Tag Archives: bacon

Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork Chops

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone’s weekends were great.  Mine was pretty mellow and relaxing, which is always nice!  We had our first legitimate snow storm come through Saturday so it was the perfect excuse to get snowed in!  Before re-capping though, I wanted to share a recipe I made last week.

I was really missing the grill so decided to fire it up!  Even though it was about 25 degrees out it was definitely worth it (or maybe I should ask Andy that since he was the one who ended up doing the dirty work).  I wanted to grill some pork chops but didn’t want to make my barbecue and rosemary chops.

I came up with Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork chops. The apple and bacon is really just a saute that I topped the pork chops with once they were off the grill.

Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork Chops

photo 4

  • 3 Bone-in Pork Chops
  • 1 Gala Apple, diced
  • 1/2 Small Red Onion, chopped
  • 2 Slices of Thick Bacon, cut into small pieces
  • Coconut Oil
  • Salt, Pepper, Sage

Melt about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave and pour over your pork chops.  Try to have them in a warm place so the oil doesn’t harden right away.  Sprinkle each side with salt, pepper, and sage.  Place the pork chops on grill over medium high heat.  Grill one side for about 8-10 minutes.  Flip, and cook the other side for 8 – 10 minutes or until cooked through.

While the chops are grilling you can prepare the Apple and Bacon saute.  Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and place in a hot pan over medium heat.  Put your bacon in the pan first and cook for about a minute so that your pan is nice and greased.  Add the apple and onions.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and sage.  Continue cooking and mixing around for 8 – 10 minutes.  Leave on low until pork chops are done.

Top your pork chops with the apple and bacon saute!  I loved this dish.  I hope you do too!

photo 1

photo 3

photo 5

 

 

Thanksgiving Re-Cap in Pictures

Happy Cyber Monday!  I’ve never given in to these hyped up shopping days until….today.  I went a little crazy on Amazon but mostly due to the fact that I’ve been freaking out this year on how many Christmas presents I need to get.

Today being Monday along with the fact that I’ve been off for four days, made the day even longer than it normally feels.  What got me through though (besides Cyber Monday) was knowing what a great Thanksgiving long weekend I had!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year.  A time to indulge, see family, spend time with friends, and relax.  And that is exactly what we did!  We stayed in Connecticut the whole weekend, enjoyed some of our favorite spots and also explored some new!

Here is my Thanksgiving Re-Cap in Pictures!

Wednesday night we decided to switch it up and going bowling with a few friends.  I forgot how much fun bowling can be!

 

 photo 1 (1)

 

And how funny bowling shoes look…but make good Instagram pictures.

photo 2 (1)

 

For Thanksgiving we went to my sisters and I made these delicious Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates.  They were a hit!

photo 3

 

It’s always nice to spend time with the family.  The boys watched a lot of football and got their ear talked off by my Gram – she’s the best.

photo 5

 

I helped my Sis out a lot this year.  I even made the mashed potatoes!  I think this is the first time I’ve made them so I had to take a picture of course.

 

photo 1 (2)

 

We did buffet style.  Everything was so, so good that I don’t think I skipped anything.  I had a full plate!

 

photo 2 (2)

 

Yes, this was Thanksgiving.  My brother-in-laws family has introduced a new tradition…”Pre-Christmas.”  Everyone gets a Pre-Christmas gift…so cute!

photo 3 (1)

 

After my Sisters we went to Andy’s brothers for dessert and played with his nephew.  He’s so precious and so much fun to play with!

 

photo 4 (1)

 

After stuffing myself on Thursday I needed a good sweaty yoga session.  My yoga studio has these cute little “fortune notes.”  I loved the one I picked.  It says…“If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.”

photo 5 (1)

 

Before dinner on Friday night we headed to Jones Farm and Winery in Shelton, CT.  It was the perfect place to feel the Christmas spirit the day after Thanksgiving.  We didn’t end up getting a tree, but we did taste some wine!

 

photo 1 (3)

 

For dinner, Joey C’s in Milford was having a Black Friday deal.  Since it’s one of our favorites in the area we jumped on it.  This cocktail consisted of spiced rum, local apple cider, an ginger beer…it was so good!

 

photo 2 (3)

 

On Saturday night we ended up cooking dinner in and meeting some friends for a few drinks.  I thought our eyes looked cool in this picture and after a few cocktails decided to Instagram it with the caption #eyes whoa.  I shouldn’t Instagram after midnight.

photo 3 (2)

 

On Sunday after an awesome restorative yoga class, I came home and made some home made roasted rosemary almonds from NomNomPaleo.  They came out great and made the apartment smell amazing.

 

photo 4 (2)

 

For dinner I made a simple chili with grass-fed beef, mushrooms, peppers, and onions.  The perfect end to my weekend and gave me lunches for the whole week!

photo 5 (2)

 

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Happy post Turkey Day!  I think I still have a food baby in my belly from yesterday.  My sister had the most delicious menu for the day with a TON of amazing food.  I was pretty excited to bring my Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates for an appetizer.  I’ve made these once before and they were a pretty big hit, with most people.  People for some reason are scared of dates.  Either they have never heard of them or they say “Dates? Are those like prunes!?”

Thank goodness they are wrapped in bacon, because pretty much anyone who ever sees anything wrapped in bacon, is going to eat it.  And yes that’s what happened.  The guys ended up loving them!  The recipe is pretty easy too.

Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

photo

  • Organic Medjool Dates
  • Crumbled Goat Cheese
  • Bacon

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.  Cut the dates vertically so you can open them and take the pit out (don’t cut all the way through).  Once you take the pit out fill the center with a healthy amount of goat cheese.  You can never have too much goat cheese!  Press the dates together so that the cheese is nice and secure in the middle.  Wrap each goat cheese filled date with a piece of bacon (probably about a third or half of a piece).  Make sure the bacon is wrapped tightly.  Place each date on a baking sheet.  Cook for 10 minutes and then flip over and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.

What did you bring to your Thanksgiving Dinner?