Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Pan fried pork chops with a delicious cheesy tomato and spinach sauce.

I've gotten a little off track with my Monday postings, but I'm still here and will hopefully have a little more time next week to work on blogging. End of the school year always seems as busy as the beginning. Even with one teenager now able to drive (what the what - how do I have a kid with a license?!), there's still so much going on!

This recipe is fantastic. I mean I really don't need much convincing if the recipe includes garlic, tomato, and spinach. It's definitely something new to do with pork than I typically make. It's absolutely wonderful with roasted potatoes for a side!

Asian Style Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes with a twist!

Although I don't think I'm quite done sharing recipes that may have been made in the old house, this is the last recipe I made in the old house. We brought the leftovers over to our new house (a whopping 2 miles away) and ate it while we were trying to unpack everything. I'm actually really glad that we had leftovers because it's so difficult to unpack a kitchen and try and find anything for at least the first week. Not to mention, this was in mid-April 2020, so still in the very major disruption of COVID and it was hard to find some foods because of supply chain issues. I was lucky to be able to make this recipe and to have it tide us over during our move!

Also as a note, I'm still not really on a good schedule where I can fit in blogging. I'm in the midst of my first tax season as a new accountant and even though I'm not a tax accountant...there is still plenty to do for prepping things for clients to do their taxes.

25-Minute Spicy Ramen

This ramen has ground pork, carrots, cabbage, sweet peppers, and a kick of heat!

My family has been eating different variations of ramen lately and this one was super fun because it has ground meat and seems like it's way easier to throw together than the others (it's really not but it seems that way with ground meat). I think this is one of the first ramen recipes I've made with any kind of nuts and I really love savory dishes with peanuts - SO MUCH. So all in all, this has a really great balance of flavors and textures. And it's quick to make!

Easy Pork Ramen

Elevate that package of ramen with pork tenderloin, greens, ginger, and garlic!

I love this recipe because it's not necessarily a quick ramen upgrade. It's just a little bit extra effort to upgrade ramen with loads of extra flavor - no need to have that little seasoning packet! You can use preseasoned pork tenderloins or just marinate your pork yourself. Either way works. Basically this is still a pretty easy, not complicated recipe, but there are more elements to it than just dumping noodles and packet into boiling water.

Pork Chops with Creamy Pan Gravy

Sometimes the most simple recipes yield the most amazing results, as is the case with these beautiful pan cooked pork chops and homemade pan gravy.

I cannot express how excited I am to finally get this recipe up on the blog. It makes it so much easier for me when I'm meal planning to find recipes for specific proteins or themes when it's on my blog. I have a board for main dishes on Pinterest but those are ones I haven't made yet and finding ones I have made can be a challenge because my Tested Out board is over 1000 pins and sometimes searching doesn't always have the most accurate results. This pork chop recipe is probably my all-time favorite tied with the pork chops with pickle juice gravy recipe I posted recently (and will link at the end of this post). It's crazy to me because I don't like gravy and now all these gravy recipes are my favorites. I love the simplicity of this recipe so very much. The original poster shared these with mashed potatoes - which makes sense because the gravy can go on those too. But I chose to do roasted potatoes because I don't eat gravy on my potatoes. Even if I like gravy now.

Fried Pork Chops with Pickle Juice Gravy

Who wants plain fried pork chops when you can top it with the most delicious gravy ever made with pickle juice!

You may have noticed by now that my family enjoys dill pickles and we have enjoyed trying out dill pickle foods. After the huge hit of dill pickle soup, I knew this pickle juice gravy would be an absolute winner. Especially since I don't make a lot of gravy. I learned how to recently and I'm still working on being a little more competent. I know that my grandma and lots of grandmothers, I'm sure, are able to whip up gravy, eyeballing what they need and it always tastes perfect. That's what I'm striving to do even though I don't usually eat gravy. This gravy is definitely an exception though. It's the perfect gravy and it's so wonderful on top of a fried pork chop. I can't think of a better combination.

Breakfast Crunchwraps

This crunchwrap is the perfect breakfast meal with chorizo, eggs, and hashbrowns!

My household consumes a lot of crunchwraps. We don't really get them from Taco Bell a lot, I make them homemade at least once a month. That doesn't seem like it's that often really, but we don't eat the same thing within the same year very often - just our absolute favorite foods. When I stumbled across this recipe for a breakfast version, I knew my family would lose their minds!

It's not too much more work than if you were just making sausage, hashbrowns, and eggs and it's actually pretty easy to make the crunchwraps. I have my preferred method which is slightly different than the original recipe. I think having the cheese on top with an opening helps to really glue the whole thing together. It took me some trial and error testing to figure out how to best get the crunchwrap into the pan without losing all the inside stuff, but once I figured that out...crunchwraps were a breeze. I place a spatula upside down onto the top of the crunchwrap and hold it in place. I flip the crunchwrap upside down over the pan and place it so the spatula is touching the pan. Then I quickly but carefully pull the spatula out. The cheese gets nice and crunchy and helps with the structural integrity of the crunchwrap.

