Category: PORK

CREAMY GARLIC & HERB BONELESS PORK CHOPS

I adapted the delicious boneless Pork Chops in a Creamy Garlic & Herb Wine Sauce from Olga at What’s In The Pan.  This a superb One pan dish is so easy to prepare and actually ready in less than 30 minutes! It is made with a dry white wine, the juice of a fresh lemon, FRESH minced garlic and FRESH thyme making these pork chops are packed with flavor and so juicy!

CREAMY GARLIC & HERB BONELESS PORK CHOPS
4 boneless pork chops
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup WONDRA flour
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

  • Whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
  • Generously season pork chops with salt and pepper.
  • Dredge pork chops thoroughly in flour mixture.
  • Reserve dredge for next stop.
  • Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • 
Add pork chops and sear them by cooking for 3-4 minutes per side, reducing heat to medium on second side.
  • Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
  • Cover to keep warm.

CREAMY HERB & WINE SAUCE
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of the dredging mixture
½ cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
½ cup chicken stock
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 sprigs FRESH thyme, leaves only, minced
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped Italian Parsley

  • Return skillet to heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter.
  • Add minced garlic and cooking for 1-2 minutes on medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour and blend well.
  • Add in wine while constantly whisking for 1 minute.
  • Add chicken stock and heavy cream, whisking to blend well.
  • Add lemon juice, fresh thyme and Italian seasoning.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

TO SERVE

  • Reduce heat to low and return pork chops to pan.
  • Turn to coat well simmering JUST until heated through.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, prepared pasta or rice pilaf.

BAVARIAN MEATBALLS ala SLOW COOKER

These meatballs make a GREAT appetizer, are also GREAT on a sandwich or served over rice or pasta. But the most preferred method is with mashed potatoes so there is spot for the YUMMY gravy!

BAVARIAN MEATBALLS ala SLOW COOKER
MEATBALLS
1 pound ground chicken
½ pound ground pork
1 LARGE egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon garam masala
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

GRAVY
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup PACKED brown sugar
1 envelope LIPTON onion soup mix
12 ounces beer or ginger ale
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (optional – best on sandwiches)

  • Mix everything together until well blended.
  • Form into 1 inch meatballs. It will make about 36.
  • Coat the slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place meatballs in the slow cooker.
  • Combine the onions, brown sugar, onion soup mix, and beer. Pour over and around meatballs.
  • Cook on low 3-4 hours until meatballs are cooked through.
  • Serve over rice, pasta or on hoagies*.
  • Top with cheese.

NOTE*: 

  • If serving on hoagies, place split buns on baking sheet, place meatballs on buns and top with cheese. Broil 4-6 inches from heat source for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • If making the “LOAF” mix EVERYTHING (except the cheese) together and add 1 cup Panko crumbs.  Press mixture into a 9×13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Top with cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

SCALLOPED HAM & POTATOES another ANTIQUE RECIPE

I’ve been experimenting with more of my “ANTIQUE” recipes and having GREAT success.  This recipe is also a blank canvas for getting creative.  I had a large jar of pimientos that was opened by accident that I drained and added to the layers.  I was also out of sweet onions so I used shallots and I used the cheese I had on hand which happened to be a garlic pepper cheddar and Gruyere.

SCALLOPED HAM & POTATOES another ANTIQUE RECIPE
5 medium potatoes
1 ham steak*
1 medium sweet Vidalia onion, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1 ¼ cups milk, warmed, but not scalded
½ cup grated cheddar
½ cup grated Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon Paprika

  • Preheat oven 350°.
  • Peel and soak potatoes for one hour.
  • Drain and dry potatoes.
  • Trim ham steak of fat and discard. Cut steak into diced size pieces.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick baking spray.
  • Arrange one third of the potatoes in the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Top with half of the onions and garlic.
  • Top with half of the ham pieces.

  • Repeat layers, ending with potatoes.
  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
  • Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste cooks and turns golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens. Bring it to a SLOW boil.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in grated cheddar cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking, along with the Paprika.
  • Pour over potato and ham layers.
  • Top with Gruyere cheese.
  • Bake one hour until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden.

