Lazy Day Gourmet

Southern New Year's Stew - Crockpot

If you've ever spent New Year's in the South, then you know about the tradition of eating black eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day.  Eating this traditional meal is supposed to guarantee you plenty of green money in your wallet and coins in your pockets. 

This is a fabulous crockpot recipe that includes all the necessary New Year's ingredients (and then some!) to make sure your upcoming year is fat and happy.

Southern New Year's Stew
1 1/2 cups black eyed peas, dried
4 cups water
2 cups cooked cubed ham
1 15 oz can white hominy, rinsed and drained
1 10 oz package frozen oka, cut
1 cup chopped onion
2 TBS minced garlic
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 1/2 cups water
4 cups chopped collard greens (or spinach if you don't "do" collards)
1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes, undrained

1. You can either soak your black-eyed peas overnight, or use the quick soak method.  To quick soak, rinse the peas and drain.  Combine peas in 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and then reduce heat down to a simmer. Let the peas simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse peas again.
2. In your crockpot, combine the peas, ham, hominy, okra, onion, garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper.
3. Add 4 1/2 cups water to the crockpot.
4. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours. (Or cook on high for 4 to 5 hours)
5. If you're using the low setting, after 8 to 10 hours, turn the crockpot to high. Stir in your collards and the undrained tomatoes. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. 
6. Serve hot with cornbread!

Pineapple Pork Chops

This delicious pork chop recipe is designed to be made ahead, and is the perfect freezer meal. Pull it out of the freezer on cooking day, and create a fresh pineapple sauce to top off your chops.  This is an island delight that uses everyday items found in Hawaiian kitchens.

Ingredients
4 center cut pork chops
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup maple syrup
1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
Coarse sea salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Day Ingredients
1/4 Cup maple syrup
1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
Fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks

Freezer Instructions: Prop open a one gallon freezer bag.  Add soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame seeds, and sesame oil to the freezer bag.  Mix the marinade together by working the outside of the freezer bag with your hand. Salt and pepper the pork chops. Add the pork chops to the bag, and turn to coat. Squeeze excess air out of the bag, seal, and label the bag with a Sharpie.  Lie bag flat in freezer. Freeze.

Cooking Instructions: Thaw. Heat grill to Medium Hot. Place the marinated pork chops on the grill once it has preheated.  You can discard the rest of the marinade. Grill the pork chops until  done, around 6 minutes per side.  While the pork chops are grilling, add maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and fresh pineapple to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, until pineapple starts to break down and create its own syrup goodness! Serve the pork chops hot with pineapple on top.

Lazy Day Gourmet- Hawaiian Style is written by Beth Berry, exclusively for AlohaLiving.com 

Honey Bear Pork Medallions

1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin medallions
2 Tablespoons honey
4 Tablespoons butter, softened
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Freezer Prep: Salt and pepper both sides of the pork medallions, and place them in a one gallon ziplock bag.  In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, honey, and a pinch of salt. Mix well. Transfer to a small freezer safe container or freezer bag. Label, and place in freezer together.

Cooking Instructions
Thaw.
In a grill pan or skillet, cook the pork medallions, using the honey butter as your cooking oil. Save enough to spread a dollop on each medallion before serving.  Cook pork until completely white, approximately 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.