Crispy Parmesan Sage Pork Chops

I'm happy to report that I cooked dinner 4 nights in a row this week.

I've wanted lots of pasta, chicken, and pork. And nothing that takes too long, it seems like I'm not as patient as I used to be, which wasn't a whole lot to begin with, so now I'm really not patient. I tackled my overbearing aversion to baking (what is this baby doing to me?) and made oatmeal banana bread this week too! I wanted to make cookies too but since its been a while we were all out of unsalted butter and I had no idea. Hubby, sweet as ever, volunteered to go to the store but I figured it was better not to have the cookies if we already had banana bread.

So, if you're looking for something quick and easy for a weeknight, these crispy pork chops will be a perfect fit. I loved the hint of lemon and sage, a nice change to the regular 'ol pork chop. Served along side baked potatoes I was one happy camper.

Source: Food.com
Servings: 4


1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
1 lemons, rind of, teaspoon grated
2 large eggs, whisked
1/4 cup flour, seasoned with
salt and pepper
4 boneless, thin cut pork chops
1/8-1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Mix in bowl, bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, dried rubbed sage and grated lemon peel. Then, on a plate put flour seasoned with salt and pepper; coat chops with flour. Dip in egg. Then dip in bread crumb mixture. Melt butter and olive oil in a oven-proof skillet. Brown chops until golden. Transfer to oven and bake until meat thermometer says 150 degrees, about 20 minutes.

My Top Ten Favorites of 2011

So I'm behind with my New Year wrap up post. With all the unpacking, cleaning, and decluttering I've done this week I'm finally making my way back into the blog world. Reunited, I hope!

In 2011 I received and discovered lots of new things. A waffle maker, ice cream maker, bbq grill, and a new found love for butternut squash and biscoff spread.

My favorite posts from 2011 are in no particular order. Some of these posts didn't get the praise I feel like they deserved, like this egg and bacon salad.

 So simple yet so delicious.

I fell in love with biscoff spread and made lots of cookies.

We were also obsessed with homemade strawberry ice cream.

Everyone devoured this frozen peanut butter pie. 



I can't imagine making a better burger than these.

A cheesy side dish I pair with chicken, steak, and pork chops.

I dreamed about my first roast chicken for days.



This slow-cooker orange chicken was one of my most popular posts.



The only pancake recipe you'll ever need.

My favorite cookie recipe- oatmeal chocolate chip.



What are your cooking goals for 2012?

I Think You Deserve to Know...

...why I've been MIA.

That's right! This little bugger is responsible for my absolute lack of desire to cook and look at food. Hence the reason for no blog posts, no comments, etc. I'm 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant!!!

Thankfully I've had no morning sickness, but extreme food aversions to the point where I can't think about food until I'm starving and then I just throw something together quickly to satisfy my hunger. My food aversions are starting to subside and last night I was able to cook a full meal. I'm going to try my best to start blogging again soon. Thank you to my loyal followers who have stuck with me. Happy New Year!

Loaded Baked Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese

Sometimes I go through writer's block.

Or rather, food block. I'm sure you've noticed the lack of posts these past few weeks. Every day I attempt to find something new to try and come up with nothing. Not that there hasn't been an endless amount of stuff to choose from with the holidays and all. I guess go through phases sometimes, surrounding myself with everything food and every now and then I get burned out. I'm sure this happens to you too, maybe not with food, but other things that you enjoy. So annoying!

So instead I've been focusing on my other hobbies. Reading and crafting. I finally read the first book of The Hunger Games (not sure how I feel about it..) and I've started reading Room, so interesting! I made all my Christmas cards and decorated the house, bought a small tree, and shopped for gifts. Then one night I realized I really wanted a baked potato..

I've never made twice baked potatoes, which these kind of are. You'll bake the potatoes like normal and then scoop out the flesh and mash it up with cream cheese, oregano, cheddar cheese, and whatever else you like. The potatoes and the stuffing go back in the oven again and when they come out you can sprinkle them with bacon and green onions. I think they'd be great for a Christmas party!

Source: adapted from Cooking Light
Servings: 4


4 large baking potatoes
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 400°. Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool slightly. Cut each potato in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Mash pulp with a potato masher. Add milk and cream cheese to mashed potato; stir with a whisk. Add cheddar cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir well. Spoon potato mixture into shells. Place on a baking sheet; bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons green onions; top with bacon.

What are your holiday plans?

Holiday Baking Ideas

I like to do most of my holiday baking when I'm surrounded by family. When I know I can give it away and watch everyone enjoy a sweet bite after the big meal. With my mom, we bake sugar cookies and pies, cheesecakes, whatever new recipe we've had our eye on for a while. I'll be making some goodie bags to give away as gifts too and I'll still collecting ideas for that.

There's one thing I'll be making for sure this holiday season. Fudge.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels- in Christmas colors!

Christmas Tree Cookie Balls- crumble up Oreo's and mix with cream cheese!

Melting Snowmen Cookie Balls- smashed Nutter Butter cookies and peanut butter

Peppermint Oreo Cookie Balls- I've got a thing for cookie balls this year.

French Mint Silk Pie- Perfect for after Christmas dinner!

Chocolate Cream Pie- I've had my eye on this for months.

M&M Peanut Butter Bars- How cute would these be with red and green M&M's?

What's on your baking list?