Sweet Love and Ginger

Main Dish

Mustard Pork Chops with Beans & Greens

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Having the motivation to come home and cook dinner every night is not always easy. More often than not I really just don’t feel like it. Thankfully meal planning really helps me stay motivated, since I hate to see things go to waste and I don’t have to make a last minute decision on what to make for dinner. But even when I have my week planned to a T there are times where I just don’t have the motivation. Work is draining, especially when you spend an entire day or 3 just crunching numbers in spreadsheets.

Mustard Pork Chops with Beans & Greens

These are the days that I fall back to the simple recipes, the ones that take minutes to slap together, and while they don’t feel very exciting they get the job done. On one particular occasion last week I totally threw out my initial dinner plan and just went with a simple 2 part meal and less than 10 ingredients total. It turned out to be a big hit with both Chuck and Lady A (did I mention one of my best friend sis living with us for a while? It’s been a lot of fun having her around). I was totally surprised by this because I never expected beans and greens to really be something that was requested, like ever.

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones most well received.

While I know I’ve said this before it continues to surprise me that these simple, rustic, homey recipes are the ones that people really actually want to eat. These are the things that people are craving. Sure complicated and fancy can be fun, but the grass roots simple stuff is what reminds us of home.

So I guess what I’m saying is to not forget those simple recipes that your parents or grandparents made you, sometimes those are the best.

 

Easy Mustard Pork Chops
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless pork chops
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon water or broth
Instructions
  1. Pound pork chops between 2 layers of platic wrap to 1/2″ – 3/4” thickness. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the pork chops to the pan and cook for until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes before flipping. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the other side until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same pan reduce the heat to medium low. Add the mustard, vinegar, water and broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly while scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. The sauce should be well blended and thickened. Remove the pan from heat.
  4. Serve pork chops with sauce drizzled on top.

 

Greens & Beans

About 10 cups packed greens (such as spinach, mustard greens, kale, or broccoli rabe; about 1 pound), thick stems removed, cut into 1-inch strips

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed, drained

1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed, drained

Salt & pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add greens to the pot and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until wilted slightly (sturdier greens will need 2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat and drain, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking liquid.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed pepper and saute for 1 minutes, until the garlic begins to turn golden. Add the greens, tossing with tongs to coat with oil.

Add the reserved cooking liquid and beans. Simmer, stirring reqularly until beans are heated through and liquid is almost absorbed, about 2 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Mustard Pork Chops with Beans & Greens

Gram’s Slow Cooked Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils

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Something I love about going to grandma’s house is that everyone is greeted with a cup of tea, and offered mounds of food.  We spend most of our time there gathered around the kitchen table, and that’s how it’s always been. I love that on any given day, you might never know who is stopping by. It’s like a comfortable adventure there.

Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils

Sometime last year I had been one ofthose random guests to stop by and gram offered me a vegetable soup she had made. It was one of the best soups I had eaten in a long time, so of course I turned the conversation to how she made it exactly, and in a few short instructions she told me the jist of it, and gave me a soup bone she had in the freezer to make me own with. Grandmas are always good and generous like that.

It took me a try or two to get it right, and then I added my own twist, since we are avoiding wheat products right now. Gram’s original recipe uses short pasta, or couscous, where I used lentils, but that’s the only real change.

Keep in mind this is a slow cooked soup, meaning it takes a long time, but that’s what makes it so good. All the caramelization, and concentrated flavor are necessary, trust me. Take the time and try it. You won’t be sorry.

Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils

Gram’s Slow Cooked Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils
Author: JC
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1lb meaty soup bones
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 large onion, peeled and diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled, and chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • ½ cup dry wine
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup French green lentils
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a large soup pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the soup bone with salt, pepper, paprika, and sugar. Add it to the pot and sauté until it is well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the onion, carrot and celery and cook until softened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add the wine, broth and tomatoes. Cover and cook over low heat for 2 hours, at which point the meat should be tender.
  4. Remove the meat from the pan to a rimmed sheet and let cool. When you can easily handle the bones remove the remaining meat from the bone, cut into bite size pieces and return the meat to the pan.
  5. Add the lentils, tomato paste, and parsley to the pan and stir until well blended. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  6. Stir in the veggies and cook for 2 more minutes.
  7. Adjust seasonings and serve.

