Bulk can be better

We have been participating in a meal exchange for over a year now. There are about eight different families who are involved in a once a month meal exchange where you prepare 7 or 8 batches of the same meal and then exchange it for an equal number of different meals. Sure there are times when you feel as though you have exchanged a great meal for something that is, well, not so great. That is the risk that you must be willing to make in the exchange game. Think of it like echanging money when you cross international borders. There are just times that you have to change your pesos in for dollars!! This month I chose to try a new recipe that was brewing in my head. Soy ginger pineapple pork chops with brown rice. You do not have to provide a complete meal, but you do need to provide the main pieces of the dinner.



The recipe went a little something like this: soy sauce, a little vegetable oil, cubed pineapple, shredded ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, sesame seeds, and black pepper. I dumped all the ingredients into a large freezer bag with the 5 pork chops and simply allowed for the meat to marinade until dinner. The chops were then cooked in a hot skillet with some EVOO for 2-3 minutes on each side. I made some glazed carrots and brown rice to finish off the meal. I must admit that the chops were a little salty, so I would opt for reduced sodium soy sauce if you give it a try. The marinade did make a nice glaze for the carrots. So maybe you could find some adventerous souls and start your own little meal exchange. It allows you to try new things that other people have labored over and take some of the guess work out of the question, "What's for dinner?!!?" I think you will like it.