Jul152011

Katsudon – Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl

Katsudon means pork cutlet rice bowl (I don’t know for sure, don’t quote me) and is a popular Japanese dish. Mike gets them at a little shop close to his work, and asked me last week if I’d find a recipe for it.

All the ingredients were easy to find (in fact, the only thing I had to pick up was a new bottle of rice wine vinegar), but it was the combination that threw me a bit: fried panko-crusted pork chops that are cooked in a sweet sauce with eggs over rice. My first thought? Weird. But I’ll try anything once.

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Jul12011

Cincinnati Chili

A few months ago, several cooking shows aired a bunch of episodes focusing on Cincinnati Chili. I’d never had it, and since I’m not traveling to any of the featured locations anytime soon I figured I’d better find out how to make it myself.

I love chili and was intrigued by the addition of not only putting it on top of spaghetti, but topping it with cheese, onions and even kidney beans. A whole bunch of my favorites, all in one bowl. Read More

Jun222011

Make Your Own Frosty Paws Dog Treats

Dogs like the occasional cool treat just as much as we do, so why not treat them to a homemade ice cream made just for them?

While dairy isn’t terribly good for dogs, yogurt contains much less lactase than regular milk and the live cultures are great for your dog’s digestive system. As with human treats, all things in moderation!

Frosty Paws Dog Ice Cream

32 oz vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana or one large jar of banana baby food
2 T. peanut butter
2 T honey

Blend all together and freeze in paper cups. Peel away the cups & place in your pets dish to serve. These can also be made in a non-salt automatic ice cream maker and served like regular ice cream in a dish.

DO NOT freeze in ice cube trays as your dog is likely to eat them so fast he’ll choke.

[image: flickr]

Jun162011

Easy Homemade Iced Coffee

Even though I know it’s coming every year, our summer temperatures always seem to sneak up on me. This year we were a little more spoiled than usual since our spring lasted past April, going right into the beginning of June (though that’s relative: I consider pretty much anything under 90 degrees to still be “spring” weather).

Yesterday we hit our first substantial three-digit temp of 106 degrees, and despite wanting to cower in a dark, cool corner somewhere, my eyes instead misted over with the anticipation of my favorite summer treat: iced coffee.

Between coordinating my daughters’ daily chores and getting dinner ready in the crockpot (keeping the kitchen bearable, you know), I whipped up a batch of cold-brewed coffee, which I’ve found works the best for iced coffee (no melted ice cubes). However, instead of using my little French press, I opt for a pitcher and half a pound of ground coffee. Just mix the half pound of coffee with about eight cups of cold water, cover, and let it sit on the counter overnight. Strain it into a clean pitcher the next morning and keep it in the fridge. That’s it!

To make the iced coffee, put a few ice cubes in a glass and then fill about 2/3 full with the cold coffee. Top with milk and sugar or whatever other sweetener you want, including flavored syrups or chocolate syrup. I will admit that while I’m a Starbucks fan (not hardcore, but it’s a nice treat), this beats a $4 iced latte any day!