Pork Chop Casserole...A Better For You Recipe From Sweet Basil

A healthy, but yummy  version of a  classic comfort food. 

 

Ingredients 

8 pork chops
1/2 c. chopped onions
1/2 c. chopped bell peppers

2 tbsp. each of chopped rosemary, Italian basil, parsley and oregano

1 tbsp. thyme

1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 c. water
3 c. brown rice (cooked, almost done) 
1 1/2- 2lbs. frozen or fresh chopped vegetables (such as mixed with corn, peas and carrots)
1 tsp. each of salt and pepper 

 

 

Pour a small amount of oil, such as pecan or olive oil into a large skillet, heat on medium. Place pork chops and in the skillet and brown on both sides. Lift chops out of skillet. Place in onion, green peppers and herbs; cook until tender. Add a small amount of shortening, if needed to cook onions and peppers. Add mushroom soup, water, rice, and peas mixture into a greased 2 quart baking dish. Arrange 1/2 pork chops over the rice and peas. Add the rest of rice and peas and top with the remaining pork chops. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

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Recipe provided by Tisha Johnson Matthews, of Sweet Basil, and tested by J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Creamy Crockpot Tortellini Soup Recipe

Creamy Crockpot Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

24 oz jar  spaghetti sauce

2 cups water

1/4 cup diced onion

3-4 garlic cloves, mince

1/2 cup diced carrots

1lb. ground beef, browned

4 cups of loosely packed fresh spinach leaves

4 cups beef  broth

8 oz cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes

8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms

16 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini (you can also use frozen, just add 30 more minutes to cooking time.

Directions:

1. Combine spaghetti sauce, water,  meat, onions, garlic, carrots,  spinach, cream cheese, beef  broth, and mushrooms in a slow-cooker. Cook on LOW for 7 hours, on HIGH  for 5  hours.  

2. Before adding in tortellini, take a whisk to your soup to break up any chunks of cream cheese. Stir in  tortellini. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes or until tender and hot. (If using frozen tortellini, I would cook for about 45 more minutes, or until tender and hot)

Follow us, like us, share us. We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local Middle Georgia producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. We have a large vegetable and herb garden, fruit orchards and more. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to growingthehomegarden.com for the fantastic blog ideas, daylillies.org for the diagram and helpful information and the beautiful photo credits to Sweet Basil Farm and others found on Google, and to J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Ga. for contributions with all that I try and test.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches Recipe From Sweet Basil

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Ingredients

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 (2 1/2-pound) rump roast, trimmed $

1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium beef broth

1 garlic clove, minced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 cup coarsely chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium) $

8 (2-ounce) Italian rolls

Giardiniera (pickled vegetables), chopped (optional)

  

Directions

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large zip-top bag, and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Place beef and marinade in an electric slow cooker; cook on LOW 8 hours or until beef is tender. Place beef on a cutting board (reserve cooking liquid); let stand 10 minutes. Thinly slice beef; place in a shallow dish. Pour cooking liquid over beef.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Slice rolls lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Hollow out top and bottom halves of rolls, leaving a 3/4-inch-thick shell; reserve the torn bread for another use. Arrange about 3 ounces beef and 2 tablespoons bell peppers on each roll. Drizzle 1 tablespoon cooking liquid over beef and peppers; top with giardiniera, if desired. Serve with remaining 2 1/2 cups cooking liquid for dipping.

Enjoy! 

We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to myrecipes.com for the fantastic recipe, and to J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Ga. for contributions in testing this recipe.

Easy Spicy Honey-Glazed Chicken Breasts Recipe from Sweet Basil

This sweet and spicy chicken recipe tastes like a gourmet recipe, but can be done in the same amount of time of preparing Hamburger Helper. You can use farm fresh products for most of the ingredient list. 

ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup honey

• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4 pounds)

• Salt

• 1 pineapple peeled, cored and cut into 8 thick rings

directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until translucent and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the honey, hot pepper sauce and chili powder and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and set aside.
2. Preheat a grill or large grill pan to medium-high. Rub the chicken with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt. Grill until well marked, about 7 minutes. Flip and cook until the bottoms are well marked and the chicken is cooked through, another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and brush with the reserved honey glaze. Cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, grill the pineapple until well marked on one side, about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve with the chicken.

Enjoy! 

We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to Rachel Ray for the fabulous recipe, as well as contributions from J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia in preparation of testing this recipe.

