Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Everyday Food's Pork Chops with Peppers and Green Beans


From time to time, both of my kids can be very trying. We have days where both of them are at their worst and both me and my husband are completely out of patience. It takes quite a bit for me to lose my patience with them. When I do, this usually means that there have already been several fights, lots of crying, and at least one or more things have been broken. We definitely had one of those days on the day I made these pork chops. I remember it well. Hours and hours of screaming, fighting, crying, breaking things, and temper tantrums had completely worn me down.

Imagine yourself on the edge; you have no shred of patience left. Your son refuses to eat his dinner and no amount of cajoling will work. Completely out of patience, you leave the task to your husband. Now your son is out of his chair and is roaming about the house. My husband catches my eye and gives me a mischievous smirk. I knew something was coming, but I wasn't sure what it was going to be. I hear my husband say the following, with an Old Engish accent:

"Hear ye, Hear Ye. Young Mister Jackson.....please come hither and ingest your supper."

Surprised by the Old English, I'm hysterically laughing. My husband, delighted with my laughter, continues on.

"Thou will come hither and consumeth your supper."

When my husband came up with the word "consumeth" I really lost it. In fact, just thinking about it now is enough to make me laugh all over again. At any rate, I can't look at these pork chops without being reminded of that night. The pork chops were delicious, but it is my husband's humor I will remember most.

Everyday Food's Pork Chops with Pepper and Green Beans
Adapted from Everyday Food, a Martha Stewart Publication
May 2010 Issue
Serves 4


4 bone-in pork rib chops (2-1/4 pounds total and 3/4 to 1 inch thick)
coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 bunch scallions, whites thinly sliced and green parts cut into 1-inch pieces
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced, and roughly chopped
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced crosswise
6-1/2 ounces roasted yellow or red peppers (about 4) drained, rinsed, and diced medium

Heat a large skillet over high. Pat pork chops dry and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and swirl to coat. Add chops and cook until golden brown and meat has some give when pressed with your finger, about 4 minutes per side, flipping once. Transfer chops to a serving platter, cover loosely with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.

Wipe skillet clean and heat over medium-high. Add 2 tablespoons oil, green beans, scallion whites, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until ginger and scallions are soft and green beans are crisp-tender, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add jalapeno and scallion greens and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute. Add peppers and cook until warmed through; season with salt and pepper. To serve, top chops with vegetables.

Per Serving: 360 calories, 22.2g fat (5.3g sat fat), 31.3 g protein, 9.3g carb, 3.1g fiber.

Notes/Results: This is a quick, one-pot meal that comes together in less than a half hour. The flavor was terrific, the heat from the jalapeno was wonderful, and it was fairly healthy and satisfying. We talked about it several times since I made it a couple weeks ago and would love to have it for dinner again. A little unique, it is a beautiful meal that I think many of you would enjoy.

For those of you who have children, or around children often, do yourself a favor and play a trick on them the next time they choose to act up. Speak to them in Old English, speak to them in a special voice, sing a song you know they don't like, comb their hair because you know they don't like it, whatever works. It may be a little bit childish, but I promise it will make you feel better and if nothing else, it will make you chuckle, or laugh. Sometimes we need all the help we can get to make it through the day.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE for Shelly Kaldunski's new Ice Pops cookbook! All you need to do is leave a comment about your favorite popsicle flavor. Giveaway ends this Sunday at midnight and is open to U.S. Residents only!

28 comments:

  1. I definitely know those days well! But at least it makes you laugh in the end. This dish looks amazing!

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  2. At least I know I am not alone in the craziness! Some days I just wish I had a full time job outside the home just so no one would be screaming and crying but then I come to my senses. i will have to give your old english trick a try. I will probably get the dreaded 'eye roll'! These chops would be a hit with my husband for sure. He might appreciate the accent....

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  3. This is an interesting recipe. Definately a lighter twist to the gravy laden version of the pork chop casseroles of old.
    Sometimes it is so hard to hold a straight face when it comes to children. You just have to turn away and laugh. Thanks for the smiles today.

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  4. Ok, so what I really want to know is....did the boy come hither and comsumeth his supper? Or was it just really good comic relief for a day gone bad?

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  5. I would like to consumeth them!

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  6. There are some days when you could strangle everyone. But, your sense of humor came to the front at the perfect time. What a gem of a hubby!
    These pork chops will be ingested by my family ASAP

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  7. I'm always acting like a nut around my kids and making them laugh. It makes life more fun! Your husband sounds like a great sport and a funny man. This looks like a wonderful dish for busy nights. ;)

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  8. Ha! I love your husband's method for dealing with the kids...too funny! I can definitely see why you married him :P

    This dish looks soooo good! Simple, delicious flavors. And my favorite meat - pork!

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  9. The pork chops look very tasty. Sounds like your husband is practicing for the teenage years when humor is the only way to maintain your sanity.
    Mimi

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  10. Both my kids are adults now but I certainly remember those years. Just think, next is the teenage years! :o)

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  11. On the verge of insanity! I know what that feels like. This is a very good story and memory to affiliate with this recipe.

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  12. Oh good! For a minute I thought the recipe would always remind you of that day's chaos. Great story!

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  13. Cute story! Laughter really does change a situation. I love a good one-pot meal.

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  14. Sounds like your hubby new just how to salvage the day! Great looking recipe.

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  15. I remember those days! The pork chops look really yummy.

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  16. Kim-- This looks so delicious I may just make it tonight.. roasted red peppers in a jar did u use??

    I know exactly how u were feeling that night, I have many of those nights, so glad the humor worked out.. I will have to have my hubby try that:)

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  17. LOL, i needed this. we've definitely been having days like that lately, and i think laughing is so much better then yelling.

    this looks so good! i love how pretty, healthy AND easy it is!

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  18. Great post,Kim! Love pork and this dish looks so delicious.

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  19. ha ha, consumeth... :) My husband and I sometimes try to talk like the Bible people. :) The pork looks great with green beans. Yum!

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  20. Looks delicious and your husband sounds great! I am always a fan of making matters light hearted! Hopefully your son responded well!

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  21. I'm still giggling over your husband! Just the smallest thing can turn a bad mood around. These chops sound great - and I like the way you plated them!

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  22. That was such nice way your husband took the edge off of the tension and turned it into laughter. That is why you married him!

    I do have children and they are days where my patience grows thin.

    Do you know why God made teenagers? So, that you don't miss them when they go. :-)

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  23. First of all, I could never get up and wander away from these pork chops. That said, I know exactly the kind of day you are talking about. I love this story and your husband's use of humor to get the job done. Sometimes I am SO past humor or creativity (I'm done with a capital D) and I'm so glad for my husband to pick up the slack and change the mood before I "go postal" and become my ugliest self. I totally get this.

    What a great recipe!

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  24. It's always good when you can laugh. ;-) The pork chops look wonderful--liking the peppers.

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  25. Never stop laughing. It will get worse :-). The pork chops sound delicious. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  26. After dinner and the kids were sleeping did hubby try to repeat the performance by saying, "Come, M'lady and lay with me." ?

    What? I'm just trying new approaches with Alexis ;)

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