Stuffed Pork with Potatoes

I'm eating rice and veggies for dinner but my boys eat meat. Since it is Bubs birthday, I made them stuffed pork chops with potatoes.

2 boneless butterfly cut pork chops, pounded to lie flat
1 box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
3 tablespoons potato flakes
1 lb baby red potatoes, washed and quartered
Spices (read below)
Butchers twine
Flour

Marinade

2 tablespoons cold, brewed coffee
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Pinch of cumin

Place pork in freezer bag and pound slightly with bottom of a pan until flat. Mix marinade and pour into bag with pork. Refrigerate for a few hours.

Stuffing

Drain the spinach. Mix in 1/4 cup mashed potato flakes. Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon minced onion, salt and pepper.

Remove pork from bag and lie flat on some foil. Place 2 tablespoons of the stuffing in the middle of each chop. Tie at the top and bottom of each. Roll each chop in flour.

Preheat a heavy, low pan with lid and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Place floured chops on pan and sear on 3 sides. Pour remainder of marinade in pan and 4 cups of water. Lower the heat to low. Add potatoes and the rest of the stuffing and cover with lid. Simmer on low for 2-1/2 - 3 hours.

The pork falls apart and the potato flakes in the spinach makes a light gravy in the pan.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUB!

Very Vanilla

I was trying to be a grown up and wean myself off of Silk's Very Vanilla Soymilk and use regular Vanilla instead. My coffee has been disappointing. My baked goods are not as delicious.

With so few edible delights that I don't have to work for by making them myself, what is the point?

So what if Very Vanilla has a few extra calories? It tastes the best so I am sticking with it.

2 week trial fail. I tried!

Success!

Surprise party success! Lucia and Georghe had soooo much food. I was a bit nervous (like I usually am) but either I am meeting the nicest people lately or I am getting better at meeting new people! I believe it is BOTH!

Surprise Party Pumpkin Glazed Cookies

My sons friends throwing him a party tonite for his 16th birthday. I am too young for this! One off at college and one driving. WTF happened to story hour at the library, running thru the sprinkler in the yard, dot art painting, Halloween costumes, travel soccer, music lessons...

OK I admit I didn't actually enjoy some of that stuff but that doesn't change the fact that it ended way too fast!

1-1/2 cups GF baking mix
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup margarine softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips
Optional 1 cup walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 and line cookie sheet with parchment.

Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. In mixer beat margarine, sugar and maple syrup until light. Add pumpkin and combine. Slowly add dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts if you are using them.

Drop by teaspoons onto lined cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Cool on sheet 5 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon vanilla Soymilk. Drizzle over cooled cookies.