Fresh In Season Grilled Ratatouille Boats Recipe From Sweet Basil

I am excited to say that zucchini season is upon us...this is a favorite side dish for using fresh zucchini, tomatoes, parsley and garlic! This dish is not only quick and easy, but healthy, too!! You could also substitute eggplant for the boats, but make sure to increase the ingredients in the recipe by at least 1/4, depending on the size of your eggplant. This would compliment and complete a meal with  Spicy Honey-Glazed chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 zucchini, halved lengthwise

• 3 tablespoons EVOO

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, grated

• 1 eggplant, cubed

• 2 tomatoes, chopped

• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

• Salt and pepper

• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

directions 

1. Scoop balls of flesh from the center of the zucchini to create boats (see tip for help); reserve the flesh balls. Preheat a grill to medium-high.
2. Heat 1 tbsp. EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining 2 tbsp. EVOO, the eggplant and zucchini balls; cover and cook for 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley; season with salt and pepper.
3. Fill the zucchini shells with the ratatouille, sprinkle with the cheese and grill, covered, over medium-high until the cheese is melted and the shells are slightly softened.

Enjoy! 

We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to Rachel Ray for the fabulous recipe, as well as contributions from J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia in preparation of testing this recipe.

Fresh In Season Recipe: Potato, Squash, & Goat Cheese Gratin

Yellow summer squash...headed to your table soon! 

Ingredients: 

2 medium yellow squash, about 1/2 pound

4 small to medium red potatoes, about 1 pound
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces goat cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup whole milk
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon thinly sliced basil or thyme leaves

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish with a drizzle of olive oil.

Use a mandoline or chef's knife to slice the squash and potatoes into very, very thin slices, 1/8-inch or less. Toss the sliced vegetables with the 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large bowl.

Place 1/3 of the squash and potato slices in the bottom of the dish — no need to layer them squash-potato-squash; just spread evenly — then season with salt and pepper. Top with half of the goat cheese, scattered evenly in large chunks. Repeat with another 1/3 of the vegetables, seasoning again with salt and pepper and topping with the other 1/2 of the goat cheese. Finish by layering on the final 1/3 of the vegetables and seasoning with salt and pepper.

Pour the milk over the entire dish. Top with the parmesan cheese. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more minutes, until the top browns. Scatter on the fresh basil, if using.

If you enjoyed this recipe, want to know more about this or other related interesting topics, please like and share this recipe. Be sure to like us, so you don’t miss anything, we are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens, on Facebook and other social media. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, putting great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market.Fresh garden vegetables, fruit nuts, eggs and flowers straight from the garden to you. We pick during the week, YOU pick available on Friday and Saturday. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to thekitchn.com for a great recipe, as well as contributions from J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia in preparation of this article. Photo credits to thekitchn.com.

Easy Crockpot Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe from Sweet Basil

Need an easy, quick recipe for dinner? Try this, just put the ingredients in while you have your coffee in the morning. By the time you get home, it will be ready for the finishing touches. Add a salad or garden fresh vegetable, and you have a delicious meal your family is sure to love!

Ingredients:

1¼ pound cubed beef stew meat
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (98% fat free for a healthier choice)
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
¼ cup beef broth
Dash of garlic salt
Fresh ground/crumbled spices (Pinch of Bay leaves, Thyme, Rosemary and Italian Basil)
8 ounce cream cheese, cut up
Egg noodles
Sour cream, optional
Directions:

1. In a 5-6 quart greased slow cooker combine beef, soup, onion, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and garlic salt.

2. Cook on low for 8 hours.

3. About 15-20 min before serving, add the cream cheese; stir occasionally until melted.

4. About 10 minutes before serving, add uncooked noodles to slow cooker, submerging them completely in the sauce. Stir occasionally until noodles are soft.

5. Top with sour cream if desired.

Enjoy! 

We are Sweet Basil Farm & Gardens on Facebook. We are a local producer of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and members of the American Poultry Association, licensed by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture as Poultry Dealers and Brokers, and a proud member of the Georgia Grown program, a division of the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. We also breed, sell and ship poultry, pet pigs, bearded irises and much more. We have an 80 acre working farm, with great emphasis on all natural gardening and livestock management practices. An 1840s general store is situated on our property, and serves as our on-site farmer’s market. Conveniently located off of Interstate 75 near the Johnstonville Rd exit (#193).  We are six miles west, located in Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

Special thanks to momswhothink.com for the i recipe, as well as contributions from J. David Matthews, of Barnesville, Georgia in preparation of testing this recipe.