Recipes #1

I'm always on the lookout for new recipes, especially easy dinner ones. So, I thought I would start posting some of the new ones I find in hopes of hearing about some of your tried and trues or new discoveries. Here's on of the newest, easiest, best recipes I've found - Chris and the boys love it!!

Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Prep Time: 10 min Yields: 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste (I omitted this)

DIRECTIONS

1. Arrange onion slices evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker, and then place the roast on top of the onion. In a bowl, mix together water, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and hot sauce; pour over roast.
2. Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours.

I got this recipe from Allrecipes, which is a great resource for all kinds of recipes. You can sign up for daily e-mails which contain a main dish, a vegetarian alternative, and several ideas for sides. Visit their site to sign up.

And no dinner is complete without a great dessert, thanks to my friend Sharon for this delicious one. They remind me of the old fashioned peanut butter bars we used to get in elementary school.

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

INGREDIENTS

Cookie Base
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Frosting
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, stir all Cookie Base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan using floured fingers. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. In small bowl, beat all Filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over cookie base.
4. In microwavable bowl, microwave all Frosting ingredients on High 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

I'll try to post more as I find them, please share or post your family's favorites.