Crockpot Ranch House Pork Chops

I've been on a Crockpot kick lately.  Mostly because I've been too tired to make anything else.  I found this little number on Pinterest.  It is the epitome of busy-mom-on-the-go Crockpot meals.  I'm not a super huge fan of Crockpot meals because, frankly, they are usually just mediocre.  Probably because of the heavy use of canned soups.  But this one was surprisingly AWESOME!  So I had to share... ;)

Ingredients:  pork chops, cream of chicken soup and Hidden Valley ranch seasoning.  Yes that's all.  ONLY 3 INGREDIENTS!!

And guess what??  All you have to do is mix together the 3 ingredients in a Crockpot and cook it over low for 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

Seriously, this is what you make when you are too exhausted to drive to McDonald's or pick up the phone and order Domino's.

Serve it over mashed potatoes.  The sauce makes an excellent gravy.  My husband LOVED this recipe.  The pork was fork tender, the gravy was creamy and flavorful.  I think I may keep these THREE ingredients on hand at all times for when I am totally worn out!

Link to the printable recipe:

*Note:  the blog post includes a recipe for garlic mashed potatoes.  I always make Pioneer Woman's mashed potato recipe.  It's the best ;)

Crockpot Ranch House Pork Chops

Source:  Real Mom Kitchen

Mom-o's Jambalaya

My grandmother, Mom-o, and incidentally my mother both have a knack for taking something boring from a box or a can and making it spectacular.  This is my grandmother's Jambalaya recipe.  Made from chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni, this recipe is a one-pot meal that only takes 20 minutes to make and will knock your socks off!

Ingredients:  chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni, pepper, hot sauce, onion powder, celery, bell pepper, and any cooked white meat, preferably a variety.

Melt some butter in a pot and brown the package of Rice-A-Roni over medium heat.

Stir in some hot water and the chicken flavor packet.  Season with pepper, hot sauce and onion powder to taste.

Dice some celery and red bell pepper and chop up your meat.  You can use any cooked white meat.  I chose smoked jalapeno sausage and crawfish tail meat and it was delicious!  You could do any combination of chicken, pork or seafood.

Toss in the meat and veggies.

Give it a good stir and bring to a simmer.

Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Dinner is done!

This is the perfect meal for a night when you don't have much time to cook.  It's even better leftover.  Similar to Chinese take-out, it ages well in the fridge.  So be sure to make a big batch of this spicy and completely fantastic dish!

Copy and paste the recipe below into Word for printable version:

Mom-o's Jambalaya

In 2 tbsp. butter, lightly brown 1 pkg. Chicken Rice-A-Roni.  Stir in 2 3/4 c. hot water, contents of chicken flavor packet.  Season with black pepper, hot sauce and onion powder to taste.  Add in 1/4 each diced celery and red bell pepper.  Add any combination of cooked white meat (about 3 cups).  I use 2 c. smoked jalapeno sausage and 1 c. crawfish tail meat.

Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Tangy Pork Marinade

I love pork chops, especially when they have good flavor.  This marinade is basic, easy and delicious!  It's also good on chicken.  Here's how I do it:

Ingredients:  olive oil, grainy mustard, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar and dried thyme.

Add the olive oil to a bowl.

Then add the mustard.

Worcestershire sauce.

Red wine vinegar.

And thyme.

Whisk it all together.

Submerge the pork chops and marinate in the fridge for a couple of hours.

Then have your husband grill them to perfection (or if you are Superwoman, do it yourself!).  I can't grill...it always ends badly :P  These are easy, inexpensive and awesome!

Copy and paste the recipe below into Word for the printable version:

Tangy Pork Marinade

Makes enough for 2 lbs. of meat

1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. grainy mustard
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp. dried thyme

Whisk the ingredients together and submerge the meat.  Marinate for at least 2 hours.

Source:  Martha Stewart