photo by Jenny MacBeth

Mexican Pork Mole

 

Do the Lambada if you like Mexican food. I love everything about the culture. – The dances, music, arts, and especially, the food. I tried my hand at a pork mole. Mole simply means sauce; a number of sauces.

Put on Santana, grab a Dos Equis and let’s get started…

You’ll Need:

1 Pork Tenderloin roast (cubed and unseasoned)

2 cups of onion, diced

2 Tablespoons of chili powder

1 Tablespoon of ground cumin

1 Tablespoon of cinnamon

1/2 cup of Dos Equis (drink the rest)

2 (14 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes

2 (4.5 oz.) cans of green chillies (fresh is best, but this will do)

1/2 cup of dark chocolate morsels

Splash of lime juice (fresh is best)

Cilantro, diced (garnish)

photo by Jenny MacBethIn a large pot, over medium heat spray in some olive oil. I use a Misto, or you can use PAM cooking spray. Brown your pork evenly for 10 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.

photo by Jenny MacBeth In the same pot, add in your chopped onion and cook until slightly tender. Add in your chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Let the ingredients do the Rumba for about a minute or two. Join in the dance by stirring often.

photo by Jenny MacBethTime for the Salsa. Add in your diced tomatoes, beer, dark chocolate and chilies. Once those simmer for a minute or two, bring it to a slow grind over medium-low heat. Let the pork join the party and simmer until hot and tender.

photo by Jenny MacBethServe it over rice, or by itself. Finish it with a squirt of lime and sprinkle with cilantro to garnish. The next time I make this, I will use fresh chillies.

What’s your favorite Mexican Mole? Please share with us because this girl likes to eat.

Cha Cha!

 

final citrus ale summer pasta salad

Citrus Bluemoon Summer Ale Pasta Salad

 

This is definitely a unique and delicious pasta salad if I do say so myself. That, or it’s the two beers I drank whilst making this. Ha!

Tip

You can prepare everything in advance, however, mix it right before serving. Not sure why, but it tastes best the first day.

You may not want to use all the dressing. I suggest you gradually pour it while mixing your salad. You can decide how much is enough.

Salad Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup of Bluemoon Summer Ale
3 tablespoons of shallots, minced
1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest
1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons of EVOO
1 pound of your favorite pasta, I used Rotini
1/2 cup of green onions, chopped
1/2 cup of pecans, chopped
1/2 cup of Kalamata olives, seeded and chopped
1 cup of Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 can of oranges, drained
1 cup of Mozzarella cheese, grated
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Let’s get started…

Grab a beer or seven, and turn on Pandora.

The Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk the beer, shallot, orange zest, honey, mustard and oil. Or, if you have a shaker, that would be best. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. This can refrigerate up to three days. I wouldn’t push it any longer. Homemade dressings can get funky, awfully quick. Especially, without having the added preservatives.

Removing the tomato centerWhen I use tomatoes in salads, I remove the center with a spoon. This helps to keep your salad from getting watery.

adding dressing to pasta saladIf you do not have time before serving, chop up everything ahead of time and store in your refrigerator. Right before serving, toss all your ingredients in a large bowl. Slowly pour the dressing over the top and mix it all together carefully.

adding cheese to pasta saladTop it off with Mozzarella cheese.

final citrus ale summer pasta saladDone! This salad does not take much time at all. Particularly, while drinking a beer.

You can also add in spinach or other vegetables. Play with it!

I would love to hear from you. Contact me because this girl likes to eat.

#gl2e
photo by Jenny MacBeth

Beer Cocktail – Celebrating Independence Day

 

It’s Saturday at 10 AM. Instead of coffee, I wanted to come up with a cool layered drink for July 4th. After trying to layer in a few liqueurs, I failed. I’m a drinker, not a bartender. Don’t judge me.

After realizing it’s now 10:30 AM, I couldn’t pour it down the kitchen sink, right? I quickly thought, “It’s Five O’Clock somewhere.” Then, “Boom Boom Pow!” It may not be layered red, white and blue, but it tastes like sweet berries.

I’m not a ‘fancy drink’ kind of girl. As we know, I like my beer, and I had to come up with something fun.

You’ll Need:

A tall glass with ice

1 shot of Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka

1 shot of Blue Curacao

1/2 bottle of Framboise beer (use the other half as a chaser)

photo by Jenny MacBeth

 Instructions:

Stir and drink. Easy!

Since it’s not layered, like I wanted, add a sparkler for garnish.

Side Note: The photo shows a small glass but it was 10:30 AM, after all.

If you try it, please share your feedback because this girl likes to drink.