Saucy Pork Chops

This pork chop recipe is from my dazzling Lizzy, of course.

5-6 pork chops

1/2 c. chopped onion

1/2 c. chopped celery

1 c. water

1 TB vinegar

1 c. ketchup

2 TB worcestershire sauce

2 TB brown sugar

1 tsp. prepared mustard

salt

Lightly brown chops, drain fat. Remove chops from pan. In same pan add onions and celery. Brown in butter until tender. Add water, vinegar, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, sugar and mustard. Salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Pour mix over pork chops in 13x9 casserole. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes covered; 30 minutes uncovered. Serve with rice. 

Chili Mac

Chili Mac

1 lb penne pasta
Salt
2 TB olive oil
1 1/2 lbs ground sirloin
2 TB chili powder
Black Pepper
12 onion chopped
3-4 cloves garlic
1 cup beef stock
1 can chopped tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped basil
1/2 c. smoked cheddar
1/2 c. cheddar

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, heat a deep skillet over medium high heat with olive oil. Crumble beef and brown. 5-6 minutes. Season meat with chili powder, salt and pepper. When meat has browned add onions, peppers and garlic. Cook vegetables until soft. Add stock and scrape up pan drippings. Stir in tomatoes, simmer sauce 10 minutes and fold in basil. Drain pasta and add to sauce. Toss to combine and transfer to 13x9 casserole. Top with cheese and bake at 350 until cheese is melted.

(adapted from a Rachel Ray recipe)

Chili

Delicious Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 large chopped onion
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup celery
1/4 cup green pepper
1 can (46 oz) tomato juice
1 can (29 oz) tomato sauce
1/3 cup chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 TB chopped fresh oregano 
    or 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper 
2 cans chili beans, rinsed well

Place ground beef, onion, garlic, celery, and green pepper in a large, deep skillet. Crumble and brown beef and cook until vegetables are soft. Drain excess fat.

Add remaining ingredients to a large pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

My kids love to eat this with cooked seashell noodles or macaroni.  Okay, so do I. 

Green Strawberry Salad

Green Strawberry Salad

Romaine lettuce

Baby Spinach

Sliced Strawberries

¾ c. Slivered almonds

4 Tbsp. sugar

Mix together almonds and sugar over medium heat under sugar is dissolved.  Spread onto wax paper until cool.  Toss together the lettuce, spinach and strawberries.  Sprinkle the nuts on top. 

Dressing

Mix in blender

8 strawberries

3 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1 1/2c. sugar

¼ tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. dry mustard

2 tsp. salt

2/3c. white vinegar

3 Tbsp. minced onion

2c. oil

Serving the dressing on the side is a great idea if you plan to have leftovers... but there probably won't be any leftover.  This salad could easily be a meal by adding shredded chicken.

Bourbon Chicken

My sister-in-law Sarah is an amazing cook!  She makes healthy eating truly enjoyable.  While Sarah has figured out an even healthier version of this recipe, the one below is the one I've tried, and I absolutely loved it!!!  All three of my kids like it too, and that is a rarity!  Yay for good food!

Better Than Your Chocolate Glaze

My brother Alex claims the right to title all his recipes, Better Than Your... (BTY).  I have eaten his food enough not to argue.  Enjoy his recipe!

Crêpes

This recipe has been a very frequent request from my daughter ever since she had it with Aunt Lizzy.  Of course my sweet sister-in-law always makes delightful treats while we stay there and makes me look like a bad cook. :)  (At least in my nine-year-old's eyes)  Thanks Lizzy!