Rambling (wo)Man

Good evening, Kitschies!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was kinda busy, kinda not.  Saturday we went to my bestie's first born son's 6th birthday party.  I made the mistake of jumping on the tramampoline and now my knee is not happy.  It already wasn't very happy, so now it's really not happy.  And neither am I.  The doc asked me why I did that and I responded: Cuz I'm stoopid.  He laughed and said he was glad I said that because that's exactly what he was thinking.  What?  It was a trampoline.  How could I *not*?  Then the bestie and I escaped and saw Eclipse at the dollar theater (gotta come up with a better name because it was two bucks, not one).  SHE already saw it at home (thanksalot), so she "humored" me and went with me to see it.  despite the usual dollar theater drawbacks, I really liked it and can't wait to see Breaking Dawn.  Part of me even hopes they split the last book in to two movies.  There's a lot going on in that last book.  Anyway, Sunday was spent just getting caught up on chores and such.  Oh, and I ran in to work for about an hour on Saturday before the party.  My docs are learning a new procedure and I wanted to see what was up with that. 

Enough rambling.  It's been super busy at work (still) and I won't really be able to do much blogging or stalking while I'm there for the next month or so.  I'm sad about that, but I'm training a student medical assistant and I don't think my docs would approve of me showing her the ins and outs of the internets.  LOL  So, if I don't visit your blog like I usually do, please know it's not because I don't like your post - it's because I don't have time.  I'll get caught up eventually.  Promise!!  Seriously - enough rambling.  On to the recipe.

I got this recipe from Biggest Book of 30-Minute Meals.  I love this book!  There are SO many recipes to chose from and in the sidebar of each recipe is a menu idea: usually a side dish (with the page of that recipe) and a dessert. 


Balsamic & Garlic Pork
4 bonless prok loin chops, cut 1/2 inch thick
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp bottled minced roasted garlic
1/2 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
1 Tbsp honey mustard

Trim fat from chops.  Sprinkle both sides of each chop with rosemary and salt pressing into surface of meat.

In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat.  Add chops; cook for 8 - 12 minutes or until done and juices run clear; turning once.  Transfer chops to a serving platter.  Cover and keep warm.

For sauce, in same skillet cook garlic in hot drippings for 30 seconds.  Stir in balsamic salad dressing and honey mustard.  Bring to boiling.  Serve sauce over chops.

NOTES:  I don't know what I did, but I think I used waaaay too much olive oil.  It just seems like it was swimming in the oil.  I couldn't get the rosemary to "crush", so I cleaned out my coffee grinder (by grinding up a piece of plain sandwich bread) and gave it a couple pulses.  Worked perfectly!  I also couldn't find my pre-made balsamic dressing, so I found a recipe online (maybe this is where all the extra olive oil came from).  I think it was an Emril recipe.  In the end, this wasn't bad, but I think I'll be sure to find my balsamic dressing instead of trying to make my own.

Seasoned and ready to jump in the pool.  I'm sure I didn't stick to the measurements when it came to the rosemary and salt.

Is it just me, or do you always have to cook meat longer than a recipes says?  I don't remember how long I actually ended up cooking these, but I can tell you it was definitely longer than 8-12 minutes!

The finished product.  The hubs really liked this and I didn't mind it, but I think I'd like it more with the prepared balsamic dressing.  But, both boys ate it, so it couldn't be that bad, right?  LOL

Well, I'm off to ice my knee and watch some Six Feet Under.  Hope you enjoy your evening!  I'm back to the grind again tomorrow and will be posting a mani tomorrow (probably evening).  At least, come morning, it won't be Monday anymore. *sigh*

Listening to: Somebody to Love by Queen
Mood: oooowwwww!