This breakfast version is out of this world! I don't have it pictured, but we ate ours with salsa and sour cream, but you could do a whole slew of toppings or fixings with it.

Pork Tenderloin with Shredded Brussels Sprouts

Perfectly seasoned pork tenderloin topped with a lovely gravy-like sauce and served with a brussels sprouts side.

When we have pork, it's usually my mother-in-law's which has some mix of Italian seasonings on it and it's so darn good. I've been trying to make my own pork roast and a lot of them have glazes or bacon. I really wanted to try this recipe in particular because of the brussels. I didn't realize it had a sauce to go on top or really anything about the seasonings. I just knew it had brussels and I love love brussels. This recipe is right up there with my mother-in-law's recipe and I adore the little sauce and the brussels side dish. The caraway seeds was a new seasoning for us and we all really enjoyed it with the paprika. The sauce was mouthwateringly delicious. It paired perfectly with the pork.

Herbed Pork Chops

These pork chops are juicy and full of fresh herb flavors!

I very rarely make different dinners for family members, however, that was the case when I made tuna steaks because 1) they were really expensive and 2) I wasn't sure how safe it was for the kids to eat. So when I made tuna steaks for Nick and I, the kids had pork chops in the same style as the tuna (except cooked fully instead of medium). We did let the kids try a bite of the tuna but both of them said the pork chops were the best pork chops they had ever had. So when we went to have pork chops again for dinner, I chose to make them the same way and get pictures.

Budget Egg Roll Rice Bowls

All the great taste of egg rolls without all the rolling and frying mess!

I'm all about making egg rolls without the egg roll wrapper and the not having to fry them part. That's definitely right up my alley. Same flavors, way less work. I really enjoyed that this one also had a shortcut of using coleslaw mix instead of having to chop up carrots and cabbage. I have to say that I also really like Jasmine rice, but you could use any rice that you want really. Hope you all try this and like it as much as I did!

Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

These pork carnitas are slow cooked in a delectable spice mix and broiled for a slight crispiness!

I really appreciate slow cooker recipes the older my kids get. We seem to always have something going on and I feel it's definitely going to get busier when I finish my degree. This recipe has the slow cooking element and then you have to do just a teensy bit of work when you shred it and throw it onto a sheet pan to broil for a little crispiness. I love love love the poblanos added to the mix too. The spice mix is wonderful!

Pork Schnitzel Sandwiches

Crispy schnitzel served up on a challah roll with spicy honey mustard, arugula, and pickled shallots

I can't believe it has taken me this long to post this schnitzel recipe! I usually make a recipe a few times - like 2 times - before I get around to posting it. I'm not one to test out a recipe a million times if it works the first time. However, it's rare that I'll put a newer recipe on my meal plan more than twice before getting around to sharing it on the blog. This recipe is most definitely the exception to that rule/routine. I think this schnitzel has been made at least half a dozen times if not more from the first time until now. It's hard for me to not pick it each month because I love it so much.

What makes this recipe so good? First of all, it's schnitzel. I have yet to try bad schnitzel. I'm not sure it exists. Then you have it in sandwich form with arugula which just makes me a happy gal. The honey mustard has a bit of a kick to it and even though honey is not a favorite food of mine and I don't particularly like honey mustard, I LOVE this honey mustard with sriracha. But my absolute favorite part of this recipe is hands-down the pickled shallots. They are such a simple component of the sandwich to throw together but the sandwich isn't the same without them. I never in a million years would have guessed that I would want vinegar soaked shallots on a sandwich, but here we are.

Egg Roll Soup

No need to stuff and fry/bake egg rolls when you can have all the flavors in soup form!

Just when I think I've made all the soups, I discover a new one that I just have to have. This egg roll soup is the bomb dot com. Like, who doesn't want an egg roll in soup form?! There is none of the hassle (not really sure it's that much of a hassle, but maybe time-consuming) of filling and rolling and cooking egg rolls, but you get all the flavors of it. The meat can be switched as per your liking - I went with the ground pork that the original recipe called for, but turkey, chicken, pork, etc. are all totally fine too. Or maybe you want to go with meatless. It's up to you! The wonton strips can be made homemade or if you are lazy like me, just buy them! We went with the garlic ginger flavored ones because they are SO good!

Crockpot Caramelized Pork and Ramen Soup

This ramen is a labor of love but it's worth all the effort for the crispy, beautifully seasoned pork with veggies, eggs, and loads of noodles.

Since ramen has been our thing lately, I decided to try out this recipe that was a little out of my comfort zone. I was a little weary of the Chinese Five Spice because I have never liked anise in the slightest. However, I knew Nick would enjoy it because he likes anything black licorice flavored. As the pork was slow cooking, I got more and more nervous because that anise aroma was overpowering to my sensitive sense of smell. I powered through making it and hoped for the best. In the end, the actual flavor of the anise in the Chinese Five Spice was not overwhelming but just a nice undertone and I absolutely could handle that. So here is our favorite slow-cooked ramen recipe!

