Lemon-Mustard Pork Chops

Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 lbs pork chops
2 tblsp olive oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tblsp dijon mustard
2 tblsp lemon juice

This simple recipe doesn't sound like much but it is very tasty and quick to make.  The mustard and lemon combine to give a nice sunny flavour.

Heat a very large skillet over medium high heat.  While doing this, sprinkle salt and pepper on the pork chops to taste.  When the skillet is hot, add olive oil and then the pork chops.  Sear the chops on both sides to a golden brown.

Add the thyme and chicken broth to the skillet, cover and turn the heat to medium-low, simmering for 10 minutes.

Remove the pork chops to a serving plate.  Turn the heat back up to medium high and add the mustard and lemon juice.  Ensure you scrape up any of the brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Stir until the sauce is the consistency of cream.  Pour over the pork chops and serve.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

This cake recipe came out of a diet cookbook I have.  It is entirely flour free, and still has the texture of a real cake.  I was quite impressed.

3/4 cup almond meal
3/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
3 tblsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup sucanat
1/2 cup splenda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tblsp powdered egg white
2 tsp guar gum
1/4 cup peanut oil
1 tblsp white vinegar
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Combine all the dry ingredients and sift into an 8 inch square pan that you have sprayed with some cooking spray.  (I dont have a sifter, so instead i just mixed
the ingredients in a bowl and stirred enthusiastically with a whisk to break up the lumps and combine).  Make 2 holes in the mix and put the vinegar in one and the oil in the other.  Pour the water over top of the whole thing and stir until there are no dry bits left.  Immediately put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

The cake is ok by itself, but also good with a little ice cream, or some melted chocolate on top.