August 02, 2011

Pork Chops for Comfort Food


It was 7th. grade registration for Luke today.  I still can't get over the fact that he is in 7th. grade.  I'm sure the tears will start any moment during this post so don't mind me if I get all perklempt.  It was only yesterday that I was sitting in the gymnasium during his kindergarten registration and bawling my eyes out much to the embarrassment of my hubby who was sitting next to me giving me the evil eye as I snorted and snotted as the principal read a stupid, heart wrenching poem to the parents about how our babies grow up so quickly.  When it was Natalie's turn to register for Kindergarten, she pulled out that damn poem.  Oh, but I was prepared this time. Oh yes, I did what any mature adult would do.  I plugged my ears and hummed softly as she read on and on. While other mother's snorted and snotted and I sat happily in my warm safe place next to the hubby who may have shot me a few glances of embarrassment. 


Anywho!  When I was still in school and it was time to go register I would get the worst stomach ache.  You can only imagine how I felt the first day of school!  Can you say ANXIETY!  I still get that feeling when it's time to go register Luke and even on his first day of school I get anxious!  How silly and weird is that!


I started homeschooling Luke at the beginning of fifth grade.  Last year, he decided to go to the middle school for three classes and he really enjoyed it.  So this year he decided to add a fourth class.  Baby steps to full time in 8th. grade!

Oh, I almost forgot to include this recipe!  See, told you I would get perklempt!  I also may like using that word....  This is super easy and the pork chops come out falling apart.  No need for a knife!  Just what I needed for my day of anxiety!

Pork Chops for Comfort Food
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 boneless pork chops
  • 1 medium onion, separated into rings
  • 8 oz. sliced fresh bella mushrooms
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. prepared mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 ground black pepper
  • Hot cooked rice with peas - if desired
  • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
  1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add pork chops, and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until browned.  Place onion evenly over pork chops. Spread mushrooms over onion.
  2. In a small bowl, combine broth, parlsey, paprika, mustard, salt and pepper.  Pour broth mixture over pork chops. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Serve over hot rice and peas.
Adapted from Cooking with Paula Deen

Do you get anxious when it's time for your kids to start school?  Does the principal pull out stupid, heart wrenching poems during registration? 

~ Enjoy!

8 comments:

  1. YUM! And congratulations on your 7th grader. Time flies when we're having fun Dee. XO

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  2. Awww, those are such sweet stories about sending your kids off to school. I laughed about the idea of you in your happy place to avoid the poem-- that's a great strategy. :) I love pork chops, and onions, and mushrooms, and rice-- this sounds awesome and I must try soon!!

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  3. wow you homeschooled your son? i am soooo impressed. that is awesome dee! i can't wait to be a mom.... sigh.

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  4. I am so there with you and the balling your eyes out. I was that way last year with my son starting kindergarten, and the first day, and the last day, and it was just a mess. These pork chops look awesome! Mushrooms and onions - yum!

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  5. How sweet of a mum you are!
    I haven't had a kid yet but I'm about to finish medschool next week and I could still remember what my dad said to me in the car before he dropped me off on my 1st day of 1st grade.
    Those little sentimental things will stick you know. Let your warm and caring heart go; I'm sure they'll cherish you one day. Just like the love you put in your pork chop. How could a boy forgets a mum's pork chop?!

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  6. Perklempt! That's going to be my word of the day: perklempt, perklempt,perklempt! Lovely recipe, and totally comfort food - appropriate for new beginnings, Dee.

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  7. I just roasted a pork loin for the first time in probably 8 or 10 years. I haven't had it since I was a kid but it was a dish we had all the time. It is so fun to revisit these dishes. These pork chops look scrumptious too! I am going to have to try this soon.

    I am not quite a parent but I can only imagine how I'd react to this situation. Your reaction is fairly reserved compared to my mothers, so I'm afraid I'd be in hysterics too.

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  8. Perfect comfort food! Delicious... I can't wait till my little girl starts school... I will have so many more interesting stories to share then! :) Great post... Perklempt!

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