Oh my delicious pork chop… you were not the focus of this meal. Despite being extra delicious because I did something different this time, you were not the reason for the pictures.
The homemade mac&cheese was.
First, the pork chop; I bought a different cut this time because it was much cheaper and because it had a bone (I want bones to make stock) in each chop. These were meaty and nicely sized, so I think I’ll be going with this cut more often – I think they were harder to dry out, which is a good thing.
The night before, I’d gone late night to Pommes Frites and split a regular with a friend, both of us getting our own “pesto mayo” sauce. The pesto mayo was good- not too much pesto and not too much mayo- but somehow I managed to still have a decent amount leftover (I’m a sauce hog, so I was very surprised). So when I went to bread my pork chops, I decided to use a milk wash instead of egg, and to mix the pesto mayo in (it wound up being very thin, since there was maybe a tablespoon of the pesto mayo left). Then I did the usual; milk bath, bread crumbs, but I skipped the second layer of bread crumbs since I was baking them. I tossed them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until they were done (I forget how long that took…).
For the mac&cheese, a delicious mistake… I’ve been wanting to make this recipe since watching Alton Brown make it on Good Eats – it looks so easy! It looks so yummy! I wound up actually modifying the recipe; omitting the hot sauce and mustard for one thing… and as I was making the pasta portion, I realized I’d used all of the milk for the pork chops- whoops (I didn’t have that much to begin with, actually). Being resourceful and well, hating to waste, I decided to use the milk, why not? Though you can’t see any green in the picture, the macaroni smacked lightly of pesto flavor, which went deliciously with the pesto-y pork chops, oh so good.
I will definitely be revisiting this mac&cheese recipe. Much healthier than the boxed stuff (which BF loves) and so much gooier (it looks wrong, but according to Dictionary.com, that’s what it is), as you wish. I also used less than sharp cheddar, because I was aiming for a mild complement to my pork chops, but not too overwhelming. Perfection.
Enjoy and as always, happy eating!!!
Heidi B says
There is no comfort food I love more than Mac & Cheese. I will definitely try this at home.
I am so glad I came across your blog-it is great!