Smothered Pork Chops

This was the perfect dish to keep us warm during the blizzard!  Pork chops smothered with onions & mushrooms, covered in a creamy sauce.  I can't wait to try this with chicken as well!

Here's what you'll need..

6 boneless pork chops
1 onion, diced
Mushrooms, sliced (small package - I used baby bellas)
1 stick of butter
2 C milk
1/2 C flour
1 TBSP paprika
1 TSP garlic powder
1 TSP onion powder
1/4 TSP salt
1/4 TSP pepper
1/4 TSP Dill (optional)
1/4 TSP Tarragon (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a bowl, combine half of the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. 
2. Dredge the pork chops in the flour mixture and set aside. 
3. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. 
4. Brown the pork chops in the skillet and transfer to a casserole dish. 
5. Saute the onions and mushrooms until tender.
6. Add the remaining flour to the onions and mushrooms, blending well for about 1 minute.
7. Slowly add the milk, stirring until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.  Add the dill & tarragon
8. Pour over the pork chops, cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour.

Enjoy!!

Venus De Milo Soup

This simple yet satisfying soup is a variation of the original 'Venus De Milo' soup that is served at a local restaurant. 

Here's what you'll need...

1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 lb ground beef
2 small cans (10-14 oz) of condensed chicken broth
6 1/2 C of water
1 can of tomato paste
1 pkg dried onion soup mix
1 can diced tomatoes (I use Hunts fire roasted)
1/2 C orzo pasta
Bay leaf
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
S&P

Brown beef, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, S&P. Add soup mix, broth, water, tomatoes, and paste. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add frozen vegetables and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add pasta and bay leaf and simmer for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Sugar Cookie Icing

This is a great icing that will dry hard and shiny, looking like it came out of a bakery. 

Here's what you'll need...

1 C Confectioners Sugar
2-4 tsp Milk
2 tsp Light Corn Syrup
1/4 tsp Almond or Vanilla Extract
Food Coloring

1. In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more milk.
2. Divide into separate bowls and add food colorings
3. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

"Archer Farms" Creme Brulee Review

"Archer Farms" Creme Brulee Review...

 

 

I know what you're thinking..."Why are you posting frozen food?" 

 

You see, I love creme brulee!  The other day I was in Target and stumbled upon this in the frozen food section.  For less than $6, I figured it was worth trying.

 

I have to say, I was quite impressed with the packaging.  These desserts come in cute little terra cotta ramekins.  Yes, real terra cotta!  When all's said and done, at least I've got these cute little dishes! 

 

There's also 2 little packages of raw sugar to sprinkle on top...

 

 

If you have a cooking torch, use it!  I tried to put it under the broiler, which resulted in the custard getting warm. 

The verdict?  All in all, this was pretty good!  It's a good quick fix to have handy in the freezer whenever a craving strikes! 

I would give this 3 out of 5 spoons!

Granola

I had a mini panic attack this morning when I couldn't find this recipe.  It's one of those old recipes that's written on a small index card.  Sheesh, I've made this enough times - you would think that I would have this one memorized, however I'm pretty sure Mommy-hood has dimished my memory to just about nothing these days. 

What I love about this granola is the fact that it's made up of natural ingredients that are good for you...what I don't like about this granola is the fact that it is extremely addicting.

Here's what you'll need...

 

2 C regular rolled oats

1/2 C slivered almonds*

1/2 C honey

1/3 C olive oil

1/2 C raisins (optional...I am not a raisin fan!)

1 tsp cinnamon

 

*Can swap out for pecans, sunflower seeds,  or dried cranberries

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix oats, almonds, & raisins.  Make a well in the middle of the mixture and pour in the honey & oil, and mix together.  (A little honey tip...measure the oil 1st so the honey will slide right out!)

 

Spread mixture onto a large cookie sheet.  Sprinkle cinnamon on top.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir the granola.  Repeat this step another 2 times or until the granola is golden brown. 

 

Cool and store in an airtight container.  Enjoy!!

 

 

 

Super Bowl Mania!!

Okay, first let me start by saying, I have to be honest...I am not that into the Super Bowl this year.  The Patriots didn't make it (boo!) and hubby is working.  I know, pity party on me!  Who knows, I may watch it (most likely I will be watching "Brave" for the tenth time or playing with Play-doh.) 

Nevertheless, I love football!  Well...the game not so much, I mean I'll watch it (I can tell you the basics - like when someone makes a touchdown, an incomplete, fumble...you know, the simple stuff.)

What I really love about football is the camaraderie...being at home, watching the game, in a nice warm house, having a few beers, and being surrounded by lots of good food!  Mostly, it's all about the food. 

Here are some of my top picks for the big game day...

 Dorrito Buffalo Tenders

 

Buffalo Chicken Dip

 

Pulled Pork Sliders

 

Caramel Apple Dip

 

 Photo and recipe courtesy Allrecipes.com
Taco Dip

 

 

Pulled Pork Sliders

• 2 pork tenderloins
• Mini Dinner Rolls (In the bakery section of your market)
• 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (I ♥ Sweet Baby Rays)
• Cole Slaw (I buy the mix and the dressing in the produce section)
• S&P
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder

  

Place pork tenderloins in crockpot and season with S&P, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder. Cook on low for 6-8 hrs. 
Meanwhile, Prepare Cole Slaw according to package and chill.
Once the pork is tender, shred pork with 2 forks and return to crockpot. 
Pour entire bottle of BBQ sauce over pork and mix.
Serve on rolls, topped with cole slaw. 

Enjoy!!!