 

Braised Pork over Cauliflower Puree

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Braised Pork over Cauliflower Puree

Winter is cold and dark that’s just a fact. Everyone knows that depression rates go up in the winter. I never understood this, because to me winter is a time to start new craft projects, to slow roast meats, simmer soups and braise. These processes add so much more flavor to the food while simultaneously heating the house and making it smell nice. Since you are going to all the work of making a slowly cooked meal, you might as well make it big and invite your neighbors over right? These are the dishes that feed crowds anyway. How can anyone be depressed in this atmosphere?

Winter is the wonderful season where we are able to slow down, and do things like this instead of complaining about the darkness and freaking out about the snow why not celebrate it?

This recipe has become a favorite, and while sometimes the spices mixed in may change, it is a classic that everyone should learn to make.

The meat is succulent and juicy, the sauce a robust, and deep flavor that goes well over everything, but to keep it healthy I made a cauliflower puree. It’s something you can feel good about serving your family and guests alike.

Braised Pork over Cauliflower Puree

I’m still experimenting with my favorite vegan cauliflower puree, but for now this one from detoxinista seems to be my go to.

Braised Pork over Cauliflower Puree
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: Serves 6
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless pork
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325.
  2. In a large dutch oven heat oil over medium high heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Sear the meat on all sides until well browned, remove the meat from the pan.
  3. In the same pan add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring often for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the paste begins to darken.
  4. Stir in the wine and bring to a simmer to reduce to half. While the wine cooks stir the vegetables and scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Add tomatoes, broth , bay leaves and parsley. Add water if necessary to cover ¾ of the pork with the liquid, do not cover the pork completely. Cover the pan and place it in the oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours. The pork should be tender enough to pull with a fork when done.
  6. Adjust seasonings and serve.

 

French Lentil and Arugula Salad

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This is a review of Food 52 Vegan. 

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for this review through the Blogging for Books Program.

French Lentil and Arugula Salad

As we try to eat more vegetable based meals I find that I’m running out of steam. I’ve kind of been stuck in the same rotation of meals, which quite clearly has not helped our waste lines. That’s why both Chuck and I are trying a diet challenge for the month of January. These little challenges give me a chance to flex my creative muscles in the kitchen and cook a different style of food. I have found that in my attempt to make sure I’m still getting enough protein on a restricted diet, while also maintaining my part time vegetarian diet and not getting completely bored, vegan cooking seems to be the way to go.

Food 52 Vegan

I recently picked up Food52 Vegan Cookbook and immediately fell in love. Not only are the pictures amazing, and the recipes superb, but there is a lot of really amazing step by step instruction, and additional info to help the average person understand the foundations of vegan cooking and diets.

This salad has been one of my favorites of the book, and a great go to for week night meals and lunches. I have made it exactly as prescribed, but also added a few ingredients here and there to spice it up. Thing like roasted red peppers, leftover black beans, hummus, and peanut dressing all work wonderfully with this salad base.

French Lentil and Arugula Salad
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 ½ cups cooked lentils
  • 2 cups firmly packed baby arugula leaves
  • 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
  • 1 cup chopped endive
  • 1 cup sliced cucumber
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
  • Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, shallot, salt, lemon juice, vinegar and mustard until evenly blended. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the lentils, arugula radishes, endive, cucumber, and dill. Drizzle evenly with the prepared dressing, then toss until the ingredients are evenly coated. Stir in the walnuts and season with black pepper to taste.
  3. Serve immediately.

French Lentil and Arugula Salad

Clean Spanish Style Seafood Stew

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This is a clean and healthy version of a typical Spanish Style Seafood Stew.

Spanish Style Seafood Stew

Sometimes you just need a hearty, spicy stew to clear out your sinuses and fill your belly.

I’m thinking this is that stew for me….

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