Sweet Heat Pork Chops

My husband is a really good cook. If he's in the kitchen I know I'll enjoy a delicious meal. The thing about his creations though is he doesn't use a recipe. He somehow manages to combine different ingredients, using just the right amount to create a dish that not only leaves me wanting more but also wanting him to recreate it again. That is where the problem comes into play. He usually can't remember what all he puts in to make it again. 

So when he made this pork recipe a few weeks ago, I made him tell me what and how much he used as he was cooking. I'm glad I did because not only is this pork recipe simple, it's delicious. Just the right amount of sweetness with a touch of heat from the chili powder.

Summer is almost here, this would go perfectly on the grill with some veggies! 

Ingredients: 

2 thin boneless pork chops

2 tbs breadcrumbs

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp chili powder

2 tbs brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt and pepper

2 tbs olive oil 

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cinnamon, chili powder, brown sugar and 1 tbs of the olive oil. 

Salt and pepper the pork chops. 

Cover the pork chops in the sweet heat rub. Make sure all sides are covered. 

Cook in a skillet, grill pan or on the grill. If you're cooking on the oven, use the remaining

olive oil. Pour the tablespoon of olive oil into the pan, heat to medium and cook the pork chops for about 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.

Buffalo Ritz Chicken

Last week, I posted the honey mustard ritz chicken. When I was making that chicken, I thought about how good buffalo sauce would be with the recipe. I love all things buffalo flavored and knew this recipe would be perfect for football Sunday. So, we gave it a try this past weekend and I was right. Loved it. Hubs approved and it was just as good leftover. 

Next time, I'll be coating the chicken with crushed cornflakes instead of ritz crackers. 

The possibilities are endless! 

Ingredients: 

1 lb chicken tenderloins

1/4 cup buffalo sauce 

1/4 cup ranch dressing  more if needed

1 sleeve crushed ritz cracker

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, mix well. 
3. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. I've baked the chicken on a baking mat and have also baked it on a greased cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. Chicken came out pretty much the same each time. 
4. Have two empty low bowls or dishes ready. In one, place the mixture of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.  in the second, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
5. Cut the chicken into strips if you don't already have tenderloins. 
6. Season the chicken with salt and pepper
7. Dip the chicken pieces one by one into the buffalo mixture first, followed by the ritz crackers.
8. Make sure the chicken is covered with crackers.
9. After the chicken is coated in the buffalo mix and crackers, place on a baking sheet.
10. When all of the chicken is coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
11. Enjoy!

HONEY MUSTARD RITZ CRACKER CHICKEN

Today, I’m sharing our first quick and easy recipe of the new year. All you need for this ritz cracker chicken dish are just THREE ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and was enjoyed by all four members of my family. This is the perfect replacement for the chicken tenders and potato skins hubs and I would get once a week from our local grocery store! I served the chicken with baked potatoes on the night I made it but from here on out, I think I’ll serve it with sweet potato fries on a night we’re craving comfort food. Enjoy! 

• 2 pieces (about 1lb) chicken cut into strips
• 2/3 cup honey mustard dipping sauce more if needed
• 1 sleeve ritz crackers crushed
•  salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. I baked the chicken on a baking mat.
3. Have two empty low bowls or dishes ready. In one, place the honey mustard, in the second, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
4. Cut the chicken into strips
5. Season the chicken with salt and pepper
6. Dip the chicken pieces one by one into the honey mustard first, followed by the ritz crackers.
7. Make sure the chicken is covered with crackers.
8. After the chicken is coated in honey mustard and crackers, place on a baking sheet.
9. When all of the chicken is coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
10. Enjoy!

Chicken with Honey- Roasted Tomatoes

With the new year quickly approaching, I've already started to plan clean eating meals for the year. When I was going through my recipes, I realized I never shared this one with you all. This recipe is done in about 20 minutes. It has just the right amount of flavor and pairs with just about anything. I served it with brown rice and green beans. If you're looking to meal prep for the week, I recommend doubling this recipe and saving some for lunch over the week. Serve it on a ned of spinach and you have a delicious salad! 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon + 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste (about 1/4 tsp)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F. 

Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. 

Season chicken with salt and pepper. 

Brown chicken in hot oil 2 to 3 minutes per side. 

Combine tomatoes, honey, 1 tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar, garlic and oregano.

Pour tomato mixture around chicken 

Move skillet to oven and back for 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken is done and tomatoes are tender.

Drizzle the remaining balsamic vinegar over the chicken and serve. 

                                                      This recipe was adapted from eMeals. 

Mini Mushroom Meatloaves

Cooking dinner these days has been a bit of a challenge. When it comes time for dinner, I can usually be found running between feeding the baby, trying to keep him from throwing all of the food on the floor and pleading with my toddler to eat what I made her for dinner. By the time my husband walks through the door, both kids are almost done and I'm ready for a breather. Nine times out of ten, we have about 30 minutes to cook and eat dinner before bedtime routine starts.

So, I've been looking for recipes I can either prep beforehand with little cook time or one pot meals. The recipe below is about a 35 minute meal. With 5 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cook time. The meatloaves were moist with a slight crisp around the edges, just how I like them. What I love about making meatloaf in the muffin tin is that it's a great way to portion control and they are easy to take for lunch the next day! Enjoy.




Ingredients: 

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 (12-oz) pkg sliced fresh mushrooms, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbsp tomato paste

3⁄4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

11⁄2 lb ground round or ground turkey

 Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. 

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and garlic. 

3. Cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender; transfer to a large bowl. 

4. Stir in tomato paste, breadcrumbs,seasoning, salt, pepper and eggs; add ground round, and gently combine. 

5. Divide mixture evenly among 12 muffin cups in a greased muffin pan. 

6. Bake 20 minutes or until done.

Recipe adapted from Emeals.