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

It doesn't get better than a slow cooked pork roast with fresh herbs, veggies, and wine!

Pork roast is one of my favorite Sunday dinner meals. I'm not sure why we have pork roast on Sundays only, but that's just kind of the way it turns out. I typically don't make just a regular pork roast - it's usually covered in some kind of glaze or wrapped in bacon. I thought it would be nice to make a more traditional recipe with no frills, so to speak. This one utilizes fresh herbs and white wine, which I just adore. There is so much flavor to be added by these two ingredients. I also loved that I could add veggies and slow cook them with the roast. This pork roast turned out unbelievably moist and flavorful. I will absolutely be making it over and over again.

15-Minute Garlic Butter Ramen

Amp up packs of ramen with this easy, quick garlic butter ramen recipe - served meatless or with your choice of meat and hard-boiled eggs!

My entire family is obsessed with anime and manga. We watch anything and everything - and read it too! We particularly love Naruto and ramen is featured a lot in the original series (I have yet to watch Shippuden). So this means we have been trying a ton of ramen recipes lately. I think this one is not only the tastiest, but it's the easiest and I think it is everyone's favorite. I absolutely love it because it's buttery and garlicky with fresh ginger and zucchini. That's just plain heavenly if you ask me. Plus it has basil too! I mean this recipe was made for me, I tell you what! The original recipe does not have any meat, but when I first made this (I've made it a few times now and it's already on the meal plan for November), I decided to saute up some pork cut into strips in a little skillet while making the ramen. Yes, I did end up with another dirty pan, but it didn't take any longer to make the recipe and it was such a wonderful addition to it. I know we will eat this recipe often :)

Sheet Pan Crispy Cheddar Pork Chops

One whole meal baked on one sheet pan - crispy cheesy pork with roasted baby red potatoes and brussels sprouts!

I have desperately trying to convince my family that brussels are actually delicious because I love them. So far, I think the only attempt that was mildly successful was when I made carbonara with shredded brussels. I will take them any way I can get them, but especially love roasted brussels sprouts, like in this sheet pan recipe! Not only do you get yummy brussels, but you get red potatoes and crispy cheddar pork chops too. So I mean, no complaints from me.

It's an easy recipe with a little bit of prep time, but I still ended up spending more time waiting for it to bake in the oven than preparing it or actively cooking anything. Again, no complains from me. I was happy to have a well-rounded, balanced meal (in my opinion, not a nutritionist or anything) that was simple to make and dirtied fewer dishes than it would have if I made this in a skillet.

Bacon Brown Sugar Pork Loin

The perfect Sunday dinner pork loin made with bacon, brown sugar, and whole grain mustard!

When I found this recipe, I didn't even think twice about putting it on my meal plan - bacon-wrapped pork loin! I looked at the ingredients list and was a little taken aback with chutney. I had heard of it, but couldn't really recall what exactly it was. If you are also living under a culinary-noob rock, chutney is an Indian condiment made from fruit and veggies with vinegar and spices. Major Grey's is a specific kind made with mangoes and red peppers. I think the chutney and whole grain mustard (first time trying that too) really classed this dish up. The smoky paprika and spicy cayenne worked so well with everything too.

Slow Cooker Parmesan Honey Roast

Slow cooked savory herb and Parmesan pork roast that gets topped in a sweet honey glaze.

After I delivered Mason, Nick took over whatever was planned for meals and made them while I stayed in the hospital. He agreed to wait on making Zuppa Toscana Soup (which was the first time we ever had it) until I got home from the hospital, but he did make this roast while I was there. I actually ended up having leftover roast my first day home with newborn Mason. Even leftover, it was amazing! And that's not because I had hospital food for 2 1/2 days - our hospital food rocks down here and I was spoiled on double portions because I was breastfeeding.

Since having Mason, we have made this two or three more times when we get the craving for pork roast and each time, I had failed to get a good picture of it. I finally got one last time we made it and was so happy to finally be able to share the recipe (pretty much 3 years after the first time I had it since my baby is now 3 as of the 24th - what?!). I have never been a fan of honey, but with recipes like this one, it's really growing on me.

Oven Baked Schnitzel Burgers

Crispy oven baked schnitzel makes a perfect sandwich!

Yes, I am posting yet another schnitzel recipe on the blog. We have schnitzel pretty often and I definitely like to switch it up each time we have it. It definitely hasn't gotten old for us, but it's still nice to have something just a little different. This recipe for schnitzel is baked and that did make me a little weary. However, the schnitzel comes out crispy and super tasty. I love the addition of paprika to this recipe. I would say it's a pretty authentic addition because my German sister-in-law puts paprika on everything or at least it always seems that way! :) The kids, of course, loved this sandwich, and we will have to do more toppings next time. There was no arugula or cucumber when I was at the store to get ingredients, so I ended up doing them pretty plainly. I do want to try with cucumber and tomato badly though!