Good afternoon everyone! How goes it?
As you know, I live in Iowa.
Among the many wonderful things Iowa is known for – high on the list is definitely corn and pigs…I mean, lets just be real.
Now, this means in the summer I can get corn for dirt cheap – we’re talking 12 ears of corn for $1 or something ridiculous like that – and pork chops are so abundant that grocery stores are practically giving them away. These are high quality, lean chops, too mind you!
It’s the availability of these chops coupled with the slightly cooler than normal temps today, that inspired me to make a more Fall-ish type dinner. I turned my oven on high and made Panko Crusted Pork Chops with Oven Roasted Vegetables.
First I dusted my chops with some flour, then dipped them in a whisked egg + some soy sauce. Finally, I crusted them with some panko bread crumbs that I had added some mesquite grill seasoning to. I just think mesquite flavor goes so well with pork and turkey, btw.
I baked these in a 425 degree oven for ~40 minutes, flipping half way through.
I also roasted some cauliflower and broccoli which I had tossed with 2 tsp of olive oil, garlic & onion powder and S&P. I put these in with the chops for the last 30 minutes, stirring them half way through.
This was the perfect meal to compliment the cooler temps – but honestly, I would have liked this no matter what the weather! I think I’m just really obsessed with panko bread crumbs…they can do no wrong I tell you!
I’m also obsessed with roasted vegetables…I could honestly eat these every single day of my life.
Oh, I threw a piece of wheat bread that I had spread with a little butter and sprinkled with a little garlic powder under the broiler for a few minutes…a perfect accompaniment, in my humble opinion 
Ok guys – I have a 4 miler, that I didn’t run yesterday, that I am totally tackling tonight!! Since it’s cooler outside, this should be an enjoyable run What’s your temperature threshold for working out in the heat? I think mine’s 83 degrees…yep, 83 degrees for sure.
I hope you are having a great week and have an even better evening!!
~~~~~
So I told you what Iowa is best known for – what’s your city/state best known for? Food/landmark/weather…your choice!
lol.. I’m from Utah… the best thing that comes to mind is green jello with carrots… which I don’t eat….bleh…
I’m from Maine. Hello, Lobster! Shrimp, scallops, fish… mmmmmmm
I am so jealous of you right now! Living in California we have great fresh produce all year round. The area that I am from grew a lot of grapes table and wine and also lots of nuts.
Cheap corn is awesome! Here (IL) we have that and pretty decent prices on apples, at least when the crop is good. I wish I got the deal on pork chops!
I live in Iowa as well, and I was just thinking on my run today how the Iowa summer heat can’t be far off! Running when it’s cooler like this is so much more tolerable– my temp. threshold is probably lower than 83…
Wow! Those pork chops look delicious.
Hope your 4 miler went well.
have fun on your run!!
http://strivingforbalance.wordpress.com/
The pork chops and the veggies look wonderful! What a tasty dinner!
I’m from Wisconsin – beer, cheese and brats! (Cheese is at the top of my list!)
North Dakota!! Wheat, corn, soybeans… ummm, a little sunflowers. Cows, too, but I don’t eat them.
Love about 76*.
I’m from Memphis so of course, Memphis BBQ and humidity!! I wish my heat threshold was only 83… I’m lucky if it’s below 90 in the summer! Even if I wake up extra early it’s still hot and humid!
I am also in Iowa and the only thing that comes to mind is corn, corn and more corn! This cooler weather sure if nice for my jogging but my daughter is begging for summer to please come!
I love roasted veggies, too! It’s been way too long since I’ve had them. I think I definitely need to make some soon!
I’m from Michigan, and we’re known for the great lakes… and football, maybe? 83 is about my threshold too, but it definitely depends on the humidity and amount of direct sun. I HATE humidity, ugh!
I live in Indiana…wish we had something cool that we are known for! I guess racing (Indy 500) and basketball. Like, every house here pretty much has a basketball hoop.
I need to go get some fresh corn ASAP!
does that toast look fantastic or what?
That looks like the perfect meal!! I love roasted broccoli and cauliflower! I had never had the white stuff until a few months ago and the first time had it roasted…holy yummy!!! Now I’m hooked! I can see this meal in the near future at my house!
Excellent meal!
I am from Columbus, Ohio and we are best known for The Ohio State Buckeye football team.
I grew up in Mississippi sooo…fried catfish, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, fried turkey at Thanksgiving (you’ll never go back to roasting it, I swear). You name it, we fried it! LOL
I’ve learned to eat a little (actually, a lot) better since then! But still, a good catfish dinner holds a special place in my heart.
I’m in Huntington, WV, which is mostly known for Southern Airways Flight 932, which took out almost all of Marshall University’s football program in 1970, and was depicted in “We Are Marshall”. We were also named “America’s Fattest City” last year, which is definitely not a positive.
On the plus side, there are a few notable people from Huntington, such as Katie Lee Joel, OJ Mayo, Michael W Smith, Soupy Sales, along with Chad Pennington, who started his career at Marshall.