Chocolate Dipped Candied Citrus Slices
Still wondering what in the world you're going to get that special someone for Christmas this year? Don't worry, because I've got you covered with these chocolate dipped candied citrus slices!
After a while, buying presents gets a bit tough because everyone seems to have everything they need or want. When you want to show you care, I always say go for the tastebuds. Nothing says I love you like a plate full of beautifully candied citrus slices, dipped in chocolate and served with a bow, am I right?
These elegant slices of sugary citrus are dipped in dark chocolate and look so fancy, no one will know that it took you very little time and effort to create them.
INSTRUCTIONS: In a large skillet, heat water and sugar over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add the orange and lemon slices and continue to cook over medium heat, turning from time to time. Once the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup and the slices are translucent, approximately 20 minutes, reduce heat to low and simmer until the syrup is thick. Turn the slices occasionally as then cook, approximately 10 minutes.
Transfer the slices to a cooling rack and you can save the syrup to use as a citrus simple syrup in cocktails! Cool the slices for at least 12 hours before dipping.
Dip the citrus slices halfway into the melted chocolate and set on parchment paper to harden, approximately 1 hour. Package in cute little mini loaf pans and wrap as desired.
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Boozy White Hot Chocolate
It's beginning to look a lot like winter! The temperatures are dropping, the snow is starting to fall, and it's about time to start snuggling up under blankets next to a roaring fire every night. Nothing goes better with a snuggly night in than a giant mug of warm hot chocolate, spiked with a little booze of course. :)
This Boozy White Hot Chocolate is a fun way to shake up your usual hot chocolate routine, featuring indulgent white chocolate and spiced rum for just the right touch of much-needed extra warmth.
Holiday movie marathon? Oh yea, this'll do the trick better than that tired ol' egg nog.
INSTRUCTIONS In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, chocolate chips and vanilla. Stirring constantly, heat the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the mixture begins to simmer, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Divide evenly between two large mugs and serve with marshmallows and whipped cream.
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
The 12 Days of Piggymas
We're here looking to spread a little holiday cheer...and BBQ sauce from ear to ear :) We'll be giving away a little something tasty everyday for the next 12 days, so stay tuned and enter below!
For our 12 days of Piggymas, we’re sending you:
Day 1: A BBQ sauce sampler
Day 2: A trio of sweets; Chocolate covered bacon, toffee, and bacon jam.
Day 3: One snacking sampler full of bacon popcorn, dark chocolate toffee, candied pecans, and jerky.
Day 4: 3 pounds of pulled meats; a little pork and a little chicken
Day 5: A bacon lovers dream with 3 specialty flavors of bacon
Day 6: Ribs!! 3 slabs of the good stuff, delivered.
Day 7: All the sausage your heart could desire – sent to your door
Day 8: A heaping amount of BBQ brisket and baby back ribs…mmm mmm mmmm
Day 9: 6lbs of our best selling bacon and sausages
Day 10: A holiday ham to enjoy – we’ll do all the cooking
Day 11: 6 slabs of ribs to enjoy for Christmas Dinner
Day 12: A mix of all of our best sellers; baby back ribs, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, brisket and bacon! Look for instructions on how to enter each day on Facebook! You can also enter below, and comment below and spread some holiday cheer!
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The Pig's Top Turkey Tips
Thanksgiving is ONE WEEK AWAY! It always sneaks up on us and no matter how well-prepared we think we are, there are some last minute questions that always come up. We're rounding up our top Thanksgiving tips for you this year to make sure you're on your game! Look no further pig-lovin' friends, we've got your Thanksgiving covered.
Don't forget how long defrosting a turkey actually takes! You can thaw your bird either in the refrigerator or cold water. If you're using the refrigerator, use the equation of 1 day to thaw for every 4lbs of meat. Short on time? No problem. Cold water thawing is much faster at a rate of 30 minutes to thaw for every pound.
No one likes lumpy gravy... Bust out the sieve or strainer! This will get all those gross lumps right out. You can also use your good ol’ blender to puree the lumps outta there.
Did you mail-order a Pig of the Month BBQ Feast, Whole Turkey, or Smoked Turkey Breast? First off, high five for being a Thanksgiving genius. You just made your life SO much easier. Now that you've got the main attractions covered, it's time to think sides that go with all the POM deliciousness. If you want to make something extra, go for the veggies. For a quick fix, grab your fav veggies, chop them up and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder or chopped garlic. Roast on a lined, rimmed baking sheet at 400 degrees until tender. Have everyone else bring the rest of the fixings and kick up you feet to watch the Thanksgiving parade.
Come on, you can do better than plain ol' canned cranberry sauce. We'll solve this with one word – ORANGE. Add about 1 tsp of orange zest and 1/2 Tbsp of orange juice (or more if you prefer). This will brighten up that plain old canned cranberry sauce so much that your guests will be asking for the recipe. Shhhhh, we’ll keep the secret for ya!
