Kahlua Pork

May 2022

Instant Pot Kahlua Pork

1 cup chicken broth 

pork shoulder  (consider about ½ pound per person)

1 tsp. Red Himalayan or Pink Himalayan sea salt per pound of meat

1 tsp. hickory or mesquite flavored liquid smoke per pound of meat

Pour the broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot.  Trim off excess fat from the pork shoulder.  Poke the pork shoulder 6-8 times with a fork.  Rub the seal salt all over the pork.  Place the pork inside the Instant Pot.  Dump the liquid smoke over the top of the pork.  

Put the lid on the Instant Pot and set vent to seal.  Cook on Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes per inch of thickness of the pork.  So if the pork shoulder is 4 inches at the thickest part you would cook for 80 minutes.  When the cooking time is up allow for a full natural pressure release. (this will take about 20 more minutes).  Remove the lid when the pressure is fully released and the pin drops on its own. 

Place the meat on a cutting board and shred.  Pour the liquid from the pot into a separate container (like a glass measuring cup).  Add the shredded pork back to the Instant Pot.  Pour some of the liquid over the top to keep the pork from drying out.  

You may also cook this in a Slow Cooker.  Follow all the same steps and then cook on Low for 8-10 hours until the pork is fully tender and done.  Then separate out liquid, shred the pork and return to crock pot, and pour some of the liquid back over to keep meat from drying out. 

I served this with Kings Hawaiian rolls, coconut rice, fresh pineapple, sautéed cabbage and onions, and Hawaiian macaroni salad.

Macaroni Salad

May 2022

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

½ tsp. salt (or to taste)

2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

1 pound elbow macaroni

½ cup apple cider vinegar (can substitute rice vinegar if need be)

2 cups whole milk

2 cups mayonaisse

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

4 green onions, thinly sliced

2 carrots, peeled and grated

2 celery ribs, finely chopped

In a large stockpot, bring 4 quarts of water and 1 Tbsp. salt to a boil.  Stir in pasta and cook until very soft, about 15 minutes, stirring often.  Drain well, transfer to a large bowl, and stir in vinegar.  Cool at least 10 minutes.  

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together milk, mayonnaise, brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste.  Pour over cooked macaroni and stir until evenly cooked.  Fold in the green onions, carrots, and celery and stir to combine.  Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. 

This makes about 12 (1 cup) servings. 

Served with Kahlua pork, coconut rice, fresh pineapple, sautéed cabbage and onions, Kings Hawaiian rolls. 

Coconut Rice

May 2022 

Coconut Rice in the Instant Pot

1 cup water or broth

1 (13.25 oz.) can coconut milk

2 cups uncooked long grain white rice, jasmine rice, or parboiled rice

¾ tsp. sea salt

1-2 tsp. coconut oil (optional)

Add the water (or broth) to the Instant Pot.  Shake up the can of coconut milk well before opening and adding it to the pot.  Place rice in a mesh strainer and rinse for a minute under cold water.  Shake off excess water and add the rice to the pot.  Add in the sea salt and optional coconut oil. 

Cover the Instant Pot and lock the lid in place.  Cook at Manual High pressure for 5 minutes.  Allow for a 10 minute natural pressure release then release remaining steam and remove the lid.  

We served this with with Kings Hawaiian Rolls, Kahlua pork, fresh pineapple, sautéed cabbage and onions, and Hawaiian macaroni salad.

Maverick - Tuesday, May 31

May 31, 2022

We babysat Maverick and one of the first things he wanted was for Uncle Jonathan to put together his new garage set.  He was waiting patiently and watching as Jonathan put it together for him.  I love his face and patient stance.  Sweetie pie.  :) 

Success!  The garage is ready to play with !

He loved it!

The blue and yellow doors slide left and right.  And he has the tow truck hooked to the other vehicle - pulling them along.  

Grandpa Jack came for lunch to help eat leftovers from the day before (Memorial Day cookout).  Grandpa also gave Mav his birthday present from him - a John Deere pedal tractor.  Mav was so excited he could barely even thank him!  :) 

He just wanted to be on that tractor!

He needs to grow a bit to be able to pedal it by himself, but I know he will get a lot of play out of this over the years.

Books With Friends met on this day and Karla stayed later telling me about her new video system at her house.  As she was leaving Daddy was arriving for supper.  They got to see each other, which was very nice.  

Mav was so sweet - he was telling her 'bye' and even blew her a kiss.  What a charmer!  :D

Jackson arrived back home from picking up Bailey at the horse repro center in Kansas.  Hoping she is pregnant. 

Marvin was working on Boots - he threw a shoe. 

Happy boy  :) 

A Windy Memorial Day

May 30, 2022

We hosted Memorial Day and grilled brats and burgers.  Jackson did the grilling - he does a great job.  We were so happy to have lots of family in town and dear friends join in with us.  It was a very nice start to 'official' summer.  

Zac and Julie

Brianna sure looks nice holding baby Evrett!  :) 

Alan, Daddy, and Hannah 

Daddy and Alan's grandpa were lifelong friends.  We love having Alan and Hannah as our neighbors and are so glad they are such good friends with Jackson and Brianna.  Feels like a precious full circle.  

Alan and Hannah

Gave Mav his floatie arms thing... he loved it!  And it worked really well in the pool.

Brianna, Maverick, Hannah, Leah and Ava got in the pool.  I think it was pretty cold!  But they persevered for awhile. 

Brave Moms and kids - Hannah with Ava, Brianna with Maverick, and Leah on the noodles.  :) 

Matthew won a teacher of the year award.  It allows him to go on to the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.  So exciting!  Matthew is a great teacher and fellow.  It was sure good to see him and Anna. 

The looks on Mav's face - he kills me!  Adorable! 

Leah, Mav and Ava

Hannah and the girls had come in the Gator so they drove down to the pasture to look at the horses, after visiting in the barn with J&B&M.  

and there goes Jackson in the tractor

Meanwhile, we were enjoying some afternoon time on the front porch.  Goose, too.  :D 

Dear Becky sent this to me.  So very meaningful.  She said that Mama sent it to her when her own mother died.  To see Mama's handwriting is powerful.  And her words are so good... good advice and true.  Thank you, dear Mama.  I love you and miss you so very much.  But how incredibly blessed was my life to have you as my Mama.  Ever grateful.