time for dinner

my husbands favorite three words. clangity-clang-clang-clang goes the dinner bell. but this is not about that kind of time for dinner, it is about time for dinner. i love to cook. but even more than actual cooking i love the time it takes to put everything together. please do not put me up on that pedestal as a girl who turns out beautiful meals every night for her family. and trust me, i can be just as happy throwing down a pizza on a friday night with the family gathered around the coffee table. but once or twice a week i like to have all the ingredients bought ahead of time, and really enjoy the time it takes to create a meal. last friday night was that night. but i actually got started in the afternoon.

M was at school and C was napping so i took a few minutes to set a simple table.

then i chopped all the apples, measured out all the ingredients into individual bowls, and put the rub on the pork chops. it was peaceful and quiet and i just felt like i was putting some real joy and love into this meal. i actually had a moment to stop and recognize how much i really love to cook.

:

so really this was just all the prep work, but once it was time to fire up the cook top and get down to the actual cooking it was easy because everything was already measured out.

so i will leave with this recipe today and hopes that you enjoy the time it takes to create this lovely meal. bon appetite!

:

PORK LOIN CHOPS with CINNAMON APPLES

1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 (4- to 6-ounce) boneless center-cut pork loin chops

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

2 large granny smith apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1. in a small bowl, combine sage, salt, and pepper; sprinkle over both sides of pork.

2. in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. cook pork 4 to 5 minutes per side; or until done. remove pork from pan. cover and keep warm.

3. melt butter in a pan over medium heat. add apples, brown sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender. serve with pork chops.