Aren't Thanksgiving leftovers the BEST? Answer = YES. The best (and safest) way is to cool everything down. Pack leftovers in shallow containers instead of big deep containers so they cool faster. Yes, it’s a bit of work with all those containers and playing refrigerator Tetris, but the small containers will help your leftovers stay fresh and take up less space in the fridge!
This is the tip that will save you countless times in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. Chicken stock is your ultimate Thanksgiving savior. Simply keep a large saucepan of chicken stock warm on the stove throughout the day. It can rescue dry stuffing, too-thick gravy, dry turkey, and countless other emergencies that pop up at the absolute worst time. Anything you have leftover can be stored or frozen for later use, or use it as a base for leftover turkey soup! Who's ready to conquer Thanksgiving? You are! Don't forget to check out our mega list of 50+ Thanksgiving tips for even more turkey day wisdom! If it's all too much and you're tired of basting a bird for 6+hours, let us do all the work and order you smoked turkey today! Ships free with code "novship"
Sausage in a Blanket
When I ventured to Scotland about a year ago and had my first good sausage in a blanket I was blown away. Such a simple dish packed so much flavor and satisfaction; it seemed too good to be true. I was sure there was some sort of secret Scottish trick to making these wrapped sausages so addictive. Turns out, all you need is some dough, Dijon mustard, cheese and incredible sausage to make the dream come true at home!
I used Pig of the Month’s Wine & Swine Sausages here, but you can use any of their sausage selections to make your own variation of this recipe. This is a great weeknight dinner that will satisfy both the kids and the adults! It also makes for a great handheld lunch on the go, so be sure to pin this for those back to school lunches.
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray (or use a silicone mat). Add the beaten egg and water to a small bowl and whisk briefly to combine. Set aside. Roll out the pizza dough on a clean surface. Cut the pizza dough into 4 rectangles, about 4x5 inches in size. You may need to roll out the dough a bit from its original size to accommodate the squares. Prick each square all over with a fork. Spread 1 Tbsp of Dijon mustard on each piece of dough. Divide the slices of cheese into 2 triangles each and place them on the dough, spread out a little so the cheese doesn’t get stuck all in one place.
In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the sausages until a nice medium brown sear forms on both sides, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat. When sausages are cool enough to handle, roll each one up in a piece of prepared dough. Spread the seal with a thin brush of egg wash. Place seam side down on the baking sheet and brush the top with egg wash. Cut three slits in the top with a sharp knife to create vents. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the dough and sausages are cooked through. Serve with dipping sauces such as extra Dijon mustard, ketchup and barbecue sauce.
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Pig of the Month Garlic Sausage Links
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Mojito Popsicles
Mojitos are a timeless summer cocktail in my book. The fresh minty flavor with a burst of lime juice makes mojitos a refreshing way to celebrate the end of a long day at the office. As we get further into August, the temperatures start to spike to all-time highs before the relief of the fall season sets in. With these high temperatures, the best solution for a cold cocktail is not to pack in the ice. It’s to turn it into a popsicle - mojito popsicles to be precise!
I’m sure you’ve caught our other cocktail popsicles this summer (piña colada and strawberry daiquiri!), and the mojito popsicles are yet another stroke of pure thirst-quenching genius. The mint simple syrup preserves that minty flavor you need to pair with the fresh lime juice and zest. You’ll find yourself saying “ahhhhhh” after every bite!
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water and mint leaves. Heat the mixture over high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Once the syrup reaches a boil, remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl that is easy to pour out of, combine lime juice, lime zest and rum. Strain the mint simple syrup into the bowl through a fine mesh strainer. Cool completely before pouring into the popsicle molds. Freeze for 1 hour. Add the popsicle sticks and continue to freeze until solid, approximately 6 to 8 hours.
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Pulled Pork Tacos
These pulled pork tacos are going to rock. your. world. I have to admit, I have a bit of an obsession with tacos. It’s the one meal I can’t seem to live without for more than a week. These pulled pork tacos are my new favorite in my taco rotation.
They are packed with pulled pork, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, cabbage, cheese and sour cream – everything you could every want from a taco! They are so flavorful that every bite practically explodes in your mouth. You’ll find it extremely difficult to stop yourself from eating more than 3… or 4… or 5…
INSTRUCTIONS: Warm the corn tortillas for 15 to 30 seconds in the microwave to make them easier to work with. In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients for the quick pico de gallo. To assemble the tacos, pile on the pulled pork, pickled jalapeños and red onions, and pico de gallo. Top with queso fresco and sour cream. Serve immediately.
