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Menu Plan for Spring I: Week 5, Wednesday
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Daily Recipes:
Italian Pork Chops
Pasta with Green Garlic
Creamed Spinach
Cooking time: 40 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for instructions
I used bone-in chops for this... No particular reason, but that is why the 'weight' called for is higher. The spinach is 'creamed' but without cream.
Italian Pork Chops
Total time: 40 minutes
Just a few ingredients simmered together to produce moist, tender pork chops. The lemon adds a fresh taste to the tomatoes. Grate the lemon before cutting, using a lemon zester or the fine wholes on a grater. You only want the yellow, or zest, not the white, which is bitter.
Ingredients:
- 2 - 4 pork chops, depending on size, 14oz (420gr) total weight, bone-in
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 15oz (450gr) crushed tomatoes substitute whole tomatoes, chopped
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Lightly grate lemon all over to remove zest (yellow part of the peel only). You should end up with at least a tsp.
- Cut lemon in half and squeeze for juice. You should have about 2 tbs.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté pork chops until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side.
- Add all remaining ingredients, including zest and juice.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes. Serve.
Pasta with Green Garlic
Total time: 25 minutes
Simple pasta, tossed with a fruity olive oil and Green Garlic.... And a few chives. Spring!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2.8oz, 80gr) dried pasta - farfalle
- 2 tbs good olive oil
- 4 green garlic or 1/2 leek and 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbs fresh, snipped chives substitute 1 tbs dried
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
- Trim green garlic, slicing off the root and removing 1 layer. Thinly slice as much as you can, including the green tops. Or trim and slice leek, mince green garlic.
- Snip the chives.
- When pasta is done, heat the oil in the emptied pasta pot.
- Add green garlic / leek, garlic and chives. Sauté 1 - 2 minutes.
- Add the pasta and stir well to combine. Serve.
Creamed Spinach
Total time: 10 minutes
Yes, creamed spinach.... but updated, with more flavor than the traditional version.
Ingredients:
- 6oz (180gr) spinach
- 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) milk
- 2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbs water
- 2 tbs Greek or plain yogurt
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
- 1/3 cup (1.5oz, 45gr) shredded cheese
Instructions:
- Heat milk in a large skillet just until it simmers.
- Add cornstarch mixture and stir until it thickens.
- Add yogurt, dry mustard, cheese, and stir until cheese just melts.
- Add spinach, stir briefly to coat, cover, remove from heat and let sit until spinach is slightly wilted.
- Stir well and serve.
Cooking schedule: 40 minutes |
Slice green garlic or leeks and mince garlic |
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