Pork Braciole

This past weekend we decided to take a friend to dinner at one of our favorite local Italian Restaurants, Lonzano's. Every time I go to Lonzano's I try something new. Usually when I find something I like, I stick to it, but they have so many tempting options, I feel the need to experiment...and I have yet to be disappointed. This past weekend, I decided to try the Veal Rollitini. It was veal pounded thin and stuffed with a ham and breadcrumb filling. It is usually served with a sherry wine sauce, but their maranara is so good, I decided to get that instead. YUM! It was so good, I wanted to try to make it at home this week. The dish reminded me of a dish my mom makes called Braciole. It is basically a thin piece of beef which she wraps around a filling of seasoned breadcrumbs and cheese and cooks in the tomato sauce. One of my favorites! I decided this week to try it with pork. The end result was so tasty, but with the cut of pork I brought home (and the way I used it), it wasn't as thin as I like it, but since it was so delicious I will still post the recipe. I would recommend trying a pork cutlet that you can smash very thin.

Pork Braciole

1 pound pork (I used a loin that I cut to flatten and tried to thin, but it wasn't think enough, so I suggest a pork cutlet)
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesean cheese
2-3 small cloves of garlic minced
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 tsp salt
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1/4 jar (approx 1 cup) Ragu tomato sauce (I used Old World Style)

1. In a bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheeses, salt, garlic and mix until well incorporated. Sprinkle mixture over each piece of thin pork. Wrap the pork around the filling and secure (I used toothpicks, but remember how many are in the meat, you could also use cooking twine).
2. Bring pan (use one with sides, because once meat is browned, I put the sauce over to cook through) to heat over medium high heat. Spray with cooking spray and add pork. Brown on all sides. If you have a smaller pan, you may have to work in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the meat will steam and never brown. Once all of the pork has browned, add it all to the pan and cover with tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to rapid simmer and cover. Lower heat to low and allow to cook through (I let mine go for about 45 min to an hour).

I serve mine over pasta and it was SO GOOD! I couldn't stop eating the sauce!

Italian Pulled Beef

I came across this recipe a while ago. A chuck roast was on sale, so I decided to buy it and give the recipe a try. Another success. So easy and so tasty!

Italian Shredded Beef

5 pound chuck roast (I had a 7 bone roast)
29 ounce can diced tomatoes (any kind will do, but I used Hunts diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano)
3 cloves of garlic minced (you may want to use more depending on your preference)
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Put chuck roast into a slow cooker. Add tomatoes and garlic. Allow to cook 6 hours or until meat is cooked through and shreds.
2. Shred meat and serve.

NOTES-
Now that I have made this, I would probably add a small can of tomato paste to sweeten and thicken the sauce.
Also, I recommend skimming off some fat prior to serving.
You can serve this over pasta or on buns as a sandwich.

Tzatziki Sauce

Since I am now living at my mom's house and have other people besides my hubby and myself, I can make some recipes I have been wanting to try. As you may remember from previous posts, my hubby is a super picky eater. Normally I will make something he likes and add a few twists to make it interesting for me. Now with my brothers and parents here, I can make a more elaborate meal and have Scott help whip up something for him. So tonight I wanted to tackle homemade Gyros. I have made this in the past and it was so yummy. Tonight though, it didn't come out so good, so I am going to only blog about the yummiest parts.....the Tzatziki sauce and in the next post, stuff zucchini.

Tzatziki Sauce

1 6oz container plain greek yogurt (I used Chobani)
1/2 cucumber peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
2-3 small garlic cloves finely chopped
1-2 tsps red wine vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp oregano
Salt to taste

1. Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine drained cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar, oil, oregano, greek yogurt and salt. Mix well to combine.

So easy and so tasty! Zucchini boat recipe tomorrow!