Wednesday, February 3, 2016

What's for Dinner?






Since I've been posting about our trip out west, I've been craving some southwestern food.  Yesterday I made barbecue pork chops in the slow cooker.  They are so easy to make and since I'm always looking for short cuts to cooking, I put them in the slow cooker early in the morning.  I always slice an onion on the bottom and then layer the chops on top,  I added a little salt and pepper and let them cook on low until tender.  My slow cooker runs a little hot, so  they were ready in 4 hours of cooking.  In the last 30 minutes I added some bottled barbecue sauce to the top of the chops.  We love Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue sauce.




To go along with the pork chops I made beans and rice.  It's such a simple easy dish to make and goes quite well with pork.  Really the beans and rice are sufficient without the meat, but there are folks in my house that want meat.  Here is a very easy recipe that I adapted from the one on the Goya Black Bean can.

To a skillet add a couple tablespoons of olive oil.  I added a diced onion, a diced red pepper and a couple cloves of minced garlic.  Saute' for 5 or 6 minutes until the onion is translucent.  Add 1 can of black beans (undrained), 3/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 packet of Sazo'n Goya without Annatto, 1 tablespoon of white wine or cider vinegar.  Let this simmer for about 15 minutes.




Serve over the rice of your choice and enjoy!





I thought I'd show you my latest needle felting project.  He's made from wool from my friend Jeri's sheep, Sophia!  Thank you Jeri!!
















23 comments:

  1. Your meal looks delicious. I will have to try the bean recipe after I find out what Sazo'n Goya is. We tried to only eat organic and I don't think I've seen that at our market. To have your bunny made from Jeri's sheep makes it extra special!

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    1. Cathy, the Sazo'n Goya is a seasoning packet that has oregano, salt, cumin and garlic powder. You could use your own spices if you wish. There are recipes online for replicating this seasoning. ♥

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  2. I shouldn't have read this at bedtime! Now I'm about to be hungry!:-) Dinner looks delicious!

    That little felted bunny is darling!

    xo Nellie

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    1. Thank you, Nellie. I made this meal yesterday and there was plenty for today's dinner as well. I love a meal that lasts for a couple days. I'm so enjoying needle felting! xo ♥

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  3. Ohhhhhh, that bunny is so very, very precious!!!!!

    Husband does Ribs in Sauce in crock pot. He will have to try pork chops! Thank you!

    Yes, my husband is the "Resident Chef" since he mostly retired! He enjoys it, where I never did. I like baking, but not daily meal cooking. :-)

    Perhaps it was "Mom's Cooking"(grin), but anyway, our 3 children also like to cook.

    Gentle hugs...

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  4. And... A new blog look here, I think. :-) Pretty and red and cute pics in your banner/header.

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    1. Tessa, you are a lucky woman to have a husband that cooks! My husband can make a few things, but it's not really his thing. I changed my header with this post. Can you tell I love red? Thanks for stopping by. ♥

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  5. Ok, that looks just delicious! I've noticed that the newer CrockPots run hotter than the older ones. Thanks for the great supper idea.

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    1. Judy, it's almost like my low is high. I do enjoy using my crock pot for certain meats as they really come out tender. ♥

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    2. My crockpot runs hot, too. Makes it kind of a challenge to plan when supper will be. Yours looks especially good!

      The little rabbit is cute! Your felted critters must take on personalities all their own as you work on them.

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    3. Vee, I now know what to expect of my crock pot, time wise.
      It's true that the felted critters seem to take on personalities! As I learn to felt the faces more realistically that does happen. ♥

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  6. Great job on the bunny, Martha! Did you like the feel of the wool, or did you find it very much the same as your other wool? Sophia is honored you have made such a sweet rabbit with her wool.

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    1. Jeri, Sophia's wool is much softer than the wool I bought at the craft store! I loved working with it! Her wool is curly and so beautiful! Thank you so much, dear Sophia and you too, Jeri! xo ♥

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  7. Your dinner looks wonderful. I just love using the crock pot, especially in the winter for some reason. Cute little fella you made!

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    1. Dotsie, I seem to use mine more in the winter as well. I think in the warmer months I tend to use the grill more. I've been enjoying needle felting --it's a great craft for cold weather. Have a nice weekend. ♥

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  8. Oh yes! My guys would love this! Thank you for the recipe Martha Ellen! My tummy is growling now......have a great weekend!

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    1. This is definitely man food, Betsy. I could just eat the beans and rice, but the men in my family want to have meat and bbq pork chops fit the bill. Enjoy your weekend as well! ♥

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  9. My husband sees beans (or beans and rice) strictly as a side dish (and one he could live without), but I could live on beans. Beans and cheese. But I'd be happy to have one of these tasty pork chops as well!

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    1. Jean, the pork chops were really good..I enjoyed mine as well. I love all kinds of beans and I'm a rat when it comes to cheese. I know I'd weigh a lot less if I didn't eat cheese! Thank you for coming by today! ♥

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  10. Your needle felting is coming along beautifully, Martha Ellen. It looks like a lot of fun. And dinner as well!
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you, Amalia. I am enjoying this craft so much. I know you would do well with needle felting! Have a wonderful day, dear one. xo ♥

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  11. Martha Ellen, barbecue pork ribs are one of my favorites! These look so Yummy, and so easy to make in the slow cooker. Nel uses her slow cooker all the time (we call it a crock pot here). Your beans and rice look Yummy too. aahh, your latest needle felt bunny is so cute. You are getting very talented with this, Martha Ellen.

    Enjoy the weekend.

    ~Sheri

    ps your new Header design is wonderful. The cardinal, oh my! And the tea pot is just right for Valentine's Day. :)

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    1. Sheri, crock pots are so nice to use for certain dishes. Thank you for always leaving such kind comments, dear one! ♥

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