What's For Dinner #2: August 23rd, 2013

So this time I'm going to try and combine all the recipes into one post.  It seems separating them is a bit too much, so I'll see how this goes instead!  I also need to learn how to make food look pretty!


In case you can't load the above photo, the items on the menu for dinner last night included:
~Braised Pork Chops~
~Spanish Rice~
~Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies~

Other menu options that my wonderful Taste of Home cookbook suggest include:
-Green Beans
-Salad

We were quite full even without the extra!  Although it would have made for a more well rounded meal!

Part 1:  Braised Pork Chops



Directions:


  1. Gather the ingredients -
    • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
    • 1/8 tsp onion powder
    • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/8 tsp pepper
    • 4 pork chops (I chose to go with boneless)
    • 1 tsp olive oil (I used more)
    • 1/2 cup water (I used more of this too)
    • 2 tsp cornstarch
    • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  2. Combine seasonings.
  3. Sprinkle over pork chops.  Cook chops in a skillet in olive oil, until browned on both sides.
  4. Add water & bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, or until chops are tender.  Remove the meat and keep it warm.
  5. Stir the cornstarch & broth into the cooking juices.  Bring to a boil again, then cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
  6. Serve over pork chops & enjoy!

Part 2:  Spanish Rice


Directions:

  1. Gather ingredients - 
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced or stewed tomatoes
    • 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
    • 1 tsp olive oil
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
    • 1/4 tsp garlic salt
  2. Combine all ingredients into a large saucepan.
  3. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender & liquids are absorbed.  Enjoy!
(So easy, this one!)

Part 3:  Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies


Directions:

  1. \Gather ingredients - 
    • 4 squares (1 oz each) baking chocolate (I used semi-sweet)
    • 3/4 cup butter, cubed
    • 2 cups sugar (this is WAY too much!  Next time I'll use only 1 cup)
    • 3 egg whites
    • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour (I added 2 tbsp extra since I live at a high altitude. Next time I think I"ll add 1/2 cup extra)
    • 1 cup 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate baking squares
    • 1 cup butterscotch chips (I forgot to put all of these in the batter, so I sprinkled some on top while it was cooking and mixed the rest into the glaze)
    • GLAZE:
    • 1 cup 60% cocoa  bittersweet chocolate baking squares (I screwed up here too and didn't buy enough so used 4 semi-sweet baking squares instead)
    • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  2. Melt 4 chocolate squares & butter in microwave & stir until smooth.  Cool slightly.  (I put mine in the fridge for about 5 minutes).  In a large bowl, combine the sugar & chocolate mixtures.  Stir in egg whites & vanilla.  Add flour and then bittersweet chocolate & butterscotch chips.
  3. Spread into a greased 13x9 baking dish and bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  If you goof up like I did above, you'll have to cook it longer for it to be anywhere near done.
  4. Cool on a wire wrack.  For the glaze, melt the bittersweet chocolate & butter together, stir until smooth.  Immediately spread over the brownies.  Cool before cutting.
And that was dinner last night!  Very yummy...although I'll need to make changes next time I fix the brownies as they came out WAY too sugary.  Hope you enjoy!

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