Stylish Blogger Award !! and Smothered Pork Chops

I was contacted by Big Mama's Home Kitchen.  She left me an awesome comment on my Sweetheart Cupcakes (she liked them)  and she left me an AWARD.  I got The Stylish Blogger award.  Yeah me !!  I have really been debating on keeping this blog going, it takes a lot of time and energy and sometimes you feel it's just not appreciated.  Then something like this happens.  You get a great comment and an award.  It puts it all back into perspective.  You remember why you stared this crazy blogging, recipe making, picture taking, time stealing thing to begin with.  Because you love it.

Here's how the award works:



- Thank and link back to the person who awarded this to you


- Share 7 (random) things about yourself


- Pay it forward to 15 bloggers whom you feel are deserving


- Contact those bloggers and let them know about their award

Seven random facts about me:

1. I'm to scared to watch horror movies.

2. I just received 7 stitches on my upper lip (YUCK)

3. I love shabby chic

4. I'm obsessed with taking pictures of food (my family thinks I'm crazy)

5. I have a psychotic kitty

6. My favorite color is black

7. I collect roosters and chickens

I will be forwarding this award to 15 bloggers soon.  I will update as I award them !!

Now onto the pork chops. I made them with rice, but man, they would be out of this world good with mashed potatoes.  All that creamy gravy deserves mashed potatoes.  I'm sorry I was out of potatoes, I will go buy some right now....

Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients:

4 pork chops, 3/4 to 1 inch thick (I used boneless)



1 � Small vidalia or sweet onion, thinly sliced


2 - teaspoons seasoned salt


2 - teaspoons garlic powder


1/2 - teaspoon black pepper


1/2 - teaspoon paprika


1/2 - cup flour


1/3 � cup olive oil

2- tablespoons butter
2 � cups chicken broth


Instructions:

Give your pork chops a good rinsing in cold water and set aside.


In a small bowl combine and mix together seasoned salt, garlic powder, black pepper and paprika.


Rub each pork chop with seasoning mixture and then thoroughly coat each piece of meat with flour and set aside. Save all leftover seasoning for later use in onion gravy.


Heat olive oil and butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot enough add pork chops and brown on each side for about three minutes. Once your meat is browned remove it from the skillet and allow to cool on a plate. 
Now it's time to form the onion gravy. Without removing any dripping add sliced onions to the skillet (I  added sliced green pepper, but mushrooms would be a great add-in also) and cook until soft.   Add remaining flour to the skillet and a very small amount of broth if necessary. Stir the onions and flour together until golden brown, paying careful attention not to burn the gravy.


Add two cups chicken broth to the onion gravy and stir. Add additional seasoning to taste if necessary. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Return pork chops to skillet, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for about 1 hour. The meat is done when it�s tender.  

Optional cooking method:
You can also transfer to greased casserole dish, cover with aluminum foil and cook at 350 for 1 hour.

I entered this great recipe in Full PlateThursdays with Miz Helen at her great blog,
Miz Helen's Country Cottage. 
You can participate also, just head on over to her great blog and post your favorite recipe !!

ENJOY !!?