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Recipe & photos by Meghan Bassett
What to Eat Before Drinking All Night on St. Patrick's Day
We're kind of obsessed with St. Patrick's Day this year. From Guinness Floats to Jameson, green beer to endless green shots, we know we'll be feeling the pain come Friday morning. That's why we're giving you a little two-part low down on how to avoid that hangover you are already dreading. So what should you eat before drinking all night on St. Patrick's Day? Let us break it down for ya. First of all, don't skip dinner and eat BEFORE you start drinking. That whole building a base layer for the booze to settle into only works if you're building it before the booze enters your system. Get that nosh in your stomach early so you can change the outcome of your all-night drinking binge.
Second, eat right and eat smart. The best thing to do to avoid feeling like death on March 18th is to eat these killer foods that'll get your mind and body right. Food really does counteract the effects of alcohol... who knew? - Spaghetti (or other carbs) - yep, carbo-load all night long baby. It's a real thing and it works. Try our Pull Apart Bacon Garlic Cheese Bread... - Chicken - protein-rich so it'll stay in ya longer and it will slow the blood alcohol level. That means you can drink longer and enjoy the entire night before you feel like passing out! Go for the small servings like a burrito bowl or even our delicious Sriracha Lime Baked Chicken Wings. - Avocado - protein + healthy fats will actually digest slower than carbs so whip out that guacamole like there's no tomorrow. - Low-fat yogurt - if you're worried about consuming too many calories on this delicious, boozy holiday, start off with some yogurt and granola. You'll get the healthy fats and vitamins in you before you go pigging out on beer and corned beef. - Water - this one's a no-brainer, but don't forget about it. When it comes to hangovers, water does a body good. Pro tip: always take a couple of ibuprofen and chug a gigantic glass of water before bed (or when you wake up with cotton mouth at 4AM). Thank us later.
If you do happen to skip dinner in all the craziness that is St. Patty's Day, never fear. Just load up on nuts and olives at the bar because they've got the fats and vitamins to help you out. Martini with 10 olives, anyone? Happy St. Patrick's Day! Stay tuned because we've got some more knowledge to drop on ya to fight that hellish hangover...
Photos by Meghan Bassett
Campfire Nachos
Imagine this… You’re sitting around the campfire, drinking a couple beers and joking with your friends. Then someone says, “dinner’s ready” and you all gather around a large cast iron skillet. The aluminum foil gets peeled off and you instantly smell the best campfire dinner smell ever – barbeque. 
Now I’m turning that imagined experience into a reality for you with these campfire barbeque nachos! Featuring Pig of the Month meats, all you have to worry about is preparing shredded chicken prior to packing up and heading to your campsite. Then simply assemble all the ingredients, cover with foil and cook directly on the campfire until everything’s warm and the cheese is melted.
You’ll end up loving the three-meat combination on these campfire nachos so much, you’ll be building fire pits in your backyard just for an excuse to eat them on a weeknight! DIG IN!
INSTRUCTIONS: Layer the tortilla chips on the bottom of the cast iron skillet, filling it approximately 1/3 of the way full. Add the pulled pork, brisket and pulled chicken in an even layer on top of the chips.
Top the meats with black beans, sliced jalapeños, and cheese. Cover the cast iron skillet with aluminum foil and place directly on the campfire. Cook until the dish is warmed through and the cheese is melted, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. You can also cook this under the broiler on low for approximately 5 minutes at home!
Remove from heat, peel off the foil and top with the fresh tomato chunks. Serve immediately with either barbeque sauce or salsa and hot sauce.
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Pig of the Month Pulled Pork Pig of the Month Brisket
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Sriracha Lime Baked Chicken Wings
It's March and that means one thing in my foodie-obsessed brain - March Madness parties for days. That's right, that means chips and dip, guacamole, sliders, jalapeño poppers and, most importantly, crispy sticky chicken wings. Sriracha Lime Baked Chicken Wings, to be exact.
If you ever have a snack attack, March Madness-related or not, your next go-to recipe absolutely has to be these wings. They are baked to crispy perfection in the oven, and the sticky spicy and tangy glaze makes them positively finger-licking good. You'll need the wet wipes for these, folks.
The Sriracha and lime juice make this super simple glaze full of flavor that you simply can't find anywhere else. No need to go out for chicken wing perfection - time to stay in with your friends and family watching the next March madness game, or just enjoying a leisurely spring afternoon with a couple of hearty beers.
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 5 Tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, whisk in 1 Tbsp flour and brown for approximately 1 minutes. Add in the hoisin sauce, Sriracha, soy sauce and lime juice, stirring to combine. The mixture should become nice and thick pretty quickly, in less than a minute. In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings, 2 Tbsp melted butter, vegetable oil, salt and pepper. Toss to coat the wings evenly.
Add the wings in an even layer to the lined baking sheet.
Brush the wings with a layer of glaze. Bake the wings for 25 minutes, turning them over halfway through and adding another coat of glaze. After 25 minutes are up, brush the wings with a final layer of glaze and broil for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
Recipe & photos by Meghan Bassett
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