One-Pot Pork Chop Supper

In my early years of marriage, I used to prepare this dish often...especially since pork chops have always been one of my husband's favorites!  I made it again recently and was reminded of just how simple and how good this dish is! 

One of the best things about the preparation of this dish is that it is all done in one pot, so clean-up is a cinch. It is very simple to prepare, and once you have it in the skillet you can have a little time to yourself!

4 bone-in center cut pork chops
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 can tomato soup **
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (or 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar, if making GF)
6-8 small potatoes, quartered
15-20 baby carrots, or 4 carrots cut into 2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, cut in 1/8ths


** Can substitute a 16 oz. Creamy Tomato Soup or Roasted Red Pepper Soup as in picture above if you are looking for a Gluten Free (GF) option. Omit water if using one of these soups.

Generously salt and pepper both sides of pork chops.

Heat oil in skillet on Medium heat and brown pork chops on both sides. Drain well.

While chops are browning, prepare vegetables.
If using condensed tomato soup, mix soup with water in a bowl until well-combined.

After chops are browned on both sides, add all remaining ingredients to skillet.

Cover and cook over Medium Low heat for approximately 1 1/4 hours, or until vegetables are tender.

The sauce this dish makes is really yummy over rice.  Add a tossed salad and dinner is served!  Enjoy!

MiMi's Dry Rub Ribs

My family LOVES ribs!  A few years ago, I started developing my own recipe for a dry rub and I am constantly "tweaking it".  This is the latest combination of spices that I am using to cook some mouth-watering ribs.  Hope you enjoy!

Dry Rub Seasoning Mix:

1/4 cup salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup black pepper

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

1 Tbsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. celery seed

1 Tbsp. paprika

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. sweet basil

1 Tbsp. ground mustard

1 Tbsp. onion powder

Combine all dry ingredients and set aside. ( This recipe will make more dry rub than you will need, but can be stored in an airtight container in a dark place and can be used for any type of pork that you would like to cook.)

I use Baby Back Pork ribs, but you could certainly use spare ribs, if you prefer.

Flip racks of ribs over with bone side up. Start at one end of rack and remove thin membrane that runs across the entire length of the ribs. Pull slowly and the membrane will come off in one continuous piece.

Generously apply dry rub to both sides of racks of ribs -- working into the meat well with fingertips.

Place dry rub-coated ribs in a roaster pan.

Add 1/2 cup water and the secret ingredient...... 1 cup cola.

Cover tightly with foil and place in 400 degree oven for approximately an hour.

Remove from oven.  Set aside while you mix up the basting sauce.

Basting Sauce:

2 cups apple cider vinegar

2 cups water

1/2 cup dry rub seasoning mix

Combine vinegar, water and seasoning mix. Mix well.

Place ribs on grill - bone side down first. 

Cook 15 -20 minutes over medium heat, basting 4-5 times with a basting sauce. Turn ribs over and repeat.

** When ribs are almost cooked to desired doneness, you may baste with barbecue sauce, if desired. 

Remove ribs from grill when they reach desired doneness. 

"Down Home" Baked Ham

OK, girls (and guys)! It doesn't get much easier than this!  This is the way that my Mother always baked hams when I was growing up and I have continued the tradition in my family. You only need 1 ingredient, the ham - so you can't really go wrong with this one!

1 shank or butt portion ham 

1 brown paper sack

Remove all plastic wrapping material from ham and rinse off the ham. Pat dry with paper towels and place inside brown paper grocery sack.

Fold up the end of bag tightly and place in the bottom of a baking dish or roasting pan.

Bake at 325 degrees according to recommendations below.

Ham (cook before eating)

Shank or Butt portion  35-40 mins per pound 

Meat thermometer reading 160 degrees

Ham (Fully Cooked)

Shank or Butt portion 18-24 mins per pound 

Meat thermometer reading 140 degrees

Remove from oven.

Tear paper sack away from ham and discard.  (There is nothing like the smell of a fresh baked ham.)

Slice and ENJOY!!

P.S.     There's just one requirement if you make this ham, you HAVE to serve these with them!