Mash Up Monday - Pulled Pork Parfait

What's a mash up if you can't make dinner look like dessert?  Too bad you cant eat dessert for dinner.

I have posted a similar idea, the Meatloaf Cupcake but this, in comparison, is wayyy better.

After the Pork Parfait was created, and consumed I was thinking ... sorta reminds me of the KFC Bowl Meal concept (not that I have eaten one), but mine is prettier, tastier and likely healthier (to some degree).

If this was a "meal in a bowl throw down" I think mine would win hands down, in fact, I challenge KFC or Bobby Flay. 
Ok, maybe not Bobby Flay.  Unless you're reading this Mr. Flay, then bring it!

I suppose you could make this just because however this meal came from the leftover Root Beer Pulled Pork I made over the weekend.  Yes, I will post that recipe also before the week is over.

Normally I am strange duck, I favor my food in separate living areas.  If it was socially acceptable to have those TV dinner or children's plates that separate foods I would use them. 


HA, if these went with my decor I might consider it!

For some reason I was ok with this, maybe because it looked so pretty and made me want to eat dessert?
Naaa, its because it tasted dam good.

Eat your heart out KFC

Here's what you'll need:
pulled pork
cooked peaches and cream corn (off the cob is preferred)
garlic mashed potatoes
baked beans (Bush's is our bean of choice)
chives for garnish
parfait glasses

Assemble with your pork on the bottom, followed by potatoes, beans and corn, potatoes and pulled pork on top.
Enjoy!

I'm Listening to: Iris, Goo Goo Dolls

Apple Maple Bacon Pancakes

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Yup
Right
Got it

How come I don't seem to post many breakkie recipes here?
Probably because the times that I make hot ones are on weekends and they seem to be the generic eggs and bacon, french toast kinds which I assume most make too.  I suppose those are as equally important as the other posts so I am going to try to create more fun weekend mornings and start posting.
Just because I say we're having french toast doesn't necessarily mean I don't stuff it with something or create a syrup to go with it, hence this post.

For some reason I was thinking bacon in our pancakes would make sense.  Probably because you see bacon in everything lately.  Donuts and ice cream - have you seen that?! Drool!

Sometimes I like to have that little bit of porky fat on my plate (who doesn't really) but then I feel a little oinkish when I have a haystack of pancakes AND a side of bacon or vice verse, so deciding to limit the amounts by chopping it up and pretending its like a few chocolate chips made me feel more heroic for my heart. 

If you gave me a plate of bacon I would eat it, I'd feel bad afterwards but only for a few moments and if you asked me if I wanted seconds I'd say yes.
If you gave me pancakes that had bacon in it I wouldn't feel bad at all, and ask for seconds!
Everything in moderation right?

These flatcakes worked, a little sweet, a bit salty and a crunch that you don't normally have with pancakes.
We enjoyed them and will likely have them again
Maybe with a side of bacon ;)

Bread Fried in Butta, or Commonly Known as the Crouton

So you have day old French//Italian/foccacia or bagette?
(HA, unlikely in our house - carb fanatic that I am)
What do you do with it?

When I DO have leftovers I make one of two things:
1.  Breadcrumbs (rosemary foccacia is GREAT for that)
2.  Croutons!!!!

Why spend the extra money when you have the necessary ingredients at your disposal?
I know, who thinks of that?

I don't know what it is but freshly made croutons make any salad delightful.  They are moist yet crispy, a teensy bit hard with a buttery tone.  I suppose I am a fan because it encompasses two of my favorite things.
Honestly, when I make them I am forever popping a few in my mouth as they are toasting.
What?  You have to taste test folks.

Here's how you do it (not rocket science)

1. Cut up your leftover bread into chunks (1x1in or slighly bigger)
2. In a frying pan (I like my cast iron for this) add a few tbsp. of salted butter and melt - on med/high heat
3. Throw in the cubes
4. Toss to coat with the butter
5. Keep an eye out so they dont burn but toss every once in a while
6. Done!  Oh, make sure to taste them as you go because how else are you to know when they are crispy enough?

What do you do with your leftover bread?