Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 bone-in pork loin chops (7 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Because of that, one of my easy weeknight favorites are oven-baked bone-in pork chops. All they need is a little seasoning, a side or two, and you’ve got a yummy, filling meal for the entire family!

Easy Oven-Baked Bone-In Pork Chops Recipe

This recipe from the Taste Recipes Test Kitchen yields four servings.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork loin chops (about 7 ounces each)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

Step 1: Mix spices and season the pork

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, pepper and onion powder together. Rub the spice mix over both sides of the pork chops.

Step 2: Brown the pork chops

In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Be sure the skillet and oil are hot before adding the pork so you can get a great golden color.

Brown the pork chops on both sides.

Step 3: Bake the pork chops

Transfer the pork chops to the oven and bake, uncovered, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 145º, about 20 to 25 minutes. Learn how to bake pork chops.

Step 4: Let stand and serve

Let the pork chops stand for 5 minutes before serving; you can tent the pork with foil to keep warm. This will make the pork chops even more tender and juicy when you slice into it. If desired, sprinkle with fresh parsley. Looking for variations? Learn how to make bacon-wrapped pork chops and Vietnamese pork chops.

How to Serve Oven-Baked Bone-In Pork Chops

Pork chop recipes are a versatile protein and can be served with tons of fresh veggies and starches. Try roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted potatoes or sheet pan-roasted vegetables with mashed potatoes and gravy. And, of course, you can always stick with a classic: homemade applesauce.

Tips for Making Oven-Baked Bone-In Pork Chops

Can you use other kinds of pork chops?

Bone-in pork chops are typically more juicy and flavorful because of the bone and surrounding fat tissue on the meat. However, boneless pork chops are a great less-fatty option that can be found in grocery stores everywhere.

Boneless pork chops cook faster due to less fat being present, so be careful not to overcook them. Frozen pork chops can also be used in this oven-baked recipe. Be sure to thaw them properly to avoid the risk of bacterial infection. Learn how to make French onion pork chops.

What other spices can you use to season pork chops?

I love how easily pork chops work with other flavors. You can make them sweet, savory, salty or spicy! Pork chops work well with dry seasonings as a rub, or with thicker sauces that can coat the outsides of the meat.

There are pork chop recipes for everyone. Try using garlic and lemon for a summery citrus flavor, or chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes for pork with a kick.

How can you tell when the pork chops are done?

Meat thermometers are a cook’s best friend. For pork chops and any thicker cut of meat, a thermometer is the most accurate way to read the internal temperature of the meat.

Pork chops have a safe internal temperature of 145ºF, so pork chops cannot be eaten until that temp is hit. And don’t be alarmed if your pork chop is a little pink after your thermometer reaches 145°—this is actually a good thing! The size of the pork chop will affect how long it takes to heat up, so be sure to keep checking. For larger cuts, add more cooking time to hit the correct internal temperature.

The post How to Make Oven-Baked Bone-In Pork Chops for a More Upscale Dinner appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Despite popular belief, cats shouldn’t eat flour, drink milk or consume sugar. Proteins like meat and eggs are the major staple in feline diets. Since many human foods are toxic to pets, it is important to make sure that the ingredients you use are fresh and do not contain additional seasoning, oils or sugars. Cats can also be picky eaters, so make sure that your cat cake has some of their favorite treats as special cake decorations.

How to Make a Cat Birthday Cake

Ingredients

• 1 small egg, scrambled
• 1 can cooked chicken breast in water
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1/4 cup plain pumpkin puree (no added seasonings, sugars, etc.)

Editor’s Tip: If your cat prefers tuna to chicken, feel free to substitute canned tuna in this recipe. Be sure to get canned tuna in water and check the ingredient list to make sure it does not contain additional fats or oils.

Directions

Step 1: Whisk egg

Crack one small egg into a small mixing bowl. Scramble the egg with a fork or whisk until smooth and combined. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine chicken with egg

Drain the can of cooked chicken breast. Combine the cooked chicken breast and the egg mixture into one bowl. Add some green peas into the mixture if desired.

Step 3: Form the cakes

Using a 1/4 cup measuring spoon, pour the mixture into sections in a muffin tin. Do not grease the tin with cooking spray, butter or oil—cats are unable to process those types of sprays and fats.

Step 4: Bake the cakes

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Once ready, put the muffin tin into the oven for eight minutes, or until eggs are cooked all the way through. Do not microwave. Microwaves affect fat molecules in food, making them harmful for cats to ingest. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.

Step 5: Decorate

Once the mini cakes are at room temperature, remove from the muffin tin and place on a serving plate or in cat food bowls.

Decorate the top of the cat cakes with pumpkin puree and top with additional green peas. Pumpkin puree can be placed into a piping bag, or spread using a spoon or knife. Serve with your favorite cat treats!

Tips for Making a Cake for Your Cat

• Cat cakes should be eaten in moderation. Even though cats can eat foods like tuna, it is not great for their health to regularly consume it in large quantities.
• Protein is the main part of a cat’s diet. Meat and eggs should be cooked all the way through, and fish should be boiled until cooked.
• Do not season any food for your cat. This includes butter, oil, salt, sugar, herbs, garlic, onion and more. Foods in the allium family are toxic for cats (and dogs) and should be avoided at all costs.
• If you are using a mold for your cat cake, make sure to either pour or press your cat cake into the mold. Do not spray the mold with butter, oil or non-stick spray. To remove from the mold, wiggle until it releases, or wait until it cools at room temperature and carve it out with a spoon.

The post How to Make a Birthday Cake for Your Cat appeared first on Taste Recipes.

How to Make Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad

For this recipe, we went straight to Hellmann’s themselves. Note that using different mayonnaise brands will result in slightly different flavors (and we definitely recommend using mayonnaise versus Miracle Whip). Although you can also make your own mayonnaise, we recommend Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise for the all-around best taste.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced white or yellow onion

Directions

Step 1: Cook the noodles

Add 4-6 cups of water to a large pot, and salt the water. Bring the water to a boil. Boil the macaroni noodles according to package instructions, or 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain, and set aside.

Step 2: Prep the veggies

Thinly slice the celery, discarding the bottoms and tops. Dice the bell pepper and onion. Place into a small bowl, and refrigerate until later use.

Step 3: Mix the dressing

Add the Hellmann’s mayo, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar and ground black pepper into a mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly. Add the teaspoon of salt or more to taste. Set aside.

Step 4: Combine the ingredients

Add the cooked macaroni to a large serving bowl. Add the chopped veggies. Spoon the mayonnaise dressing into the serving bowl, mixing to combine the ingredients. Serve at room temperature or chilled for best results.

Here’s What I Thought

I grew up in the South, so macaroni salads are a staple in my summertime diet. This macaroni salad was effortless, and the portion size could feed a small army! The total prep and cooking time was about 20 minutes, making this a quick and easy recipe to make. I would experiment with other spiral-type noodles such as cavatappi or gemelli, and test other veggies to see what mix your friends and family like best.

The post We Made the Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad Recipe, and It’s the Perfect Summer Dish appeared first on Taste Recipes.