Ok, guys, you're going to be so excited. I think I've actually found a focus for my blog. I was telling Jessa the other night that I haven't been able to find anything to consistently blog about, and that's why I've done such a terrible job keeping up with it. Well, now I think I've figured it out! Cooking! It might seem weird, but it's something I do all the time. I consistently try new recipes while making our tried-and-true favorites (like Paula Deen's mac and cheese). Just about every week, I try to find a new recipe, and I usually plan my shopping list according to what recipes I want to make. I guess it's kind of my creative outlet. Anyhow, y'all can benefit from the extra pounds! :)
Tonight, I made both: a new recipe and a tried-and-true favorite. The new recipe is onion-baked pork chops -- amazing. The favorite is Paula Deen's mac-n-cheese -- heavenly. My jeans feel a little bit tighter after cooking (and eating!) that stuff, but man, was it good.
*Disclaimer: none of these photos are mine, but I tried to find photos that looked like what the food ends up looking like.
First recipe: Onion-baked pork chops. This seriously might be my new favorite pork chop recipe. Soooooo good. And very, very simple! I bet this breading would be good with chicken as well.
Ingredients:
*1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
*1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs (I used Panko bread crumbs -- very good)
*4 pork chops
*1 egg, well beaten
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray baking dish with Pam. In small bowl, combine soup mix and bread crumbs. Dip chops in egg, then in bread crumb mixture until evenly coated.
2. Arrange chops in baking dish.
3. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until done, turning once halfway through.
Second recipe: Paula Deen's Mac and Cheese! This is pretty much the perfect mac and cheese.
Second recipe: Paula Deen's Mac and Cheese! This is pretty much the perfect mac and cheese. Ingredients:
*2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-oz box will do fine)
*2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about a bag and a half)
*3 eggs, beaten
*1/2 cup sour cream (half an 8-oz container)
*1 10.75-oz can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
*4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces (1/2 stick)
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 cup whole milk (I'm sure you could use fat-free or whatever you have)
*1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
*1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13x9 inch baking dish with Pam.
2. Boil macaroni until tender. Drain. Return macaroni to saucepan and add 2 cups of cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Add sour cream, soup, butter, salt, milk, mustard, pepper and eggs, and stir well. (I add the eggs last so that the macaroni will have cooled and the eggs won't start cooking from the heat.)
3. Pour the macaroni mixture into the baking dish. Smooth the top and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 40 minutes until browned and bubbly.
