Southern Sundays

Happy Southern Sundays!

Last week's party was fun, fun, fun!  Everyone shared some fantastic dishes.  I would like to thank everyone for participating.  I just love seeing everyone's creativeness in action.


Two entries were the bomb!  I'm happy to feature both of them for you this week.

Congratulations on your featured entry!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

by Winnie of  Something Sweet

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes

by Paula of Call Me PMc

Everyone's lovin' the chocolate!

Congratulations again to you all!  Stop by the creative artist's blog and say "Hi!".  I'm sure they love to hear from you.

So let's party!  I can't wait to see what you all bring this week.

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Link back to your specific recipe and not to your main site.
Link back to Southern Sundays either in your post, or grab my Southern Sundays Button located in the right side bar.
Please visit a few of the links in the post and say hello to your fellow bloggers!
Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!

Grilled Pork Chops with Chilled Bean and Tomato Salad

The weekend is here and company's coming.

Time to brew up a batch of my Orange Iced Tea and break out the grill.

For this alfresco dinner party I'm making pork.  Simply seasoned and grilled.  We at a lot of pan fried, bone-in pork chops in my house growing up.  Simple and delicious with mashed potatoes.  As I got older I discovered think cut boneless pork chops.  I love the low fat tender meat, and use is often in dishes such as my Tuscan Pork Chops.  Recently, I just starting to delve into the thick cut pork loin chops, boneless variety.  I'm not sure what my hesitancy was before, but I must say...they are juicy and tasty when cooked just right!  I use this type of pork chop in this recipe.  It's just perfect for grilling.

To go along with the meat I've made a marinated bean salad that chills in the fridge while you prepare the rest of the meal.  

The meat and this bean salad is such a perfect combination of flavors, that I must say this is a favorite dish.  One that's simple to make, but worthy of company!  I would even go so far as to say that the bean salad should be made on it's own.  It would be a perfect summer side salad for any grilled dish.  To round out the meal you just need some crusty country bread, and a nice mixed green salad.  Dinner is served!

So come on over, pour some iced tea, and join me in a wonderful alfresco dinner!






Grilled Pork Chops with Chilled Bean and Tomato Salad

serves 4

1/3 c red wine vinegar
1/4 t salt
1/4 pepper
3 T olive oil
2 15 oz cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 c cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 T parsley, chopped
4 1" thick boneless pork loin chops
2 t Italian seasoning
Garnish: parsley

In a medium bowl combine the red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Whisk in olive oil.  Add the beans, tomatoes, and parsley, tossing to combine.  Cover and chill 1 hour.

Heat charcoal or gas grill to medium heat.  Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt & pepper and Italian seasoning.  Cook for 5 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness.  Let stand 5 minutes to rest.  

Stir bean salad and spoon on to a serving platter.  Top with pork chops.  Garnish with parsley if desired.

shared with:
The Weekend Potluck

Fast & Fresh: Strawberry Banana Parfait

Summer heat calls for Fast & Fresh desserts!

When the temperature rises we turn to lighter desserts.  MGG and I love something a little sweet after our dinner on the weekends.  What can I say, it's hard to give up!  Often we have a scoop of ice cream, but during the summer we love to incorporate fresh fruits with our dessert.  Sometimes is just some light angel food cake with a fruit coulis on top.  Fruit gives dessert a fresh sweet taste and a lightness to the dish.


Tonight I made a parfait.  Easy, fast, and fresh!  This is the newest entry in my Fast & Fresh series.  Recipes that are easy to make, keep you out of the heat of the kitchen, and incorporate fresh ingredients.


This parfait is just perfect.  Creamy vanilla pudding nestles among fresh strawberries and bananas.  What a great flavor combination.  The vanilla wafer crumb topping add just that little extra flavor enhancer and a bit of crunch!


For the pudding you could make homemade (but that would involve heat in the kitchen!), or use instant.  Even a pre-made pudding cup would work for this dish and be delishhh!  Feel free to change the pudding flavor as well for a nice variation.  Lemon would work wonderfully.

I hope you enjoy this light dessert, and try it soon.


What is your favorite, easy to make dessert?


Strawberry Banana Parfait


makes 1 parfait


4-5 strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 c vanilla pudding
1/2 small banana, sliced
2 T whipped topping
1 vanilla wafer, crumbled
Garnish: banana slices or strawberry slices


In a small glass or dessert dish place sliced strawberries in the bottom.  Top with the vanilla pudding.  Add banana sliced by placing them vertically along the sides of the glass and on top of the pudding.  Top with whipped topping and vanilla wafer crumbs.  Garnish with banana slices or strawberry slices.