Susan Hawke

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Honey, Garlic, Ginger Ribs with Tandoori Masala Rub

Wow – these ribs were so darn good!  I doubled the recipe that I am about to give and now have Ribs in the freezer for a couple of meals.

I have been doing a lot of doubling cooking lately.  There are times when I get busy and don’t have time to cook.  Since we are trying to avoid eating out and fast foods, having freezer ready home cooked meals has been wonderful.  We eat organic, free range healthy foods even when there is no time to cook!  How cool is that?

2 ½ to 3 lbs pork ribs (free range is best of course)
Rub Ingredients:

5 pods of cardamom seeds (I love the fresh seeds – they are so flavourful)
3 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
4 tablespoons Tandoori Masala  spice*
(If you can’t find Tandoori Masala you can use a mixture of garam masala, garlic, ginger, onion, cayenne pepper
Combine spices in bowl.  Cut ribs into sections of about 3 or 4 ribs.  Rub the spice on ribs.  Place on platter, cover and put in fridge for at least 2 hours (longer the better).  It is great to do in the evening and let sit overnight.

Sauce Ingredients:

1 cup raw honey
½ cup water (add more if you think you need more)
5 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons soya sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup (I used my homemade ketchup)
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Add honey, garlic, ginger, vinegar, soya sauce, ketchup and pepper to sauce pan.  Stir while heating.  
Add cornstarch to water and mix together until there are no lumps.  Gradually whisk into sauce until it begins to thicken.  
Add ribs to crockpot and pour sauce over.  Let cook on high for about 6 hours.  When done, place on foil lined baking sheet and broil for about 3 minutes with some of the sauce from the crock pot brushed on the ribs.
Serve with a salad and enjoy!

Make lots, freeze and have them again without cooking.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Simplify cleaning tasks around the house with baking soda

(NC) One of the most powerful and effective kitchen cleaners available today can already be found in most households. The mystery cleaner is baking soda.

With a multitude of uses throughout the home, some of us may have forgotten that baking soda is also a powerful cleaning agent that is inexpensive, and safe for the whole family when used as directed. Here are some useful ways to make it work for you:

• Instead of harsh chemical cleaners, use baking soda as a natural and food-safe surface cleanser on your kitchen counters. Sprinkle it onto a damp sponge or cloth to wipe surfaces clean.

• An effective cleaner on tough coffee and tea stains, baking soda when paired with warm water can be used to thoroughly clean coffee makers, mugs and tea cups. Remember to rinse well.

• To help cut through grease on dishes, pots and pans, add 30 grams of baking soda (along with your regular detergent) to your dishwater. Let it soak for 15 minutes and then clean.

• To help keep your fridge and kitchen smelling fresh, Arm and Hammer Fridge Fresh conveniently stick to the inside of the refrigerator. The filters feature baking soda which destroys strong odours in the fridge to help foods taste fresher longer.

• Baking soda is a food-safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a vegetable brush or a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse with water to enjoy.

More information is available at www.armandhammerbakingsoda.ca.

Monday, 30 September 2013

The Best Coffee You'll Ever Order

Sunday, 29 September 2013

What you need to know to prepare for a move

I found a great article about moving that you just might enjoy.

Friday, 27 September 2013

The Best Ever Upside Down Roast Chicken

Ingredients

– 6 lb free range whole chicken*
medium/large onions
large carrots
celery stalks
lemon
cloves garlic
tbsp olive oil**
Handful of fresh herbs (for example rosemary, thyme, basil and cilantro
Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Chop onion, carrots, celery and 5 garlic cloves.  Make a bed for the chicken in the bottom of a roasting pan.  
Rinse the chicken in cold water.  Slice remaining garlic clove into 4 pieces.  Make 4 slits in the lemon and insert the garlic cloves.
Insert the fresh herbs and the lemon with the garlic in the chicken cavity.
Rub tablespoon of olive oil outside chicken, add salt and pepper.
Place chicken upside down in the roasting pan on top of the vegetables.
(By placing in oven upside down, the moist darker meat juices will trickle into the white meat making it very moist).

