Pork Archives — Bless this Mess

October 17, 2018

Breakfast Pizza Sticks

Quick and easy breakfast pizza sticks made with pizza dough, eggs, bacon, and cheese, all baked into easy-to-eat pizza sticks.

Let me introduce you to breakfast pizza sticks – eggs, bacon, and cheese all wrapped up in pizza crust. It’s in stick form because it’s fun and easy to eat. Neighbor kids were over when I was testing this recipe and they and my own kids loved it. They kept calling it eggs in toast which I thought was a fun idea. That sums it up well – eggs hiding in bread.

I used a refrigerated pizza crust for this recipe. I have been trying different ones, seeing if they’re worth using for a time-saving hack (we’re all busy moms, right?!), and I actually found them to be pretty tasty and easy to work with. It’s a great option for this meal because it saves quite a bit of time. All you have to do is scramble a few eggs, unroll a crust, fill, and bake. Dinner (or breakfast!) is on the table in about thirty minutes with only about 10 minutes of that being hands on. If you aren’t short on time, feel free to whip up a homemade pizza crust (here’s my favorite Easy Pizza Dough Recipe). Either way it’s going to be delicious.

I made this as a breakfast for dinner kind of meal, but feel free to use it for any meal of the day! Some of my kids dipped it in ketchup too. How weird is that? It’s not for me, but my mom did put ketchup on her fried egg sandwiches when I was growing up – that’s kind of the same thing right?

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October 15, 2018

Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

Quick and easy Instant Pot Shrimp Boil made with potatoes, corn, shrimp, sausage, and just a few simple seasonings.

Have you ever had Shrimp Boil? Sometimes it’s also called Low Country Boil or Cajun Shrimp Boil, too. I love it! I grew up going to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama and this was a favorite meal to eat along the coast. Now anytime we leave the desert in search of some ocean waves, I make a point to find a good shrimp boil place. I introduced my kids to the wonder that is shrimp boil this summer and they begged me to recreate it at home for them. I obliged!

Shrimp boil is fun because it’s all spread out on the table or in a big tray and you just pick and eat what you want. You can dip it in delicious butter, add a little hot sauce, give it a squeeze of lemon. It’s just a whole lot of fun eating communally with your fingers. It doesn’t hurt that there’s plenty of shrimp and potatoes involved, too (favorites of my kids).

I loved using my Instant Pot to make shrimp boil because it really helps to infuse the potatoes with lots of flavor, plus, it’s fast and really hands off. The perk of using the Instant Pot is that it’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of appliance.

So now when you are craving a trip to the beach, but are stuck at home, you can have a delicious fun meal to remind you of the sand and surf.

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October 11, 2018

Homemade Biscuits and Gravy

How to make homemade biscuits and gravy with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time; the perfect comfort food.

Fun Fact: this was the first recipe we made in 7th grade Home Economics Class. Over two decades later, I’m still making this recipe regularly; it must be a good one. Biscuits and gravy is a staple in the Hoosier diet and one I’ve been eating, making, and loving since I was a kid. Since I’ve moved out west, I have found that lots of people don’t make it and in fact, they seem a little intimidated by the recipe. I am here to tell you that biscuits and gravy is one of the simplest dishes to put together. If a rowdy class of seventh graders can manage it, so can you.

Biscuits and gravy is celebratory food in our family. We make this recipe for birthday breakfasts, when friends come to stay the night, and even on Christmas morning. I’m so excited to finally be sharing with you something that is a big part of the food culture in my home.

Few things are more delicious and comforting than simple homemade sausage gravy spooned over sturdy buttery biscuits. I hope you make this recipe over and over again like we do.

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September 26, 2018

Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta

Rich and creamy Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta made with ground sausage, pumpkin puree, garlic, sage, and lots of Parmesan cheese – comfort food at its best.

Pumpkin puree in savory dishes is one of my all-time favorite ways to use the stuff! I feel like we think pumpkin recipes and we go straight to those yummy pumpkin cookies and pumpkin bread. I’m here to convert you to pumpkin in every dish, all day long, including dinner!