*NOTE – ham steaks tend to be on the salty side so use salt sparingly until you taste test.  They also tend to be very watery.  If using a packaged ham steak, be sure to “press” excess water from steak before trimming and dicing.

HARVEST STUFFED PORK CHOPS

HARVEST PORK CHOPS
8 boneless pork loin chops, 1 inch thick
2 cups small chopped celery
1 small red onion, chopped small
1/4 cup chopped Italian Parsley
2 cups crispy bread cubes for stuffing
2 cups chicken broth
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup pineapple jam
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Carefully cut a pocket into each pork chop.
  • Combine the celery, onion, parsley, bread cubes, chicken broth, melted butter and cranberries until well blended.
  • Add a large scoop of stuffing to each pork chop and close with a toothpick.
  • Spread remaining stuffing mix into baking dish.
  • Generously season each chop with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Heat oil over medium high heat.
  • Sear each pork chop on each side and place on top of stuffing in baking dish.
  • Cover with foil.
  • Bake 30 minutes.
  • Heat jam and remaining cranberry sauce for 30 seconds in microwave.
  • Uncover chops and spread sauce mixture over top.
  • Return to oven and and bake another 10 minutes until chops reach 160°.

NOTE: Dried cranberries can be substituted, but you’ll need to increase the chicken broth by 1/4 cup for additional moisture.

CHEESE & POTATO STUFFED PORK CHOPS

CHEESE & POTATO STUFFED PORK CHOPS serves 4
adapted from Bake At Midnite

4 center cut bone-in pork chops (about ¾-inch thick)
2 medium potatoes, sliced VERY thinly (See note)
4 green onions, sliced thin
½ cup shredded Fontina cheese
4 slices Gruyere cheese
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
4-6 sprigs FRESH thyme

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Lightly spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
  • Make a “pocket” in the chops to hold the filling.
  • Peel the potatoes if you wish.
  • Slice the potatoes ULTRA thin…so you can read through them.
  • Place potatoes in a medium bowl.
  • Add green onion pieces, the cheeses, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the melted butter.
  • Stuff each chop with a quarter of the potato-cheese mixture.
  • Heat butter over medium-high heat.
  • Quickly sear each side of chops and then place them in prepared pan.
  • Brush with remaining melted butter.
  • Top with thyme sprigs.
  • Sprinkle lightly with additional salt and pepper.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes.

NOTES: You may also substitute 2 cups frozen shredded potatoes that are thawed and dried of ALL moisture if you don’t want to bother with the thin slicing.

SLOW COOKER METHOD:

  • Proceed as above except place chops in a 5-7 Quart slow cooker. Try to angle the chops with the stuffed pocket angled upward.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hrs.

PORK & CHARRED PINEAPPLE SLIDERS

PORK & CHARRED PINEAPPLE SLIDERS

1/4 cup jalapeño ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 (1+2) tablespoons pineapple juice
2 (1+2) tablespoons apple cider vinegar
8 ounces ground pork
1 LARGE bunch green onions, sliced and divided
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
8 slices pineapple, 1/4 inch thick
1 cup shredded red cabbage
8 KING’S Hawaiian small hamburger rolls or (12) buns, split

  • Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon pineapple juice and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
  • Combine cabbage, 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/2 of the green onions, salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
  • Combine pork, remaining green onions, salt and pepper together. Form 8 patties or 12 squares if using rolls.
  • Spray heavy skillet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Heat skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add pork patties and cook 2-3 minutes until slight charred.
  • Flip and cook another minute.
  • Transfer patties to plate and keep warm.
  • Add pineapple slices to skillet and cook 2 minutes until slightly charred.
  • Top pork patties with pineapple slices.
  • Generously brush buns with ketchup mixture.
  • Add a pork patty to each bun bottom.
  • Top with cabbage mixture and roll top.

CREOLE PORK CHOPS

This is another “antique” recipe find. I loved the title, but it fails to actually deliver the flavor in today’s spice packed world of cooking. This was a good alternative for flavor in the early 20th century I’m sure, but bland by today’s standards! I have manipulated the recipe significantly to add MORE flavor.

