Baked Pork Chops with Stuffing & Apples

We're back!

It's been a while, but we're still cooking!  We got together for a freezer swap in February and the meals have been delish!  It was a long week (anyone else?) so I knew I wanted to end the week on an easy note with a freezer meal.  I was excited to try Meg Loc's meal.  She's always pushing my food "comfort zone" and Andrea said her meal was amazing--and she was right!

I tend to shy away from food with fruit in it, but just like her Thai Mango Chicken, this meal blew me away and I'm already planning to make it for my freezer when pork chops go on sale!  I asked Meg Loc for the recipe right away and I was shocked  at how easy it was! You can't beat a yummy freezer meal with little prep!

Baked Pork Chops with Stuffing and Apples
recipe: Meg Loc
serves 2

2 pork chops, boneless
1 package of stuffing, prepared
1 can of apple pie filling

1. Prepare stuffing according to package, let cool
2. In foil tin, pour the apple pie filling on the bottom.
3. Layer the cooled stuffing on top.
4. Nestle the pork chops in the stuffing.
5. Cover with foil and label.

To EAT:
1. Thaw over night.
2. Bake for 1 hour at 350, covered.
3. Enjoy!

Stay full,

On a Mission: Meal Planning!

Boy was I on a mission this week!  When I say our cupboard was bare, I mean we were out of even staples like olive oil, peanut butter, milk, etc.  Somehow my chores never really get done with a newborn around!

My hubby and I did two shopping trips to restock our empty shelves, fridge, and freezer (well, I had plenty of freezer meals).  We went to our local supermarket and wholesale club.  These are the meals I shopped for:

Pasta alla Norma - a tomato/eggplant pasta sauce
Italian Bangers and Beans - something I've adapted from Extra Virgin
Pork and Apples - one of my favorite combinations!
Hearty Black Bean Soup - we like to eat this for lunch!
Baked Chicken and Artichokes - my Aunt made this for me when Ben was born and I plan on making a lighter version

Up first, pork and apples!  I had a 2 1/2lb pork roast in the freezer that I've been dying to use.  I didn't want to use it for pulled pork so I remembered one of my favorite dinner combinations: pork chops and applesauce!  I also decided to plop everything in the slow cooker.  Yummo! 

Sweet and Smokey Pork and Apples
2lbs center cut pork chops or roast, trimmed of visible fat
3 gala apples, diced with skins on
2 tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp chipotle seasoning
1/4 tsp cayenne
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Mix sugar, water, mustard, cinnamon, chipotle, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved.  Place fresh (or slightly frozen) pork roast or chops in slow cooker.  Pour mixture over the pork and top with 1/3 of diced apples.  Cook on low 6-8 hours (depending if you put pork in frozen or fresh).  In last 4 hours of cooking time add the remaining apples.  Serve pork with sauce and apples poured on top!
*I like to put some meats in the slow cooker frozen because they shred less and hold up their shape.

To make freezer friendly:
Place the pork in a freezer safe bag with sauce and diced apples.
To cook:
Follow directions above, but place all apples in slow cooker initially. 

Stay tuned for my next meal planning on a mission recipe!