Recipe: Vegetable Pork Chop Dinner

This is one of the tastiest and easiest dinners I have made in a while. I just went grocery shopping the night before, but wanted to use up the older veggies before they went bad to make room for the new ones. 

So, I typed into google, 'pork chops' and 'red bell pepper', found  this recipe and thought, wow, that's really easy! I added  mushrooms and altered the sauce a bit and it was perfection. The onions were easy, because I just pulled prechopped ones I had in a freezer bag already to go. We served the meal over steamed rice and had (store bought) strawberry shortcakes with fresh chopped strawberries and whipped cream for dessert.

You could substitute green beans or asparagus for the bell peppers in this easy and delicious recipe.

♥ Ingredients ♥

• 4 (3/4 inch) thick boneless pork loin chops
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
• 6 mushrooms, sliced thick
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons Girard's Caesar Dressing (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves (I used Emeril's table blend instead)
• 1/2 tsp flour or cornstarch to thicken sauce

♥ Preparation ♥

Sprinkle chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in heavy skillet over medium high heat and add chops, onion, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes on one side, shaking pan frequently so garlic doesn't burn, then turn chops and add pepper strips and mushrooms. Cover and cook 5-8 minutes longer until pork registers 160 degrees F. Remove chops and peppers from skillet and set aside, covered to keep warm. 

Add Worcestershire sauce, water, dressing, seasonings and flour, scraping bottom of skillet with rubber spatula to loosen pan drippings. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, then return pork and vegetables to skillet. Cook for 1 minute longer to coat pork with sauce, then serve. 4 servings.

Nutty Red Pepper Chicken Tortellini Recipe

I got the basics of this recipe from some magazine, but I changed it up a bit to make it a family favorite. It's quite easy, feeds a lot and relatively cheap. Add a side salad, maybe garlic bread sticks and some fresh fruit for a satisfying meal, that even most picky eaters will like.

Red Pepper & Green Bean Tortellini

Ingredients

1 pkg. cheese tortellini

4 chicken breasts, cut up in 1 3/4 inch pieces

2 TB olive oil

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1/4 chopped red onion (about 3/4 inch)

1/2 c chopped walnuts (adds a light crunch without a nutty taste)

1 can whole green beans (or use fresh)

1 pint heavy whipping cream

2 TB sour cream (optional)

2 cloves crushed garlic

sea salt, pepper, basil

Parmesan cheese for garnish/taste

Directions

Prepare cheese tortellini, drain, keep warm and set aside.

Heat  olive oil, then saute' garlic and onion on stove.

Add in red pepper, green beans and walnuts until tender.

Set aside.

Add chicken to pan & salt and pepper. Stir fry until done. Add in the nut/veggie mix to the chicken. Add heavy whipping cream, sour cream, basil and any other spices.

Bring sauce to a boil, then cover and simmer for approx 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Remove covered pan to unheated surface and toss in cheese tortellini to coat.

Sauce will thicken as it stands.

Serve topped with a light sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.

*ps, I'm not a stickler to cutting the exact sizes I mentioned, I make things a little small since I have toddlers, but you don't have to, (with the exception of onion, chopping too small will result in a very oniony taste).

*pss, I don't usually set the veggies aside then do the chicken. I usually mix the chicken in with the onions and garlic too, then add the rest of the veggies/nuts when the chicken is done, but sometimes, I like the veggies to be a little more pan seared. Either way works.