Ever since I’ve opened my little antique & gift shop Lisa’s Cottage last December, I’ve hardly had time for anything extra like keeping this blog updated. It came to the forefront of my mind when I heard about a new TV show The Pioneer Woman that will be starting August 27th on The Food Network. OH MY GOD! When I saw her food blog, my jaw dropped all the way to the ground (well almost…)! I made a comment on her Le Creuset giveaway and was comment 39,684! I don’t think I’ll have that many people look at my food blog if it stays online forEVER! LOL!
But I have to keep in mind that I’ve created this food blog for my sons to look at when I’m long gone. We have to have faith that WordPress will continue to exist, right? (And that they’ll have wives that will at least TRY to make their Mama’s favorite foods!)
I had such a hankering for pork chops a few nights ago that I went ahead and picked up a large pack of them at Costco and decided to experiment with how they tasted with my friend Rich’s Rub (www.MadHunkyMeats.com). I’d already tried it on beef and thought, what the heck… (Rich is a fellow moderator at Cooking.com where we meet lots of interesting people who share their great recipes with us. Check it out sometime!)
Hubby was pleased with the meal and the pork chops were JUST right…After I took the picture, I realized that I tend to stick with the mashed taters, white corn and salad combo. As is evidenced by the last time I made Meatloaf and took a picture…Geez, even my salads look boring!
Ugh! Get out of the rut already, Lisa! I like zucchini with a variety of veggies, I like risotto, I like baked sweet potatoes. I guess I’m getting lazy with all the effort I spend on the store.
Well, I DO like my meatloaf. My Mom always put bacon on top and it gave it a great flavor…kind of like poor man’s filet mignon…ya know whut I mean? <grin>
I make my meatloaf this way:
1 1/2 lbs hamburger (80/20)
4 oz. ground pork or sausage (Jimmy Dean is my fav)
1/8 cup finely diced onions
1/8 cup finely diced green pepper
1/2 cup ketchup
1 egg
1/2 cup oatmeal (doesn’t matter if it’s quick cook or regular)
Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)
Mix gently with your hands and form into a loaf. Top with 2 slices of bacon and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. If you don’t have a pan that drains away the grease, pour off the excess grease gently into a disposable can and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Makes it easier to cut.
So, two things I’d like from any of my 5 readers. Can you give me your best pork chop preparation tips and recipe? And, what do you put in your meatloaf?
Look, I’ll NEVER be The Pioneer Woman but I’ve served a lot of people a lot of good food. I’m glad you’re here to share in that…
(If you want to see a couple of food blog sites that are well done, I can recommend my friend’s sites. They are full of great photographs, tips and always great recipes. www.sandiegofoodstuff.com and http://www.sassandveracity.com/. You won’t be disappointed!)
Looks tasty! I have to try it myself. Thank you for the recipe and the story. I notice you have a lot of fun. I think that’s the way to go. Have a great time exploring.
Pork chops are always good. Good recipe, thanks:) Best regards from Poland!
Meat loaf, I think the secrect to making a great meatloaf is to FINELY chop the onion, I also add about 1/4 cup crushed ritz crackers and a couple tablespoons of A-1 steak sauce. Gives it a little zip!..
My Mama always used catsup & saltines. I prefer the oatmeal, but Donnie prefers crackers, usually Ritz. Heinz makes a “meatloaf mix” that is canned and is usually with the tomatoes or with other sauces. It’s becoming hard to find. You mix half in the meat then pour the other half over about 30-45 minutes into cooking.
My sister Nicole uses Russian or Catalina dressing & does the bacon thing. While the loaf “rests” she sprinkles Brown sugar over the bacon. Makes a nice change now & again.