Pork Skewers and Summer Social Retreat '09

Today’s recipe for Pork Skewers was one from a Rachel Ray magazine. She has a section in there called the $10 Spot where they give you a recipe for a meal to feed four. The recipe included a rice side dish, but I am leaving that out of the recipe. The rice was really bland and for me, not worth the effort you had to put for for a dish lacking in flavor. However, the skewers we amazing.
My daughter who is not a big meat eater was asking for more meat.
Also, a made a couple of skewers with the pineapple and pork together to have them for the picture. Then the rest I just did ones with only meat and ones with only pineapple. Either way works great, You just don’t have to good the ones with just pineapple on them as long. I was able to get my pork loin on sale for $1.99 a pound. You could also use loin chops if they are cheaper. I also only paid 99 cents for my pineapple. So if you go by those two prices and the other prices they listed in the magazine with the exclusion of the side dish ingredients. The pork skewers cost me around $5.
Summer Social Retreat ’09
Now, I want to share with you my experience from the recent Summer Social Retreat ’09 on July 31st. It was put together by April from Sweet Life in the Valley for Utah women in social media. Let me first saw that April did an awesome job with the whole thing. It was a fabulous event! It was held in Midway, Utah at Soldier Hollow. Soldier Hollow was one of the places that held Olympic events for the 2002 Olympics that were held in Salt Lake City. April had several activities for use to choose from to start the event. There was fly fishing, horseback riding, and a train ride. I went for the train ride. It was so fun.
All of the activities were put on by Rocky Mountain Outfitters.
The tour for the train was called reins and trains. We got on the Heber Valley Railroad in Heber, Utah. Then, while on the train these was an attack by outlaws or robbers, whatever you like to call them. Apparently they were suppose to kidnap us from the train. However, there was a little confusion and our group was suppose to get off the train with the outlaws. However, we did not receive wrist bands so they didn’t take us off. But the people on the train got us to get off at the stop on the way back. Either way it was fun. Then they took us on a wagon ride around Soldier Hollow and gave us some fun info about Soldier Hollow.
After the fun wagon ride, we were dropped of at the Soldier Hollow Lodge to have a fabulous meal, time to visit and get fun swag! Of course, being the foodie I am, this was my favorite part! I took pictures. Sponsors for the food included Western Community Bank, Sunflower Market (fruit), and Shirley J’s. Dessert was provided by The Chocolate Bakery.
My two favorite items from dinner were the meat and the cake.
The meat was made using a product from Shirley J’s Slow Cooker/Dutch Oven Seasoning for beef. The beef was fabulous. I’m gonna have to get me some of this seasoning. The meat was so tender and full of flavor. Delish! The I choose a piece of cake from The Chocolate Bakery that they call The Dottie. Which is an “ode to the pineapple upside down cake smothered in vanilla whipped cream and accented with toasted coconut.

Let me tell you this cake was heaven.
Their made from scratch cake was moist and sweet and the frosting was deliciously creamy. I so wish I could give you all a bit. The bonus was when I was leaving the event, they were packaging up the leftover desserts for use to take home. I must admit I quickly grabbed another piece of this heavenly cake. I also have to tell you that I ate it the following day for my breakfast. Nothing beats a breakfast of delicious cake.

We also got a great bag of swag to take home including products from Nu Skin, Yes To Carrots, Badger Balm, M2 Skin Care, and doTERRA enssentail oils. I was most excited about the swag from Shirley J’s. We got a package of their cream soup base and sauce mix. It suppose to be a great substitute for cream soups. Can’t wait to try it.
I really had a fabulous time. Thanks again April! I look forward to the next event. And if you are a Utah blogger, I hope to meet you and the next event!
Here is what you need to make the
Pork Skewers
- CANNED PINEAPPLE CHUNKS
- GARLIC
- SOY SAUCE
- FRESH GINGER
- VEGETABLE OIL
- SALT AND PEPPER
- PORK LOIN

Pork Skewers
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz can of pineapple chunks in their juice, drained and juice reserved
- 1 clove garlic smashed
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp finely grated fresh ginger I used the fresh stuff in a jar
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 ¼ pounds pork loin cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- In a resealable plastic bag, combine the pineapple juice (set aside the pineapple chunks), garlic, soy sauce, ginger and oil; season with salt and pepper. Add the pork and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high. Meanwhile, thread the marinated pork and the pineapple chunks onto skewers. (If your using those bamboo skewers make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes before. This keeps them from catching on fire) Grill the kabobs, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.