3 new recipes for dinner.

I am all about cooking new things. I am always scouting blogs and the food network.

Tonight I tried 3 new recipes, all from different blogs I follow.

First on the menu was a baked ham recipe from Southern Plate. You can find the full recipe here. I know some of you don't like to eat any form of pork, so just skip this part.

Now I LOVE pork. Pork chops with the bone in are my FAVORITE. My husband did not grow up eating pork, so he does not understand my love for pork chops. He will eat them if I cook them though. He prefers them pan fried, which is how I prefer them but it is so unhealthy. We are trying to eat healthier, more organic and natural, so fried pork chops haven't been on the menu for awhile. I have to find a healthier way to cook them that they still have that "fried" taste. HA! Bacon is another favorite. And sitting here typing this I would say bacon is my FAVORITE. I could eat bacon DAILY! Ham is my next favorite. I have ALWAYS loved hams from honey baked. But really who has $65+ to spend on one part of dinner? Not this Mama!

I was really excited to come across this recipe from Southern Plate. It is really easy AND it gave me a reason to buy Dr. Pepper! (That obsession is enough for it's own blog post) The only thing I added to the recipe was some honey.

My 10lb ham before! 

Brown sugar and mustard. I love brown sugar. This isn't organic though. I need to use up all my "non" organic things before I start buying organic.

This is the brown sugar, mustard mixture with 2 tablespoons of Dr. Pepper and a little honey.

Spread it all around. YUM! I am sure most people would use a brush to do this, but why should I buy a brush when a spoon works just as well?

I forgot to take a picture before I started cutting into it. It still looks yummy after being cut into though. 

I can't WAIT to make this ham again. Hubby said I will be expected to make this at all holidays now instead of spending money on a honey baked ham. I still haven't decided it this is a good thing or a bad thing. HA.

Next on the menu was this broccoli salad. It was super easy and FABULOUS! Nathan wasn't a fan of it though, he does not like broccoli. 

There is broccoli, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, walnuts and shredded cheese. The dressing has apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, whole grain mustard and some lime juice. The recipe calls for sunflower seeds and cashews but I did not have any on hand, so I used walnuts.

And for dessert....... SPICE CAKE! OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got the recipe here. I found this blog a month ago and ended up reading the entire thing. I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to placing an order with Yonder Way Farm soon as well and enjoying my first experience with grass fed beef. 

Oatmeal Spice Cake

1 1/2 cups flour (I used 100% whole wheat)
1 cup quick oats
1 cup brown sugar (I used organic)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, softened or melted
1 cup water
2 eggs
2 tablespoons molasses

Coconut Topping Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (I used organic)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons light cream or whole milk (I used raw milk)

Instructions:

1. Measure all cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, and then for 3 minutes on high.
2. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool cake slightly.
3. To make coconut topping, melt butter in sauce pan. Add brown sugar and stir over medium heat until sugar is mostly dissolved. Add coconut, pecans, and cream. Spread topping over cake and broil cake for 2-3 minutes, until topping is bubbly and browned.

These recipes will now be added to my recipe book so I can cook them more often. Now all I need are more recipes for this 10lb ham we have. Please share any recipes you have!