When my family moved to the USA school for me was about learning the language and keeping up with the curriculum. Learning the culture and traditions of American school was also a big part of my school days. One new experience that particularly sticks out is Valentine’s Day traditions.
During those years (mid 80s) the holiday was not as big in Mexico as it is now. While I did know that it was a day for celebrating love and friendship to me it was an adult day. In the states I learned it was celebrated by everyone.
Once February began the red and pink holiday decorations hung from my elementary school’s ceilings, walls, windows and doors. To me it was as though the world had turned into one giant red construction paper heart. My first American Valentine’s Day my teacher sent home a letter explaining that there would be a party and how I needed to prepare for it. Basically I needed to bring a treat and Valentine’s Day cards to exchange with my classmates.
I still remember going with my parents and siblings to pick out our cards. I walked the special holiday isle setup by the store. There I took my time deciding what type of card I wanted to give my classmates. It was fun looking through the cards but the decision was difficult. Thoughts like if I pick this one they’ll think I’m immature, and this one is too girly, raced through my head. Thankfully there were boxes with mixed cards and messages. Phew!
Every year it was the same. We went to the store and after making my decision I walked with the box in hand towards the shopping cart. We’d make our way home were I’d lay belly down on the carpet writing out my list. At the top of the list came the names of my best friends, then good friends and so on working my way down to the classmates I didn’t particularly like. I would fill in each classmate’s name and some also received special friendship messages.
At the classroom’s Valentine’s Day party we were served heart candy with sweet and funny messages, chocolates, cookies and cupcakes. This too was when classmates would exchange the colorful cards. Envelopes in hand we shuffled through the classroom handing them out. Everyone received a card and candy from me. It didn’t matter if I didn’t consider them a friend. Leaving anyone off the list was not something I had the heart to do. Wether the kid liked me or not also didn’t matter. What mattered to me was that I knew I wasn’t treating anyone differently. Being the new kid and being treated differently was something I understood well.
All these years later the memories I recall are happy ones. Back then worries of fitting in were my concern now I see how silly and innocent it all was. As the years went by I very much looked forward to school Valentine’s Day activities and celebrations. Well, high school was another matter but we’ll talk about that another time.
Speaking of memories, yesterday I remembered these pork chops are one of my husband’s favorite meals. In fact the recipe is his and one he taught me. I shared it a couple of years ago and wanted to share it again with the recipe print-out option. Also because it is a great recipe and one that deserves attention. Not to mention the fact that it would be a great meal to cook for your significant other on Valentine’s Day.
- 3 small apples (I used a local variety of Jonagold)
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tbsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- a pinch of ground cayenne, optional
- 1 tbsp. ghee (clarified butter) or 1 tbsp. olive oil
- bone-in pork chops, I make 2 per person
- small jar of creamy horseradish (sometimes called prepared horseradish)
- salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- olive oil to lightly coat
- Preheat oven to 200C or 392F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then set a side. Core the apples and cut into even sized wedges. In a small bowl mix all of the spices. In another coat apple wedges with the ghee or oil. Gently toss the apples and spice mixture until wedges are well coated. Spread the apple wedges on baking sheet place in center of the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until tender.
- Preheat broiler for 10 minutes. Pat dry the pork chops and brush with a little bit of oil. Rub the chops with a little bit of salt and black pepper on both sides. Place the pork chops directly on oven rack/broiler rack closest to heat. Cook for 8 minutes or until brown then flip and continue cooking for another 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Cooking time depends on chop's thickness so keep a close eye on them and check for doneness.
- Pour some prepared horseradish onto a small bowl. Use a spoon to spread a thick layer of horseradish ontop of each pork chop. Place the coated pork chops back on the broiler and cook until the horseradish is dark and charred. Check on them often to prevent smoking and burning.
- Serve the horseradish pork chops with savory baked apples and your favorite green vegetable or salad.
Valentine’s Day is in exactly one week. Here are some scrumptious recipe ideas for your romantic dinner. Enjoy!
