Italian Baked Pork Chops

I tried to make these pork chops from Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Cooking 2 cookbook tonight. I have to admit that I have tried several of Sandra Lee's recipes from this cookbook, and they never turn out correct. With that said, these pork chops did not look anything like the picture in the cookbook, but they still tasted good. I served the chops with a can of Glory brand string beans from a can and some rolls. The Glory brand canned veggies are really great because they have a lot of seasoning.

Italian Baked Pork Chops

1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. italian seasoning

4 pork loin chops (I used 3/4 inch thick)

salt and pepper

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, oil, and italian seasoning. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, then brush both sides of chops with mustard mixture. Press Parmesan into both sides of chops. Place chops on prepared baking sheet. Bake about 10 minutes or until just cooked throught. (Nobody likes dry pork chops!)
Notes: I used pork chops I had on hand, which were 3/4 inch thick. Pork should reach an internal temp. of about 160 degrees, so I used a thermometer to tell me when mine were done. It's better than using cooking times because it's so easy to dry out pork, but it did take about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the parmesan cheese should have browned a little, so I think I'll broil the pork chops (at least for the last few minutes) next time.

Glory brand String Beans being heated.

Tortellini Alfredo

This weekend, I bought a fully cooked, half ham at Kroger for a $1.39/lb. I actually took the time to cube the ham when I got home. I used my new handy, dandy vacuum sealer (Thanks dad!) to seal and freeze the meat. I never used to buy ham because it always seemed so expensive. Now that I have it on hand when needed, I can make recipes like this one whenever I please.

Tortellini Alfredo

2-9oz packages of refrigerated cheese tortellini (I like Buitoni brand)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1 can peas, drained or 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed

1 cup cubed fully cooked ham

1 3/4 cups whipping cream

1/4 tsp ground pepper

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute the onion in butter until tender. Add the peas and ham; cook for 3 minutes. Stir in cream and pepper; heat through. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted.

Drain tortellini and place in a serving dish; add the sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the shredded Parmesan cheese if desired.

I thought I'd add in a couple of pictures of my cooking audience. My husband is rarely home when I cook, but these two are always watching (and waiting for me to drop something!).