Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter

1 pound asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 pound penne
1/4 pound butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Heat the oven to 400°. Snap the tough ends off the asparagus and discard them. Cut the spears into 1-inch pieces. Put the asparagus on a baking sheet and toss with the oil and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer until 3 tablespoons remain. Stir in the brown sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove from the heat.

Cook the penne in a large pot of boiling, salted water until just done, about 13 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the butter, vinegar, asparagus, Parmesan, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Serve with additional Parmesan.

Turkey Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 carrots, coarsely grated (2 cups)
1 medium onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 pound ground turkey (93% lean, dark meat)
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons dark-brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
8 whole-wheat hamburger rolls, split

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium; add carrots, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add turkey; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 12 to 14 minutes. Serve on whole-wheat rolls.

Pulled Pork Pasta

This is a great use for leftover pulled pork... you know... if you have any ;)

1 lb pasta (we used farfalle)
1 tbsp butter
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
S&P
2 cups pulled pork
3 cups tomato sauce
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (more if you like, do this to taste)
Grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in a large frying pan. Add sliced onions, salt & pepper. Cook on low heat until soft and caramelized.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and toss in pasta. Cook until al dente.

Add pulled pork, tomato sauce, and BBQ sauce to the caramelized onions. Bring to a simmer stirring well. Toss with cooked pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Coleslaw

2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp dry mustard
ground pepper
1/2 tsp celery salt
Shredded cabbage & carrots (I use the bagged mix)

Mix the dressing ingredients together and toss with shredded cabbage & carrots. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before eating to allow flavors to mingle.

Crock Pot Pulled Pork

3-4lbs pork shoulder
1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp smoked sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 bottle beer
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 - 1 cup BBQ sauce (I like the Smokin' Stampede Beer & Chipotle from RCSS)

Mix together pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Rub all over pork shoulder and place in the crock pot. Pour in beer and apple cider vinegar. Cook on high for 6-8 hours or until the pork falls apart when pierced with a fork.

Remove pork from crock pot and discard liquid. Pull pork apart with 2 forks until shredded. Put back in the crock pot with BBQ sauce and keep warm until ready to serve.