Garlic Lime Pork Chops

I used to think I didn't like pork chops. But really, I think I just hadn't found the right recipes yet. This recipe makes a delicious, mouth-watering dish that convinced me once and for all that I actually do like pork chops. Plus, the lime makes it so summery and seasonal!

Recipe adapted from here. 
Ingredients:4 lean boneless pork chops (4-6 oz each)4 cloves garlic, minced1 tsp cumin1 tsp chili powder1 tsp paprikaJuice of two small limesLime zestSalt and pepper1/4 red onion, chopped1 tbsp olive oilFresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Directions:1. Trim any remaining fat off the pork chops. Put the pork chops in a large bowl, and season both sides with the garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Squeeze the lime juice into the bowl. Sprinkle lime zest and red onion over the pork chops.2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge overnight (at least 12 hours or so). 3. Heat olive oil in a pan over the stove. Place marinated pork chops into the pan and cook over medium high heat for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until browned.4. Garnish with cilantro and serve! 

(in the bowl, ready to marinate)

(cooking in the skillet)

(nice and browned on one side)

(it's delicious served with cilantro lime rice!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Bacon-Wrapped Apple BBQ Chicken

I don't know about y'all, but I love easy recipes that taste good. There's something really wonderful about just throwing some ingredients together and sticking it in the oven. This is one of those recipes - easy, but tasty!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
3-4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
2 apples, peeled and grated
Juice of one lemon
1/3 red onion, chopped
6-8 slices bacon

Directions:
1. Combine BBQ sauce, lemon juice, onion, and grated apple in a small bowl.
2. Wrap each chicken breast with two pieces of bacon. Place the chicken breasts in a glass baking dish.
3. Spread the BBQ mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover the dish in foil.
4. Bake (covered in foil) for 40 minutes at 350. Remove the foil and cook for another 15 minutes.

(grated apple)

(BBQ sauce mixture)

(chicken in bacon)

(ready for the oven!)

(all done!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Lemon Cake with Lemon Buttercream Frosting

I really like lemon desserts, but even people who don't (like my anti-lemon sister) seem to like this cake! Is it possible for a cake to taste refreshing? Because this one does!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
{Cake}
1 package lemon cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1 small package lemon instant pudding mix

{Frosting}

1 cup (2 sticks) very soft butter (I just stick them in a bowl on the counter in the morning, then make the frosting later in the day after the butter's been warming for a good long while)

6-8 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients in the bowl of your electric mixer. Add wet ingredients. Mix on medium speed for a couple minutes (don't overmix!).
2. Pour into two round, lightly-greased cake pans.
3. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).
4. While cake is baking, make your frosting. Place the soft butter in a large mixing bowl. Add four cups of powdered sugar, the lemon juice, and the lemon zest. Beat until smooth.
5. Add remaining sugar one cup at a time until the frosting reaches a good spreading consistency (I always use all 8 cups to get a frosting that "crusts" a little after it's on the cake).
6. Cool cakes on wire racks. For best results, put each layer in the freezer for a couple hours before frosting.

(dry ingredients)

(mixing the batter)

(lemon cake batter!)

(into two cake pans...)

(frosting being mixed)

(post-frosting!)

(yumm!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!