Friday, April 17, 2009

Pork chops with apples, pears & maple syrup


"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -- the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimal of pleasurable and genial feeling."

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

I find happiness if I chose to find it.

Days may pass where the pink camellias flowing onto my balcony remain unnoticed, unappreciated. And then one day, I will freeze time, slow my breath, and open my eyes to the world. In that moment my soul is gladdened by the camellia's beauty, their existence acknowledged.

There are many moments in my life where I stop, whether willingly or unexpectedly, and I am suddenly filled with happiness, realisation or love. Whether it is noticing the way the sunlight dances through the burning leaves in Autumn, or catching the moment before my dog begins to yawn, or even perhaps becoming aware of the softness of my husbands lips with an unexpected kiss. I am often so busy with life that I forget to slow down and live, to notice the little things, the big events, and everything that happens in between.

More often than not it is the little things that I value and that matter the most in the end. A small gesture, such as an unexpected compliment from a stranger, can bring happiness not only in the moment, but whenever thought upon.


I feel that the food blogging community is filled with the kindest of strangers, whose compliments on the food you create or recreate, or the photographs or sentences you string along, are always sweet natured and quick to bring forth a beaming smile when read. I am taking this moment to return thanks to all I have not met, and do not know, but who spent time brightening my day with a small comment. Thank you very, very much.

ease: 5/5.
prep time:
5mins.
cooking time: 15mins.
total: 20mins.

taste: 4.5/5. I first made this a week ago, but as it was so late I did not bother to post it. However, my husband loved it so much he requested it again and I made it a week later.
"The juicy pork gives way to tart apple with hints of smooth caramelised sweetness (my husbands words re-worded)."
I made the following adaptations for 1person:
  • I used chilli flakes
  • 1tbs lemon juice
  • 2tbs apple cider
  • 1 shallot in place of the onion
  • 2tbs maple syrup
  • 1/2 pear and 1/2 apple
  • 1/2tsp Rosemary
  • 1tsp sage (I snip my herbs with scissors straight into the pan)
  • I continued to cook the pork with the fruit on the stove top for 10mins instead of placing it in the oven.
would I make it again: Yes - already have.

recipe: http://dragonskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/01/pork-chops-with-apple-pear-and-maple.html

7 comments:

  1. Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

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  2. Oooh! Sage and apple cider! Lovely. Great photos too.

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  3. This is a delicious and easy recipe, sure to please the kids too! As with any meat dish, organic is the only way to go. I used Coleman Natural Hampshire Pork Tenderloins for this particular recipe.

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  4. you have used some of my favorite flavours together- maple, sweet fruit, rosemary! YUM!

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  5. I'm so glad you liked the recipe. You've made my day. :)

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  6. The recipe sounds really tasty! And I love how you set up your posts with the ratings. Such a great idea.

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  7. This was great! I've made caramelised porkchops before, but the addition of apple and pears was lovely :)

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