Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

serves 6
6 bone-in pork chops (loin or shoulder), cut 3/4 inch thick
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large white onion, sliced
2 to 3 apples, cored and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 cup chicken broth or cider

1. Trim the chops of excess fat. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a 14-inch skillet over high heat, and then swirl in the olive oil. Lay in the pork chops and don't move them for a few minutes, to assure a good golden sear forms. Turn and brown well on the second side for a total of about 10 minutes. Transfer the chops to a warm plate.
2. Swirl the butter into the pan. Add the onion and apples. Saute until the onion slices are lightly caramelized and the apples have begun to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in the broth or cider. Return chops to the pan.
3. Cook until the pork is tender, about 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of the chops), turning halfway through and covering the chops with the apple mixture. If the apple mixture needs a little thickening, transfer the chops to the warm plate again and simmer the mixture on high for a few minutes to reduce. Serve the chops over rice or mashed potatoes with a large spoonful of the apple-onion mixture over the top.

Squash Casserole

Thinly slice 1-2 zucchini squash and put into a 9X9 pan
Chop 1 medium onion and put half on top of the sliced zucchini
Sprinkle with seasoned salt
Thinly slice 1-2 yellow squash and put on top of sliced zucchini
Sprinkle with seasoned salt
Bake in 375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until squash is fork tender
Sprinkle with grated monterey jack or mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Remove from oven.
Chop two to three tomatoes and put on top of casserole.

Frosted Apple Cake

 

2 ½ cups all purpose flour (or 1 cup whole wheat & 1 1/2 cups white flour)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder, baking soad, ground cinnamon and salt
1 ½ cups applesauce
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup chopped walnuts -optional

Preheat oven to 350. Sift dry ingredients into large mixing bowl. Add applesauce,oil, and eggs. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat batter on high for 2 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick is clean.

Frosting
½ cup butter or margarine
4 ½ cups powdered sugar
6 Tbsp apple juice-divided

Heat butter in saucepan, stirring continually over medium heat until lightly browned. Beat butter, powdered sugar and 4 Tbsp apple juice. Add remaining apple juice and ¼ cup walnuts. Spread over cake.

Poppyseed Chicken

 

4 chicken breasts chopped and cooked
1 pint sour cream
optional:1/2 roll Ritz crackers mashed in a little milk and butter
Combine and spread in a 9x13 pan

Combine 1 roll crushed ritz crackers, 2 Tbsp poppy seeds, 3/4 cup butter and spread over top.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over pasta.

Oven Fried Chicken with Almonds

 

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped almonds
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 clove garlic crushed
1 teas salt
1/4 teas dried thyme
pinch of black powder
1/4 cup olive oil
2 pounds chicken (12 pieces)

Preheat oven to 400. Combine crumbs cheese almonds parley garlic salt thyme and pepper. Dip chicken in oil and coat with mix. Bake 25 minutes.

Oatmeal Muffins/Pancakes

 

 

¾ cup + 2 Tbsp oats
1 cup buttermilk
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp soda
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
2/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup canola oil
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine oats and buttermilk and soak for 30 min. Add other ingredients and then bake on griddle as pancakes (may need a little more milk). Or as muffins.