Signature Dish: Orange-Glazed Pork Chops

Complete: Drop# 35- Create a Signature Dish

     This dish has actually been up my sleeve for well over a year. I was going to create custom sides to go along with it, but decided that because of the richness of the sauce, simple sides would probably be best anyways. Sauteed broccoli or snap peas and white rice would do nicely. I think this is absolutely delicious. I urge you to give it a try!

P.S.- The measurements are approximate. This is cooking, not baking, so I tend to make food using the eyeball technique!

Ingredients:

4 Pork Chops

Half a Small Jar of Orange Marmalade

1/4 C Teriyaki Sauce

1 Clove Chopped Garlic

1/2 Tsp Paprika

1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

Salt

Pepper

1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

3 Scallions- cut on the diagonal

1/2 Yellow Onion- diced

1 Tsp Sesame Oil

Flour

Water

The Recipe:

Step 1:  Make the sauce

In a saucepan, lightly saute the garlic. Once aromatic, put in half can of orange marmalade, teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, and some water. When marmalade has deconstructed lower heat and let reduce. If sauce thickens too much over time, just add a bit of water and stir to loosen up. Let simmer while the rest is cooking so to dissolve the orange skins in the marmalade.

Step 2: Prepare a tempura batter. Combine flour, water, cayenne, pepper, paprika, baking powder and some salt. Make sure to mix well and get out any lumps. Set aside.

Step 3: Fry Pork Chops

Place some oil in a frying pan and heat to medium high. Take Pork Chops and smother them with pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika. When the pan is ready, sear up the chops. When done, let rest on a plate covered with tin foil.

Step 4: Fry Scallions

Heat up a wok or clean the pan you were using and put some oil in it. Dip the scallions and onion in the tempura mix and fry them up until golden brown, working in small batches and draining on paper towels.

To Serve:
Place pork chop on plate. Pour generous amount of sauce over pork chop, and then place tempura veggies on top. Serve with white rice and choice of asparagus or green beans.

Ta Da!

Wow. This came out pretty ugly. I promise it tastes better than it looks!

 Wow. I didn't realize how ugly this dish is.
 Despite it's hideous appearance, It's really easy to make. Give it a try!

Complete: Sew up our Couches

     One personal, boring thing that is on my list of 25 before 25 is the desire to sew up my living room couches.



To the left: The culprit. To the right: The damage

      If you've kept up somewhat with my 25 before 25 goals, it may sound as if this cat wreaks havoc on my life. He does. Not much longer after we got these couches, Jack decided to use them as his personal scratching post. He'd look us directly in the eye as he dug his claws in to the corner of the ottoman. After the ottoman was satisfactorily torn to shreds, he moved on to the couches.

     I probably put this on my list only so that I make sure to actually do it. I've been saying I'd get to it for the past five years and, surprise surprise, never did.

     My husband likes to periodically remind me about how I failed to follow through with sewing the couches. Although we are planning on junking them soon, I still feel as though I should sew them. At least when we do get rid of the couches, It can't be said that I didn't stitch them back up!

Before and After

     Of course you can see where the ottoman has been patched, but it certainly looks much better. The material is no longer frayed and the wood isn't exposed. I patched a total of six holes! With Lela waking up every hour or so, this was a project that went throughout the entire day. Done!

Has an animal ever wreaked havoc on your life?

Does anybody still know how to sew anymore??

Stephs Steps to the Perfect Summer Cocktail

Complete- Drop # 94: Create a Signature Cocktail

     There is a pretty common saying: In New England, we have four seasons: Winter, Spring, Fall, and Fourth of July! When Fourth of July season does hit, the lemonade starts flowing.

     I am personally not a big fan of lemonade. I do, however, love Strawberries and Mango. So, this cocktail isn't so much about the lemonade as much as it is about everything else.

     The Cocktail: Hard Strawberry-Mango Lemonade

     Anybody can mix together an assortment of liquids, give it a name, and dub it their signature drink. This cocktail is a little bit more involved. But need not fret- you can easily bypass the extra steps if you choose. Here's what's in it:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Sweet and Sour Mix
• 1 oz Vodka
• 1.5 oz Mango Infused Rum
• 5 Tbsp Osmossified Strawberries
• 8 oz Lemonade

Infusing Rum

     That's right! Mango Infused Rum! Here's what you'll need:

• Light Rum (200 ml)
• A Mango (I'm using a Champagne mango. They're so much more delicious than the greenish-red ones)
• Air-tight Jar

 STEP  1

EAT THE MANGO!

     We're doing the yummiest part first. The mango has a core, so just cut to the left and right of it, score the meat, and EAT! Save the core for Step 2.

STEP 2

     You could gnaw on the core, or you could infuse rum (or vodka, or whatever). Make sure the skin is peeled off and put your core in the container. Pour the light rum over it, making sure that there is enough rum to cover the entire mango portion. I am only making a small batch, with 200 ml of rum. If you're doing more, I'd suggest eating more mangoes.

STEP 3

     Make sure to seal the container very tightly. Place in a cool, dark place for four days to a week, shaking a few times each day.

STEP 4
    In a week at the longest, the rum should be infused. Feel free to do a taste test to ensure it's infused to your liking. Discard mango core and strain rum in strainer or cheesecloth. Put back in original bottle or the jar you infused it in.

TA DA! Infused rum.

Osmossifying Strawberries

     This sounds so fancy, doesn't it? Don't be fooled! In reality, I think that this is just called 'Strawberries in a Simple Syrup'. What a boring name! Osmossified Strawberries sounds so much more... Impressive!

     Just cut up some strawberries, sprinkle a generous amount of sugar over them, mix, cover, and store in the fridge until you're ready to eat them. You could alternatively just buy the frozen ones at your grocery store.  Make your own osmossified strawberries once, and you'll never want to eat the ones from the freezer aisle ever again.

 OKAY! All that fancy-dancy stuff is over! Now let's make the drink!


Hard Strawberry-Mango Lemonade

     Before adding ice, put your strawberry syrup on the bottom of the glass. Put a few spoonfuls of the strawberries on the bottom as well. After your ice has been added, pour in your infused rum and vodka, followed by the lemonade. Top off with the sweet and sour mix to help bring back some sweetness that the liquor and melting ice cut.

     This is a very light, summery drink. I couldn't even taste the alcohol. Enjoy it for a few more days before the chill of fall sneaks in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a signature drink?

Proof the World is Coming to an End

Complete- Drop # 96: Become an Ordained Minister

     If you asked anybody who knew me ten years ago if they thought I would become an ordained minister, I am almost certain that everybody would have answered similarly- if that day ever comes, the end of the world as we know it is sure to follow!

     Well, surely this can not be good news:

     
      Despite not having the slightest idea of how to perform a marriage, I can legally marry you in most states. But, that's okay. I am sure I will not be performing any marriage ceremonies. A marriage that is made official under the power invested through Stephanie probably will have as much pick-me-up as a Dunkin Donuts light and sweet iced coffee that has been sitting in a hearse all day.

      Ladies and Gents, find your nearest bomb shelter. I am certain that end of the world is near.