Maple-Glazed Pork Chops

Oh my goodness! These are the best tasting pork chops ever! (Again, from "Tast of Home" cookbook).--Nichole

1/2 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
4 bone-in pork chops
2 Tabls. butter
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup maple syrup (I used "real" maple syrup)
1 Tabls. cornstarch
3 Tabls. water
2/3 cup brown sugar

In a resealable plastic bag, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Add pork chops and shake to coat. In skillet, brown chops on both sides in butter. Place in ungreased 13x9 pan. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 20-25 min.
In skillet, bring vinegar to a boil; reduce heat, add maple syrup. Cover and cook for 10 min. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; add to maple mixture. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 min. or until thickened.
Place chops on broiler pan; sprinkle with brown sugar; broil 4 inches from heat for 2 min. Drizzle with maple glaze. (Book suggests serving with applesauce and potatoes au gratin).

Creamy Chicken Chili

This creamy chili is a nice change of pace from the typical "red" ones. (This was in the "Taste of Home" contest winners).--Nichole

1lb. skinless chicken breasts, cubed

1 med. onion

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Tabls. veg. oil

2 cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 can chicken broth

2 cans (4 oz) chopped green chilies

1 teas. salt

1 teas. ground cumin

1 teas. dried oregano

1/2 teas. pepper

1/4 teas. cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Saute chicken, onion, garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and heavy whipping cream. (7 servings)

Mom's Apple Bread

Apple bread is the perfect addition to a fall themed gift basket. My kids loved the moist bread, some even liked it better than banana bread! -Elnora




DRY:
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

WET:
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups oil
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups grated apples

Cream wet ingredients together, being sure to mix well after each egg. Then alternate sifting in the dry ingredients with the grated apples. Mix well after each addition. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes. Makes two loaves.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are sinfully delicious!!-Elena

1 3/4 c butter, cold and sliced into pieces

1 1/2 c sugar

2 1/4 c brown sugar packed

4 eggs

2 TBS vanilla

6 C flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 TBS baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 bags milk choc chips

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Mix dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture. Add choc chips. Chill for 1 hour in fridge. Scoop with small ice cream scoop. Bake at 325 for 8-9 minutes. Do not over bake!! (unless you are cooking for Rick, then go ahead and burn them!!!)

Wheat Bread

My Always Elusive Quest for Domesticity!!

I do have inner desires to be a Martha Stewart or June Cleaver. They are deep sometimes very hidden desires but they rear their head at times. I often want to be the mom that doesn't buy store bought nutrient deficient bread and want to always have my kids eating homemade bread. I found this recipe that everyone loves and it isn't too hard to make!--Elena

3 cups warm water (110 degrees)

2 packages active dry yeast

1/3 cup honey

5 cups bread flour

3 TBS butter, melted

1/3 cup honey

1 TBS salt

3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 TBS butter melted

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add five cups white bread flour and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes or until big and bubbly.

2. Mix in 3 TBS melted butter, 1/3 cup honey and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky-just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 TBS melted butter when done to prevent curst from getting hard. Cool completely.