Pork Chops & Rice Bake

This is another quick, easy & affordable meal that works for any type of family. I know not everyone is a casserole fan {my husband being one of them} but he liked this and being the cook, I love a one-pan meal. Season your chops in the package you purchased them and you'll only have a couple of dishes to wash tonight.

What You Need:
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
Four 8 oz. center-cut, bone-in pork loin chops, 1/2 inch thick
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 10 3/4 oz can cream of chicken soup
2 cups grated cheddar cheese {8 oz}

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet with a lid over medium high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Cook, turning once until brown on both sides. 6-8 minutes total. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix together 1/4 cup water, rice, cream of chicken soup and cheddar cheese. Once the chops are browned, add the rice mixture to the skillet. Cover and transfer to the oven. {Be sure you are using a skillet with an oven-safe handle and use caution when removing.} Bake 45 minutes, or until the rice is done. Enjoy!

Southwest Rice and Bean Salad

I will tell you, I am not a fan of sandwiches for lunch so I like new things to try. This is a nice change up on a salad but it is so filling it is easily a candidate for a main dish. Very tasty and healthy, I think you'll like this. I found it over at My Kitchen Cafe. Now for me, I am the only one in the house who will eat a salad so next time I will cut the recipe in half. I ended up with way too much for just one person. But this would be a fabulous recipe for a potluck or other get together!

Photo courtesy My Kitchen Cafe

6 cups cooked rice, warm or at room temperature
2 teaspoons salt
1 (16-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (16-oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 (12-oz.) can corn, drained
4 green onions, chopped

Dressing:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
4 pickled jalapeno pepper rounds {I find near the salsa and diced green chiles in a jar}
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin

Directions:
Combine all of the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in blender until peppers are finely minced. Toss with salad. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Five- Minute Tiramisu

This was so easy to put together I honestly thought it was not going to be very good. I was so surprised when we loved it. Literally you can put this together in just a matter of minutes and it doesn't contain many of the expensive ingredients that some versions do. I found this recipe in the Everyday Food cookbook but changed it to suit what I had on hand and simplified it. {The original recipe called for using instant espresso powder. I didn't have any and didn't want to purchase it and I'm guessing many others don't either}. I also doubled the cream-cheese mixture finding it needed a lot more for our taste. I will definitely make this again! {Having a hard time leaving it alone!}

What You Need:
2 cups of very strong coffee, cooled {I used 3 tablespoons of ground coffee to 2 cups of water}
2 package {8 oz} cream cheese
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup sugar
1 7 oz package of lady fingers
unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions:
With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the heavy cream and sugar until light and fluffy. Spread a few tablespoons of the mixture in the bottom of your serving dish. {A 2 quart serving dish will work.} One by one, dip a third of the lady fingers in the coffee and arrange in the bottom of the serving dish. Spread with a third of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat twice with the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve. Dust with cocoa before serving. Enjoy!

Broccoli with Orange Sauce

Here's a yummy way to dress up your veggies. In my house, no one but me eats the green stuff but I love it! This sauce is quick tasty and will give you a little variation on dressing up vegetables. Plus you may have all of these ingredients on hand. Give it a try!

What You Need:
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer on medium until reduced to about 3/4 cup. Toss with broccoli and enjoy!