Recipe Time: Calabrian Pork Chops with Red Potatoes and Sweet Cherry Peppers

I WISH I could take credit for this meal, but unfortunately, I can't. I pulled this beauty from Teresa Giudice's "Fabulicious" more info on that can be found here! This is now one of our favorite meals! Its cheap, easy and healthy. A perfect trifecta!

Calabrian Pork Chops with Peppers and Potatoes

7Tbs extra virgin olive oil, divided
2Tbs red wine vinegar
2tsp finely chopped fresh basil
1tsp dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2tsp salt
1/4tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 (6z) boneless pork loin chops, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 1/4lbs medium red potatoes, cut lengthwise into sixths
6 hot or sweet fresh cherry peppers, tops removed, seeded and quartered

*If you can't find fresh cherry peppers, pickled cherry peppers works just as well. I use a whole jar. These wont need cooking so just add them to the potatoes with the browned pork.

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk 3Tbs of the olive oil with the vinegar, basil, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Let stand for 15 minutes. Add the pork to the mix, stir to coat, and let it marinate for another 15 minutes.

2. Heat 2Tbs of the olive oil in a large skillet, over high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, letting the excess marinade drip back into the bowl. In batches, add the pork to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until the pork is browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer the browned pork to a plate, leaving any remaining fat in the pan.

3. Add the remaining 2Tbs olive oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the potatoes and peppers, if using fresh, and stir well. Cook, stirring often, until the potatoes begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the potatoes are almost tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

4. Return the pork to the skillet, adding the peppers if using pickled peppers, cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, serve hot.

I honestly can't say anything else about this dish, other than its absolutely delicious! Our little one even loved it, she was literally shoveling handful after handful into her mouth at dinner. Its a cheap, healthy, hearty meal, that is bound to be a winner in your house too!

Recipe Time: Grilled Sausage with Peppers

Growing up, my mother worked a full time job and took care of us kids along with the housework, mostly on her own. So meals were simple, and usually from a box, she didn't have time for much else unless it was the weekend. But having the opportunity to be a SAHM, and especially with our daughter eating what we eat, I have made it my "job" to find delicious, yet easy and relatively cheap meals. We have tried a ton of new recipes and thankfully only a handful have been thrown into the "never again" category. This little gem is so simple and ridiculously healthy! And it doesn't take much time at all!

Grilled Sausage with Peppers

1 package sweet (or hot) Italian sausage - we use turkey sausage for a healthier alternative
1 green bell pepper, sliced into 1/2 inch ribbons
1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1/2 inch ribbons
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into 1/2 inch ribbons
1 medium onion, sliced into 1/2 inch ribbons
3 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Chop all veggies into ribbons, I'm super anal about this (maybe a little OCD too, hence the different bowls) so this step, no matter the recipe, always takes me what seems like forever! I want them perfect! Don't forget the garlic!

 2. Heat 3Tbs olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While you're doing this heat your grill up nice and hot, then lightly oil the grates.

3. Throw your veggies in the skillet and let them start to soften (about 5 minutes), then stir and cover. Cook another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. While your veggies are covered, throw the sausages on the grill. They'll take about 20-25 minutes. Flip them often and cook until no longer pink. I had to interrupt hubs man-grill time to get this photo. He's absolutely loving his new grill!

5. Uncover and stir veggies. Cook another 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and keep warm until sausage is done. If you plan it right, it'll all be done around the same time.

Voila! Excuse the fact that my husband felt the need to cut every single piece of sausage, except one, completely in half, to check for doneness. This smells absolutely delicious while cooking and is surprisingly filling! We served it with some Italian bread and the leftovers made for amazing sandwiches the next day. Our little one even enjoyed this recipe! Its super healthy, cheap, and ridiculously easy! A definite keeper in our books!