– Tapas and Fruit Sangria
– Mahi Mahi Fillets with Preserved Lemon Sauce over Salad Greens
– Shrimp Creole Inspired by Emeril Lagasse
– Lemon Garlic Stuffed Brook Trout
– Lemon Pepper Linguine with Shrimp
– Spicy Spaghetti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (vegan)
– Spaghetti Tricolore Con Salsiccia di Maiale or Tricolored Spaghetti with Pork Sausage
– Curried Chicken Farfalle Pasta
– Pork Tacos In Red Indian Chile Sauce
– Sri Lankan Pork Curry
– Red Chicken Pozole
– Hubby’s Grilled Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Sandwich Recipe
– Hubby’s Enchilada Style Chimichangas (Tex-Mex Recipe)
– Bistec en Salsa Roja (Steak in Red Salsa) or The Nameless Dish
– Nectarine Goat Cheese Galette, Made with Olive Oil Pastry Dough
– Buckwheat Crepes and Buckwheat Crepes with Roasted Vegetables
– Arugula, Maché Strawberry Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
– Spicie Poached Pears – Dessert for 2
– Pastel de Chocolate Mexicano or Mexican Chocolate Cake
– 25 Man Approved Valentine’s Day Meals
**This recipe is being linked up to Katherine Martinelli’s Valentine’s Day Round-Up & Blog Hop. Check out all of the submissions.**
Scrumptious and wonderfully wintery! That is a great way of preparing pork chops.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks you Rosa!
These pork chops look mouth-watering, Nancy! I love the horseradish and savory baked apples!
Thanks Laura!
It’s lovely to remember more innocent times when we thought we had the cares of the world on our shoulders. If only we knew then what we kneow now, our small worries would have seemed a waste of time. A great-looking dish.
So true Suzanne. Thank you!
Lovely photo of the pork chops and apples [interesting recipe!]. I had absolutely no idea Valentine’s day was ever celebrated in schools: I am certain it is not here Down Under. Has always been regarded a s a very ‘grown up’ thing between a man and a woman. I remember a few girls in High School getting a card from a young ‘admirer’: that was all ! Some wold admit to it, others feel embarrrassed . . . Interesting . . .
Hi Eha, That’s exactly how I used to think about it. In fact I do so again -it’s for adults. Thanks!
I had almost the same experience when I first came to the US regarding valentine’s day. I don’t even think I gave out any valentine’s my first year because we did not know any better. Of course my experience was in the mid-late ’70. :) Now I’m old and married and I still don’t get any valentine’s cards (my hubby is so lazy). :P LOL!
I would much prefer and nice meal like these spicy horseradish pork chops than a piece of pink and red cardboard paper anyway. :)
Hi Ramona,
It’s funny how much we can relate. Hehe, maybe he needs a small reminder. Funny how our tastes change as we grow up. :)
I love the taste of pork chops with apples. Your dish looks fantastic.
Agreed it’s a great combination. Thank you!:)
Great story of how your school celebrated V-Day! It was quite different a decade earlier, less formal and less stressful, but then yes – high school was a different story. What a great pork chop meal! What is it about apples that complement pork so well? I love that combination! Great line up of recipes as well. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your husband!
Hi MJ! I think it just keeps getting more complicated and stressful for people. It’s probably due to the mass and constant advertisement. Not sure why but apples and pork are great together. Thanks sweetie and happy Valentine’s Day to you and your husband too! xx
I’ll take the tapas and sangria please! lol. I’ve always preferred people who stand out rather than fit in. I remember those days, it was so hard being sure you sent the right message, I mean after all you didn’t want any old boy thinking you loved him on V-day, lol. My husband would love these. I’ve been so busy these days, I haven’t been cooking enough. This might score me points on the big day. Hope all is well.
Hugs,
-Gina-
Hi Gina! Haha yeah that was always a concern. Enjoy the pork chops and extra points.:) xx
I can imagine that it was big switch for you Nancy. oh and I kjnow what you mean with fitting in, I think so we all worried too much as kids. lol
How is valentines day in Europe? Do they even mention the day where you live? Only the younger generations have started to celebrate it in the mountains where I come from.
Your broiled pork chop looks amazing, I go crazy for this type of comfort food!!
Hi Helene,
Yes, I know you can understand it well being an expat yourself. It isn’t a big holiday here either. In the last couple of years some restaurants and stores are offering things for it but nothing at all like in America. I think too it is only the younger people here who celebrate it.
Thanks!:)
What a beautiful combination of ingredients. I love the addition of horseradish for a little kick.
Thank you Kristi! It is my husband’s invention and recipe.:)
Although I’m not a big fan of pork chop, I want to have baked apples and pork chop together. Sounds amazing. Interesting story about Valentine’s Day here. I’m learning all the things with/through my kids now… :)
Did I say I’m not a big fan of pork chop?! My gosh, call me a lair! I meant to say I’m not a fan of horseradish! I eat pork chop often….but I cannot eat horseradish at all. :)
Hehe, I figured that’s what you meant. And apples do go great with pork.
My friend loves Valentine’s Day and would love it if the world were a construction paper heart for a day, what a cool mental image. :) Pork chops with horseradish and apples would be quite good for a special occasion, love the flavor combo!
Hi Judy! I would agree, they meal is great for any special occasion. Haha, glad you liked the picture I painted.:)