Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops

I had lots of fresh veggies for dinner and the husband said he needed some meat to go with it so why not pork chops.  I am always looking for new ways to make pork chops.  The little center cut boneless chops are really good to fix and lean.  I guess I bought into the Pork the other white meat slogan.  This was the quickest, easiest way to fix them.  Maybe not the healthiest but they were good.

I know the veggies look the best but the chops were a nice addition too.  These were all fresh veggies I picked up from Sprouts last week.  The corn was wonderful.

 Two things.  That is all you need.  My husband said maybe a little bit of BBQ sauce on top of the chop before wrapping in bacon might be good too.  I might try it next time.

 Take the chop and wrap two pieces of bacon around it.  If it is thin it might not take two.

 The recipe did not say to do this but I thought it would help with drainage.  Lay the chops on a rack that has been placed in a cookie sheet.  Line the cookie sheet with foil for easier clean up.  It did help.  The chops were not cooking in the grease.  It did smoke some in the oven though.  Place them in a preheated 400 oven and bake for 30 minutes.  If they are thicker chops maybe a little bit longer.  You want them to cook through.  Then turn the oven to broil and cook for 5 more minutes to crisp up the bacon.

 I'm sure you can smell the bacon on these.

Serve with some healthy veggies and you won't feel guilty about the bacon.

Blackberry Dumplings

The other day when I was checking out Sprouts they had blackberries on sale.  I love blackberries so I picked up a couple of containers.  I have made this recipe before with other fruit but it is also good with the blackberries.  And there were plenty leftover to snack on too.

It would have been better had we had some vanilla ice cream to go on top.  I did garnish with a couple of fresh blackberries.

 You won't use all the blackberries but it is good to have plenty.

 Today I had to use the stove instead of the microwave to melt the butter.  Melt one stick of butter.

 1 cup of sugar

 Unroll the crescent rolls.  You could press the cut edges in the middle and have one large square, place the blackberries inside, and then fold it over and make a square.  I was in a hurry so I didn't do this but if you have time you might want to try that.  I think it would work well for blackberries.

 Add a couple of blackberries on the end.

 When the butter is melted add the sugar.  I think you might could use a little less sugar.

 Place the rolled up rolls in a square baking dish.  This one is an 8x8.

 Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.

 Then pour the butter/sugar mixture on top.

 Then pour 1 cup Sprite on top.  You can use 7 Up if you have that.

 Now it is ready to place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 20 minutes.

 They soaked up the juice from the butter mixture

Dish it up.  And add ice cream if you have some.

Blackberry Dumplings Recipe

Blackberries
1 container crescent rolls
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup Sprite
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 20 minutes.

Easter Bird's Nest

Well these are only Easter Bird's Nest because it is Easter time.  You can make these anytime of the year.  The Easter Bunny won't come and get you if you do.  These were so easy.  You and the little ones can make these in about an hour or less.

I have a whole little forest of nest.  I did see somewhere that you could make these in muffin tins. Large pans for the birds and the mini pans for the eggs.  I didn't want to mess up any other dishes.  

 You can get any kind of decorations that you want.  I had bought these eggs for another project but decided to use them for the nest.

 Start by adding one package of milk chocolate and butterscotch chips in a microwave bowl.

 Microwave the chips one minute at a time until they are completely melted.  Don't over microwave.

 Then add 12 oz of chow mein noodles.  Here is a hint I learned the hard way.  I think they would mix easier if the noodles were put in a bowl and then the chocolate added on top.

 Pulling the chocolate from the bottom to try and coat all the noodles took a little work.

 Then lay some wax paper on the counter and drop by tablespoonfuls on the paper.

 Work quickly so that the chocolate doesn't have time to harden.

 Then you can go back and decorate with the chocolate eggs or peeps.

 Isn't he cute.  I found out after I made them that my husband doesn't like peeps.  I thought everyone liked peeps.

Easter is coming soon so whip up a batch of this soon.

Easter Bird's Nest Recipe

12 oz Chow Mein noodles (found with the Oriental foods in the grocery store)
1 pkg milk chocolate chips
1 pkg butterscotech chips
Decorations.

Rosemary and Cheddar Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is another recipe you find close to St. Patrick's Day.  It is a different kind of bread.  Main thing is no yeast.  This was a different type of soda bread, it has cheese and rosemary in it.  It turned out really good.  I think next time I will half the recipe.  It made one big loaf of bread. 

It turns out so pretty.  The recipe said you could bake it in a cast iron skillet too.

Cream of tartar is the one ingredient you might not expect.

Start with 4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

The recipe called for 3 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, mine died during the cold winter so I used 1 Tablespoon dried.

2 cups buttermilk

1 egg

4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

Add the wet ingredients to the dry.

Then add the cheese

Mix well.  It will look like a muffin batter.

Turn out on a lightly floured surface.

Spread some flour on a baking sheet.

Lightly knead the dough.  It is very sticky.

Transfer to the baking sheet.

You can't tell but cut a cross on top of the bread.  Place in a preheated 425 oven.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Cut while warm and add some butter.  Nothing better than some warm bread and butter.

Rosemary and Cheddar Irish Soda Bread Recipe

4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Bake in a preheated 425 oven for 30-35 minutes.