Favorite Foods for the 4th (or any other day)

As I'm sitting here watching the fireworks (on TV...more about that in a minute), I thought I'd share some of my favorite recipes with you. Most of these I find online, though some are from magazines, and some are from friends.

The Pioneer Woman has quickly jumped to the top of my favorites list. Paula..who?

Quick background: I was not born in Texas. Therefore, I love PORK BBQ. Not beef. and that's nearly sacreligious here in Texas. The hunt for a good pulled pork sandwich here in Texas is almost pointless.

Then, one day... It happened. I stumbled across P-Dub's Spicy Shredded Pork Recipe (in her uber yummy cookbook).

I've blabbered on and on about the Spicy Shredded Pork several times on Facebook. You should really try it sometime! It's tender, flavorful, and still goes great with your favorite BBQ sauce.

This recipe cured my craving for pulled pork. I no longer seek it out, knowing I can MAKE MY OWN (rawr!).

Here's another - meatloaf. I know I know - I heard you groan from here. STOP THAT! Stop it RIGHT NOW.

Meatloaf is not "mystery-loaf". Or it shouldn't be...(sorry mom...). Use this recipe for P-Dub/Pastor Ryan's Cajun Meatloaf, and your family will no longer fear the loaf. I PROMISE.

I feel obligated to make this PSA: this recipe makes a kajillion servings. I cut it down to 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground pork, and it fits in 1 loaf pan nicely. Cut the veggies and spices too. You're welcome. I didn't have that much freezer space either.

And what's a meal without potatoes? I know, I can't imagine it either! (thanks for backing me up on that one!). P-Dub's Perfect Potatoes au Gratin will have your family weeping with joy. Oh.my.gawd.

Another Texas thing is salsa and chips with (nearly) every restaurant meal. I attempted P-Dub's Restaurant Style Salsa, with mild success. I'll be trying again soon!

Okok, so you're as much of a P-Dub fan as I am, and have already salivated over her recipes. Here are a few favorites I've found elsewhere:

I saw this one in Women's Day magazine: Meatball Souvlaki under the heading "easy beef recipes". And IT IS. The sauce (greek yogurt + mint) is divine. Add in the zuccini and onions, and mmm mmm!
I need to make this one again soon.

I was trying to find you a link to the Hot Artichoke Dip that my friend Kerrie has shared with me. It's a huge hit at any gathering, and easy-peasy! I hit up my friend Cooks.com, and here's what I got back. that's right, a kajillion recipes. (yes, kajillion is my word of the night). So here's the recipe, in all of it's simplicity and glory:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
4oz to 8oz montery jack or mozzarella cheese (I like more cheese, some people like less)
1, 4oz package cream cheese (see where this is going?)
1 small can artichoke hearts, quartered or halved
1 cup mayo
4 oz (or more) parmesean cheese (sure, the shake-it-on kind works just fine)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or a chopped up garlic clove if you prefer)

The most difficult step is separating the artichoke heart pieces. You throw the whole thing in a pie-plate or small casserole, stir it up, and bake. For about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Uh huh, that's it. If you want to get all fancy, throw in some spinach, or chicken, or lump crab meat, or mushrooms. Whatever blows your skirt up!! I serve it up with fritos, and some hearty bagel crisps.

Another friend gave me her Texas Caviar Recipe. The linky is a recipe that is pretty close to it. Great with fritos, corn chips, etc.
Clearly, I'm a cook, and not a baker.

Fireworks on TV: apparently in my old age I've developed a phobia of crowds, traffic and mosquitos. Therefore I choose to watch fireworks on TV. This year I'm enjoying Washington DC, NYC, Houston AND Boston. 4 instead of 1! WHOA

Tell ya what, in honor suviving the first half of summer without melting, or floating away, I'll do a giveaway. All you have to do is post a link to your favorite recipe, cookbook, or share a recipe of your own in the comments. I'll choose at least 1 recipe to make next weekend, and the lucky winner will get the Goddess's The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook. Contest closes on Friday, July, 9th at 3pm CT. Winner(s) will be announced on Saturday, July 10th.

It's a new day to cook!
~Allie