Name: Barbequed Dr. Pepper Ribs
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 racks baby back ribs; 1 2 L bottle of Dr Pepper; 1/4 cup salt; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp canola oil or vegetable oil; 1 onion, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup ketchup; 2 Tbsp soy sauce; 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

Cooking up the Saputo Mozzarellissima Mushroom Burger-Win a $50,000 Backyard Makeover in the Saputo a la carte Summer Contest

June 6, 2012 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Summer is here and when you fire up the barbeque this weekend, Saputo want to help you liven things up with a fantastic gourmet barbeque menu featuring delicious Saputo cheeses. And just for picking your favourite recipes, the company is giving Canadians the chance to win a backyard makeover worth $50,000 in the Saputo a la carte Summer Contest! So how do you get started?

saputo mozzarellissima By creating the perfect barbeque menu, of course! Just visit the contest page and choose the appetizer, main course and dessert that you think would make the most appealing backyard meal. The recipes for each dish are available on the site so you can even try one out and see how tasty it is! After completing your menu, enter your information to be entered in the draw. If your name is drawn AND your a la carte menu matches the mystery menu, you’ll win $50,000 to create your dream backyard! If your menu doesn’t match, you’ll still win a $2000 Weber BBQ and one year of Saputo cheese! And ten lucky secondary winners will win one year of Saputo cheese too!

I received a gorgeous gift basket containing some fancy barbeque supplies and coupons for Saputo Mozzarellissima cheese so that I could test out one of the scrumptious recipes for myself. When I saw the Mozzarellissima Mushroom Burger recipe on the contest site, I knew that was the one I would be creating.

mozzarellissima mushroom burgers cooking [Read more…]

Celebrate Summer with Mouth-Watering Dr. Pepper Ribs

May 1, 2012 by Kathryn 10 Comments

Ready for the tastiest, most tender, most finger-licking ribs you’ve ever tasted? You’d better be, because this Dr. Pepper Ribs recipe gives new meaning to the term “sinful.”

But despite the devilishly delicious taste, these ribs are actually pretty low on fat and calories. If you try one new recipe this barbeque season, this should be it!

baby back ribs after soaking and rub — The ribs after marinating and being rubbed with chili powder, ready to go into the oven!

The original recipe made only half as much sauce but it is just too good to make in such small quantities. I generally use about ¾ of the doubled recipe for my ribs and then save the rest for dipping or for another meal the next day.

Because I’m a mom and I’m busy, I streamline the process as much as possible. First, I marinate the ribs in two Ziploc freezer bags rather than dirtying up a baking dish.

And instead of brushing each section of ribs with sauce, I just put them in a large pot once they’ve finished baking in the oven, pour half the sauce over them and shake the pot gently with the lid on to coat the ribs in sauce.

The end result is absolutely fabulous; tender, meaty, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. My sister is the one that first turned me on to this Dr. Pepper Ribs recipe and so far everyone I’ve met that has tried it has loved it. Cook them up with Japanese Coleslaw Asian Salad or an old-fashioned Potato Salad on the side and welcome summer with the tastiest ribs imaginable!

Barbequed Dr. Pepper Ribs

Yield: 4 people

Prep Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Tender and flavourful ribs in a homemade Dr. Pepper barbeque sauce!

Ingredients

2 racks baby back ribs
1 2 L bottle of Dr Pepper
1/4 cup salt
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp canola oil or vegetable oil
1 onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

Cut the ribs into sections containing two or three ribs each. Place the ribs in a baking dish or Ziploc freezer bag. Pour in Dr Pepper to cover them, reserving at least 1 cup for the sauce. Add the salt and soak the ribs in the fridge overnight (or at least 2 hours).
Heat the oven to 350°F. Drain and dry the ribs and then rub them with the chili powder. Place them in a single layer in a large baking dish, add a cup of water and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours, until the meat nearly falls off the bone.
For the barbecue sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until they're soft and fragrant, then add the ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne and one cup of Dr Pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Preheat the barbeque and brush the ribs with sauce. When the grill is hot, cook the ribs bone-side down on a cooler part for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip them and cook until lightly charred. Remove, brush on more sauce and serve.

Notes

Adapted from Men's Health Dr. Pepper Ribs

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 people
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 6568mgCarbohydrates: 86gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 38g

Healthy and Simple Appetizers and Entrees with Wholly Guacamole and Salsa-Giveaway

April 30, 2012 by Kathryn 166 Comments

Last year I was introduced to the fabulous Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa products from Fresherized Foods and from my very first bite of Classic Wholly Guacamole on a multigrain tortilla chip I knew I was in love. I am a snacker, but these scrumptious dips and spreads prove that snacking doesn’t have to be unhealthy! With no additives, preservatives, gluten or trans fats, they’re a better way to munch out when a snack craving hits.

wholly salsa mild When I had the chance to feature Wholly products on my site once more, I wanted to do something a little different. So I decided to come up with a couple of easy recipes to show how Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa can be used for more than just dip for chips! I received a cute lunch bag full of Wholly merchandise and product coupons, so I headed to Safeway, picked up a few of my favourite Wholly products and headed home to start cooking!

My first recipe used the Wholly Guacamole Classic flavour. I love cooking but because I don’t have much free time my focus is always on recipes that are quick and easy. So I combined a few simple ingredients into a scrumptious appetizer that could be whipped up in minutes.

Tomato Guacamole Canapes

Ingredients:

one box plain baguette chips

one tomato, sliced and cut into quarters

4 oz. mozzarella cheese, sliced

one package Classic Wholly Guacamole

Preparation:

Arrange baguette chips in single layer on baking sheet.

