My Company Dinner

Nathan randomly picked this recipe out of one of my cookbooks while helping me create a menu. Ever since it has been our "company meal" and always been a hit. Now that we have a gas grill again (Nathan's $30 garage sale bargain.....almost in new condition), I'm planning on serving it more often.

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks
2 large green peppers, cut into 1" pieces
1 large onion, quartered (optional)
12-16 mushrooms (I don't like cooked mushrooms, so I skip these)
16-18 cherry tomatoes
1 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. olive oil
2 T. brown sugar
4 t. ground ginger
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. pepper
2-3 lbs. boneless, chicken breast fillets, cut in small pieces

Drain pineapple, reserving the juice. Place pineapple pieces and vegetables in large bowl and set aside. In a saucepan combine reserved pineapple juice with soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, and seasonings; bring to a boil. (WARNING: this will boil over VERY quickly, use a large pot with plenty of room) Reduce heat and simmer for 5 min. Pour half of mixture over vegetables and half over chicken pieces in another bowl. Marinate at least an hour, but the longer the better, stirring occasionally. May be put on skewers or grilled in a grill basket, basting with left over marinade. Grill until thoroughly cooked. Serve over rice if desired

Savory Beef

This is an excellent crock pot recipe. You can, and its even recommended that you do, use a very tough (i.e. cheap) cut of meat. I've never had it turn out less than fall apart tender. Serve over rice, noodles, or I've served it the next day as a sandwich with bbq sauce.

Savory Beef

Serves 8

Heat in heavy skillet or Duch oven:
2 T. oil

Add and quick-fry until brown:
2 lbs. lean beef, cut into 1-1/2" squares (may use very tough meat)

Add and quick-fry in a few minutes:
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Add:
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 T. brown sugar
1/8 t. pepper
3 c. water

Bring to a boil. Transfer to crock pot and simmer for an afternoon or whole day. (The longer, the better.) Optional: prepare the night before and transfer to crockpot. Store overnight in the fridge. Then simmer in crock pot all the next day.