Garlic Pork Chops and Garlic Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan

This week was a busy one for Team Matos. The All-Star's football season is coming to a close. I can't say I'm sad to see it ending, we can definitely use some down time. But now that we've survived the week and made it through to the weekend, it's time to catch up and share with you what I've been cooking!

Of course, with practice 4 days a week this week I was going for some easy, QUICK recipes!

Garlic Pork Chops
http://www.recipesecrets.com/
The Line Up
6 Bone in pork chops 3/4" thick
1 envelope savory herb and garlic soup mix
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1/2 c hot water

The Game Plan
Preheat oven to 425. In broiler pan, without the rack, arrange chops. Brush both sides of chops with soup mix combined with oil. Bake chops 25 minutes or until done. Remove chops to serving platter. Add hot water to pan and stir, scraping brown bits from bottom of pan, serve sauce over chops.

Coach's Post Game Conference
As you can see from the picture, I did not use bone in chops. I also read a recipe recently that mentions soaking pork chops in milk & salt for a couple hours to tenderize them. I've tried it a couple times, and make pork chops a time or two without soaking them, and can definitely say that soaking them does help! (2 c milk + 2 tsp salt in a shallow bowl or baking dish to cover the chops - soak for 1-4 hours).
Also - when deglazing the baking pan, I splashed just a bit of white wine in to add just that little bit more flavor.

Final Score
Coach - Home Run
Catcher - Home Run
The All-Star - Home Run

Garlic Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
http://www.food.com/ Recipe # 88945
The Line Up
1 lb fresh asparagus
10 garlic cloves, minced
3 TBSP olive oil
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
1/4 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese (omit or use dairy free alternative for dairy free)

The Game Plan
Heat oil and garlic in a small saucepan over low heat until garlic becomes golden- several minutes (do not burn garlic); allow oil to cool.
Bend asparagus gently at a natural point and when it snaps, discard end pieces.
Place asparagus on a lipped roasting pan and toss with infused olive oil and garlic, coating all pieces.
Line up asparagus and push together, season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F for 12 minutes or until cooked to your liking.
Serve at once.

Coach's Post Game Conference
I don't infuse the oil with the garlic. I dump the oil in a large resealable plastic bag, add the garlic and asparagus and "toss" it in the bag (just moving everything around in the bag until everything's covered). Then Place it in the baking dish and sprinkling with the Parmesan.
Catcher had never had asparagus until I made this recipe the first time and he loved it! Between he and I we have eaten the entire batch the two times I've made it. The All-Star.. well, let's just say he's not a fan of any team who's colors include green!

Final Score
Coach - Home Run
Catcher - Home Run
The All-Star - didn't even show up to play!

***edit - please see label disclaimer in "True Confessions" - 11/7/2013

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