GOOD LUCK MARGARINE was originally a Newfoundland company and through different mergers and acquisitions eventually became a Canadian company. There were several of these waxed cardboard recipes in the file I recently purchased, but this is the first I tried and had to change to add the necessary flavor.

CREOLE PORK CHOPS ala GOOD LUCK MARGARINE 😀 (sort of) serves 4

4 loin or shoulder chops, bone in
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to season
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup long grain rice
4 thick slices tomato
1 small onion halved, and sliced
4 rings green pepper OR equal amount of sliced mini peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 – 8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on preference)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups boiling salted water

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously sprinkle chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge in flour.
  • Melt butter in skillet.
  • Add chops and sear on both sides.
  • Cook rice in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Do not drain.
  • Place pork chops in a single layer on the bottom of a deep casserole.
  • Place a slice of tomato and peppers on top of each chop.
  • Scatter onions over top.
  • Whisk tomato sauce with the cornstarch, basil, paprika, white pepper, cumin and cayenne, to taste.
  • Stir in garlic.
  • Replace the removed water with the tomato sauce mixture, stirring to blend.
  • Pour rice and tomato sauce water mixture over chops.
  • Cover and bake for one hour or until rice and chops are both tender.

SHEET PAN PORK with BROCCOLI & BEANS

SHEET PAN PORK with BROCCOLI & BEANS

1 1/4-1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin
1/4 cup avocado oil
3-4 cloves garlic, 3 minced and 1 large peeled
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
8 pickled red peppers plus 1 tablespoon of the brine
4 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped Parsley
Juice of 1 lemon plus the zest
1 or 2  – 15 ounce can(s) small navy beans or cannelini, drained and rinsed

  • Preheat oven broiler.
  • Generously season pork roast and place pork on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl mix 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil, the minced garlic, paprika, oregano and 1 tablespoon of the pepper brine. Rub all over pork roast and let stand 5 minutes.
  • Broil 8 minutes until lightly browned, 7-8 minutes.

  • While pork is broiling toss the broccoli florets with the peppers, navy beans and remaining garlic, 2 more tablespoons avocado oil salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
  • Flip pork tenderloin and arrange broccoli mixture around pork and return to the oven.
  • Return pan to oven and broil until pork reaches 145° and broccoli is slightly charred, 8-10 minutes more.
  • Whisk together the remaining pepper brine, avocado oil, parsley, lemon juice and zest. Season to taste.
  • Slice the pork and serve with broccoli drizzled with the herb sauce.

SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS

SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS
8 WHOLE cabbage leaves
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large Vidalia onion, diced
1 cup carrot sticks
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1/3 pound ground sirloin
1/3 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 3/4 cups tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Stack leaves in a large dutch oven and cover with boiling water.
  • Cover and bring to a boil for 4-6 minutes until cabbage is JUST tender enough to be pliable.
  • DRAIN and cool leaves on towel.
  • In a large skillet heat oil.
  • Brown beef and pork JUST until crumbly.
  • Add onion and saute’ 5 minutes.
  • Add carrots and peppers, sauteing a couple minutes more.
  • Add tomato paste and stir to coat.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and syrup, stirring to mix well and stirring often.
  • Bring to a simmer.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Spoon 1/4-1/3 cup of mixture into each cabbage leaf rolling and tucking in the edges.
  • Arrange rolls in baking dish seam side down.
  • Top with tomato sauce, cover and bake 20 minutes.
  • Add mozzarella and return to oven uncovered until cheese melts and rolls are heated through.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BRAISED TOMATILLO PORK

BRAISED TOMATILLO PORK serves 6-8

3-4 pound bone-in pork shoulder roast
1 tablespoon FRESHLY toasted coriander seeds
1 tablespoons FRESHLY toasted cumin seeds
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
10-15 tomatillos, husks removed and chopped
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 orange, peeled and cut into small segments
1 cup white wine
6 cups chicken broth

  • Crush coriander and cumin seeds in a mortar and pestle until aromatic. Set aside.
  • Generously season pork roast with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Heat oil in an ovenproof dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • Brown pork roast on all sides. Remove roast and set aside.
  • Add tomatillo and onion pieces to pan, sautéing until tender and tomatillos are slightly charred.
  • Add garlic and crushed coriander and cumin seeds. Cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  • Add wine, stirring to combine. Scrape bits from bottom of the pan.
  • Stir in chicken broth and return roast to pan.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Remove from heat, cover and bake 3-3 1/2 hours until pork is tender.
  • Shred pork into sauce.
  • Serve over creamy masked potatoes, polenta or with tortillas, avocado salsa and sour cream.

