First Attempt at Pork Chops

I've not had many encounters with pork chops throughout my life. I can think of maybe once or twice that I had them growing up and I'm not even sure if I had liked them at the time. I found some on super sale at Fresh & Easy and thought I would give them a try anyway....they were truly too cheap to pass up. I searched the internet for some recipes that sounded tasty, but couldn't come to terms on one, so I mixed a few of them together and the final product was actually pretty delicious!

Easy Italian Pork Chops

(may not be pretty, but sure are delicious)

Ingredients-

1 cup cornmeal (flour will also work)

Salt

Pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons  milk (Almond milk was all I had, and it seemed to work just fine)
1.5 cups Italian bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons fresh parsley
red pepper flakes

garlic powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

4-6 pork chops depending on size

Directions-

1. Preheat Oven to 325 F

2. In a small bowl, mix cornmeal and chopped garlic with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Trim excess fat from rinsed pork chops and dredge in cornmeal mixture. Let sit.

4. In a small bowl mix together eggs and milk. In another small bowl mix together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes and garlic powder. (I've learned that using personal preference on things like red pepper and garlic powder also turns out a little better. I used just under a tablespoon of each)

5. Heat olive oil in large oven safe skillet over medium heat.

6. Dip dredged pork chops in egg mixture and then into the bread crumb mixture. Repeat once. Place coated chops into skillet and brown each side 3-5 mins depending on thickness (mine were very thin, 3 mins was sufficient)

7. Place oven safe skillet with pork chops in preheated oven and cook for 25 mins or to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.



I served my chops up with some garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Papa raved all night long =) There's something about his raves that make me feel especially accomplished.
~Bon Appetit!

Kitty Perfect

Papa and I are now truly "Mama and Papa" to this sweet little girl!!!


I am absolutely over the moon about her! She is a Seal Point Siamese mixed with Tabby, so not only gorgeous, but as soft and cuddly as they come. Maybe I am biased.. but she really has to be one of the prettiest kittens I've seen.. and to think up for adoption. She was rescued from a hospital in Escondido, Ca, where they Euthenize! I can't imagine anyone in their right mind killing something so tiny, sweet and innocent!

I got the kitty bug last week and had to get a kitten asap. (I don not know why I am like this, but once something is in my head.. it's a done deal.) I started looking online and in the PennySaver with my heart set on a RagDoll kitten, which are gorgeous cats, but it seems silly to buy a "name brand cat" when there are so many to save.

I came across an organization called "SPOT-Saving Pets One at a Time" and found a ton of babies that would melt any normal persons heart... and No, I do not consider cat haters "Normal People", I am convinced they must be missing a chromosome somewhere in the mix. On a better note, I really encourage anyone looking for a kitten or puppy to try and exhaust their adoption options first. There are TOO many loving babies that don't have the love and comfort of a home that they deserve.

We are naming her Billie, after the amazing Billie Holiday and as soon as she weighs enough to be fixed and can come home with us, we plan on spoiling this little joy... rotten!

Spicy Honey Lime Enchiladas

As I'm sitting here enjoying my delicious left overs, it dawned on me that these enchiladas are just too fantastic not to share! Not only delicious, but different and simple!

Spicy Honey Lime Enchiladas



(Papa and I like it spicy.. feel free to choose not to include any spice factors with an * if you are not a fan of heat)

Ingredients -

7 tablespoons Honey
Juice of 1 and 1/2 limes
1 tablespoon chili powder
*1 tablespoon Sriracha
*1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
*1 can Rotel Hot Diced Tomatoes with Habaneros (have mild options with chilies instead)
4 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (about 2 large breasts or 6 tenderloins)
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
Tortillas (medium sized corn or flour)
1 large can Green Enchilada Sauce
2.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onion

Cooking Instructions-

Preheat oven to 350F

Boil Chicken until cooked through. Let cool, then shred and set aside.

Mix together the Honey, lime juice, chili powder, red pepper and sriracha until it is no longer the thick consistency of honey.

Marinate chicken in sauce for at least 1 hour (the longer the chicken sits in this sweet spicy goodness.. the tastier your enchiladas will be)

Cover bottom of 9"x13" baking dish with a thin layer of enchilada sauce.

Assemble enchiladas by placing a thin layer of cheese in middle, spoonful of beans, spoonful of diced Rotel tomatoes, and heaping spoonful of chicken. Roll up tortilla and place in baking dish. Continue process until baking dish is full. Top with remaining sauce but do not drown the enchiladas, it is ok to have some left over if necessary. Sprinkle diced green onions and remaining cheese over the dish.

Bake for 25-35 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges are crisp.

I added a dab of sour cream over mine before eating..I suggest you do the same! (unless you're a boring picky eater like Papa) The creaminess of the sour cream with the sweet and spice of the enchiladas goes perfectly together.

ENJOY~

Happy Mothers Day!

I may be biased (although I do have a fair fight) but I have been blessed with the worlds greatest mother. A woman of unwavering faith, strong values and the kindest heart you'll ever meet. I consider myself lucky to call her my very best friend. She is the first person I ever go to for advice or with an aching heart and will always be the one person who can put me at ease. I am eternally grateful for my mother.




Happy Mothers Day to the most wonderful woman in the world. I love you endlessly Momma!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Until I moved to San Diego.. I am not sure that I heard much about Mexico's celebration of their heritage and Freedom. A VERY quick history lesson...on May 5,1862, Mexico defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla... hence, the celebration on the 5th of May!

Being so close to the border, San Diego celebrates big when May 5th rolls around. Papa and I won't be going out to join the party tonight.. the semester is coming to a close and we both have a fair amount of homework to focus on. So NOT fun!!
At the very least, I do plan on making a delicious Mexican feast! I think you all should do the same. My sweet friend The Pioneer Woman posted a drool worthy blog this morning. Thought I would share. I promise you, every recipe of hers or one that she has suggested has been absolutely amazing! Take a shot at one tonight!

Check it out here