SUGAR COOKIES FOR JOSEPH

So who am I to argue when he requests sugar cookies instead of shortbread!!! This happened last weekend and I turned to my collection of Cooks Illustrated for the tried and trusted recipe.  They were not a success - hence no posting last weekend!  They were burnt on the bottom, having followed every instruction exactly.  So, I could not be defeated and had another go at them today.  I changed 2 things, I bought 2 cookie sheets, yes shocker, I have never owned any, and I  looked at Epicurious for a recipe that had a lot of positive reviews.  Success all around, all I have to change next time is the glass I use to press them down and maybe not let Joseph add the sugar that was left in the bowl at the end! They were also easier to deal with, you put the dough in the fridge for between 1-24 hours and it is so much easier and less messy to deal with than the recipe we used last week.

PORK CHOPS!

I have fond memories of having delicious pork chops as a child but have almost always have been disappointed with them for the past few decades! Have tried various cooking techniques with some success but never had an 'aha' moment......  Apparently all to do with breeding very lean pigs and we all know that it is the fat that keeps the meat moist and tastes yummy! Nikki at work mentioned having cooked really good pork chops and I demanded the recipe and I have to say they were really good.

Recipe was from Cooks Illustrated so cannot provide a link so here it is:
Combine in a small bowl:

• 1tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Pat 4 pork chops (I inch thick is best, cut through fat in 2 places) dry and season with spice mixture. Put about 1/2 cup flour on a plate and dredge chops with flour, transfer chops to plate, keep flour. Let chops sit for 10 mins.  In the meantime fry 3 slices bacon over medium heat. Remove bacon and enjoy the snack!  Re-coat chops with flour and fry until browned, about 3 minutes each side.

Maybe not quite as good as the memory but really enjoyable, will definately do these again, thanks Nikki!