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Menu Plan for the week of Jan. 11, 2013: Wednesday's Recipes

Pork Chops with Lemon Soy Glaze
Sautéed Paprika Potato Rounds
Cauliflower with Paprika Crumb

Cooking time:  30 minutes for menu          Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

     This is a meal of sharp flavors  - something to get us out of the winter doldrums.

Pork Chops with Lemon/Soy Glaze                      Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes
    This has a piquant sauce: dark, spicy, salty, sour, wonderful.  The pork chops I use are thin, about 3/8" (3/4cm).  If yours are thicker increase cooking time to 15 minutes.

2 - 4 pork chops 12 - 16oz, 350 - 500gr (depending on bones)
1 small onion chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice    from 1 lemon
1/4 cup beef or chicken stock
2 tbs tomato paste 
1 tbs fresh, minced ginger or 1/2 tsp dried, ground ginger
1 tbs olive oil
2 tsp cornstarch (or thickener of choice) dissolved in 1 1/2 tbs water

Squeeze lemon.  Combine soy sauce, lemon juice, stock and tomato paste in a dish.  Add pork chops turning to coat and allow to marinate.
Sauté onion, garlic and ginger in oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops (reserving marinade) and brown - pushing onion mixture to sides of pan to prevent burning.  Add reserved marinade and cook, covered 8 - 10 minutes longer or until done.  Remove chops from pan.  Thicken pan juices by adding cornstarch mixture and stirring well.  Pour over chops and serve.

Sautéed Paprika Potato Rounds                     Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes
    Rather than baking these chips, I sautéed them.  They get a bit more crisp, and it's easier to add seasonings as they cook.

2 medium potatoes, 12oz (350gr)
1 tsp paprika, smoky if possible
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs oil
salt - sea salt is nice
pepper

Cut the potatoes into thick slices, app 1/3" (1cm).
Heat oil over medium heat in a large, nonstick skillet.  When hot add potato slices, placing each flat.  Sauté until lightly browned, 10 - 12 minutes.  Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp paprika, a bit of salt and pepper.  Turn.  Sprinkle the browned side with paprika, salt and pepper.  Carefully sprinkle the Worcestershire sauce between the potatoes, so it gets into the skillet, not on top.  Shake the potatoes a bit to distribute, then allow to brown, another 8 - 10 minutes.  When nicely browned and done, remove and serve.

Cauliflower with Paprika Crumbs                    Preparation and cooking time:  20 minutes
   If you want to be really decadent toss the cauliflower with another pat of butter before adding the crumbs.... I didn't.  Toasting the paprika and thyme with the bread crumbs releases the flavors.

1/3 head cauliflower
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp thyme
1 clove garlic
2 tbs butter
1/8 tsp salt

Cut cauliflower into bite size florets and stems.  Put in a steamer basket in a saucepan with an inch of water in the bottom.  Put on medium heat and steam for 15 minutes or until done. 
Remove cauliflower and cover with the pan lid to keep warm.  Pour out water and return the pan to heat.  Mince garlic.  Melt the butter in the pan, add the garlic and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.  Add breadcrumbs, paprika, thyme and salt and sauté, stirring, 2 - 3 minutes longer.  Sprinkle over cauliflower and serve.

Cooking schedule: 30 minutes Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, small bowl, dish for marinating, large skillet with lid, large nonstick skillet, medium saucepan with steamer basket and lid Mix marinade, pour over pork chops, set aside Chop onion Mince ginger, all garlic; reserve garlic for cauliflower Slice potato, sauté Sauté onion, garlic, ginger for chops Trim, cut cauliflower Add pork chops, brown (reserve marinade) Steam cauliflower

Turn chops, brown Add reserved marinade to chops, cover, simmer Sprinkle paprika, salt, pepper on potatoes Turn potatoes, sprinkle again Add Worcestershire sauce Dissolve cornstarch in water        Pause while stuff cooks Remove cauliflower Sauté garlic Add crumbs, paprika, herbs, sauté Remove chops from pan Thicken sauce, pour over chops Remove potatoes Sprinkle crumbs over cauliflower, Serve

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