better. This would be awesome at a cookout or luau!

Now grab your sunglasses, towel, and a good book and go catch some rays...

Feelin' A Little Sauer

When my Dr. Hubby was growing up his momma fixed pinto beans {soup beans} every day...no exaggeration. So I thought I would try a good ol' southern recipe that would be complimented by pinto beans. I chose "Sauerkraut and Pork" from my Gooseberry cookbook.

I gathered my supplies...

20 oz. can sauerkraut

1/3 c. brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 lbs. pork sausage links, sliced

1 onion, sliced

Combine sauerkraut and brown sugar in your slow cooker and mix well. This was a little weird. Brown sugar and sauerkraut? I started to doubt...

Then you arrange the sausage and onion on top...I did not notice you were supposed to slice the pork sausages. Put the lid on and cook on HIGH setting for 2 hours, adding water if necessary. It was not necessary for me. Then reduce heat to LOW setting, replace the lid and cook for an additional 2 hours.

I served it with pinto beans and cornbread. Manga Dork pushed this all the way to NUMBER ONE! It beat out the pork chops! Dr. Hubby cleaned his plate. My FIL and SIL finished off my leftovers. This cookin' thing is a blast and it is doing wonders for my self esteem!

This weekend I picked up the "fabulicious" Teresa Giudice's book, Skinny Italian. Teresa is on Real Housewives of New Jersey and is by far my FAVORITE housewife of all the cities...I love love love her. I have already finished reading it cover to cover...first book I have read in 2010! My goal is to pull off a traditional 5 course Italian meal. You don't have to be a Real Housewife fan to enjoy this book, but you will get the little "jokes" if you are. The sauce recipe she named after Danielle cracked me up! There are even "Juicy Bits from Joe." You can check it out at your library, but I would suggest buying it...you are going to want your own copy!

Happy Wednesday!