So, it has been months since I’ve posted here. Life has just been busy: we sold our house. We moved into a temporary rental while our new house readies herself for us. Holidays. Birthdays. School. Work. All the familiar comings & goings that make life, life.

But, now all that hustling and bustling seems so…distant. With the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak, here we are with all the time in the world to stay at home and reframe the familiar. Holidays. Birthdays. School. Work. It all still has to happen. Just in a different way.

As we find our ways through these sad and lonely and unfamiliar days, I am seeking comfort in the familiar. Cuddles on the couch. Homework at the dining table. Laundry. Family meals.

With trips to the grocery store limited to maybe once a week, I’ve challenged myself to come up with simple meals that pull from the pantry. This one came together quite easily, and not even one bite was left. Don’t worry about specific measurements in this recipe – just use what you need to feed your family.

It will all turn out alright. I promise.

Asian Pork Chops with Rice and Vegetables

Thin sliced boneless pork chops

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

a couple good squirts of Sriracha

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

Rice

Veggies, chopped (we used zucchini, orange peppers, Brussels sprouts)

In a large bowl, mix together the oils, Sriracha, rice vinegar, soy sauce and brown sugar. Add the pork chops and give it a good stir. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the rice. Chop the veggies and set aside.

Transfer the chops from the marinade to a large plate. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a low boil. Simmer on the backburner. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the pork chops – they need just a couple minutes on each side. Once they are cooked, move to a plate.

In the same skillet (no need to rinse or wash) saute the veggie until they are tender.

To serve, scoop some rice, top with pork and drizzle with the heated marinade. Add some veggies. Enjoy!

We served this to the kids with orange slices. They loved it!