I originally posted this particular recipe and photo in September of 2011. I reposted it because I made it again this week so it was on my mind. What makes me smile is when this was posted we were in the middle of a horrible, crazy, difficult relocation across the country. Life was insane and I wanted (needed) a comfort food that night. My husband isn't a big fan of pork in general, but he also does not like sauces or gravies so I rarely make this food that was a staple of MY childhood. But I made it this week for my birthday dinner (yes, I opted to cook and told my family I didn't want to eat out that night). It's from my childhood, made with canned soup just like my Grandmother and Mom used to make it.
From September 2011;
When life is full of ups and downs, sometimes you just start craving 'comfort foods'. Typical comfort foods might be homemade chocolate chip cookies, hot macaroni and cheese, rice pudding, roast and potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna casserole... things typically from your childhood that somehow make you feel better when you eat them.
This week I craved a food from my childhood that I almost never make anymore as my husband is not a fan of pork (outside of bacon, which he loves!). Since he was currently working 1000 miles away and I could have anything I wanted for dinner without anyone else chiming in their opinions, I made myself pork chops with mushroom sauce... the same way my mother used to make them; with canned soup.
It was hot. It was delicious. It was exactly what I needed and wanted. And the way this week is starting out? I think I better go buy another can of soup and see if we have more pork chops in the freezer. I think I might be in need of a lot more comfort food!
Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce
2-4 pork chops (bone in or out - up to you but bone-in has more flavor)
1 can mushroom soup
salt and pepper
oil
water*
Heat about a tablespoon or two of oil in a pan over medium high heat and brown both sides of the pork chops, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. When they are golden brown with bits of dark brown, place them in an oven safe dish or pan. Turn off the heat and immediately add about 3/4 c water to the frying pan to deglaze the pan. As you scrape the bottom of the pan and stir the water it will make a wonderful sauce. Add 1 can of mushroom soup to this mixture and pour over the pork chops. Bake at 375 until the pork chops are done; typically for my oven and meat it's about 35 minutes. This pairs well with potatoes.
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| Deglaze the pan while hot |
