The world a weird place. The events happening right now are nothing we’ve seen before. We are all hunkering down and trying to distance ourselves from others. But we all need to eat and we are having to use what’s handy. We’re getting creative with proteins from the freezer, items we have in the pantry, and the limited access to food on the shelves at supermarkets. This week, I thought I could help alleviate some of those “What do I make?” thoughts.
Janet Crow’s (Quinwood, WV) Parmesan Baked Pork Chops are extremely popular on Just A Pinch. They’re made with simple ingredients and are delicious.
“These were the best pork chops I have eaten in a long time,” shares Janet. “So moist and tender, the flavors were amazing!”
The Parmesan/bread crumb mixture holds in all the juices. These are very tender pork chops. To make, all you need is pork chops, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, black pepper, and garlic powder… couldn’t be easier. To get them golden brown, place them under the broiler for a minute or so. These are so good!
I happened to pick up a roast the other week that I put into the freezer so I plan to make Gretchen’s ** (Columbia, TN) Crock Pot Roast With Gravy.
“This always makes a tender roast and the gravy is sooo good,” reveals Gretchen. “I usually use a chuck roast or sirloin tip, whatever is on sale.”
A great recipe since you can use whatever cut of roast you have handy. It’s easy to prepare and delicious. Once the meat is browned, the Crock Pot does the work. Serve with egg noodles or rice for a hardy meal.
We’ve all seen the bread shelves pretty bare right now. If you’re having trouble getting your hands on some, make Cindy Smith Bryson’s Old-Fashioned Soft and Buttery Yeast Rolls.
“They never fail to make huge, tall, soft, fluffy and buttery rolls,” explains Cindy. “They adapt well to any shaping method you like or you may bake in muffin cups. They smell deliciously yeasty while baking and always send me on a trip to yeast roll heaven.”
There’s nothing better than the aroma of fresh bread, and these buttery rolls will have your mouth watering while they bake. No bread machine is required so it’s a recipe everyone can make. Hot out of the oven, they’re super soft and just melt in your mouth. They’d be delicious with the pork chops and pot roast. Or, use them for sandwiches.
If we’re going to be stuck inside for a while, I need my sweets. These next three treats are all desserts I can make with ingredients from the pantry.
We’re all crabby right now… so why not make Sarah Farrand’s (Saginaw, MI) Anti-Crabby Cake to turn our mood around (or at least try to).
“I’m sure there is an official name to this cake, but I grew up with it only being called anti-crabby cake because no matter how you were feeling, this cake always made you feel better,” shares Sarah. “It still does the trick for me!”
This cake will win you over with its sweet pineapple and super moist texture. The cream cheese frosting is tangy and sweet. Sarah’s cake always puts a smile on my face.
“My soon to be sister in law gave me the base of this recipe and I changed some things with it and we like it more after the changes,” Amy Borne (Clio, AL) says of her Sweet Alabama Pecanbread.
With just the perfect amount of sweetness, this cake is fantastic alongside morning coffee. If you don’t have self-rising flour in your pantry, all-purpose flour can be substituted. You’ll just need to add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour and a dash more salt.
Sherry Symmonds’ (Hamilton, MS) Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies need to be on your to-make list these days. You can use whatever cake mix and add-ins you have handy.
“Oh my gosh, these are good and so easy,” thinks Sherry. “Use your imagination.”
Sherry had a French vanilla cake mix and chocolate chips on hand so that’s what she used. In the Test Kitchen, we used a butter cake mix with chocolate chips. The cookies are sweet, buttery and seriously good. If you want some cake mix ideas, watch this video. It’s got a few different ideas.
I hope these recipes help you in the kitchen. Did you know that you can search Justapinch.com for recipes based on what ingredients you have in the kitchen? Just type your ingredients into the Search bar (at the top of each page) and you’ll get some ideas. This video will show you how.
If you have any recipes you’re making in your kitchen this week, share a link to them below. We all need some inspiration… Happy Pinching!