Big D’s Baked Beans and Mom’s Cole Slaw

My step-dad, Donyvan, is not a cook.  Like most men, he can grill and that's just about it.  He's great at doing dishes, though.  Like a man should be ;)  However, there is one thing he is really great at making that isn't on the grill.  Now, I don't like baked beans, actually I don't like beans of any kind except green beans or jelly beans, but I've been told by A LOT of people that these baked beans are amazing.  So, I might as well share the recipe with you.

Wait, recipe?!  This isn't really a "recipe" per say, it's more of guidelines.

Big D's Baked Beans

2 large cans of Bush's Baked Beans (I'm pretty sure they're just the plain baked beans)

ketchup

1/2 of a white onion

brown sugar

Worchestershire sauce

teriyaki sauce

apple cider vinegar

Pour the baked beans into a 9"x13" baking dish.  Chop up the onion and add to the beans.  Add each of the other ingredients until the beans taste good.  Bake at 350 for about a half an hour.

Yeah, that's it.  I asked him how he makes his beans and that's what he told me.  I know.  It's not a recipe you're used to, but it's how it's done.  And apparently it's good enough because everyone says they're amazing.  My only advice in making these is just remember you can always add but you can't take away.

My mom is said to make really amazing cole slaw, but again this is something I don't eat.  In case you haven't figured it out I am a picky eater.  If I go over to someone's house and they make something I don't like, yes I will eat it because I'm not rude, but if my mom or sister make it I'll go to the kitchen and make my own food lol.  But, since people say my mom's cole slaw is so good, I thought I'd share the recipe.

Mom's Cole Slaw

1 bag of cole slaw mix (you can find it in the produce section by the other bagged salads)

3/4  jar of Marzetti's slaw dressing (this is very IMPORTANT because no other slaw dressing is as good)

Mix both ingredients in a large bowl and enjoy!

So, there you have it- two of the simplest, yet most delicious recipes for a picnic or BBQ.  You can make these and everyone will think you slaved for a long time.  However, you made a short jaunt to the grocery store and spent about five minutes preparing and that was it.  I say make them and bask in the praise!

Orzo with Grilled Shrimp and Summer Vegetables

Tonight, my sister asked me to make dinner, so I decided to make this yummy dish.  Then as I started cooking Jessica got a message from The Chad and he asked if she wanted to meet him at "World Sports Grille" for "Happy Hour."  I, of course, said it was fine.  But I went on to make the dish anyway.

It's a great dish for picnic and BBQs too.  For Jessica and The Chad's anniversary I made them a picnic because I didn't have a lot of money to spend on a gift.  I made this dish, put in some cheese and crackers, and made raspberry lemon cheesecake bars, and I put in a bottle of wine.  It was super cute.  When I made it for them, though, I used feta cheese instead of mozzerella and I don't think I put tomatoes in it.

It's a light and fresh dish and great for summer.  Yes, it's still summer here and probably will be for another couple months.

First, cook up the Orzo.  My mom calls it Uzo, and I tell her "Uzo is Greek liquor."

Slice two zucchinis into quarters.

Do the same with the red pepper.

I hate when my fingers smell like peppers, especially if it's a spicy one, so I use a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and membrane into a trash can.  I think I saw it on a cooking show one time or something.

When the orzo is done, drain it and give it a little rinse.

Get the grill pan ready.  I like the grill pan better than using the grill outside because it's freaking hot outside.

Drizzle (or brush) the olive oil and red wine vinegar mixture on the vegetables then sprinkle with some salt and pepper.

Arrange the zucchini and red pepper on the grill.  I love love love grilled zucchini.

Yum!  Can I get an "amen?"

Toss the orzo with some olive oil.

Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, pesto, and lime juice.  I love this little whisk that my sister had, it's perfect for making dressings and sauces.

To thaw the shrimp, toss it with hot water until they're bendable.

Toss the shrimp with a little of the pesto-oil-vinegar mixture.

Place the shrimp in the grill pan.

While the shrimp are grilling, and smelling quite nice, cut up the grilled zucchini and red pepper into bite-size pieces.

Add the veggies to the orzo and give it a good toss.

I love grilled food with a good char to it.  It takes a few minutes each side to get it perfect.

Add the shrimp to the orzo and veggies mix and give it a good toss.

Add the remaining pesto vinaigrette.

Cut up 2 heirloom or roma tomatoes and add the to mix.

Cut a block of fresh mozzarella into cubes then add to the mix.

Then "voila!"  Doesn't it look tasty?!  It is also supposed to have slices of basil, but we forgot it :)

Let the drooling commence :)

You can find the original recipe here.

And this is the serving I had, so there is a large bowl if this left in our refrigerator.  Anybody want to come over for leftovers??

This is my cooking buddy- music playing from Pandora.  Country, of course.

I bought this little rose plant at the store today.  It was on "manager's special" lol.  My mom said "Those are hard to take care of," which in mom-speak means "you're probably gonna kill it."