Amazing Grill Pork Chops with Basil-Garlic Rub

4 Boneless Pastured Pork Chops

Basil-Garlic Rub:

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 cup fresh basil, packed

2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Directions:

With machine running, drop garlic through feed tube of food processor to mince. Stop, add fresh basil, and process until chopped. Add lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper and process to make thin wet rub. Spread both sides of pork chops with basil mixture. Let stand 15 to 30 minutes. Prepare a medium-hot fire in grill. Brush the grate clean and oil the grate.

Grill chops, over direct heat, turning once, to medium rare doneness, 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a 3-minute rest time. Makes 4 servings - Courtesy of "Pork. Be Inspired."

Chicken Liver Appetizers

Ingredients:        

 1 lb. Chicken Livers               

Garlic Salt

½ lb. Bacon Sliced (cut in half)

*Preheat oven to Broil/Grill.  Sprinkle each liver with garlic salt to taste. Wrap 1/2 slice bacon around each chicken piece & fasten with a toothpick. Place on a broiling pan.  Broil for 5-7 minutes. Turn pieces over and broil another 5-7 minutes, or until chicken livers are cooked through & no longer pink inside. Eat hot, dipped in mustard or honey.

  Grilled Pork Steaks with Sweet Zucchini Relish

Ingredients:

2 Schenker Farms Pastured Pork Steaks

1 packet Chef Mark’s Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper seasoning

1 medium sized zucchini, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 dashes cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

½ cup golden raisins (optional)

1T real butter

 Directions:

Between farming and raising a family, we are always on the go in the summer!  This dish is quick, easy, extremely tasty and best of all…does not involve the drive-thru. 

Place chopped onion, zucchini, cinnamon, sugar, butter and raisins in covered pan on medium heat.  While that is cooking, season pork steaks with Chef Mark’s Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Seasoning and place on grill.  Cook zucchini about 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and done.  Depending on thickness, pork steaks will take 8-12 minutes to cook.  Serve warm.  Serves 2-4.

Recommended Side Dishes: Warm Whole Wheat Rolls and fresh garden salad.

How Kids Can Help:  Wash and chop zucchini while Mom or Dad is chopping the onions.

Cooking Tip: Thaw pork steaks in the refrigerator or the sink—NEVER the microwave.  Using a microwave to thaw lean meat (of any kind) tends to “rubberize” it.

Happy Eating from all of us at Schenker Family Farms!

-Kevin, Cherie, Wyatt, Josie, David & Suzanna Grace

I had a special request tonight for this recipe from one of our friends and customers.  She is having a huge Super Bowl party and wanted to serve something unique and tasty...

Rocky Mtn. Oysters (a.k.a. Prairie Oysters)

Serves 4-6

2 pounds Bull Fries 
1 1/4 cup all purpose Flour 
Salt, Pepper, Paprika & Garlic Powder (to taste) 
Louisiana Hot Sauce 
Lard or Vegetable Oil (Lard has more flavor)

Using a sharp knife, split the tough muscle that surrounds each "oyster." You can remove this more easily if the "oysters" are frozen and then peeled while thawing. Set into a pan with enough salt water to cover them for one hour, then drain.

Transfer to large pot. Add enough water to float the "oysters" and a generous tablespoon of vinegar. Parboil, drain and rinse. Let cool and slice each "oyster" into bite sized chunks. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of sliced "oyster" to taste.

Mix flour and some paprika and garlic powder to taste in a bowl. Roll each slice into this dry mixture. Dip into milk with a few dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce in it. Dip into dry mixture. Place in hot melted lard. Cook until golden brown or tender, and remove with a strainer (the longer they cook, the tougher they get).  Serve warm and enjoy! 

Serving Options: Use Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing as a dip or Sprinkle with more Hot Sauce.

Suggested Side Dishes: Fresh Grilled Corn on the Cob, Tomatoes and Biscuits with Honeybutter.

These are a delicious delicacy and only available in limited quantities.  Enjoy!

~Cherie