Dinner with the Auger's (please don't watch on an empty stomach:-)

Ever since B got a big screen TV, he would not stop inviting our friends over for dinner. Of course, the onus is on me in preparing a scrumptious meal for our friends. In his defense, he's not doing it to show off his TV, but rather to show off his wife's amazing cooking skills. Sure, hon! Fatten my heart why don't you:-). But when you have a hard crowd to please, it becomes challenging on what to prepare. I started brainstorming on my menu a day before our dinner party. Since I had purchased an 8 lb pork loin rib in awhile back from Whole Foods, I wanted my menu to revolve around the main course. I had a lot of ideas running through my head and it was decided that I was going to make Tyler Florence's Ultimate Pork Roast with Apple Cider Gravy that I had seen him make in his show. I wanted to make this so bad so that I can use my roaster again. But once the pork had thawed, I did not have the proper roasting knife to work it.  Instead, I butchered my rib in pork loin and took out the ribs and left with small cuts of pork chops. I was left with Pork Chops to make. Country Fried Pork Chops it is:-)...I was in for a country style dinner.  So please feast your eyes with all the pictures.

Winter White Table Scape

My table scape does not scream country, but it screams winter white, which is more appropriate with the weather that we are having lately. 

 

Loving the Red on Black

White Roses for my Winter White Theme Decor

Fresh Roses all the way;-)

The sun was just setting

My batter for my cheddar broccoli cornbread

This Cheddar Broccoli Cornbread was taken from Food Network's Down with the Neely's. An appropriate side dish for my pork chop, right?

You can't go wrong with a lot of cheese. Cheese, cheese, cheese!

Freshly baked:-)

Love the combination of fig jam and goat cheese (this particular goat cheese is from Spain).

Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini with Fresh Sage

Who doesn't love fig jam and goat cheese crostini? I know, it does not scream country. I just had to make it. This particular goat cheese from Spain is so good. So cheap too. The smell wasn't so pungent and the taste is very creamy. Work's perfectly with the fig compote.

My take on Fried Green Tomatoes using Roma Tomatoes with Sour Cream and Bacon

I love tomatoes. Fried tomatoes? Even better. Used almond flour as my breading for a healthier twist and low fat sour cream. And the bacon? Thick slab, fresh from the butcher, which I brushed with maple syrup and bake in a 400 degree oven until golden and crispy. It tasted like candy.

Spinach Salad with cranberry, apples, feta cheese and Balsamic Dressing

Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese was the perfect pairing for the pork chops. As if we can't get enough cheese from the cornbread already:-) I used four different types of cheese in this baby. Please e-mail me for recipe.

My plate...forgot to take the main course, which was Country Fried Pork Chops

Drinks for the night..

Overflowing drinks of the night.

Our Signature Drink: Bratney Tini:-)

This cocktail was so good. I used vodka, prosseco, simple syrup, lemon juice, and lemon sorbet. You can just measure it according to how strong you want it to taste. A refreshing drink to end the night.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

This is John's Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies. Please e-mail me for recipe. They came out so perfect and chewy. I must have had like three of them:-(.

I hope you all have a happy Sunday!

Contessa