Candy Apple Pork Chops

After browsing through recipe's one day online I came across a pork recipe with peanut butter. I found this very interesting sounding and thought I would create something with this ingredient. I mixed some things together and next thing I knew I had what tasted like a candy apple with peanut butter and caramel, it brought back memories of child-hood!

* Made this on 5/1/12 and substituted the prunes and jelly for cranberry sauce. Also substituted the Gin for Spiced Rum! For a side I made Sauerkraut. I sauteed the sauerkraut with olive oil and butter then added 1/2 cup apple sauce, some dashes of vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Strain and Plate it directly next to and slightly on top of the pork. Delicious combo!

"Candy Apple Pork Chops"

Ingredients:

3 Boneless Pork Chops
1 c Peanut Butter
1/2 c Prunes
1/2 c Bread Crumbs
2 tbs Honey Apple Butter (jelly)

1/2 c Cranberry/Apple Juice

1-2 tbs Garlic (chopped)

3-4 tbs Gin

(you could probably substitute with beer, ginger ale or soda water/spritzer)

2 pinches Celery Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425*
2. In a food processor mill the Prunes and a 1/4 c of the Cranberry Juice until somewhat smooth and mixed.
3. Pour Prunes in a bowl and add the Peanut Butter, Bread Crumbs and Apple Butter and mix, adding cranberry juice as needed until ingredients are just mixable (not watery).
4. Mix the Garlic and Gin together and pour on the bottom of a medium casserole dish.
5. Place the Pork in the dish and spread the Peanut Butter mixture on top of the pork no more than 1/2 inch thick, spread extra over the sides of the Pork. Sprinkle Celery Salt on top.
6. Place in oven until pork is cooked and topping has a nice crusty appearance about 30 - 40 min.

Pork with Corn Salsa

I tried giving this dish a Mexican spin to it. It could have used a little more flavor, I would say a pinch of cayenne pepper and maybe some oregano would complete it.

"Pork with Corn Salsa"

Ingredients:

1 lb. Boneless Pork (cubed)
Rice (cooked ) ( I used one boil bag whole grain brown rice)
1 can Corn
1/2 c Tomatillo or regular Salsa
1/2 c Chick Peas (processed/crushed)
1 t Lime Juice
1 tb Cream Cheese
1/4 t Flax Seeds
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet with EVO. Rinse and coat the cubed pork with the Wheat Flour and cook until browned.
2. Add the remainder of the ingredients to the pan and heat until Cream Cheese is melted.
3. That's it! Quick and simple!!
* I used a dollup of instant mashed potatoe and parsley flakes on top for a garnish.