Peanut Crusted Pork Satay

A few months ago at a Pampered Chef party I purchased a little cookbook titled, "Grill it Quick" because I figured it would give hubby and I some new idea for grilling out. I put it in my massive collection of cookbooks and kind of forgot about it until last week. As I was browsing through it this recipe for Peanut Crusted Pork Stay caught my attention because it contains cilantro and pork - two of hubby's favorite things. The Asian influenced marinade sounded delicious too - soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice. So a couple of days ago when the sun was shining I made the marinade and put it in the fridge only for it to begin pouring down rain by the time we were ready to eat dinner. No outdoor grilling this time. I used my handy dandy indoor grill and the pork still turned out delicious! Very moist and succulent. I had a little bit and the rest was devoured by my carnivorous husband. This recipe is a definite keeper! If you don't like pork you could also substitute chicken breasts!

Peanut Crusted Pork Satay
From The Pampered Chef Grill It Quick Cookbook
Printable Version

Ingredients
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 ¼ lbs)
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Directions
Prepare the marinade by whisking together the soy sauce, lemon juice, vegetable oil, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne, and cilantro in a small bowl. Pour ¼ cup of the marinade into a separate container and save for serving. Add the peanut butter and water and whisk again.

Set aside. Slice pork tenderloin lengthwise into two strips. Thinly slice the strips crosswise and place in a large resealable container. Pour the marinade over the pork, seal, and toss to coat. 

Marinate for at least half an hour in the refrigerator. When ready to grill remove pork from marinade and discard marinade. If desired evenly thread pork onto skewers. Grill for 5-6 minutes, turning once, until grill marks appear and the pork is barely pink in the center. 

Remove from the grill. Press one side of the skewers into peanuts and serve with the saved extra marinade.

Halloween Popcorn Cake

I made this Popcorn cake for a Halloween party we attended this weekend. It's really cute, festive, and as easy to make as rice krispie treats. You can put in whatever Halloween candies you like, I went with a chocolate and peanut butter theme. It was a hit with the kids and adults too. Wishing everyone a very Happy Halloween!

Halloween Popcorn Cake
From  Taste and Tell
Printable Version
Ingredients
13 cups of popped popcorn
1 ounce bag mini marshmallows (all my store had was jumbo and that worked fine, too!)
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups of your favorite mix-ins (I used one cup each of dry roasted peanuts, peanut butter M&Ms and candy corn)

Instructions
Melt butter and marshmallows together in a large pot over medium low heat. Remove from heat and add popcorn, mix slightly. Add in your mix-ins and combine until melted marshmallow mixture has coated all the popcorn.

Pour into a bundt pan that has been spayed with cooking spray or buttered. 

Turn out onto a serving dish. Slice with a sharp knife.

Peanut Butter Pie

I'm really mad at myself. I have had this peanut butter pie recipe in my family collection for years and had never made it before! What is wrong with me?! It's seriously the best peanut butter pie in the world. It's fluffy, creamy, light, perfectly peanut butter-y and topped with chopped peanuts and drizzled chocolate. 

I made it for hubby's birthday and was one happy man. He ate it for lunch the next day and that was the end of it. (I may have eaten it for breakfast, but you won't tell, right?!) It's ridiculously easy to make for how extremely delicious it is. I am telling you, GO! MAKE! THIS! PIE! RIGHT! NOW! Trust me on this one!

Peanut Butter Pie
From My Gram and My Mom
Printable Version
Ingredients
1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons milk
8 ounces cool whip
1 9 inch graham cracker pie crust
1/2 cup crushed peanuts (optional)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions
Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peanut butter in a large bowl or electric stand mixer. 

Beat at medium speed until blended, about four minutes. 

Fold in cool whip. 

Spoon filling into crust.  

Sprinkle with crushed peanuts.

 Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. Drizzle onto pie using a fork. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.

Crunchy Peanut Slaw

I love cole slaw and especially cole slaws that include a crunchy component. I saw this recipe for crunchy cole slaw with peanuts on The Kitchn and realized I had already had all of the ingredients so gave it a try right away.  It has lovely Asian inspired flavors and a wonderful crunch from the peanuts. It would be a great side dish to any of your summer meals!

Crunchy Peanut Slaw 
From The Kitchn
Printable Version

Ingredients
1 medium head of cabbage (I used one bag of shredded cole slaw mix)
1 1/2 cups roasted, unsalted peanuts
1 bunch green onions
1 cup chopped cilantro, chopped (two handfuls)
Salt and pepper

Dressing:
1/2 cup light oil (like canola)
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar (or more to taste)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce (or more to taste)


Directions
Shred cabbage very finely and toss with peanuts in a large bowl. 

Chop the green onions, both the white and green parts. Toss green onions and cilantro with cabbage and peanuts. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Whisk ingredients for the dressing until emulsified and taste to modify for your preference of sweetness or saltiness. Pour over cabbage combination.