Pork Marinade

I got this recipe from my cousin, Bonnie Yoder.  I don't think I've made pork chops any other way in the past 4 years!  Definitely a great marinade, especially for pork chops on the grill!

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c olive oil
1 T lemon juice

Combine all ingredients; cover meat with marinade.  Marinate up to 24 hours.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Once upon a time, when I worked at a local establishment during high school, I had to teach a fellow worker how to use a mop.  Seriously.  The 17-year-old had never used one.  Likewise, some people don't know how to hard-boil an egg.  :)  So here you go...  I like to use eggs from my chickens, but if I need a lot of boiled eggs I usually buy them from the grocery store.  I always keep them in the fridge for awhile - the older the egg, the better it peels.  Also, allow the eggs to sit out on the counter awhile before boiling to avoid the risk of them cracking while boiling.  Oh, and this "recipe" makes perfect yolks, too, I might add!  No grey ring around the yolk!

Put eggs in a pot.  Don't overfill.  Eggs should be in a single layer, but not jammed in or they could break.  Add water to just cover eggs.

Place eggs on burner and turn on high.  Bring to a boil; boil rapidly for 3 minutes.

After 3 minutes, remove pot from burner and place lid on top.  Allow to sit in hot water for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, place eggs in sink.  Plug the drain and add cold water to cover.  Add ice to cool fast.

When completely cool, gently tap egg on the side of the sink.  Do this until it is cracked all over.  Gently peel back shell; run under steady stream of cool water to help pull the shell off.

Easy-Peasy No-Mess Oven Bacon

That's right.  Bacon that's not messy.  I love doing it in the oven.  No grease splattering on me and burning my arms.  And super easy cleanup, too.  Just roll up the parchment paper or foil and throw it in the trash.  Here's now...

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper (or foil); lay bacon out to cover pan.

You can overlap the bacon a little bit if you want.  I didn't this time.

Place bacon in a 400 degree preheated oven; bake for 20-25 minutes, depending on how crisp you want it.

Almost done!  This is thin bacon after about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven.  You can tell that it's cooked through when there are big grease bubbles amongst the little ones. 

Of course, drain it on a paper towel!

Throw away the parchment paper - grease and all! 

No mess!