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

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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!