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Monday, March 16, 2009

Chops and Apples



The oven is warming my little nest, so Katie must be getting ready to make something. I captured a couple of shots of what looks like an adaptation of a roast. Pork chops were seasoned, and placed on top of baby carrots that had been tossed with a small amount of melted butter and two tablespoons of apple juice. Atop these were placed chopped apples and green onions. What a combination I thought, apples and onions, as I snacked upon a slice of apple that had been flung to a corner of the cutting board. The bit that was left in the pan however proved a pleasing combination with the pork. Much to my delight, the meal included macaroni and cheese, a take off of this version of mom's macaroni and cheese. Only I usually use milk, and flour browned in butter.


3 or 4 pork chops, seasoned to taste (seasoned salt was employed)
2-3 cups baby or sliced carrots
1/2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons apple juice
1 sliced onion, or several green onions
1-2 sliced apples

Melt the butter and toss with carrots, and place in a small baking pan.
Pour the apple juice over, and place chops on top.
Put the onions and apples over the top, cover and bake at 400 degrees until the carrots are desired tenderness.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Carbonara! Sort Of....







I'm reasonably sure that this isn't a "proper" carbonara, but it has bacon, cheese, pasta, pesto, and garlic, so whatever it properly is, it is certainly delicious! My mom made this when I was growing up as a quick, filling dinner. Just fry however much bacon you want. 3-10 strips let's say. Cook your pasta (however much you need), and while it's still hot mix in an egg or two and a splash of milk, cream, half & half, or other dairy liquid. Pressed for a measurement, I'd say a quarter cup or so, maybe a bit less. As you mix the hot pasta with the egg, the egg will lightly cook, and combine with the milk to make a creamy sauce base. To this add a spoonful of tomato paste, and a couple of spoons of pesto, and one or two crushed garlic cloves if you want. Then on to the parmesan, add it to taste. Yes, that's the powdered stuff picture, and I added about a half cup. Yes, it is indeed generic :D After you've combined all that, toss in the (broken up or sliced before frying) bacon, and there you have a hearty pasta main dish.... That tastes pretty good first thing in the morning..... Then again for lunch.....