Smothered Pork Chops

I was not a real big fan of pork chops growing up, they either had to be marinated or shaked n baked. When I first came across the recipe I wasn't quite sure I would like it, but they are so awesome the flavoring in the sauce is very good. However we did have to add a little bit more flour to thicken up the sauce just a bit and I would probably add a little more cayenne for some real spice!

Smothered Pork Chops

adapted from food network-tyler florence

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tbsp onion powder

2 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup chicken broth

4 pork chops, 3/4 thick-bone in

Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Directions:

-Put flour in a shallow platter & add the onion and garlic powder, cayenne, salt & pepper.

-Mix with fork to distribute evenly. Pat pork chops dry & then dredge them in the seasoned flour.

-Heat a large saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat & coat with the oil. 

-When oil is nice & hot, lay pork chops in the pan in a single layer & fry for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

-Remove pork chops from the pan & add a little sprinkle of seasoned flour to the pan drippings.

-Mix the flour into the fat to dissolve & then pour in the chicken broth in.

-Let the liquid cook down for 5 minutes to reduce & thicken slightly.

-Stir in buttermilk to make creamy gravy and return the pork chops to the pan, cover them in sauce.

-Simmer for 5 minutes until the pork is cooked through.

-Season with salt & pepper and garnish with chopped parsely before serving.

Caprese Pizza

This is great and simple dinner and is quite filling for just about anyone. My husband loves this, which was shocking considering it has no meat.

Caprese Pizzas

adapted from pamperedchef.com

Ingredients:

3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes

1 package refrierated pizza crust

8 oz mozzarella cheese    (grated or sliced)

1 oz grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

1 tbsp olive oil or basil oil

1 garlic clove-pressed    (you can use more if you choose)

1 tsp olive oil or basil oil   (for crust)

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

-For toppings, slice tomatoes. Place onto paper towel lined cutting board. 

- Sprinkle both sides evenly with salt; let stand for 10-15 minutes.

-For crusts, lightly brush your stone or baking sheet with 1 tsp of the oil. 

-Unroll dough onto stone or baking sheet

-Press garlic into a bowl and combine w/remaining 1 tbsp of oil.

-Sprinkle parmesan cheese evenly over unbaked dough.

-Cut dough lengthwise into thirds. 

-Carefully move dough strips slightly apart on stone or baking sheet.

-Bake 11-12 minutes or until bottom of crusts are light golden brown.

-While crusts bake finish the toppings. 

-Chop basil and combine with oil in another bowl and set aside for later use.

-Blot tops of tomatoes slices w/paper towel.

-Slice or sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the tomatoe slices on baked crusts. 

-Return to oven for additional 4-5 minutes or just until cheese melts.

-Remove from oven. Brush basil mixture over pizzas,  sprinkle with black pepper and serve!

My First Post

Well..I finally broke down and jumped on the blogging wagon. Please bare with me as I slowly get this started. I am your basic married twenty something girly girl. I have just come into the world of cooking at home and it is not all that bad...slowly learning I don't quite have the counter space that I need and that my husband actually likes what I cook!! With this new experience I'm hoping to learn from myself as well as my fellow foodies. I am also learning patience as I cook and hopefully developing new traditions for my future family!! By no means am I any expert, but I do know that I love wine, entertaining friends & family and great food!!

So lets get cooking.....