Cajun Pork Chops

This blog is so long overdue. And my apologies.

The rush of the holiday season has absolutely whipped me around like a spinning top there was hardly any time left to sit around and write.

The entire month I was busy mostly spending time with my children. You see something happened this month that I must share.

My kids and I were out eating lunch at a popular fast food. It is a once a week thing we do, just me and my first two children, where I take them out to eat and I let them pick the place.

So we were seated and eating spaghetti and hotdog and fried chicken, when I noticed this young lady on another table stealing glances our way. She was with her colleagues, and they seemed like they were having a good time. But once in a while this particular young lady would turn to look at us. I ignored her the first few times, but that was difficult to do. I was getting very self-conscious and frankly, just plain irritated. Why does she keep looking at us???

Finally, towards the end of our meal, I caught her glance, and gave her a look that said "please stop staring." She looked away very quickly.

Just when we were about to leave, she looked at me again, wearing a sorry look on her face. And this young lady said to me, "Ma'am, I am so sorry I keep staring. It's just that your daughter reminds me so much of my daughter. And I miss her so much this Christmas."

The nuisance that I felt left as quickly as it came. I am suddenly sorry, and unquestionably guilty for being upset at this woman. I could feel the pain and envy she must be feeling, a mother away from her child during the holidays.

So I am reminded that Christmas isn't all about gift-giving, but instead about togetherness. And I am so lucky that my children are here with me. And so I tell myself this Christmas I will not ask for anything. Because I've got everything I need.

I made this dish early this month and I will be making this again and again. One, because it is so easy that the preparation only takes 10 minutes, max. Two, because pork is affordable, this a perfect dish to make when you have guests over or when you're headed to a potluck event. Three, because it is impressively delicious.

I have here about six pieces of 3/4 inch thick pork chops.

I rub these babies liberally with mayonnaise so that all the pork is covered throughout.

Hmm... I realize just now that I don't have a picture of that because I must have deleted it in my phone. And I guess because its no longer in my phone it's also no longer in the "Cloud." Which doesn't make sense because I uploaded my photo up in the Cloud therefore if I delete it in my phone it should still be in the Cloud. Whatever.

Where in the world is the Cloud anyway???

After the mayo layer I rub the pork chops with  just a little bit of Dijon mustard. Just until it turns a tad bit yellow.

Here's the picture of the mustard I used:

Then finally I sprinkle a scant amount of Cajun spice on both sides of the chops.

This is the Cajun spice I use. McCormick Perfect Pinch Cajun. Natural. No MSG.

If you don't have that in your spice rack just mix equal amount of cayenne and paprika. It works just as fine.

Slide the chops in your oven and bake at 150 degees celsius for an hour. They should be fork tender.

Let cool and serve.

Spinach in Coconut Milk

I'm all about being healthy tonight.

And why is that, you might ask?

Because... I couldn't resist the Christmas sale at the mall and bought myself a pair of skinny jeans for 995. Not so very good deal I must say. The last skinny jeans I bought was early this year and it was only 600.

I convinced myself by saying it's must be inflation...

LOL.

Over 30% inflation in less than a year? Who am I kidding? Besides myself...

So tomorrow my skinny jeans will go into the washing machine. In a couple of days it will be pressed, folded, and will be sitting nicely in my closet waiting to be worn. I am anticipating that day by cooking up something healthy tonight.

I mean I've got to look good in those jeans!!

I have tried it on and it fits fine but you know how skinny jeans tend to be the stretchy kind too? And fitting room mirrors are made in such a way that you'll look like a Victoria's Secret model? All I'm saying is I don't want my legs to end up looking like Spanish chorizos...

Just because it fits doesn't mean it looks nice.

So here I am making a veggie dish. Not that one dinner will magically make me look like a Victoria's Secret model in skinny jeans.

But who knows???

I start by chopping sword peppers, about 2 teaspoons worth. You can go up to 1 tablespoon if you like spicy.

I also chop up about 2 cups worth of string beans in to 1 inch lengths. And about 3 cups worth of washed spinach.

I turn the heat up on a wok, and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When it's hot I throw in 2 tablespoons of garlic.

And about the same amount of chopped white onions.

Excuse the green beans that popped out of nowhere.

Actually my son had a lot to do with that. But it's all good...

I put in the sliced sword peppers.

And 1 cube of pork bouillon. But we are not making bouillon.

Just sort of crumble the bouillon cube with your laddle and stir for a bit.

If you don't want to use a bouillon cube you can throw in small slices of bacon instead. I usually do that when I make this dish but this time I use a bouillon cube because:

a) it taste just as good,

b) I wasn't able to slice any bacon tonight

and,

the most deciding factor,

c) I need to look good in those skinny jeans. Bacon and skinny jeans just don't click like that.

Dump in your string beans and let them cook until they are soft, about three minutes.

I let my kids do this step.

Look at my little girl. Isn't she cute??? She likes princesses and the color purple.

She also likes to do a high-pitch scream if she doesn't get what she wants. If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!

While waiting, grab a cup of coconut milk. I use the powder kind. Just add about a cup of water and stir to dissolve. It makes life a lot easier.

This is the packet I used:

To your wok, throw in the chopped spinach leaves and stir.

Immediately pour in your coconut milk and let simmer until the spinach wilts.

And until the milk has reduced to half its original volume like this:

Transfer to a plate and serve on top of white rice! Skinny jeans, here I come baby!!!

P.s.


I was decided on serving ONLY this for dinner... really. Until I saw a few slices of pork chops on the kitchen sink that I had my kitchen help take out and defrost, hours before I fell upon those skinny jeans. So... I decided to cook those chops and serve them alongside my veggie dish. Nevermind looking like a Victoria's Secret model. Perhaps in another life time...

Recipe for the pork chops on my next blog! 20 days to go before Christmas my friends!!! Happy Holidays!!!!