Ground pork by itself is too tender to make a good burger, but what if I told you that the magic ingredient is BACON?! This burger will challenge a beef burger any day.
​

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/perfect-pork-burgers-recipe-1973834?soc=socialsharingpinterest

Who doesn't love a good ol' Taco John's Taco Grande or Taco Bell Double Decker?  Probably because of my love of refried beans, all other tacos are well....just a taco.  I try not to buy any pre-made spice mixes including taco seasoning, so I have always made my own.  I believe this is a Taco Bell knock off recipe that I printed off almost 20 years ago.  I like to triple or quadruple this recipe so that I have it on hand for next time that taco hankering sets in.

1 T. flour
1 T. cornstarch
1 T. dried minced onion
1 t. garlic salt
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. paprika
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. onion salt
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1/4 t. white sugar
1 lb. ground pork
hard taco shells
small soft taco shells (fajita sized)
refried beans, warmed
cheddar cheese, shredded
lettuce, shredded
tomatoes, chopped
black olives
sour cream
salsa

Mix all spice ingredients together in a small bowl, set aside.  Brown ground pork in saute pan until no longer pink.  Drain off fat.  Add seasoning mix and 3/4 c. water.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low.  Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

Spread refried beans on soft taco, place hard shell inside and fill with remaining ingredients.  Fold soft taco around hard shell.  

I've never been a huge meatloaf fan.  The idea of just putting meat and breadcrumbs in a pan doesn't get me too excited!  BUT I have come to love THIS meatloaf.  There are veggies, feta cheese, and even pinenuts to boost the flavor, color, and nutrition of your standard meatloaf.  I usually use ground pork, but have also used ground lamb.  

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
4 cups baby spinach, kale, or Swiss chard
1 pound ground pork (or lamb)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup diced roasted red peppers (from a jar, or make your own)
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup ketchup plus 2 tablespoons for brushing on top
¼ cup pine nuts

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a bread pan, set aside. Heat a frying pan over medium - low heat with the oil, add the garlic and the baby spinach. Cook, stirring until the spinach wilts. Remove from heat and cool. Add all the ingredients including the spinach to a large mixing bowl and combine with a fork or your hands. Dump it into the pan and pat it into a loaf. Cover the sides and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup. Bake 40 - 50 minutes until cooked through in the center. Let it rest 5 - 10 minutes before slicing.

Adapted from https://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/

This is comfort food at its finest.  Straight out of the Joy of Cooking, page 719 in my copy, I have this one memorized.  I use ground pork or lamb, but have also used leftover leg of lamb or shoulder roast as well.  Rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg give the meat the perfect complimentary flavors.  

1 1/2 lb. potatoes, peeled, quartered, and well rinsed
1 T. butter
kosher salt and white pepper, to taste
3 T. olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped (my family likes peas in place of celery)
1 lb. ground lamb or pork, or leftover roast lamb or pork
1 T. flour
3/4 c. beef or vegetable stock
1 T. fresh thyme, chopped or 1 t. dried thyme
1 T. fresh rosemary, chopped or 1 t. dried rosemary
Pinch ground nutmeg
Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 T. cold butter, cut into small pieces

Place potatoes in a large pot of cold water over medium heat.  Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.  Drain, reserving 1/2 c. of the cooking water.  Mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher, adding the cooking water and the butter, salt and pepper.  Beat with a wooden spoon until fluffy.

Preheat oven to 400 F.  White potatoes are cooking, heat oil in a skillet over med-low heat.  Add onion, carrot, and celery.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes.  Increase the heat to medium and add lamb / pork.  Cook for 5 minutes if using leftover meat.  Cook for 15 minutes if using raw meat.  Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Add beef stock, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.   Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 minutes.  Let cool slightly, then transfer to a 9-inch pie plate or baking dish.  Spread the mashed potatoes over the top.  Scatter butter over the top.  Bake until potatoes are browned and the dish is heated all the way through, 30-35 minutes. 

A co-worker gave this recipe to me almost 20 years ago, and it is still one of my all-time favorite meals.  We have called it Meng Gai, but after doing a quick google search, I think it technically should be called Larb Gai.  I used to make it with ground turkey, but now use pork or lamb, and it's even better! I serve it in small fajita shells for the kids if they aren't feeling up to lettuce wraps :)  If you haven't used fish sauce before, be forewarned that it smells awful, and you will probably second guess me recommending this recipe!  But trust me, that smell goes away when you bite into your first wrap!

1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. fresh garlic cloves, minced (not bottled garlic)
1/2 c. fresh ginger root, minced
1 c. green onions, chopped
1 lb. ground pork or lamb
2 T. fish sauce
dash red pepper flakes
1/2 c. roasted peanuts, chopped
1/2 c. coconut flakes, unsweetened
2 T. sugar
1-2 limes, juiced
Romaine hearts, leaves separated, washed and dried

In large skillet, sauge ginger, garlic, and green onions in olive oil.  Add pork or lamb and cook until crumbled.  Stir in fish sauce, red pepper flakes, peanuts, coconut, and sugar.  Let flavors come together for 5-10 minutes, then juice limes over the pan.  Remove from heat and serve in romaine lettuce leaves.