Dishin’ With Denise… Shake & Bake

Shake up your Valentine!

Be the one to “Shake” things up this Valentine’s Day~ with “Shake n’ Bake” pork chops “ala~ Denise” A meal that will leave you wanting to snuggle up after. When I was a child every once in a while my mother would surprise us with this meal. As kids we could only dream about something most other kids and families enjoyed more frequently. My Dad, the butcher would bring home the most beautiful pork chops, thick, trimmed and on the bone. As he would unwrap the brown paper package all tied up in string, my mouth would water. He would then proudly reveal those luscious, tender, fresh cut chops to my discerning mother. He just gleamed with pride as he awaited her smiles and applause. I was only hoping that meant a shake n bake night would be coming up soon. This was the closest I came to fast food. It would be her one easy night and our one night delight! So spend a little extra time primping yourself up and dressing a fancy Valentine’s Day table. Shake, bake and chocolate cake! Shine up the silver, wash the crystal, use the china, pick up a bunch of fresh, fragrant red roses, and of course ~  good red and white wine for pairing up together! Oh by the way the ala’ is for a little fresh chopped parsley, a little fresh chopped basil, sautée onion, cherry tomatoes diced, fresh celery stalks  diced,  fresh ground pepper, a  sprinkle of  cinnamon on some fresh apples mixed with a jar of good applesauce…. my ala’! So easy… it feels like take-out…so shake it out!

4 Center cut loin pork chops (bone on)
1 box of Shake n’ Bake   (follow the easy box instructions) then add my …ala’ (fresh herbs and pepper)
1 box of Stove Top Stuffing (I like to caramelize 1 onion, add 2 stalks celery diced, 6-8 diced cherry tomatoes for that red color. Sauté’ in a ¼ cup olive oil until onions are soft and golden in color. Mix in celery, tomatoes and some fresh herbs. Add box stuffing with chicken broth instead of water and mix.
1 jar of good apple sauce mixed with 2 baked sliced apples.
Cinnamon
Green salad (optional) 
1 decadent bakery bought chocolate cake 
White and red wine

Red colored roses, hearts made of chocolates, brown paper packages tied up with string ~ these are a few of my favorite things! Happy Valentine’s Day! xoxo Denise