Pumpkin puree is magical if you ask me. It’s nutritious, inexpensive, easy to find, and easy to use. It adds beautiful color, a subtle sweetness, and a rich creaminess to dishes. One of my favorite ways to use pumpkin is with pasta! When the dish is made, the pasta looks super cheesy and tastes extra rich. But the secret is the pumpkin puree. Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta is one of my favorite dishes to make for company, because pumpkin is such a surprising ingredient. The sausage, sage, and just a bit of cream and Parmesan make this pasta dish a favorite without much work on your end. I can’t wait for you to try it.

This pumpkin recipe is part of pumpkin week! A week that I dedicate on the blog to all things pumpkin – sweet and savory alike. I’ve done this every year for a few years now and I enjoy it so much. I hope it inspires you to get in the kitchen and gives you a few more ideas on how to use pumpkin besides the classic pumpkin cookies.

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September 20, 2018

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes

Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Prime Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine.

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes make the perfect simple dinner with moist and flavorful pork and potatoes that aren’t overcooked or soggy.

I asked and you reported: more slow cooker recipes please! I’m so excited to share this Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes recipe today because it’s a simple meal that’s sure to get rave reviews with your family. When serving pork, especially as the center of the meal, I love using Smithfield® PRIME Pork Tenderloin because not all pork is created equal! Smithfield pork is grown in the US, it contains no artificial ingredients and is minimally processed, and it’s an all around great product that is easy to find.

This meal is one that you are going to make again and again. The cook time is around 4 hours, which means it’s perfect to get started right before the kids come clamoring in the door after school. It works well to make before leaving for a school or sporting event and come home to a delicious hot meal. I love to make this for family dinner on a Sunday and let it cook while I’m at church (or put it in after church and take a nap!). Let the convenience of a slow cooker and the high quality pork work in your favor.

I also love Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes because you cook the potatoes in a foil pouch instead of all together. The slow cooker cooks the potatoes perfectly but they don’t get soggy because they aren’t sitting in juices. You can use whatever potatoes you like and you can even use sweet potatoes or winter squash; they all work well. I love that you can cook your main dish pork tenderloin and the side dish at the same time. I just added some green beans and frozen peaches to the table and we had an easy and well-rounded dinner on the table in no time. Pro Tip: turn the leftover juices into gravy! Directions in the recipe notes.

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June 18, 2018

30 Minute Meaty Margherita Pizza

Meaty Margherita Pizza made with the traditional tomatoes, cheese, and basil but with added pepperoni and salami to make it one crowd-pleasing pizza done in only 30 minutes.

Pizza done in just 30 minutes?! Sign me up! This pizza is unique because the crust is made from yeast-less dough! Instead of yeast, the dough has a bit of baking powder in it which helps it to rise just a bit while baking. This is a great recipe to have up your sleeve when you need to get a quick and easy meal on the table in no time. Who doesn’t love pizza?

A traditional Margherita pizza is made with tomatoes (whole or crushed), a little bit of cheese, and fresh basil on the top. This is a meaty spin on that classic pizza with the addition of just a little bit of pepperoni and salami. This makes the pizza a real crowd-pleaser in my house. It’s thin, bright, and satisfying without being too heavy or greasy.

Meals that are quick and easy and made from things I normally have on hand are always a win!

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June 7, 2018

Cheesy Bacon and Roasted Potato Egg Casserole

Cheesy Bacon and Roasted Potato Egg Casserole is easy to put together and a perfect one-dish wonder that you can serve for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

When you have backyard chickens pecking around outside, you also tend to have a lot of eggs floating around inside. I’m always coming up with new simple egg casserole recipes because we have a lot of eggs to eat! This recipe would be perfect for Father’s Day to help you celebrate those you love in your life, because nothing says ‘love’ like bacon, amIright? It’s one of those classic bacon, potato, egg, and cheese dishes that everyone loves no matter who they are, and you’ll love how simple it is to put together.

Today I’m working with Wright®Brand Naturally Smoked Hickory Bacon and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Wright Brand sells the best thick-cut, hand-trimmed, and naturally smoked bacon on the market. When it comes to bacon, this is the cream of the crop. It cooks up beautifully and has just the right amount of smoky-goodness to it. We love this product and really like to get it for celebrations like Father’s Day.

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May 3, 2018

20 Minute Easy Cheesy Pizza Sticks

Easy cheesy pizza sticks are made with store-bought dough, pizza sauce, and cheese, and only take 20 minutes to make, start to finish.

