That's the reason my friend gave about all the drama surrounding holiday travel throughout the midwest this holiday season.

Let's hope she's right and people get to where they want to go this week. (We're hoping to make it to Iowa!)

But at the sad chance that you do get snowed in and aren't able to get home for the holidays, I thought I would feature some of my favorite "I'm so glad I gave this a chance" recipes from the year. That way you'll be able to at least enjoy a few awesome meals!

I mean come on ... good food makes everything a little better, right?

This first recipe has had its share of turned up noses.  Yet everyone who has given it a shot, raved about it.  So why not you?  (Yes, I'm talking to you!)

This recipe has an amazing blend of sweet and spice, is chock full of healthy ingredients, and results in a Moroccan flavored beef stew that makes the meat so tender it melts in your mouth.

Serve it up with some couscous and you'll be good to go with very little effort.

So the next time you get snowed in and your travel plans get wrecked, pull out your crock pot and get ready for an exotic night at home.  You have the perfect recipe for a moroccan-inspired beef stew that will take a little bit of the edge off!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Moroccan-Inspired Beef Stew

Moroccan-Inspired Beef Stew

This year, you're having the barbeque at your house. And you'll probably have a pretty good turnout because the weather has been gorgeous!

So you'll have a big group to cook for, but really want to spend time enjoying the party rather than ...

Warning to Men: Feel free to skip ahead to the recipe at this point. Because you may not like what you're about to read.

Ok ladies, where were we?

Right. You'd rather spend time enjoying the party than messing with the grill.

It's supposed to be 98 here in Texas tomorrow. And I'm sorry, but that is just too hot to stand over the grill for an afternoon picnic. I'd much rather spend time laughing and carrying on, enjoying myself with everyone else.

This recipe actually came as a request from Jaclyn, a WhatToCookWhen.com reader. She was specifically looking for a pulled pork recipe, and asked if I could help.

Get ready, because this recipe is to die for! And if you like sweet and tangy barbeque sauce, then hold on to your hat cowboy. Because you are never going to want to buy pre-made sauce again. This sauce would rock on ANY meat you pour it on. Brisket, chicken, ribs, whatever.

IT ... ROCKS.

And don't get overwhelmed by the number of ingredients in the sauce. They're all spices you should have on hand anyways. You'll use them in a lot of my recipes. And besides, the sauce is worth it. It's that good!

So the next time you're having the gang over for a barbeque, but just don't want to fire up the grill, open a cold one and enjoy the outdoors. You have the perfect recipe for a barbeque that doesn't require a single piece of charcoal.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. Have a recipe request for me? Visit the new recipe request section of the site.

Pulled Pork with Sweet and Tangy Barbeque Sauce

 
Pulled Pork Ingredients:

Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork

• 6 Pounds Boston Butt Roast
• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 Tsp Seasoning Salt
• 2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1/8 Tbs Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Onion, Chopped
• 3 Cups Barbecue Sauce (recipe below!)

Pulled Pork Directions:

1. Rub garlic, seasoning salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste onto roast.
2. Place roast in a large Dutch oven or pot and fill half way with water add onion.
3. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
4. Reduce heat simmer and let cook until meat falls off the bone. This should take at least 3 to 4 hours depending on the size of the roast.
5. Place hot roast in a serving bowl and pour on your favorite barbecue sauce.
6. Stir until well blended. The meat will literally pull into little pieces as you stir.

Tip: If making this for a smaller group, you can also buy Boston butt boneless country ribs. Just shorten the cooking time to when the meat breaks apart when touched with a fork. For 2 pounds it takes about an hour and 45 minutes.

Sweet and Tangy Barbeque Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Ketchup
• 2 Cups Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/4 Cups Brown Sugar
• 1 1/4 Cups Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 Cup Unsulfured Molasses
• 4 Tsp Hickory-Flavored Liquid Smoke
• 2 Tbs Butter
• 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
• 1/4 Tsp Chili Powder
• 1 Tsp Paprika
• 1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1 Tsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper

Barbeque Sauce Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke and butter.
2. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
3. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for up to 20 minutes.
4. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary.

Tip: The pulled pork is super tasty, so pair it with a simple green like roasted asparagus. Learn how to easily make some by watching the clip below!

Have you tried this recipe? Or do you have any questions for me?  

I invite you to leave a comment below!

You want to make something full of flavor that demonstrates your culinary flare and appreciation of good food.

Yet you know you won't have the time when you get home from work to prepare, and are looking for something that requires little prep work.

Well pull out your slow cooker and plan to get up 20 minutes early, so that you can come home to the perfect meal.

This recipe has an amazing blend of sweet and spice, is chock full of healthy ingredients, and results in a Moroccan flavored beef stew that makes the meat so tender it melts in your mouth.

Serve it up with some couscous and a nice refreshing white wine to complement the spice and complex flavors of this dish and you're good to go.

Your guests will be impressed and appreciative of the hours you must have spent in the kitchen preparing this feast, and you'll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy your company instead of slaving away all night in the kitchen.

So plan to swing by the store on your way home to pick up a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, and leave the rest of the work to your slow cooker.

And tell your friends to come hungry because you have the perfect recipe for an exotic evening.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Moroccan-Inspired Beef Stew

Moroccan-Inspired Beef Stew

• 1 ½ Pounds Beef Chuck, Cut Into Chunks
• 2 Small Sweet Potatoes (About 1 Pound) Cut Into ½-inch think half-moons
• 1 28-Ounce Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes
• 1 Large Red Onion, Cut Into Wedges
• 3/4 Cup Dried Apricots
• 2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
• 2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 10-Ounce Box Couscous
• 1 15-Ounce Can Chickpeas, Rinsed
• 3 Cups Fresh Baby Spinach
• 1/2 Cup Roasted Almonds, Chopped

Directions:

1. In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the beef, potatoes, tomatoes (and their juices), onion, apricots, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup water.
2. Cook in a slow cooker, covered, until the meat is tender, on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
3. Ten minutes before serving, prepare the couscous according to the package directions.
4. Add the chickpeas to the slow cooker and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir in the spinach.  Serve with the couscous and sprinkle with almonds.

Have you tried this recipe? Do you have a question or comment for me?
I invite you to leave it as a comment below!