Choppy Rice Bake

Do you smell your food before you eat it?  Do you smell your food while you are preparing it?  I don’t mean taking a little whiff here and there.  I mean, really smelling it?  Taking in each and every flavor combination, creating the perfect flavor union. 

Our grandmothers did not measure ingredients.  That is why it is so difficult to re-create many heirloom family recipes.  Instead, they used their favorite coffee “cup” to measure, their hands to mix, and their sense of smell to determine if it needed more fresh basil or when the dish was done baking. 

My husband thinks I am part bloodhound.  I will be in another room of the house and all of a sudden, I will sit straight up and run for the oven.  The sense of smell: the perfect done-ometer. 

This recipe has the potential to be horrible.   Straight out of the bag it could be the blue-light special at a nursing home.  Or worse.  But with the addition of a few things from your refrigerator and pantry it will be delicious!  Now it is time to use your snout.  If you want to add hot sauce, more garlic, or even chili powder - go for it!  Whatever smells good to you!

 

Choppy Rice Bake

Serves 6

3/4 cup uncooked rice

1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

6 pork chops

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh mince garlic

1 (3/6 ounce) can sliced black olives

Place rice, tomatoes, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a freezer bag or container. Mix well. Remove excess air from bags and seal. Freeze chops in a separate container with double thicknesses of waxed paper or plastic wrap between slices. Freeze cheese in a small freezer bag or container.

Cooking Instructions:   To serve, thaw all bags. Place rice mixture in bottom of large nonstick skillet.  Add Italian seasoning, garlic and black olives.   Stir to combine.  Arrange chops over top of rice in a single layer.  Heat over medium-high heat until boiling.  Reduce to a simmer.  Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until rice is done.  Remove from heat.  Top pork chops with cheese.  Cover and let sit until cheese is melted.