Cheesy Potato Bake w/Pork Chops

 I posted this recipe a few years ago and decided to bring it back up for my new blog...Plus it's been a hit and is definitely worth repeating ;)

It came out pretty good and Big Country had seconds so I was happy and full!  It's a pretty quick weekday meal and I love throwing stuff in the oven because it buys me time to do other things around the house and clean the kitchen while it;s cooking. That way I don't have too much clean up after dinner.  So, here we go...

What you'll need:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
salt
pepper
onion powder (optional)
cayenne pepper (optional)
garlic powder (optional)
5 - 6 boneless pork loin chops *you can alter depending on how many folks your cooking for*
6 medium sized potatoes sliced
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter *okay to use a little over 1/2 cup*
Shredded Cheese
Vegetable oil

Step 1: Prep

• Pre-heat the oven to 350
• Mix the flour, salt, pepper and other seasonings in a small bowl and set aside.  *Note: I didn't put a specific amount for the seasonings because you can do it to taste.  for the flour mix I suggest about 3 TBS of salt and 1 1/2 TBS of pepper.  If you use the other seasonings use about 2 tsp of each.* 
• 
• Use the salt, pepper & other seasonings to season the chops to taste and set them aside in a container. 
• 
• Slice the potatoes *Note: I add a little pepper and salt to the potatoes as well since they absorb salt.*
• 

Step 2:

• Brown the chops in a skillet...don't cook all the way through, just brown them on the outside
• 
• Heat the milk up until it's steaming and melt the butter - put them in a container together
• Place the chops in an oven safe pan/dish
• Add a layer of the potatoes and then sprinkle some the flour mix over the first layer
• Add another layer of potatoes and sprinkle the remaining flour mix over the top
• 
• Pour the hot milk and butter mixture over the meat and potatoes making sure everything is submerged as much as possible
• 

Step 3:

• Place in the oven for 45 minutes - uncovered
• Check it a few times to make sure the flour is thickening and the liquid will start to boil a bit.

Step 4:

• After 45 minutes open the oven and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.  We love cheese in my house so I use a lot, but it's at your discretion of course.
• Close the oven and cook for another 15 minutes
• It's okay if it gets a little brown around the edges...it's still yumm!

Step 5:

• Remove from the oven let it stand for about 5 minutes
• Enjoy :)
• 

Please be sure to pin, tweet, comment, follow and all that good stuff if you like and/or try this recipe.  Let me know how it works for you and if you did anything to tweak it and make it your own.  Hope y'all enjoy it :)

Homemade Chicken Soup

Well this initially started out as an experiment when "Big Country" and I were dating and he was sick as a dog.  It turned into a hit and I've been making it since when folks aren't feeling so hot and every once in a while on a chilly day.  I tried to make it for myself when I wasn't feeling well, but, turns out I didn't want my homemade soup so bad and I reverted to store bought lol.  So anyway...



What you'll need:
5-6 boneless chicken thigh pieces *you can also use breast, I'm just not a fan*
1-2 stalks (or bunches) of celery
3 carrots *you can have more I'm just not a fan of cooked carrots*
1 yellow squash *optional*
1 zucchini *optional*  
Chicken Stock - 2 cups
Package of noodles *I use the swirly egg noodles, but it's really dealers choice*
Salt 
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper *optional* 
Onion Powder 
Chili Powder *optional* 
Olive Oil

Step 1: Prep

• Dice the chicken into medium sized pieces
• Dice the celery into medium-small pieces
• Peel and slice carrots, squash & zucchini
• Season the meat with salt, pepper & onion powder

 Step 2:

• Put the chicken in a pot on high and let it start to brown make sure it's being frequently stirred so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot
• Before it browns completely, pour in the chicken stock and continue to stir
• Toss in the veggies and mix them in 
• Fill the pot the rest of the way with hot water until its about 3/4 full
• Mix in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Put the top on and reduce heat to medium (on the high side)
• Let it cook for about 30 minutes
• Check on it and stir occasionally 

Step 3:

• After 30 minutes remove the lid and stir
• Mix in 1tsp pepper
• Mix in 1TBS salt
• Mix in 1TBS onion powder
• Add a dash a chili powder *optional*
• Place lid back on the pot and reduce heat to medium-low
• Let it cook for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally

Step 4:

• While the soup is cooking put on a pot of water to boil for your noodles
• Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the water (helps the noodles not stick)
• Once the water begins to boil add your noodles and stir
• Let them cook for about 10 minutes on high stirring occasionally 
• Drain the noodles and put them aside

Step 5:

• After 20  minutes, remove the lid from soup and stir
• Add drained noodles to the soup and mix them in well
• Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.  
• Remove from heat 
• Enjoy :)

*Notes: You can use chicken on the bone, but if you do - do not use chicken stock.  Chicken on the bone makes its own broth.  However, it does make for a "greasy" broth

Please share, Pin, Tweet or whatever if you like this recipe.  And drop me a note if you try it.  Hope you enjoy :).