Place one slice of tomato and one slice of mozzarella on each baguette chip. Place under broiler in oven or toaster oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top each baguette chip with a dollop of classic Wholly Guacamole and serve.

Assembly was the most lengthy part of this recipe and it really only took a few minutes before I was sliding the baguette chips under the broiler. Once the cheese was nice and bubbly, a dollop of guacamole on the top of the cheese finished off each appetizer!

tomato guacamole canapes

For the salsa, I decided to take a different route and make a main dish. Creating quick and healthy meals for my family is something I really struggle with on a busy day so I wanted to create an entrée with minimal preparation and cooking time.

Salsa Cheddar Cod Fillets

Ingredients:

6 codfish fillets

one container Wholly Salsa, Medium flavour

6 oz. old cheddar cheese, grated

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place fish fillets on baking sheet.

Cover fillets with salsa and top with grated old cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and fish is cooked. Serve with rice.

I debated a bit about what type of cheese to use for this recipe, but I eventually decided on old cheddar since it’s a cheese that’s featured in some other popular Mexican dishes and so I thought it would blend nicely with the salsa. I’ll bet that Parmesan or feta would work equally well though!

cheddar salsa cod fillets

I had a blast making my own easy and healthy recipes with Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa and if you want to get inventive with Wholly too, you’re in luck because Fresherized Foods is offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader a Wholly Prize Pack just like the one I received containing free product coupons, a fun insulated picnic lunch kit and other fun Wholly merchandise! To enter, just leave a comment telling me about your most creative way of using salsa or guacamole.

Eating salsa and guacamole with tortilla chips is always going to be my favourite use of Wholly products, but when I want to get creative with my cooking, the fresh and natural flavours of the dips are great for that too! So pick up your favourite variety and get creative! You’ll love how Wholly products can add some extra zing to your meals!

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Celebrate Chinese New Year with VH Sauces-Giveaway

January 20, 2012 by Kathryn 113 Comments

I was never a picky eater when I was a child, so I must admit that I find my boys’ fussiness about food to be rather frustrating. Zackary currently argues against eating virtually any new food I put in front of him and Benjamin, despite the fact that he actually likes every food I give him, inevitably refuses to try anything that his brother has refused to taste.

Needless to say, I will try anything when it comes to getting my little picky eaters to try new things. So I was very excited when I learned about the quick and easy Chinese New Year recipes currently being featured on the brand new VH Facebook page!

I got the chance to try one of these tasty family-friendly meals for myself so I decided to indulge a little with Bacon-Wrapped Pork with Bok Choy. I couldn’t believe how easy this recipe was; with just five ingredients and five steps, what a perfect main dish for a busy mom!

Ingredients

1 lb (500 gr) pork tenderloin
1 tsbp (15 mL) vegetable oil
8-10 slices bacon
8 cups (2 L) baby bok choy, sliced in half lengthwise and washed
1 bottle VH_® Sweet & Sour Sauce

Directions

Heat oven to 400˚F (200˚F), slice tenderloin into 2 pieces. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high, brown the pork, about 7 minutes.
Layer 4-5 bacon slices side by side on a cutting board, allow edges to only slightly overlap. Place one piece of pork across the bottom ends of the bacon strips, roll the bacon around the tenderloin and place the wrapped pork seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat with second piece and remaining bacon.
Place baking dish in oven and cook until bacon is browned and pork is cooked through, about 30 minutes. (pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160˚F (70C)˚).
Pour out leftover oil from sauté pan, add baby bok choy and 2 tbsp (30 mL) water, cover and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes, add bottle of VH_® Sweet & Sour Sauce and heat through, lower heat to simmer and keep warm.
When pork is ready slice and serve with bok choy and VH_® Sweet & Sour Sauce.

In my small hometown, baby bok choy was nowhere to be found so I decided to substitute broccoli, another popular ingredient in Chinese recipes. The bacon-wrapped pork looked so classy and the VH Sweet and Sour Sauce that I drizzled over the top really completed the entire elegant look of the meal. I’ve always been better at hearty home-style meals than gorgeous gourmet ones, but this amazing VH recipe made creating a gourmet meal easy!

Best of all, both of my boys loved their special Chinese New Year meal! They decided they would prefer raw broccoli instead of the sweet and saucy broccoli that my husband and I gobbled up, but they positively devoured the pork loin! It just goes to show that when you’re cooking for a house full of males, making a main dish that’s wrapped in bacon is probably a good decision!

Chinese New Year starts on January 23 and runs for fifteen days, so the upcoming few weeks are a great time to introduce some ethnic flavours into your usual meal routine. This year is the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese Zodiac and by adding kid-friendly themed decorations like paper lanterns or dragon printouts and fun extras like fortune cookies to your meal, you may just get your children excited to try a new meal! But best of all, with the oh-so-easy Chinese New Year-themed recipes from VH, adding a little diversity to your menu doesn’t have to mean a bunch of extra work either!

If you’re longing to try your own easy Chinese New Year recipe now, you’re in luck because VH has a great prize pack for one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader containing a $40 Sobeys gift card and an assortment of VH sauces so that you can create your own Chinese New Year feast! So get ready to ring in the Year of the Dragon with a kid-friendly ethnic meal that’s as easy as it is delicious, with a little help from VH Sauces and the great recipes on the VH Facebook page!

For more chances to win, don’t forget to check out the giveaways at Mom vs. the Boys, Mommy Moment and My Wee View too!

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