I tell myself every year to gear up for the month of May and every year the month of May takes me by surprise. If you have school-aged children, I’m sure that May is as busy for you as it is for me. It’s busier than the holiday season for our family! Between end-of-year testing, parties, field trips, and graduations at school and the recitals, baseball/t-ball practices and games, Scouts, and a million other after-school events, it feels like we have something going on every day of the week. They are super fun things, but busy things. That being said, May is a month to have some super FAST dinners up your sleeve and this cheesy pizza stick recipe is just what May ordered.

20 Minute Easy Cheesy Pizza Sticks are just what they sound like – pizza sticks done in a hurry! The secret is using canned crescent roll or pizza dough. Then you just fill it, fold it, slice it, and bake it. They are easy for kids to grab and dunk in their favorite sauce (or roll in a napkin and eat while running out the door to the next thing). You can fill them with just about anything you’d like but I’ve found simple cheese and pepperoni always go over well in this house. The topping that you add to the outside of the pizza sticks is so good, too. It’s full of flavor and makes this easy recipe kid- and adult-approved.

Hang in there, busy mamas. Summer break is coming; we just have to get through May first. This easy pizza stick recipe will help you do just that.

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April 16, 2018

How to Make Oven Baked Bacon

How to make oven baked bacon is the simplest and cleanest way to make a large or small amount of crispy bacon in the oven.

Do you all know about baking bacon in the oven?

My mom is a traditional stove-top bacon fryer, and that’s all that I really knew. A few years ago my grandpa (the one who painted the pictures on my hutch) mentioned that he would bake large quantities of bacon in the oven to serve to his men’s group at church. That was honestly the first time I had ever heard about oven baked bacon.

Bacon and I have an interesting relationship. I, like the rest of the world, like the stuff. BUT when I was in high school I worked at an amazing little deli called The Big Cheese. Every Saturday for years, I fried up 30 to 40 POUNDS of bacon. It was to prep it for the rest of the week. I would spend literally hours frying bacon and produce something like 3 gallons of bacon grease by the time that I was done. I would come home and just smell so strongly of bacon I had to shower immediately. My clothes smelled until my mom washed them, my car would smell until it had a day or two to air out; Holy Bacon Batman! After years of this, I started to hate bacon, especially the smell.

I stopped eating bacon at around 16 and didn’t look back. The smell was what really set me off; I just hated that cooking bacon smell. So I lived a bacon-free life and didn’t think much of it. After I got married and started cooking more for a family instead of just myself, bacon slowly made a reappearance. I like it just fine now – it tastes great – but the smell still isn’t my favorite.

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March 21, 2018

Easy Crispy Instant Pot Pork Taco Recipe

The best Instant Pot pork taco recipe on the internet. The secret is a whole lot of seasoning cooked into the pork and then finishing the dish under the broiler in your oven.

I’m so excited to share this Crispy Instant Pot Pork Taco Recipe with you today because it is a staple in our house. This is the Instant Pot recipe that I make the most often because it’s so easy and so good! We love all things taco/Tex-Mex and I love finding great recipes that are easy to make and get us out of our ground beef taco rut.

I love making this Instant Pot pork taco recipe because it is fast. We are talking 4 pounds of meet cooked to shredding perfection in about an hour, start to finish. That’s the perk of using a pressure cooker! But don’t worry friends, if you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can find the slow cooker instructions in the recipe notes. I aim to please!

This is a fun recipe because it couldn’t be easier. This is a recipe that practically makes itself, and it lends to the most moist and flavorful meat around. A simple mix of seasoning and spices plus a little stock is all you need to make amazing pork tacos in the instant pot. No special ingredients or trips to the store for this recipe. The other unique aspect of this recipe is that you finish the meat under your oven broiler. You can skip this step of course, the meat is great right out of the Instant Pot, but broiling it reduces the remaining liquid and crisps up the edges of the meat perfectly. It’s one of my favorite tips for making flavor packed pork carnitas with a great texture. It takes a few extra minutes but I promise it’s worth the time.

This pork taco recipe is super versatile and you can serve it with just about anything. I like to serve it with a side of Slow Cooker Refried Beans, Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker, and The Best Blender Salsa Ever. All of these are super easy to make and go great with this recipe. I’ve added some great serving suggestions for the leftover taco meat in the tips and tricks section too.

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