Orange-Sesame Pork Chops w/ Teriyaki Whole-Wheat Noodles

Jesse is a huge fan of Asian food. Me, not so much. So we don't get this type of meal too often in our house, but I will take the plunge every once in awhile to please the taste buds of my dear sweet hubby! And if I am going to be honest... I actually liked this one! Another perk- it was super easy and a super fast meal to make!

Orange-Sesame Pork Chops w/ Teriyaki Whole-Wheat Noodles
Serves: 4

Salt
1 pound whole-wheat or whole-grain spaghetti
5 tablespoons vegetable or light oil
5 boneless pork loin chop 1 1/2-inches thick
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
6 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (I omitted this)
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1 cup shelled, frozen edamame
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds or toasted sesame seeds, optional

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta, and cook pasta to al dente.

While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chops with salt and pepper and cook 6 minutes on the first side, 4 to 5 minutes on the second. Remove the chops to a plate and reserve, cover with foil. Add 3 tablespoons orange marmalade, a couple tablespoons teriyaki sauce and a 1/4 cup of water to the pan, bring the sauce to a bubble and combine 1 minute, stir in sesame oil remove from heat.

While the chop cooks, heat a second skillet with 3 tablespoons oil over medium high heat. Stir-fry the scallions and edamame a couple of minutes. Drain pasta and toss with scallions and edamame and remaining teriyaki sauce, about 1/4 cup. Sprinkle noodels with sesame seeds, if desired.

Slice pork or leave chop whole and top with orange-sesame glaze. Serve teriyaki noodles alongside.

foodnetwork.com

Nachos

I think I have mentioned often on this blog how much I am in love with Qdoba Mexican Grill's nachos! There is just something about them that drives me crazy! I haven't spotted a Qdoba in Stanley... and I'm pretty sure we won't be getting one. So I had to find my own Nacho recipe... and I found a keeper! This would be such a fun meal to entertain with! Who doesn't love Nachos?!!

Oh... this is a crock pot meal too!! EASY!! I should also warn you that this smells delish while it is cooking... so it would be best to not be at home until it is done. Unfortunately I work from home and it was extremely difficult not to eat them until they were done!

Pork Nachos
1 pound dried pinto beans (I don't do beans...so I didn't add these)
1 boneless pork lion roast (3 to 4 pounds), halved
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
5 medium carrots, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
1-1/2 cups water
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
2 tablespoons chili powder
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Dash pepper
2 packages (10-1/2 ounces each) corn tortilla chips
Shredded cheddar cheese and sliced ripe olives, chopped tomatoes, sour cream

Place beans in a saucepan; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.

Drain and rinse beans; discard liquid. Place roast in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a bowl, combine beans, vegetables, water, chilies, and seasonings. Pour over roast. Cover; cook on high 3 hours. Reduce heat to low; cook 5 hours longer or until beans are tender.

Remove meat; shred and return to slow cooker. With a slotted spoon, serve meat mixture with corn chips and toppings of your choice.

Yield: 10 servings

My husband was worried about having carrots & celery in his nachos. I kept telling him you are not even going to notice them when this is all finished! And you don't!! I chopped them up really small and with them cooking for 8 hours... you have no idea they are in there when you serve it up!

Cubano Pork Chops

We grilled out a few nights ago and had these amazing pork chops! You gotta try these! I made grilled aspargus to go with it. Yum!

I let my pork chops marinade for about 3 hours! The first time I made this I did it for 5 minutes... and it just wasn't long enough. 3 hours was perfect!!

Cubano Pork Chops
Zest of 2 Limes
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons grill seasoning, such as McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander (I didn't have this... I used my dried cilantro)
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 bone-in pork loin chops

Preheat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high. In a shallow dish, combine the lime zest, brown sugar, grill seasoning, cumin, coriander and allspice and 3 tablespoons of the EVOO. Add the pork chops to the dish and turn to coat evenly. Let the chops hang out for 5 minutes, then grill until the meat feels firm and the juices run clear, 6 to 8 minutes on each side with the grill top closed. If using a grill pan, tent the pan with aluminum foil and adjust the heat to prevent scorching.

rachaelraymag.com

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Barbecued Ribs

I think everyone loves a good crock pot meal. Here is one of my favorites.

2 sides pork spareribs (about 6 pounds), separated
1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place the spareribs in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.

Pour the mixture over the spareribs. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

For a side dish I love to roast chopped veggies in the oven... potatoes, onions, zucchini, peppers, green beans... throw them on a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper and roast in the oven until they are fork tender.

Robin Miller - foodnetwork.com