Apple-Pork Chops

This was a definite autumn type recipe! Just enough sweetness with not too much saltiness. I found it in my 3,4,5 ingredient cookbook under the 4 ingredient recipes section.

Apple-Pork Chops

Ingredients:

4 butter-flied pork chops
2 apples, peeled
2 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:

Place pork chops in non-stick sprayed shallow baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Uncover and place peeled and cored apple halves on top of pork chops. Add a little butter and a little brown sugar on each apple. Bake for another 15 minutes.

I served it with some buttery carrot coins which made this comfort meal even more so.

Oatmeal Crisps

I felt like throwing something together today and found this quick, yummy recipe in my 5 ingredient or less cookbook :)

Oatmeal Crisps

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine
1 cup pack brown sugar
2 cups quick oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

In a saucepan, melt margarine and add brown sugar; stir until blended. Remove from heat and add oats, baking powder and salt. Spread in a greased 8-inch square pan. Bake at 325F for 15-20 minutes. Cut into squares while still warm. I think this would be so awesome with a side of vanilla ice cream :)

Cookie dough, in general, may be frozen up to 3 months in airtight containers or refrigerated 3-4 days.

As-Easy-As-Fallin-Off-A-Log-Chili

I was supposed to make this recipe Thursday, but have been switching around a bit this week. Since soccer practice was cancelled tonight due to the cold and rain, it seemed like a perfect night to try out this new recipe. It is in my 3,4,5 ingredient cookbook under the 3 ingredient section.

As-Easy-As-Fallin-Off-A-Log-Chili

Ingredients:

2 lb ground beef or ground round
2 (1 oz) packets chili seasoning (taco seasoning works just as well)
2 (32 oz) jars spaghetti sauce with chunky tomatoes, onions, peppers

Directions:

In heavy skillet, brown meat. Drain and stir in chili seasoning. Add sauce and 1 cup water. mix well and simmer for 30 minutes.

*Tip: If you have to have beans in your chili, add 1 or 2 cans pinto beans and heat for 20 minutes longer.

Broccoli & Garlic Pasta

I switched a day this week and decided to serve this dish on Tuesday instead of Wednesday since it is a quicker meal and I was running out the door to get to my Zumba class on time. It is now one of my family's favorite pasta dishes. I found it in my "5 Ingredients or Less" cookbook that my in-laws got for me...thanks Tina and Garry :) This meal is great hot or cold, for lunch or for dinner :)

Broccoli & Garlic Pasta

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) pkg shaped pasta, such as ziti or raddiatore
1 bunch broccoli cuts into florets
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Four minutes before the pasta finishes cooking, add the broccoli to the water. While the pasta cooks, combine the garlic, olive oil and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drain the pasta and broccoli and toss with the garlic mixture.

**I had no fresh broccoli on hand so I used a frozen package which worked just as well.

Pepperoni Chicken

This was really nice and tender :) Yum!!

Pepperoni Chicken

Ingredients:

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
24 pepperoni slices
6 mozzarella cheese slices

Directions:

Brown chicken on both sides in well-greased skillet. Place chicken in sprayed 9 x 13-inch pan and arange 4 peperoni slices over each piece of chicken. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, remove from oven and top each with cheese. Bake additional 5 minutes or until chicken is tender.

***You can also use shredded mozzarella cheese.

Broccoli Casserole I

I have been making this recipe for years (I made this last night for a dinner with friends). I found it 15 years ago when I worked for the FBI and we did a cookbook fundraiser for the Child Development Center on the FBI grounds. I changed a few things about the recipe which made it so much better!

Broccoli Casserole I

Ingredients:

1 cup Minute Rice
1 can mushroom soup or 1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkg chopped broccoli (10 oz frozen)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup hot water
1 small jar Cheez Whiz
1 stick butter

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Place in casserole baking dish. Sprinkle the top with Pepperidge Farm seasoned bread crumbs. Bake for 1 hour for 350F.

***Instead of cheez whiz, I use the Ragu cheese sauce. Also instead of the Pepperidge Farm bread crumbs, I tear pieces of bread and lay on top. I then sprinkle it with oregano and italian seasonings. I think it tastes so much better!

Menu Plan Monday!! Week of 11/1/10-11/7/10

It is "Menu Plan Monday" We have one more week of soccer practices (Tues & Thurs)and my 10 year old is having a sleepover on Friday. Here are the meals I have planned for the week:

Monday: Pepperoni Chicken

Tuesday: As Easy As Fallin Off a Log Chili, Tortillas for dipping

Wednesday: Broccoli and Garlic Pasta, Rolls

Thursday: Fend for Yourself Night

Friday: Sleepover Night

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner (Cinnamon Toast)

I would also like to get in one new appetizer (Hot Cocktail Squares) and one dessert (Million Dollar Pie)

All recipes this week are new to us so we will see how they rate in the "yummy" department.

Check back during this week for these recipes and final product photos!