A Tasty Meal

It’s been quite a while since I added anything to my “Sustenance” category, so I thought I’d overwhelm you with four recipes in one post.  You’re completely welcome. 

 

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GRILLED HONEY APPLE PORK CHOPS
INGREDIENTS:
4 pork loin chops
1½C apple cider (I use apple juice)
¼C soy sauce
1 garlic, minced
¼C lemon juice
2T honey
¼t pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients (except the meat) and mix well.  Place chops in a shallow baking dish and pour marinade over chops.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Grill chops, turning and basting with marinade. 

 

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THE BEST MASHED POTATOES EVER
INGREDIENTS:
4½ lb red potatoes
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1C sour cream, at room temperature
2t garlic salt
½ t ground black pepper
¼C butter, cut in pieces
paprika for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Wash potatoes, cut into quarters (leave the skins on), and boil in a large pot until tender and easily mashable.  Drain potatoes and mash well.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.  Gradually add potatoes while continuing to run the mixer until smooth.  Beat in garlic salt and pepper.  Transfer to a greased, shallow casserole dish and dot with butter.  Garnish with paprika.  Cover and bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes.

(Thanks, Pinch My Salt!)

 

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STEAMED BROCCOLI W/CREAMY CILANTRO LEMON DIP
INGREDIENTS:
Steamed broccoli
zest of one lemon
2T fresh squeezed lemon juice
2T chopped cilantro leaves
¼C mayonnaise
¾C thick yogurt (strain regular yogurt through cheese cloth to get moisture out)
¼t salt (plus more, to taste)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS:
Whisk together everything except the broccoli.  Adjust salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with steamed broccoli.  (FYI – don’t rely on the taste of the dip alone.  It’s a little gross by itself.  But it’s quite good with the broccoli!)

(Thanks again, Pinch My Salt!)

 

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AMERICAN BERRY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE
INGREDIENTS:
2 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/3C sugar
1 graham cracker crust (although I’m thinking of trying chocolate next time)
1 tub Cool Whip, thawed and divided
2T lemon juice (optional)
Strawberry halves
Blueberries

DIRECTIONS:
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice on medium speed until well blended.  Gently stir in 2C of the cool whip.  Spoon into crust. Refrigerate for 3 hours.  Spread the rest of the cool whip onto the top of the cake and arrange the blueberries and strawberries into an American flag!

 

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I personally did not make all of this in one day.  I did the mashed potatoes with some steak one night.  I did the cheesecake later and had it ready for the day I did the chops and the broccoli.  If you want it to be all in one day, I suggest doing the cheesecake ahead of time as well as the potatoes.  You can refrigerate the potatoes in the casserole dish for a day or two before you actually bake them. 

Happy cooking, baking, and eating!