What A Grand Day This Is

Hooray for the Red White and Blue. Now I know most of you, if you are celebrating Independence Day, you’ve got it together by now. I can’t imagine waking up on the 4th of July without a game plan. Although by the number of people I see wandering about in the grocery store with blank stares, some might have procrastinated too long.

I’m one of those people, at lease when it comes to Holidays or family gatherers, start researching my massive collection of recipes well in advance. Then it’s just a matter of whittling the choices down to something manageable. Now that we have to travel an hour to be with family, I’ve gotten much better at selecting dishes that meet the following criteria: Can be made a day ahead of time, or made quickly the morning of. Must travel well without the need to refrigerate beyond a cooler. Most of all, don’t make more than Hubby can pack in the car. Life was so much easier when we lived around the corner.

If you still don’t know what to make, you are welcome to take a quick look at some prior shares. They are packed with suggestions. You’ll find 10 postings to choose from.

Foil Equals Carefree Entertaining – Easy Foil Pack Barbecue
Independence Day Celebration – 4th of July Potluck
Backyard Smorgasbords – Burgers and Dogs to Ribs and plenty of sides
Happy Birthday America – My All American Favorites
Happy Birthday America – An Elevated Celebration
Grand Old Flags for Your 4th of July – Flag Inspired Recipes
Hooray for The Red, White and Blue – American Flag Cake with Fresh Berries
Sparklers and Skewers – Kabobs for the 4th of July
A Red, White and Blue Feast – Everything from Crab Legs to Grilled Cob Corn
Keeping the 4th Simple – Brats, Burgers and Home-Made Ice Cream

As for today’s post – it is America’s Birthday. I thought instead of the ususal backyard celebrations, we might take a moment to savor some truly American cooking. Pork Chops smothered in gravy, mashed potatoes and buttery corn. It doesn’t get much more American down home than that. Have a blessed and beautiful day!

Country Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy
Country Fried Pork Chops
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Paprika
2 Eggs, beaten
1 cup Breadcrumbs
4-6 boneless Pork Chops, thin cut

Heat oven to 200 degrees. Place a rimmed serving platter in the oven to warm.

Mix flour with paprika in a pie tin. In another pie tin lightly beat the eggs. In a third tin place breadcrumbs.

Dredge the pork chops in the seasoned flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs. Place on a wire rack and allow coating to adhere to the chops.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry pork chops until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Transfer chops to the serving platter; hold in the oven while the gravy is made.

Country Bacon Gravy
4 strips Bacon
2 tablespoons Butter
2-1/2 tablespoons Flour
1-1/2 cups Milk
1/2 cup Beef Stock
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Stack bacon strips on top of one another. Cut bacon in half lengthwise, then dice into smaller pieces.

In a skillet over medium heat, fry up the diced bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels to drain.

Drain off most of the bacon drippings, leaving about a tablespoon behind along with the browned bacon bits. Melt butter into the skillet. Stir in the flour to form a roux, cook for about 3 minutes until the roux is the color of coffee with cream.

Slowly whisk in the milk in a steady stream. Lower heat, add beef stock and continue to cook, stirring constantly until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat, add crumbled bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Remove pork chops from the oven. Drizzle with some of the bacon gravy. Transfer the rest to a gravy boat to use as desired.

Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
8 medium Red Potatoes
4 tablespoons Butter
1/4 cup Milk
Salt to taste
White Pepper to taste

Scrub potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes. Place potatoes in a pot with just enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil. Cook potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes or so. Drain and set aside.

In same pan, combine butter and milk over low heat. Add potatoes and mash until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

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One does not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That comes from the mouth of God
Blessed are they who observe His decrees,
Who seek Him with all their heart.