Crock-pot Pork Shoulder

Here's a crock-pot recipe that will be ready for you when you come home from your summer adventures.  Just set up the crock pot and head out to your day trip!  Go, go, go!

Crock-pot Pork Shoulder

Ingredients:
1.  3 lbs pork shoulder
2.  1 1/2 C teriyaki Sauce
3.  1/2 C orange juice
4.  2 peeled garlic cloves, crushed
5.  1/2 onion chopped

Directions
1.  Place pork in crock pot top side down
2.  Pour all other ingredients in bowl and then mix
3.  Pour this sauce on pork
4  Set crock pot on low for 5-6 hours

When you come home, at least some delicious meat is ready to slice and serve.  Just add rice and a salad or use as taco meat.

BeaNspirations:  Don't let any adventures slip by!

Edamame Brown Rice

Oh boy!  I guess I was really busy last Monday prepping for our trip.  We went camping and just got home yesterday.  I had last week's  blog in draft form and forgot to hit send.  Sorry it's a week late.  Hope you enjoy Edamame Brown Rice.

Here's a delicious quick recipe for busy mamas that goes well with any of the Azuki BeaN main dish.  Try it with Hawaiian chicken or shrimp lettuce wraps.  I love anything that can be put into a rice cooker, you press the start button and it is warm and ready when you are.

Edamame Brown Rice

Ingredients:
2 C Brown Rice
2 1/2 C Water
1 Cup Edamame
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
1.  Wash Rice
2.  Put in rice, water, edamame and salt in the rice cooker
3.  Soak for 20 minutes (or use hot water if you don't have time to soak)
4.  Press start button
5.  It will be ready in about 20 minutes
6.  If you don't have a rice cooker, place ingredients in a pot and cook on medium heat for about
     20 minutes.

It is so easy and delicious!  I just gobbled my rice up with roast chicken from the grocery store.  Perfect side for a busy day.

BeaNspiration:  Adding a little something extra can make an ordinary day, extraordinary.

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Dressing

Are you ready for a taste sensation that everyone can prepare for themselves?   Have these vegetables cut and ready to go in the morning and you're ready for a delicious meal or snack anytime of the day.  It's a great light meal or a wonderful side and the dressing is outstanding.  We all need some extra vegetables on the menu.  Thank you Chef Azuki for a delightful healthy lunch today!

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients:

Somen noodles-2 bundles
1 head butter lettuce
2 C  bean sprouts
2 medium carrots shredded
3 green onions cut into 1 1/2" sticks
1 cucumber partially peeled and sliced into thin 3" long sticks
8 oz.  medium size cooked frozen shrimp
1 Tbsp oil
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Cilantro Soy Dressing
1 C cilantro
1/4 C green onion
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp seasoned rice vinagar
1 Tbsp Mirin (cooking rice wine)
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp lemon

Directions:

1.  Prepare somen according to package and rinse with water and cool
2.  Shred the carrots, cut green onions, and slice cucumber
3.  Rinse shrimp in water to defrost and cook shrimp in skillet with 1 Tbsp Oil
4.  Season with 1/4 tsp garlic salt
5.  Display vegetables, shrimp and somen on platter

Dressing can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated
1.  Use a food processor and process cilantro and green onion
2.  Add soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, and lemon
3.  Process again

Putting it together:
1.  Everyone can get one butter leaf lettuce
2.  Fill with noodles, vegetables and shrimp
3.  Then drizzle the sauce on top
4.  garnish with a little shredded carrot
5.  Enjoy your Lettuce Wrap

I love the texture and flavor.  It would be great to bring to a tapas party or perfect for when your college-age baby BeaN is home and wants a snack.  It's so pretty and everyone can prepare their own with whatever ingredients they like!  You may just need to double the recipe.

BeaNspirations : Love the food from the earth!

Red, White and Blueberry Fruit Skewers

It's been so hot lately.  I hope you all found a way to keep comfortable during this hot spell.  For me, nothing spells refreshing like cold fruits.  Here's a recipe that's sure to be a 4th of July hit with the whole family!  Chef Azuki prepared these beautiful fruit skewers with a delicious cream cheese flavored spread. You can use the spread on fruits, graham crackers and more!

Red, White and Blueberry Fruit Skewers

1/4 Cup mixed berry flavored cream cheese

1 C Cool Whip
Watermelon cut in cubes
Apples sliced
Blueberries


Directions
1.  Prepare the spread by mixing together Cool whip and cream cheese,
     either by hand or with a mixer
2.  Chill the spread
3.  Cut the watermelon and slice the apples
4.  Put the fruits on skewers
5.  Chill the fruit skewers also until you're ready to serve

These fruit skewers are the perfect compliment to whatever you have on your grill.  You can also bring these along for a picnic or concert in the park.  However you choose to celebrate Independence Day, please be safe and enjoy your family and friends!

BeaNspirations:  There's something special about being outside on warm summer nights!