Sunday, January 26, 2014

Pork Chops with Easy Onion Gravy




 I told you I'd be back....

With a really easy, super yummy recipe too. 

Today we are having a blizzard...

really, I'm serious. 

At times we can't see our neighbors homes that are just on the other side of the cul-de-sac we live on. 

Gotta love Midwestern weather, 
or not.  

Not really...when it's -30 with the windchill and a total whiteout because of 40 mph winds. Sheesh, makes me wonder why I'm still here sometimes. Then it passes and the beautiful Spring weather arrives and it's a memory for another year.

So...the first dish in 3 weeks that I found myself making was a easy braised pork chop dinner. 

A simple, yummy dish with minimal ingredients and I was able to do it virtually with one arm, which in my case at this time is a good thing. 

I served it with a simple but flavorful side dish of orzo with spinach and parmensan, that recipe I'll share at a later date-my family eats that like it's a main dish!!

It's been 3 weeks since I my arm broke, a week later I had surgery and they cemented, plated and screwed it back together and I am on the road to recovery. 

I have been blessed again with a phenomenal medical support team from the Mayo clinic and with their top notch care and the continued support of the Oncology team, I have been given a fighting chance.

Believe me, if i can pull this together after that, you know anyone can. And, you'll be glad you did!!


Friday, January 17, 2014

Positive attitude, love, strength and patience

So...having to take a little sabbatical. 
Health related, broken arm due to a cancerous growth. Got it removed and more metal put in with some cement-really!- so I should be good to go in a bit.
I'll be thinking of lots of delicious recipes to bring you while I'm off being pampered by my family. Thank goodness my oldest daughter is here to help she's a talented cook as well!,
Dear hubby is most likely relieved to be back at work and not head nurse-he did great tho-and I'm happy to be on the mend.
Positive attitude, strength, love and patience are key right now.
Take care and give your loved ones a hug.


Hugs-Kari/SourdoughNative


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Easy Chilaquiles Verde

Chilaquiles, undressed.

Chilaquiles-(Chee-la-key-lays), are a traditional Mexican dish

Typically, corn tortillas that are cut in quarters and then fried crisp are the basis of the dish. Green or red salsa or sauce is poured over the crisp tortilla triangles.
The mixture is then simmered until the tortilla starts softening. Eggs, scrambled or fried are sometimes added to the mix. The dish is topped with cheese and/or sweet Mexican crema. Like many Mexican dishes, the wide variations of this dish make this a great recipe to change up with whatever you have on hand. 
 
In Mexico it is common for the tortilla chips to remain crisp, and this easy version had the best of both worlds, some are slightly softened and the edges are still pretty crisp. 

This dish is commonly garnished with cream, shredded queso fresco, raw onion rings and avocado slices, and usually, chilaquiles are eaten at breakfast or brunch. This makes them a popular recipe to use leftover tortillas and salsas.

The full dish in all it's cheesy goodness!!

This easy version eliminates the frying step, instead baking the whole casserole in the oven and I also used a multi grain tortilla chip, making this dish much lower in fat and really good for you!

I fried the eggs on the side, and then garnished the plates with a Avocado Salsa. My family gobbled this right up and it made 6 healthy portions, meaning 2 lucky people get leftovers. 

I beefed up the layers by adding leftover spanish rice, 1 cup of refried beans and then used a readily available jarred Salsa Verde. 

I had this baby layered and ready to pop in the oven in less than 10 minutes! Now that's my kind of meal. 

This is one that I'm sure would be devoured no matter what time of day it made it to the table.
The "dressed" dish-YUM!!!