Pork Chops & Mashed Potatoes

Tonight was a night to use some kitchen equipment that I don't always remember to use on a regular basis. I have had the Cuisinart Griddler for a couple of years and I think the only things we have made are a few panini's and wraps. Nothing too exciting. I really don't know why I was intimidated about using it as an indoor grill, but that is a thing of the past after tonight. I had picked up some pork chops to make this week, and decided to make them tonight. Since I didn't have a recipe in mind, so I went searching on the CL recipe finder. I came across a simple recipe, Barbecue-Rubbed Pork Chops. I think this recipe can easily be changed based on what flavors you like or are craving for a particular seasoning. I did go a bit lighter on the chili seasoning since I wanted my boys to give it a try. Needless to say, the boys were not impressed and only had one bite each. My Husband and I enjoyed it and I think we'll be trying it again another time. I do think I'll make some changes to the seasonings just to see what I can come up with that suits us. The Griddler did a nice job of putting grill marks on the pork chops and it cooked up so nicely that I'll be pulling it out more often going forward.

The second new recipe for tonight was for mashed potatoes in the Pressure Cooker. Have you ever been able to make mashed potatoes from start to finish in under 10 minutes? Only 5 minutes of cooking time at high pressure, and before I knew it, I had nice fluffy mashed potatoes! I was thrilled! This will be a regular at our dinner table going forward due to how simple it was to make and how FAST! Surprisingly, my garlic had seen better days, so I left it out this time around. I will be adding it next time around as I know it will add so much additional flavor to them. They were just the right amount of creamy with only a few small lumps. Just the right consistency.



Quick Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Source: Pressure Cooking For Everyone, Rick Rodgers & Arlene Ward
Ingredients
3 pounds medium Idaho or russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
4 cups water
8 large garlic cloves, crushed under a knife and peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/2 cup hot milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
In a 5-7 quart pressure cooker, combine the potatoes, water, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Lock the lid in place. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and quick release the pressure. Open the lid, tilting it away from you to block any escaping steam. Drain well.

Return the potatoes and garlic to the warm cooker. Using an electric hand mixer or a potato masher, mash the potatoes with the milk and butter. Season with additional salt and pepper. Serve hot.




Barbeque-Rubbed Pork Chops
Source: Cooking Light, April 2007


Ingredients
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper4 (6-ounce) bone-in center-cut loin pork chops, trimmed (about 1/2 inch thick)
Cooking spray

Directions

Combine first 9 ingredients; rub over both sides of pork. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 8 minutes or until done, turning occasionally. Remove from pan; let stand 5 minutes.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop)

Comments

Ashley said…
OOH! I'm surprised I missed this recipe - I love pork chops! And the griddler ROCKS for quick, indoor grilling!
Patsyk said…
Yes, I am just figuring out how cool the Griddler really is! I will have to try doing more indoor grilling soon since it was so easy.

I think you could adjust the seasonings on the pork chops to be spicier or not so much according to what you prefer.

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