Let’s talk about something. Let’s talk about this Star Wars obsession going on right now. Obviously it’s nothing new, but it’s out of control right now. Sure, people are weird and wait for 2 weeks outside a theatre to see it and sure, people are weird AF and get married in the theatre on release night. But what is super weird is how products relate to Star Wars in any way possible. Drones, cars, and f*cking makeup. Who is like, hell yes, I need Star Wars makeup, that will be perfect to wear to work tomorrow. Who?
I just don’t understand why people get SO excited about it? I mean, there are tons of scifi movies out there. Like Avatar. That sh*t is the best. Why aren’t people dressing up like those Avatar things and walking around in their daily life like that’s perfectly normal? Why? Instead people are doing the storm trooper things. Those storm troopers are so 1970’s. Grow up. But for real, what is it about Star Wars that people become complete whack jobs over it? If you can explain it to me, I’ll give you more free recipes.
I seriously can’t believe it’s Christmas this week. It feels like last week we were just celebrating Thanksgiving and BOOM, Christmas is here. I hate to compare myself to the Grinch, because I think that’s annoying when people call me that, but I have Grinch “tendencies”. I just hate the pressure of finding the perfect gift for Christmas. And I hate the malls and I hate the traffic. And I definitely hate how stressed out people seem. To me, I just don’t ever feel like the holidays are a joyful experience, especially now that they go by in a blink of a eye. This year I asked if instead of giving and receiving presents, we gave money/our time to charity. But that idea didn’t fly. What we did decide on is doing a gift exchange where we bought just one gift for our group of 7 people and you can steal the gift if you want. Like a white elephant gift exchange but serious. So luckily, we only had to buy one gift.
To me, if I want to get something and actually need something, I will find a way to buy it for myself. But so many people out there aren’t as fortunate to be able to do that so I’d love to be able to give back to those people in some way. Sorry to go all deep and sh*t over here. Have any of you guys given up presents all together for the holidays? And how did you talk your family or significant other into it? Tell me stuff while you make these pork chops with ingredients you most likely already have on hand!
Simple Tomato Balsamic Braised Pork Chops
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Tin Star Ghee
- 4 pork chops
- couple pinches of salt
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 28 ounces of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of herbs de provence
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley
- 1 tablespoon torn basil
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of ghee. Liberally salt the pork chops. Once pan is hot, add to the pan, not crowding it to ensure a good sear on the chops. (I cooked to at a time). Sear all chops on both sides for about 3 minutes, until golden then set aside.
- The the hot pan, add onion and garlic cloves and a bit of salt then use a wooden spatula to scrape the pork chops bits off the bottom of the pan. Let the onions cook for about 10-15 minutes, until soft and slightly caramelized.
- Then add the rest of the ingredients except for the basil and pepper, mix to combine and let cook for another 10-15 minutes, until tomatoes have broken down a bit.
- Lastly, add pork chops back to the pan with the sauce and completely cover in the sauce. Cover with lid and let cook for about 5 more minutes, until pork chops are completely cooked through.
- Lastly, add torn basil and pepper and mix to combine.
- Serve immediately with sauce mixture on top of pork chops!
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More Pork Chops, Anyone?
Creamy Apple Sage Brined Pork Chops on page 132 of Juli Bauer’s Paleo Cookbook
Blackberry Glazed Grilled Pork Chops
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I am totally with you on the Christmas thing!! Giving to others or just spending time together is way better than gifts. I’m still working on it too so if you figure out how to convince the significant other please share! Lol
Agreed with Christmas! The significant other and I decided just to do little stocking stuffers this year with a $20 limit. We can buy our own stuff if we really want it and the THINGS are not what Christmas is about.
Easy, I asked him what he wanted he answered with nothing. He asked me what I wanted and I said the same! DONE. Christmas is just to stressful.
Last year I told all my friends that we should stop exchanging gifts. They all thanked me and said “Thank god it’s about time we stop this.” It just gets to be too much. Too much money and too much stress. We still get together and celebrate the season so it’s still a win-win.
Star Wars is nostalgic and a lot of us just have strong ties to it- seeing it with our families, connecting with loved ones, having light saber battles with Christmas wrapper tubes as kids (okay, maybe that one is specifically me and my brother).
Us geeks love things unabashedly and passionately. And a lot of times that makes people see us as “complete whack jobs” when really, we just get excited about things we enjoy. And frankly, having that sort of joy, is something we could really use more of these days.
Let’s put it this way, a lot of people think Cross Fit is a cult for fitness freaks, but you know that for you, it’s a great community of likeminded people where you have a great time.
Same thing, just a different subject.
Star Wars crosses generations. For those of us who love science fiction and loved the first movies, we were able to share the next round with our kids, who love Star Wars also, and continue to share with them. We are not about standing in line for two weeks or going to the conventions, but you have to love the good vs evil story!
gotcha, that makes a little more sense! still don’t understand people getting married in the movie theatre on premiere night, i stand by thinking those people are whack jobs
This was dinner today! It’s very tasty, my husband and i loved it! Definitely a keeper! Thanks for all the recipes!
My friends and family have stopped doing traditional gifts. As we travel during the year, we pick up cute or funny small things and souvenirs for stockings, but no one is obligated to go out and buy real presents. We also use http://www.donorschoose.org and http://www.globalgiving.org. The gift giver buys an online gift card, then the recipient can select what type of project the money goes to!
I wasn’t expecting to be so in love with this dish. I’m not into pork chops too much. I couldn’t stop saying “mmmm” every time I took a bite. The BEST pork chop recipe I’ve ever had. You’re amazingly gifted Juli!
awwww thank you so much, Lauren!! so glad you liked it!
For some reason, herbs de provence tastes like anise to me (and anise makes me gag). Is there an alternative that you’d recommend?
just some tarragon and thyme and rosemary would work!