Methodist Women Bearing Casseroles: Recipe Friday

Weekend Bonus: Boneless Pork Chops in Mushrooms & Thyme

2 5-ounce boneless, center-cut pork loin chops, trimmed and pounded to 1/4 inch thick
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium white or yellow onion, minced
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup dry vermouth or 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to 2 serving plates; tent with foil to keep warm.

Swirl oil into the pan, add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Add vermouth (or apple juice) and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in mustard, thyme and any juices that have accumulated from the pork; cook until the sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, 1 to 2 minutes more. Spoon the sauce over the pork chops and serve immediately.

Serves 2 -- but can be easily doubled to whatever size meal you are cooking.

Suggested sides: long-grain or wild rice or scalloped potatoes; fresh green beans and/or baby carrots

Comments

Recipe Friday: Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Cranberry Aioli

For the aioli: 1/2 cup dried cranberries 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup lowfat plain yogurt 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon lemon zest Salt and freshly ground black pepper Place all the ingredients, except the salt and pepper, in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the aioli to a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to build the sandwiches. For the chicken: 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon zest 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh lemon thyme or thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 focaccia rolls , split 1 cup finely chopped romaine lettuce 4 slices swiss cheese Wash & put the chicken in a resealable plastic bag. In a small bowl stir together chicken broth, lemon peel, lemon juice, 1 tabl

Just Desserts: Double Peanut Butter Bars

This recipe takes the simple peanut butter cookie and "raises the bar"... with three layers: Peanut Butter Cookie on the bottom Rich peanut butter icing in the middle Topped with a chocolate shell Delicious and decadent! For the cookie base: Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13 glass baking dish. 1 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon dark molasses 1/2 cup creamy peanut buter 1/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1 1/4 cups flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Prepare peanut butter cookie dough (per normal recipe) but do not refrigerate. Instead, spread dough evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. For the middle layer: 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar In a small bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, milk, vanilla and powdered

Recipe Friday: Pecan-crusted Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce

3 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon garlic powder Egg whites from 2 large eggs 1 cup crushed pecans 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halves (about 6 oz. each) Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves, plus extra for garnish Preheat oven to 325°F. Use three shallow bowls or pie pans. In the first, mix flour, poultry seasoning and garlic powder. In the second, beat egg whites until frothy. Place pecans in the third. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Turn in flour to dust the breasts, then turn in egg whites, then press breasts into nuts on both sides. Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet, over medium-high heat. When the oil has coated the pan, add the tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted & golden brown, add the chicken. Brown on each side for about 2 minutes,then transfer the pan to the oven and finish cooking through (about

Administrativia

Search This Blog