Southern Dinner

Tonight we had what I would call a Southern Dinner. Pork chops, homemade macaroni and cheese, and green beans. My sister in law sent me a recipe for crock pot macaroni and cheese last week. At first I thought she was crazy but every recipe she has sent me has been a keeper, so I added it to our menu this week. Tonight we invited our friend and her two kids over for dinner since her hubby is out of town so I thought the mac and cheese would be a winner with the kids. And it was! Now please let me say this is not a healthy recipe by any means but I think it is just fine to have a little splurge every once in a while. Everything in moderation, right?

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
1/2 of a 16oz box elbow macaroni
1 cup chedder cheese soup
1 14 oz. can of evaporated milk
1 cup milk
3 cups cheddar cheese
1/2 stick butter
salt and pepper to taste

Cook macaroni on the stove until 1/2 way done (should still be chewy). Spray cooking spray in crockpot. Drain macaroni and pour into crockpot. Stir in all other ingredients. Cook on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or high for 1-1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally.

*My can of evaporated milk was only 11 or 12 ounces and it worked great.


I love it when Phillip grills. He does a great job and generally the kitchen clean up is easier. I found this recipe on Mel's Kitchen Cafe last year and we have made these pork chops several times. They are so moist and flavorful, even though there are only three ingredients. You should give them a try!

Grilled Pork Chops

4 bone in, thick cut pork chops
1/4 cup olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon steak seasoning (such as Montreal Steak Seasoning)

Mix olive oil, soy sauce and steak seasoning in a one-gallon resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate the pork chops for 3-8 hours (no more than 8) flipping the bag over every couple hours to redistribute the marinade. Heat the grill to medium and grill the chops 8-10 minutes per side (depending on how thick they are) until they are no longer pink in the center. Let the pork chops rest for several minutes to help retain their moisture.