Keep oven at 450 for a 1/2 hr then reduce to 350 degrees for about 2 hours or until done.

*Free range chicken is so much better than grocery store chicken.  Find a local farmer and buy a chicken.  Once you taste the difference you will know what I mean.  This chicken was purchased from the Sault Ste Marie farmers market.  This chicken was from:  

http://buyalgoma.ca/farm/salamander

https://www.facebook.com/salamanderridge.farm

**Always use a top quality olive oil to be sure you are not getting one that has been diluted with other types of oils.  I purchase mine at The Country Way, Sault Ste Marie.  They have great products and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.  http://www.thecountryway.ca/

Thursday, 26 September 2013

Lamb Tikka Masala

Ingredients

lamb chops *
cup goats milk greek yogurt Plain
tbsp fresh lime juice
Dash of salt
Sauce
garlic cloves, finely chopped
teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
teaspoons ground turmeric
teaspoons ground cumin
teaspoons ground coriander
teaspoons garam masala
tsp sea salt
tablespoons olive oil
small onion, thinly sliced
cup crushed tomatoes
¼ cup tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
cardamom pods, crushed
½ cups light cream
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Preparation

Combine garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander and garam masala in a small bowl. 
In a large bowl add yogurt, salt lime juice and half the spice mixture, stir well.  Add Lamb chops and toss to ensure it is well coated.  
Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.  Cover and chill remaining spice mixture.

Heat oil in large sauce pan.   Add onion, crushed tomato, cardamom, and pepper flakes.  Cook for about 5 minutes until onions are soft.  Stir frequently.  .Add balance of spice mixture and cook, over medium high heat while stirring often, until bottom of pot begins to brown and sauce becomes thickened.  You may add more crushed tomatoes if you like.  
Add cream and chopped cilantro. Simmer on fairly low heat until sauce begins to thicken.  (About 20 minutes or so)
Preheat  broiler.  Line a baking tray with tin foil and place a rack on top.  Place lamb chops on rack in a single layer.  Broil about 5 minutes or until lamb becomes almost blackened in spots. 

Add lamb to sauce in pot and allow to cook until chicken is cooked through (about 20 minutes).  Stir often.
Serve with a slice of lime and cilantro for garnish.
*I got my lamb chops at the Sault Ste Marie Farmers Market from  Valleyfield Farm.  Their meats are free range and grass fed.  

http://www.valleyfieldfarm.ca/

Serve with Saffron Rice

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Committing to a mortgage with your honey? Consider these house hunting essentials

(NC) House-hunting couples have many important decisions to make together – from deciding on a new-build condo or century-old bungalow to agreeing on the ideal neighbourhood and the type of mortgage that will work best for them.

According to research from TD Canada Trust, 73% of Canadians bought or expect to buy their first home with their significant other. Since a home is the biggest purchase most couples will make, Farhaneh Haque, director of mortgage advice at TD Canada Trust, provides her top three tips to ensure couples are on the same page before hitting any open houses.

Air out financial closets – Couples should be open and honest about their current financial situation and financial history. If anything could affect the ability to secure a loan together, afford monthly mortgage payments or interest rate increases, be upfront about it.

Start on the same foot – From a home office to a kitchen made for entertaining, couples should set a budget and discuss the key characteristics they want in a home, and what they are and are not willing to compromise on.

Saying 'I do' to a mortgage – Couples need to give as much thought to their mortgage as they do to their dream home. This includes discussing the size of the down payment, amortization period, type of mortgage and payment schedule.

“The last thing couples want is an unwelcome surprise when they're about to sign on the dotted line,” Haque said. “By speaking with a mortgage specialist well before you've entered the pressure-cooker of the house hunt, couples can make informed decisions that can save money and stress in the long run.”

Like A Hawke,

Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

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