Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Fork Tender Pork Chops

Tonight I am going to make pork chops, spanish rice and corn. This is one of those meals that my mom used to make - it's comfort food for me. My husband, unknown to me, did not like pork chops and was not happy to hear that (7 years ago) I was making them for dinner. But then he tasted mine and he loved them! Turns out his mom did not know how to make them tender. You can cut mine with a fork.

*********************************************************************************
PORK CHOPS

4 bone-in center cut pork chops
black pepper
caraway seeds
olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp. beef bouillon dissolved in 3/4 cup warm water
(OR 3/4 cup beef broth with 1 tsp. salt added)

Trim excess fat off chops. Season chops on both sides with pepper and caraway. Sear chops in olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden. Transfer chops to 9x13 pan. Pour broth in skillet to de-glaze pan; pour juices over chops. Cover tightly with foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
**********************************************************************************

Like I said, my mom always served her chops with spanish rice and corn. I will use Rice-A-Roni spanish rice mix because I like the ones where you add your own can of tomatoes. The Jewel brand was the best (it is discontinued), but R-A-R is a close second. I also have a can of corn I will heat in the microwave (in a bowl, not the can), then drain off the water and stir in a tablespoon of butter - yum!

It's Tuesday so I was Playground Mom again. I had to take 2 preschoolers to the bathroom and threaten 2 others with time-outs for not going down the slide on their bottoms. I am quickly learning the names of the trouble-makers and feeling more confident to scold the kids as needed. When the first graders came out, one of them ran up to me with a sticky note stuck to her forehead with the names of 6 kids who had to have time-out for 5 minutes right off the bat (glad I'm not their teacher).

Happy eating!

5 comments:

  1. We like pork chops here and I do my best to keep 'em tender. I will definitely try this recipe, though! Sounds yummy!

    When I was first reading your post title, I kept repeating "fork chops...that's not right...fork chops..." Yeah. I need sleep. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Even I didn't care for pork chops as a kid. I think our mothers cooked them till they were like leather, dry and hard. Love a good chop! Thanks for the idea of the spanish rice, too! I always serve mine with some applesauce on the side.

    ReplyDelete
  3. yum on the porkchops; my mom used to make them and they weren't dry but tender like your mom's(but she didn't put them in the oven). No one other than me likes pork here so I haven't had porkchops in a long time. when I'm in your area, you can make them for me for dinner (LOL)

    isn't it amazing how we learn the names of the trouble makers first? I remember those days from being a volunteer at my kids' school

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a great dinner :) And a busy playground, I agree, poor Teacher, I could never do that job. I am so thankful for those that enjoy and do it :)

    ReplyDelete