Chef Andrew Parker has a message for post secondary students as they’re getting settled into their back to school routine.
“Ditch the instant noodles and get cooking!”
Chef Parker has come up with a variety of fast and easy recipes perfect for any student’s busy study schedule.
Using space-saving and budget-friendly small appliances like the Big Boss Grill Set and Crock Pot 4.5 Quart Slow Cooker, students can make a variety of fast, healthy and affordable meals.
Cooking is also great stress relief for students needing a brain break.
Here are two great dishes from Chef Parker that are perfect for a study session!
Crock Pot Pulled Pork
- 1 Medium Sized Pork Shoulder (Rubbed in Seasoning Salt or BBQ Rub)
- 1 Carrot
- 2 Celery Stalk
- 1 White Onion
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- Parsley Stems
- 2 Bay Leaves
- BBQ Sauce (Store bought or use Chef Parker’s recipe below)
Instructions
- Rub down the pork with a rub or seasoning salt.
- Clean the vegetables and chop them into larger pieces (the vegetables and all the other ingredients give the pork an earthy flavour when it’s slow roasted).
- Put two cups of water in the slow cooker.
- Add the vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Put the pork on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Set it and forget it. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- When done, remove vegetables and compost them.
- Tear the pork apart with a fork (it will fall apart easily), and put into a container.
- Add BBQ sauce and stir together.
- Place a generous helping of the pork on a whole-wheat bun and serve with a side of coleslaw or fresh salad.
Chef Parker’s BBQ Sauce
- 1 tbsp. Olive or Vegetable Oil
- Half White Onion (Fine Diced)
- 3 Garlic Cloves (Fine Diced)
- Half Orange (Peeled and Segmented)
- 3 Rosemary Springs (Leaves off, Fine Diced)
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 2 Cups Ketchup
- 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- 3 tbsp. Molasses
Instructions
- Heat a small pot over medium heat
- Add oil to sauté the onions
- Let the onions cook, then add your garlic
- After browning, add the liquids and let boil
- Add ketchup with brown sugar and other spices
- Mix well
Easy Waffles with Whip Cream and Candied Bacon
- ½ Pound Bacon (Cut into thin strips)
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup Butter, Melted
- Can of Aerosol Whipped Cream, or Cool Whip
- 2 Cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 4 tsp. Baking Powder
- 2 tbsp. White Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 ½ Cups Warm Milk
- 1/3 Cups Butter, Melted
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Step by Step
- Mix brown sugar with ¼ cup butter – this is a glaze for the bacon. Cook your bacon in this mixture. Let it cool off, you have candied bacon!
- Heat your Big Boss Grill using the waffle plates.
- With the rest of the ingredients, mix together thoroughly until smooth and there are no lumps. Leave out at room temperature before using.
- Add a generous ladle of the waffle mixture to the grill set. Careful not to fill it too much, or it will overflow.
- Close the lid and let the batter cook for between 6-8 minutes. Do not open the grill during cooking.
- Plate the waffles, add a dollop of whipped cream and add your candied bacon. No need for syrup – the whipped cream and candied bacon will make this a sweet treat.
