DMU Blog

Friday recipe: Cuban-style pork & sweet potatoes

Andrea Cooley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:37:01 +0000

Even though it’s finally starting to feel like spring, it’s not warm enough to start grilling out and I’m still using my slow cooker at least once a week. This recipe has the perfect combination of sweet citrus from the orange juice and spicy from the rotel. Yum!

What’s your favorite slow cooker recipe?

Cuban-style pork & sweet potatoes
1 pound sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound lean pork loin, cut into 1-inch pieces
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, with green chiles (like Rotel)
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1/4 cup orange juice
2 medium scallions, chopped (green parts only)
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped

Directions

Place potatoes, pork, tomatoes, garlic, orange juice, scallions, salt, cumin and pepper in a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on low setting for 7-10 hours. Stir in lime juice and cilantro; cover slow cooker and cook for 5 minutes more.

Crazy combos

Tea Nguyen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:32:04 +0000

Some days, I crave for a snack that comes in pairs like strawberry + Cool-Whip, pretzels + peanut butter, chips + salsa, and especially McDonald’s fries + ice cream cone…really! If you have not tried this sweet and salty pair, give it a try. You might be surprised at how lovely this pair can be.

I’ve heard of some strange combos that I have not personally tried but are apparently common in some families. Have you heard of Laughing Cow cheese with bananas? I mean I do like both, separately though, I just haven’t had the desire to change the flavor of my banana. I like my fruits fresh or with whipped cream but with cheese? I haven’t thought about that!

What crazy pairs do you most enjoy?

Study break material!

Courtney Tompkins — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:24:15 +0000

We all love to browse adorable things online, admit it. And sometimes taking a cuteness break is a good way for your brain to refresh. And what’s cuter than animals?! So here’s a few of my new faves….

Be a fan of Giant George, the world’s tallest dog. Judging from his Facebook status updates, George is quite clever!

Also, look up Noah’s Ark clubhouse, a rescue refuge with a lion, tiger & bear. Watch some of their YouTube videos and enjoy the amazing animals!

Funny Bone

Tea Nguyen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:27:35 +0000

If you like standup comedy, and don’t mind a little adult humor, check out The Funny Bone in West Des Moines. I was just there on Saturday evening with some friends and I had a good time just hanging out and getting my funny bone tickled all night long. If you sign up for their mailing list, you have a great chance at winning some free tickets, which was how I ended up there (of course!).

Where’s your fave place to catch a comedy act?

It’s countdown time!

Courtney Tompkins — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:18 +0000

Less than 2 months away….May 1. It’s the Saturday we wait all winter for.It’s the first downtown farmers’ market!!!

From 7 a.m. until noon each Saturday until the snow flies again, we’ll all wander around eating delectable goodies & loading our bags with produce, flowers & crafts.

What fresh Iowa fruit or veggie are you craving most?

Kidsfest!

Courtney Tompkins — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:56:19 +0000

If your kids like Spiderman, Princess Leia, Veggie Tales or Diego, you should know… Today (March 5) through Sunday at 4 p.m. is KIDSFEST! in the Iowa State Fairgrounds Varied Industries Building. There’s snacks, entertainment, crafts, competitions, scavenger hunt and more! What fun!

It’s a fun way to let kids run around & blow off steam indoors. AND the ticket price ($7 each, or free for ages 2 and younger) goes to Children & Families of Iowa to help at-risk families! (You can get $2 off coupons at Fareway or Veridian Credit Union.)

Friday recipe: sour cream coffee cake

Andrea Cooley — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:06:01 +0000

I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to coffee (you don’t want to be around me if I haven’t had my daily cup o’ joe). And what better to go with my morning coffee than coffee cake? Unfortunately coffee cake (and most delicious pastries) are high in fat and sugar–that’s why they taste so good! This recipe from Cooking Light cuts calories and fat by using light sour cream instead of oil.

What are your favorite healthy recipe substitutions?

Sour cream coffee cake
Ingredients
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) carton light sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Spread oats in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes or until oats are barely fragrant and light brown.
3. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray; set aside.
4. Reserve 1/4 cup oats; set aside. Place remaining oats in a food processor; process 4 seconds or until finely ground. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine processed oats, flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir with a whisk.
5. Place granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/3 cup butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. (Batter will be slightly lumpy because of oats.) Spoon batter into prepared pan; spread evenly.
6. Combine remaining 1/4 cup oats, remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, nuts, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until well blended. Sprinkle top of batter evenly with nut mixture. Bake at 350° for 38 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, top is golden, and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan.

Grab some popcorn & a soda, it’s movie time!

Courtney Tompkins — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:10:25 +0000

Today Metromix Des Moines picked their favorite movie theaters in the area which makes a nifty lil guide for next time you wanna catch a flick.

I happen to know DMU students are fond of the Cobblestone 9 theatre on Tuesdays when they have $1 popcorn, $1 drinks & $2.50 candy. Or, if you go between 4 & 6 p.m. any day, it’s $4 for a ticket which is a steal! (also, FYI, Carmike’s website has $3 off the Alice in Wonderland 3d movie for this weekend!)

Of course, it’s probably cheaper most days to rent a movie & pop your own corn. Netflix has a free trial period & so does Blockbuster if you’re into getting movies delivered to your door!

That’s my classmate!

Tea Nguyen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:27:51 +0000

Adam Lang, a third-year CPMS student, wrote this article on diabetes! So if you see him around campus, give him a high-five for representing our profession and our college. You can also find more podiatric articles at this website so surf around at your leisure and learn about the profession.

(Picture: And yes, he loves to eat too!)

Fresh produce sold locally?

Tea Nguyen — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:43:18 +0000

I encourage you to take a look at this website and learn more about locally grown produce provided by farmers who just want you to eat fresh and healthy foods. By purchasing from this website, you are investing in your local community and reducing your carbon footprints. Now that is something to chew on.

Once you’ve tasted the sweetness a freshly picked tomato, you may never want to pick one up at a grocery store ever again.

Share your local harvest story with us!