Pork Chops & Potatoes in Mushroom Sauce

PORK CHOPS & POTATOES 

in MUSHROOM SAUCE

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
6 medium red potatoes, sliced
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
6 boneless pork loin chops

• In a 5-qt slow-cooker, combine the first 7 ingredients. 
• Stir in potatoes and onion. 
• Top with pork chops. 
• Cover and cook on low for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours or until meat is tender.

The Perfect Salad

I've been on a really big "Salad Kick" lately, and have found the perfect way to create a delish salad that can be changed and has a huge variety of choices. Its much better than the bland old lettuce with bottled dressing with preserves and unwanted ingredients.

Start with the basics. From there, learn your favorite combinations. After the image, I've listed my favorite combinations that I make the most.

My favorite:

• Olive Oil + Apple Cider Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Strawberries + Feta Cheese
• Clementine Olive Oil + White Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Oranges + Blue Cheese
• Olive Oil + Red Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Apples + Gorgonzola Cheese

Get creative! And remember, Feta cheese goes with everything! Its my favorite cheese, but don't forget to try Asiago Cheese, Gorgonzola, Blue Cheese, and even Goat Cheese (with honey).

You can also find many flavors of Olive Oil and Vinegars. "O Olive Oil Company" has some amazing choices, but many brands have infused Oils and such.

Always taste-test your dressing before tossing with the salad, and adjust ingredients to you liking!

Please Pin It on Pinterest to share this around! It would be greatly appreciated! =)
 

Spring Greens Salad w/ Fennel & Avacado

SPRING GREENS SALAD

with FENNEL & AVOCADO

1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1-1/2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 (9oz) bag spring greens
4 roma tomatoes, chopped
2 carrots, grated
2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed of feathery stalks and thinly sliced
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 avocado, chopped
2 Tblsp unsalted sunflower seed kernels

• Make the salad dressing: in a small bowl, whisk the mustard, honey, salt and vinegar. Drizzle in the olive oil, whisking to emulsify. Taste and adjust as needed.
• In a large bowl, combing spring greens, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, fennel and cucumber. Lightly toss to combine. Drizzle with some of the dressing, toss and taste, repeating until all ingredients are lightly coated.
• Top with sunflower seed kernels and serve immediately. 

This recipe can be found in this amazing cookbook:

And don't miss a chance to enter this amazing giveaway! SOOOO many ways to enter!

FWF: Deviled Ham Terrine & Roasted Asparagus

This was a great appetizer for dinner, but it was even better as leftovers for a lunch!

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

DEVILED HAM TERRINE

1-1/2 lb smoked ham, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

6 Tblsp butter, softened

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

3 Tblsp dry white wine

1 celery rib, finely chopped

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 tsp lemon zest

3/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

Crackers

Veggies

• Pulse ham, in batches, in a food processor 4 to 6 times or until shredded. (do not overprocess)
• Stir together parsley and next 9 ingredients. Stir in ham until well blended. Cover and chill 8 hours. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers and veggies.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

2 lb fresh asparagus

2 Tblsp pan drippings from the Roast [or use 2 Tblsp Olive oil and Salt & Pepper to taste]

1 lemon, thinly sliced

• Preheat broiler with oven rack 3 inches away from heat.
• Snap off and discard tough ends of the asparagus [Click HERE for clearer instructions] and toss with pan drippings and lemon slices.
• Arrange in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Broil 4 to 9 minutes or until browned.

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

"Feast with Friends"

~Quick Winter Pickled Veggies

~Deviled Ham Terrine

~Kumquat Martini

~Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast

~Roasted Asparagus

~Warm Greens with Cornbread Croutons

~Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Zinfandel-Poached Figs

Easy Supper Club: Roasted Veggies & Salad

"Easy Supper Club"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites
Herbed Pork Roast
Roasted Fall Veggies
Puffed Mashed Potatoes
Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad
Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

ROASTED FALL VEGGIES

[I just roasted carrots to keep it a little more simple, but below is a list of other veggies that would taste wonderful as well]

10 small carrots with greenery

8 baby yellow beets

8 baby candy cane beets

3 Tblsp Olive Oil, divided

1 tsp kosher salt, divided

1/2 tsp pepper, divided

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut tops from yellow and candy cane beets, leaving 1/2 inch stems.Peel beets and cut in half. Cut tops from carrots, leaving 1/2 inch of greenery on each.
• Toss yellow beets and carrots with 2 Tblsp olive oil in a large bowl; place in a single layer on 1 side of an aluminum foil-lined jelly roll pan. Sprinkle veggies in pan with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
• Toss candy can beets with remaining 1 Tblsp olive oil; arrange beets in a single layer on remaining portion of jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes; stir once, and bake 15 minutes more or until tender.

BASIL-AND-BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Our Elf joined us this day for dinner! So this was "Elf-Approved"!

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1 tsp country-style dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper

10 cups mixed salad greens

1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves, coursely chopped

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

2 navel oranges, sectioned

2 avocados, sliced

1 (4oz) package blue cheese, crumbled

• Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to use (up to 24 hours).
• Toss together greens and basil. Top with pears, oranges, avocados, and blue cheese; toss. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

[Its best to wait to slice pears and avocados last minute so they won't turn brown]

Sauteed Chicken in Mustard Sauce

SAUTEED CHICKEN IN MUSTARD SAUCE

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine, or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried tarragon

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. 
• In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and saute chicken for 10-12 minutes or until done, turning once. Transfer to plate and keep warm.
• Pour wine into hot skillet and cook for 1 minute.
• In a small bowl, whisk cream, tarragon and mustard until combined.  Add to the wine in skillet and cook for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add any juices that pooled on the plate from chicken.
• Remove sauce from pan and drizzle over chicken. 

