Sound boring? Well, it's NOT. Lots of recipes to post.....So, I will forego the blogging...to a point. :-) Plates are cleaned...the grades are in. Matt gave it an A+...Daniel gave it a quick A+++++++.
TOMATOES
Slice large tomatoes into thick slices. Marinate them in balsamic vinegar for 1 hour. After it marinates, lay in a pan and cook in 350 degree oven for 7 minutes until they soften. Top with Italian blend cheese and broil until the cheese browns.
*Now, I would add some seasoning to the tomatoes while it cooks...basil would be great!!
PESTO ORZO
Ok, so simple recipe with LOADS of flavor. I cooked orzo as directed. LOVE orzo. After you drain it, mix in some pesto, feta and Italian cheese blend. SO SIMPLE...and LOADED with yumminess. I mean, seriously...such an EASY side dish and it doesn't taste like tired macaroni and cheese.
PORK CHOPS
This is a staple in our house. This can be used with pork chops or chicken and I make them all the time with each. With pork chops, I use very thin cut pork chops.
So, I dip the pork chops in egg and a tiny bit of water whisked together. Next, I dip the chops in a bowl that has a mixture of bread crumbs (I use Panko), some parmesan or italian blend cheese (a couple small handfuls), and generous seasoning (I use garlic salt and pepper). I take the chop and press in generous amounts of the breading.
Next I melt about a 1/2 tablespoon of butter and olive oil. Cook each side in a skillet that is on medium-medium high heat. Being thin, it takes only minutes per side.
This is a HUGE hit in the family...and great for pork chops and chicken. When I do it with chicken, I flatten them nice and thin.
And than, I had to make a dessert! I made an Earthquake Cake. When dealing with baked goods, there is no not measuring, so here is the recipe that I came across...it is not my own. Winner!!!!!!
EARTHQUAKE CAKE
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan. Sprinkle nuts and coconut on bottom of pan. Mix cake mix as directed on box. Pour over nuts and coconut.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla with a hand mixer on low to medium-low until well blended (add the sugar about a half cup at a time to prevent a powder explosion). This mixture will look like thick cheesecake batter.
Drop by spoonfuls over the chocolate cake batter, leaving at least a one-inch margin around the sides of the pan (this prevents the cheesecake from bubbling over).
Weave a butter knife in an s-pattern through the batter to create a swirl, but be sure to not disturb the nuts and coconut — keep the knife very shallow. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
TOMATOES
Slice large tomatoes into thick slices. Marinate them in balsamic vinegar for 1 hour. After it marinates, lay in a pan and cook in 350 degree oven for 7 minutes until they soften. Top with Italian blend cheese and broil until the cheese browns.
*Now, I would add some seasoning to the tomatoes while it cooks...basil would be great!!
PESTO ORZO
Ok, so simple recipe with LOADS of flavor. I cooked orzo as directed. LOVE orzo. After you drain it, mix in some pesto, feta and Italian cheese blend. SO SIMPLE...and LOADED with yumminess. I mean, seriously...such an EASY side dish and it doesn't taste like tired macaroni and cheese.
PORK CHOPS
This is a staple in our house. This can be used with pork chops or chicken and I make them all the time with each. With pork chops, I use very thin cut pork chops.
So, I dip the pork chops in egg and a tiny bit of water whisked together. Next, I dip the chops in a bowl that has a mixture of bread crumbs (I use Panko), some parmesan or italian blend cheese (a couple small handfuls), and generous seasoning (I use garlic salt and pepper). I take the chop and press in generous amounts of the breading.
Next I melt about a 1/2 tablespoon of butter and olive oil. Cook each side in a skillet that is on medium-medium high heat. Being thin, it takes only minutes per side.
This is a HUGE hit in the family...and great for pork chops and chicken. When I do it with chicken, I flatten them nice and thin.
And than, I had to make a dessert! I made an Earthquake Cake. When dealing with baked goods, there is no not measuring, so here is the recipe that I came across...it is not my own. Winner!!!!!!
EARTHQUAKE CAKE
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan. Sprinkle nuts and coconut on bottom of pan. Mix cake mix as directed on box. Pour over nuts and coconut.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla with a hand mixer on low to medium-low until well blended (add the sugar about a half cup at a time to prevent a powder explosion). This mixture will look like thick cheesecake batter.
Drop by spoonfuls over the chocolate cake batter, leaving at least a one-inch margin around the sides of the pan (this prevents the cheesecake from bubbling over).
Weave a butter knife in an s-pattern through the batter to create a swirl, but be sure to not disturb the nuts and coconut — keep the knife very shallow. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
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