A little inspiration

I never intended to make this a cooking blog and as I don't have a fancy camera (ahem, Christmas idea for anyone reading) there will be no beautiful pictures of any of the meals below. However, I can absolutely assure you they are all delicious and must be tried!

{Stuffed Pork Chops}

2 tablespoons chopped celery

2 tablespoons chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided

1/2 apple finely chopped

1/2 cup large breadcrumbs 

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 (1-inch thick) boneless pork loin chops

3/4 cup beef broth

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

In a skillet, saute celery and onion in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add breadcrumbs, apples, milk, parsley, paprika, salt and pepper. Cut a pocket in each pork chop; fill with stuffing.

In a skillet, brown chops in remaining butter. Transfer to a greased 9-in. square baking dish. pour broth into dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minute or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove chops and keep warm.

Pour the pan drippings into a saucepan; bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into drippings. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with the pork chops.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Stuffed-Pork-Chops/Detail.aspx with a few of my changes.

{Spaghetti and Meatballs}

Great the next day leftovers made into meatball subs!

3 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup chopped onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 (16 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 can tomato sauce

2 cup water

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup oregano, divided

1 dried bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

1 pound LEAN ground mince

1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup parsley

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked spaghetti

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until lightly brown. Mix in 2 cloves garlic, and cook 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, 1/2 the oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer while preparing meatballs.

In a bowl, mix the ground round, bread crumbs, remaining oregano, remaining garlic, parsley, eggs, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Roll into 1 inch balls, and drop into the sauce. Cook 40 minutes in the sauce, or until internal temperature of meatballs reaches a minimum of 160 degrees F (72 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, and stir in the spaghetti. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jenns-Out-Of-This-World-Spaghetti-and-Meatballs/Detail.aspx with a few modifications.

{Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Vinegar}

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 cloves garlic

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon butter

1 package vermicelli or fettucini pasta

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rinse the mushrooms and pat dry. Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat and saute the chicken until it is nicely browned on one side (about 3 minutes). 

Add the garlic. Turn the chicken breasts and scatter the mushrooms over them. Continue frying, shaking the skillet and stirring the mushrooms. Cook for about 3 minutes, then add the vinegar, broth, bay leaf and thyme. Cover tightly and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

Transfer the chicken to a warm serving platter and cover with foil. Set aside. Continue simmering the sauce, uncovered, over medium high heat for about 7 minutes. Swirl in the butter or margarine and discard the bay leaf. Pour this mushroom sauce mixture over the chicken and serve on top of pasta.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Breasts-with-Balsamic-Vinegar-and-Garlic/Detail.aspx

And now I go to our kitchen to pop the pizza into the oven. This morning pizza seemed like a good idea and meant easy preparation/clean up for me but after posting these recipes I am wishing I had cooked!!