Following directions isn't just a challenge for some of the male species. This stubborn Capricorn sometimes has problems in that respect as well. Such was the case with last night's dinner.
A Rachael Ray recipe, this one has all the hallmarks of a quick and tasty dinner. That lady can cook! Unfortunately I figured I'd be a smarty and go one up and buy sirloin pork chops instead of the loin she indicated in her recipe just so I could braise the little beauties over time rather than do the quick instant dinner thing I tend to do during the week.
You know what they say about the "best made plans"... they sometimes go awry. Such was the case yesterday because the day absolutely flew by full of fun, frolic and frivolity and I got a late start on dinner. In the interest in sitting down to it before breakfast time, like an idiot I cooked those darn chops too fast and consequently the muscle fibers shrunk and the chops were exceedingly tough. I mean I do know better but I obviously got bit by the "stupid" bug and once that happened dinner was downhill from there.
Braising anything typically requires one to brown the meat first - which I did, then cook it in liquid at a slow simmer over a longer period of time. Well I did the former but not the latter and therein lies the problem. It's really a shame too because my braising liquid was a rather delicious combination of pearl onions, garlic, applejack brandy and chicken stock. Blast it all anyway!
Thank goodness my wonderful Big Guy had better luck because he's the one that put together the apple sauce. Made from Golden Delicious apples, cider, raisins, minced ginger, brown sugar and the usual apple lovin' spices, the sauce is really stupendous. Thank goodness there's some left too because I can't wait to have it guilding a hunk of french toast this morning. I mean along with some maple syrup it will be fabulous!
Check out the link for Rachael's recipe and for heavens sake do what I say and not what I did. Buy the darn loin chops and follow her instructions. I guarantee you'll have a meal that's more than worthy of a cool winter's evening!
A year ago - Chicken Cutlets with Romesco Two years ago - JBug's Baked Eggs
Well, at least you got in a day of full of fun, frolic and frivolity prior to not being able to braise - could have been a total bust! And you did get the lovely Apple Sauce! (Optimism is my watchword!)
Posted by: Lea | 01/08/2012 at 03:27 PM
Lea - you are so incredible! I love your optimism and you're so right. That applesauce is absolutely incredible!
Posted by: June | 01/08/2012 at 04:17 PM
My pork chops are always tough. I never, ever cook them right.
Posted by: pam | 01/08/2012 at 04:23 PM
MMM Pam - maybe it's the pork and not us!
Posted by: June | 01/09/2012 at 05:40 AM