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Don't forget to enter DAILY for the giveaway!

Sweet Corn Cakes with Creole Shrimp

These are a great appetizer dish! My kids even loved them.

SWEET CORN CAKES WITH CREOLE SHRIMP

Click HERE for printable recipe

SAUCE & CORN CAKES
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp Creole Rub **
3 cups canned corn, drained, divided
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
SHRIMP & SALAD
8 oz large, uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Tblsp canola oil, divided
2 tsp Creole Rub
1 tsp lemon zest
3 1/2 Tblsp fresh lemon juice
6 cups loosely packed arugula


Directions:
For sauce, combine mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and rub in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For cakes, place 1 cup of the corn in food processor and pulse until coarse paste forms. Combine flour, buttermilk, egg and baking powder in a medium bowl; whisk until smooth. Add corn paste, remaining 2 cups corn, green onions and black pepper to corn paste mix and mix well.

In large saute pan, spray with canola oil and heat over medium heat 1-3 minutes, or until shimmering. Scoop corn batter onto pan for a total of 12 cakes, lightly pressing down with back of scoop. Cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cakes are golden brown. Remove cakes and keep warm.

For shrimp, combine shrimp, 1 tsp oil, rub and zest in medium bowl; toss to coat. Arrange shrimp on pan and cook over medium-high heat for 1 1/2 -2 minutes on each side or until opaque.

For salad, whisk together remaining 2 tsp oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Combine arugula and lemon juice mixture in medium bowl; toss gently.

To serve, divide arugula among serving plates' top with corn cakes and shrimp. Drizzle with sauce.

Creole Rub:
1 1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano

Click HERE for printable recipe

Recipe adapted from Pampered Chef "Make it Fresh, Make it Healthy" Cookbook

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Pork Tonkatsu with Watermelon-Tomato Salad

Put your aprons on--this one is a doosie! Actually, the process is very simple...the FLAVOR is what will blow your mind!

~This is Japan's take on schnitzel~

PORK TONKATSU

w/ WATERMELON-TOMATO SALAD

2 cups 1/2-inch cubed watermelon [I used a melon-baller and cut them in half]
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups baby arugula
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves [mine were fresh from my garden!]
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tblsp Dijon mustard, divided
1 tblsp fresh lemon juice plus 4 lemon wedges
1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus more
2 large eggs
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
4 4-oz boneless center-cut pork chops, pounded to 1/8-inch thickness [mine weren't that thin, and I wish I made them even thinner! When in doubt--pound some more]
6 tblsp vegetable oil, divided

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk olive oil, 1 tblsp mustard, and juice in a small bowl. Season  dressing with salt and pepper. Set salad and dressing aside. [I had more salad than watermelon and tomatoes, but that is our preference. The first bite of this salad with dressing and watermelon and tomatoes...you won't ever forget it!]

Whisk eggs and 1 tblsp mustard in a medium bowl. Combine panko, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a large plate. Season pork lightly with salt and pepper. Dip in egg mixture, then in panko, pressing to adhere. [I skipped putting the s&p in the panko crumbs, and just put a little more on the chops themselves]

Working in 2 batches, heat 2 tblsp veg oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook pork until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Toss salad with dressing; season to taste with s & p. Serve pork with salad and lemon wedges for squeezing over. [I also served with mashed potatoes, and it was perfect!]

recipe adapted from Bon Appetit magazine, July 2011 edition

Chicken you won't Believe

Yes, that is the name. It got that name from me telling my husband yeeeeeeeeeaaaaarrrrrrrs ago when I first made it "Hunny, you are NOT gonna believe this Chicken" And the rest is history. It remains in our top 5 all time chicken recipes! He was so happy to see I made this for dinner--he said it was too long since last time. So here it is!

CHICKEN YOU WON'T BELIEVE

Click HERE for printable recipe

4 boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons cream cheese

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Pat dry the chicken with paper towel. Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on one side. Then roll it up and use a toothpick to secure in place. Repeat with each chicken breast.

Place rolled up chicken in a greased glass pan. Spread the dijon mustard over each chicken. Then heavily sprinkle with brown sugar. [not pictured--sprinkle with chopped pecans to add extra crunch]

Cook, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, basting often with juices. Serve warm.

Click HERE for printable recipe
 
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Crock-pot: PORK CHOPS & RED POTATOES

Sorry my friends. I've been cooking in the crock-pot all week, but slacked on the photos of them. I will make it up to ya'll!

And for now...

Crock-Pot: PORK CHOPS & RED POTATOES

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
6 medium red potatoes, sliced 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick (make sure they are consistently same size)
1 medium onion, chopped
4 boneless pork loin chops

In a 5-quart crock pot, combine first 7 ingredients.

Stir in potatoes and onion and top with pork chops.

Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

~~ I didn't take a picture of the pork chops--they weren't as pretty as the potatoes! I would also quickly sear the chops quickly to brown the sides before placing in crock pot. Enjoy!