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO sans OKRA

I am NOT a fan of Okra. In fact, I absolutely HATE, HATE, HATE OKRA!!!!!!! So, this version of gumbo has NO okra in it!! The thickening is done with a toasted flour roux instead.  Gumbo is usually served with dirty rice in many places, but hubby really likes it over a creamy mashed potato.

This is a labor intensive recipe with chopping so many times I prep the day before. While I’m chopping, I toast the flour so it has plenty of time to cool. If storing overnight, be sure to store the flour in an airtight container.

I also use a ladle as well as a slotted spoon to serve so everyone can have as much or as little gravy as they like. 😀

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO sans OKRA

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 each red, orange and yellow mini pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon FRESHLY minced thyme
3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 bay leaves
4 cups chicken broth
4 slices bacon, cut into thin strips
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat and cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 pound Andouille sausage, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon vinegar
Prepared rice or mashed potatoes
Frank’s original hot sauce

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Place flour in an oven safe skillet and bake, stirring frequently, 40-55 minutes until the color of cinnamon and has a nutty fragrance.
  • Transfer flour to a bowl and allow to cool.
  • Heat oil in dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers.
  • Add bacon and cook until bacon is rendered and beginning to crisp up.
  • Add onions, bell peppers and celery, cooking 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until softened.
  • Stir in thyme, garlic, paprika, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, stirring until fragrant.
  • Stir in 2 cups of broth.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
  • Whisk together the melted butter with the remaining broth.
  • Slowly and gradually whisk the flour into the broth mixture until a smooth batter like paste is formed.
  • Increase heat to medium high.
  • SLOWLY whisk the paste into gumbo making sure each addition is COMPLETELY incorporated before adding more.
  • Stir in chicken pieces.
  • Simmer uncovered 25 minutes.
  • Discard bay leaves if using.
  • Stir sausage pieces and green onions into gumbo and slowly simmer 5 minutes to heat through.
  • Remove pot from heat and stir in vinegar.
  • Adjust seasonings.
  • Serve over rice with hot sauce.

NOTES:

  • When toasting the flour, obtaining the “cinnamon” color is key to the flavor.
  • I like to use cheesecloth seasoning bags for the bay leaves to make them easier to fish out at the end.  Bay leaves can also be eliminated with a thyme and oregano combination.  For each bay leaf substitute 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.
  • Most recipes call for green pepper, but green pepper and I are NOT on speaking terms so I substitute mini peppers, one in each color, orange, red and yellow.

PORK TENDERLOIN with BOURBON PEACH SAUCE with PARSLEY SLAW

PORK TENDERLOIN with BOURBON PEACH SAUCE with PARSLEY SLAW

TENDERLOIN
1 pound pork tenderloin
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 cups sliced peaches
2 tablespoons QUALITY bourbon
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • Heat oil over medium high heat.
  • Generously season the pork tenderloin.
  • Add pork to skillet and sear on all sides until completely browned and cooked to 140°, about 5-6 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  • Add peaches to pan, stirring 2-3 minutes to cook through.
  • Whisk together the bourbon, vinegar, dijon and honey. Add to peaches, stirring 5minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter.
  • Plate pork and top with peach sauce.
  • Add a generous side of slaw and enjoy!

PARSLEY BROCCOLI SLAW
3 cups broccoli sticks bag mix
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH thyme
1/3 cup toasted almond slices
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Quality honey

  • Toss together the cabbage, parsley, thyme and almonds.
  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar and honey.
  • Drizzle dressing over slaw mixture and toss well.