Artichokes, Bacon, Kale, Berries, and Pork Chops. What kind of a title is that?

On May 13, 2012 by Juliet

None of my pictures are artistic or fancy tonight. In fact, as they progress, they get worse and worse. I did it on purpose (yes, let us roll with that).

This was one of those meals that was so good I nearly cried when it was over. Sincerely, I wish I was exaggerating but my life is just that exciting.

Steamed Artichokes

Ingredients:
artichokes (do I really need to say that?)
2 garlic cloves
1-2 bay leaves

Directions:
1) Cut off the end of the whole plant and then go through with scissors and cut off the tips of all the leaves. They’re pointy and suck a lot so try not to get poked.
2) Fill a pot with a few inches of water and throw your garlic cloves and bay leaves in it.*
3) Place a steamer basket in the water, put your artichokes in the basket, cover, and steam for 45-60 minutes.

*I actually stuffed the cloves into the garlic this time, as shown below. I used 2 cloves per artichoke and sliced them in half. It was okay. I’ll probably just revert back to the directions above in the future.

Bacon Kale Chips

Ingredients:
Kale
1 tsp avocado oil
Old Bay to taste
2 slices bacon

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 300F
2) De-stem your kale by simply running your fingers up the stem. 9x out of ten the leaf will come off in perfect chip-size. 1x out of 10 you’ll rip it to shreds.
3) Evenly coat your kale leaves with the avocado oil and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle Old Bay on it until you’re happy.
4) Chop up your bacon into itty bitty squares and sprinkle over your kale
5) Cook for ~30 min or until crispy

PaleOMG’s Blackberry Glazed Grilled Pork Chops

I always hated pork chops when my parents made them. (Sorry guys, I know you read this on occasion.) I don’t know what it was about them but they just always seemed so…bleh. I saw this recipe the other day and decided to pick up some pork chops at the farmer’s market.

BEST DECISION EVER.

I cannot guarantee that, that’s blackberry sauce and not fresh blood on my plate. I AM KIDDING. Calm down. It’s totally sauce.
This photo is terrible.

Every component of this meal was perfect. In fact, I want to go eat my other pork chop and artichoke right now. I’d eat my leftover kale but there is none. Maybe I’ll go make more. Nah, I won’t.  I’ll settle for thinking about it all night.

I need to eat the rest of that pound of bacon by Thursday. Not that, that is a challenge. Why? OH. Because I am leaving to go hang with these clowns:

It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to know that we are all on the same maturity level.

I’ll fit right in.

Category :
Recipes
  • http://storiesandsweetpotatoes.com/ StoriesAndSweetPotatoes

    Wow, this meal is odd and I don’t actually like almost all of the ingredients BUT talk about a nutrient packed dinner! ;)

    • http://heyjoob.com Juliet

      I don’t know how it worked but it did. It was totally odd but I was craving all of the components so I said “EFF IT”. One of the benefits of cooking for one – you get exactly what you want!

  • http://www.ilovefetacheese.com Christina

    YUMMMMM

    • http://heyjoob.com Juliet

      I thought about texting you yesterday to make bacon kale chips. You and Phil would LOVE them

      • http://www.ilovefetacheese.com Christina

        anything with bacon and Phil destroys it…he would love this.

  • http://teabagginit.wordpress.com/ Teabagginit

    i have recently fallen in love with pork (not bacon because i still can’t stand the sight of that stuff) but i’ve been eating pork tenderloin like pigs are endangered. i’m going to have to add this to a list of pig products to consume. pork with blackberries. sounds good to me!

    • http://heyjoob.com Juliet

      I’m not sure we can be friends if you don’t like bacon. KEEDING. The pork is delicious. It’s also got a cinnamon rub on it that makes a *very* interesting blend of flavors.

  • http://www.followingfit.com/ Kristen @ Following Fit

    a) I would’ve eaten all the kale chips myself too. I always do when I make them.

    b) The blackberry sauce looks awesome and I just looked at how friggin easy the recipe is. I happen to have blackberries.

    c) I have no pork. Blackberries & chicken??

    • http://heyjoob.com Juliet

      I purposely only made kale chips that I knew would be okay to eat all of. As in, I didn’t put half a pound of bacon and 2 tbsp of oil on it. It’s actually not THAT much kale, it just looks like a lot bc it’s all laid out.

      Chicken might would work but I doubt it’d be as good.