Marjorie’s Maple Glazed Pork Chops offer up a sweet and spicy stickiness paired with her cheesy Squash Casserole. It’s a “party in your mouth!”
Maple Glazed Pork Chops
4 bone-in pork chops
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons oil
Salt and pepper
Maple Glaze
1/3 cup real maple syrup
4 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
1 teaspoon each, garlic powder, oregano, complete seasoning
Few sprigs of thyme
Directions:
- Heat butter and oil in cast iron or heavy skillet over medium high heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper and place in skillet seasoned side down. Cook for 3 – 4 minutes per side until done, but don’t overcook!
- Remove chops from skillet and take skillet off burner but keep with drippings. Whisk all the ingredients for the maple glaze together in a small bowl, including the softened butter, tasting for desired seasoning.
- Place skillet on burner on medium heat, add sauce and cook for 3 – 4 minutes until sauce turns into a glaze.
- Add thyme sprigs to the chops and spoon the glaze over the chops. Garnish with additional cilantro and jalapeno slices if desired.
Squash Casserole
5 cups sliced yellow squash, about 4-5 squash
2 tablespoons butter
1 ½ tablespoons oil
1 onion cut in half, then sliced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups 5 cheese Italian blend
2/3 cup melted butter
1 ¾ cups half and half
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
½ cup plain panko crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
2 green onions, chopped for garnish, optional
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Melt the butter and oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté squash and onions until tender, about 10 – 15 minutes, don’t forget to add salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, add the eggs, half and half, and about 1/3 cup of the melted butter and stir well. Add in the cooked squash and onions, a little salt and pepper, the cayenne, if desired, and about one cup each of the cheeses and stir to combine well.
- Pour the mixture into a sprayed 9×13 casserole dish and top with the crushed Ritz crackers and panko mixture. (Put crackers in a plastic Ziploc bag and gently pound with a mallet to crush).
- Drizzle another 1/3 cup of the melted butter on top of the casserole and bake for about 25 – 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let casserole sit for 3 – 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
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