A Class Reunion and Trip Home

September 6th, 2012

My husband and I actually went to high school together.  He graduated a year ahead of me.  This summer his class held their 50th class reunion.  Can that really be possible?  So the weekend before last we traveled back to Michigan to attend the event.  It was great to see everyone.  In my opinion most people looked the same because, in my mind’s eye, I can still picture the teenagers that dwell within.  I hope everyone else has as vivid an imagination as I have.

A trip home also includes time spent with my Brother and his family.  My Sister-In-Law, Barb, claims not to be a good cook, but I have never had a bad meal in her house.  In spite of the fact that she read the recipe wrong for this Caribbean Pork Stew with Peppers, it tasted yummy and makes a great Crock Pot meal.

My niece Morgan loves to cook and her contribution to the meal was flavorful Hawaiian Chicken Skewers.  The skewers were threaded with cubed chicken breast, pineapple chunks and red onions.

My Brother Bill is a grill master.  He refuses to use a gas grill and everything is done over charcoal and sometimes flavored with wood chips.  He has a serious grilling platform.

He has 6 Weber grills and sometimes they are all in use at the same time.  Bill got all of his grills for free.  His charcoal grills were all discards.  People throw away grills when the bases rust out.  The grills themselves are usually just fine.  He mounted the grills on old gas grill bases that were also discards.

In addition to the wonderful meals we were served, I came home with a bounty of potatoes and tomatoes from Bill’s garden.

Here are Barb’s and Morgan’s recipes.  I am lucky to have such a talented and creative family.  By the way Barb just started a blog called The ReShore House.  She and Bill live in an 1860 house on 2 1/2 city lots next door to the house where Bill and I grew up.  Mrs. ReShore still appears on occasion to those who believe in ghosts.  Visit Barb’s new venture that chronicles her antique business and life in an old house.  Welcome her to our blogging community.  Thanks.

CARIBBEAN PORK STEW WITH PEPPERS

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 lbs boneless pork loin, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper , cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/4 cups orange juice

In a large resealable food storage platsic bag, place flour, salt and pepper.  Add pork; sela bag and shake to coat.  In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Brown pork cubes in oil on all sides, working in batches if necessary.

Spray 31/2 to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.  With slotted spoon, remove pork from skillet to slow cooker.  Stir in all remaning ingredients.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.   Serve over cooked rice.

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SKEWERS

6 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 red onion, cut into 1 to 2 inch squares
Cubed pineapple to taste
1 bottle of Lawry’s Hawaiian Marinade
Garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste

Sprinkle cubed chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Place in resealable plastic bag.  Add marinade and marinate overnight or 8 hours or so.  Remove chicken from bag.  Place chicken cubes alternately with red onion squares and pineapple chunks on skewers that have been soaked in water for 1 hour.  Grill over indirect heat on a charcoal grill until chicken is cooked through.

Printable recipe – Pork Stew with Peppers

Printable recipe – Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

17 responses to “A Class Reunion and Trip Home”

  1. Big Dude says:

    Nice to go back for the 50th reunion but I have to say David doesn’t look old enough for it. I need to refuse to cook on anything but charcoal because it’s always hit-or-miss when I do. The grilled skewers look very good and great shot of you guys.

  2. Lyla says:

    Love this post, not only for the great recipes but for the heart tugs while traveling down Memory Lane. I remember the ReShore house. Do you remember that Mrs. ReShore had something to do with our “Audubon Society”? It’s a great house and I’m thrilled it’s still “in the family.”

  3. marcia smith says:

    Funny – George and I went to high school together too! More in common!!!

  4. Love that picture of you and David. Look at all of those grills!!

  5. Yes, I see the teenagers in your smiles and love for each other. I will be attending my reunion this fall and hope I have as good a time as you did. They are having a get-together the first night and everyone is supposed to bring nibbles. We are traveling 12 hours to get there. I’m still figuring out to make “nibbles” in the hotel room. I see a cheese platter in my future.
    Sam

  6. Eileen says:

    What a lovely photograph of you and your husband! The food looks delicious, too. 🙂

  7. Barb Bobik says:

    Penny – That was such a sweet post & thank you for sharing the recipes. Moe’s chicken skewers are one of my favorites, the other dish…..well, I did know better but it was a crazy week. Thanks for mentioning my new blog – much appreciated. Would people find it strange that I did not know that your brother had that many grills??? I honestly didn’t, as I just let him cook – LOL. Barb

  8. Kat says:

    What a smart brother! You wouldn’t believe how many of those gas grills I see at the landfill when we go. What a clever idea, I am going to keep my eye out for some!

  9. Kat says:

    BTW: You two don’t look old enough to be going to a 50 year reunion! Love the photo of the two of you.

  10. That’s just a great photo of you and your husband Penny. I love this simple recipe for the Hawaiian chicken skewers. A must try.

  11. indeed how could that be possible… you two don’t look your age… you two look so lovely TWOgether. Your SIL definitely knows how to cook as these skewers look fab.
    Im glad you had fun seeing old friends and family… have a great weekend.
    malou

  12. Pam says:

    Great pic of the two of you! And it sounds like you do have a vivid imagination. Our 50th reunions are next year, in two different states so it will be interesting for both! Your brother is very innovative, quite creative!

  13. MorganLBobik says:

    Aunt Penny-It was so good to see you and Uncle Dave, thank you for the wonderful post and for sharing my recipe!

  14. kwklett says:

    The kabobs and the stew look so delicious! I can practically smell them! Much love to the family! They are wonderful!

  15. kwklett says:

    Oh, and Penny you look gorgeous in that photo!

  16. Six grills?! That is a man that I want to meet! Oh how fun it must have been to be reunited with high school friends. I wonder what it will be like for me someday. The pork stew sounds hmm hmm delicious!

  17. Lucy Pier says:

    Fun! My husband and I went to different high schools in the same community, he in Michigan, I in Wisconsin.

    Are you a Yooper or Troll?

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