Does anyone else feel like they get into a rut with dinners? Sometimes I feel like we eat the same things everyday. I know that isn't really the case, but I still feel that way. So I'd like to share some recipes that I've found recently that I've liked. If anyone else would like to share or post some recipes I think it would be fun.
I like pork, but I've never had a really good recipe until now... I got this one out of my Taste of Home Cookbook. It's fast and easy. It also works with any kind of side you want.
Braised Pork Chops1 tsp rubbed sage
1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops (1/2 inch thick and 4 oz each)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup apple juice divided
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley (optional garnish)
1) Combine sage, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper; rub over both sides of pork chops. In a large non stick skillet, brown chops on both sides in butter and oil. Remove.
2) Add 1/2 cup juice to skillet; bring to a boil. Return chops to pan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 min or until juices run clear, basting occasionally. Remove chops to a serving platter and keep warm.
3) Add remaining juice to the skillet. Bring to a boil, loosening any browned bits from the pan. Cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Pour over the chops; sprinkle with parsley.
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Here is another recipe out of The Taste of Home Cookbook that's worth trying. I know what you might be thinking...lentils???... But this recipe is good, lentils are really cheap and it's healthier than ground beef. I like to get the taco salad shells that you bake yourself and use those. And since I've justified that lentils are good to myself I don't feel bad having a little extra sour cream on top. mmmm
Tasty Lentil Tacos
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced
1 tsp canola oil
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
taco shells
lettuce
tomato
shredded cheese
sour cream
1) In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentil, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook and stir for 1 min.
2) Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 min or until lentils are tender. Uncover; cook for 6-8 min or until mixture has thickened. Mash lentils slightly.
3)Stir in salsa. Then assemble your tacos.
I thought that my bow party was a success. I had a good time hanging out with the girls. I also learned another way to make bows. Hopefully Drew and I will have another girl someday. I wish I knew about alligator clips when Molly was a baby and bald...
This is a picture of our entry way Friday around noon. I was straightening up the kitchen when Gabe decided to pull everything off the shelves. So I tickled him, told him it wasn't nice to tear apart the house and picked it up.
Maybe an 1 1/2 hours later Molly wakes up from nap and this is what I find. The joys of never ending housework. Sometimes I think they're trying to make me crazy.
Molly has been venturing farther and farther away. Gabe loves following her. They think it's a great game. How far can we go before mom has to come and chase us?
Exhibit B: Molly made a bird feeder. We hung it on the patio yesterday afternoon. It has been ridiculously windy the past couple of days. I probably should have waited to hang it, but I didn't want her to forget about it. So far we've seen a lot of birds flying and running on the ground, but none on our feeder. Maybe we'll wait one more day and then hang it on a tree.
Thursday 76 degrees
