I didn’t learn to cook until well into my 20s.  And even then, boiling pasta and heating up a can of Ragu was about as chef-like as I got.

But after years of cooked-to-death chicken and various pasta shapes, I started experimenting.  Not all my stuff turned out, but enough dishes worked out that I kept trying different recipes and using different ingredients besides chicken and pasta.

Recently I’ve added pork to our dinner repertoire.  I’ve baked it and I’ve tossed it in the crock pot.  But for this recipe, I wanted to try something else.  I decided to experiment with pan frying.

Sarah and Dan’s panfried boneless pork chops and homemade red mashed potatoes

Ingredients:

for the pork

-4 boneless pork chops, pounded thinly

-1 cup of breadcrumbs

-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

-sprinkle of salt and pepper

-Chicago-style or smoky seasoning (We used the Chicago style steak seasoning from Penzys.  Even though it’s a “steak” seasoning, it works great in this recipe and adds a smokey flavor.)

Lightly coat a grill pan with olive oil or cooking spray and heat the pan on medium heat.  While the pan warms, lay your pork on a cutting board; use a meat tenderizer to pound the pork into thinner pieces.  Mix the olive oil, breadcrumbs, seasoning, salt and pepper together in a shallow bowl.  Dip the pork into the mixture, coating both sides.  The mixture should stick to the pork and coat it completely in a thin layer.  Don’t make it too thick.

Once the grill pan is hot, gently lay the pork in the pan, cooking for about six minutes each side.

for the potatoes

-1 bag of small red potatoes

-1-2 cups of milk

-1-2 tablespoons garlic

-1-2 tablespoons butter or margarine

-salt and pepper to taste

Wash and quarter the red potatoes.  Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Once the water is boiling, gently add the potatoes to pot, stirring occassionally.  Boil the potatoes for about 10 to 15 minutes or until they fall apart when you cut into them with a fork.  Remove from heat and drain potatoes.  Put the potatoes back into the pot and add in the milk, garlic, butter/margarine, salt, and pepper.  While on low to medium heat, gently mash your potatoes with a potatoe masher.  Once mashed to your preferred consistency, gently stir.  If you like them thicker, add less milk.  If you want them thinner, add more milk.

Serve pork and potatoes immediately.

Pork wasn’t my first thought when I’m having a get together or holiday party.  But this dish turned out so flavorful and easy, that I’d be happy to serve it to guests.  What do you think – would you serve pork at your next party or holiday meal?

Okay, time for the giveaway!  The winner of the $50 Costco gift card is: Kimberly M!  Congrats, Kimberly!  The $50 giftcard is on it’s way to you.

Thank you all for entering.  I have another giveaway coming up next week, so stay tuned.