Rediscovering Pork Chops: A Cast Iron Success Story

Posted on by

 

 

A Budget-Friendly Find at Hannaford

Hannaford had pork chops on sale this week. They also had sirloin steak on sale — and it looked beautiful — but even with the discount, one steak would have blown my entire food budget. Meanwhile, I could get eight center‑cut pork chops for seven dollars. As much as I love a good steak, the better value was pretty obvious.

My Complicated History with Pork Chops

Here’s the thing: I’m not usually a pork chop person. I like pork, I love ham, but I’ve only had one pork chop recipe in my life that I’d rate five stars — a slow‑cooker recipe. Growing up, we ate pork chops often, always pan‑fried with lots of salt and pepper, and they always seemed tough. So I’ve never gone out of my way to cook them.

Could Cast Iron Save the Day?

But then I remembered how beautifully the cast iron chicken breast recipe turned out. That got me wondering… could I use the same method for pork chops?

I had a simple three‑ingredient recipe saved — the kind you bake in a foil‑covered dish — and I thought I might be able to adapt it to cast iron. And once I started, I decided it needed a gravy too. Egg noodles were already on the menu, so why not go all in.

A Major Success

Let me tell you: this was a winner.

The whole meal came together fast. The noodles cooked while the chops finished in the oven, and the gravy took maybe five minutes — probably less, but I didn’t time it because I was too busy tasting it. The chops came out tender and moist, with that brown‑sugar‑Italian‑herb glaze that tastes like you fussed way more than you did.

And the gravy… oh my. So yummy.

Cleanup was a breeze too. The cast iron pan wiped right out — no sticking at all, even with the brown sugar.

I have a whole new outlook on pork chops now.

Cast Iron Italian‑Rub Pork Chops (with Easy Pan Gravy)

Boneless, center‑cut, about ¾‑inch thick

Bonless Center cut poek chops are the feature of this dish

Ingredients

Pork Chops

  • 4 boneless center‑cut pork chops (¾‑inch thick)
  • 1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
  • 2–3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp oil (for the pan)

Gravy

  • Drippings from the pan
  • 1 tbsp butter (optional)
  • 1–2 tbsp flour
  • ¾–1 cup chicken broth
  • Optional: splash of cream or milk
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Season the Pork

Mix the Italian dressing mix and brown sugar. Pat the pork chops dry and coat them on all sides.

2. Sear in Cast Iron

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium‑high and add a thin film of oil.
Sear the chops 1–1½ minutes per side until lightly browned.

3. Finish in the Oven

Transfer the skillet to a 400°F oven.
Bake 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness.
Remove when the internal temperature reaches 140–145°F and let rest 5 minutes.

Make the Gravy

The gravy hits all the right notes and gets to simmer quickly

simmering gravy

  1. Remove the chops to a plate.
  2. Keep the skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add 1 tbsp butter if the drippings look sticky or sparse.
  4. Sprinkle in 1–2 tbsp flour and whisk to form a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in ¾–1 cup broth until smooth.
  6. Scrape up all the browned bits.
  7. Simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened.
  8. Adjust seasoning with pepper or a splash of cream.

Serving Notes

  • Spoon the gravy over egg noodles and let it run onto the pork chops.
  • Add parsley if you want a little color.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully.

Let Me Know If You Try It

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did the gravy win you over too? Leave a comment and let me know — I’m always curious how these cast iron experiments work in other kitchens.

 

March in New England

Posted on by | 2 Comments

The Month New Englanders break from Winter into Spring Chaos

March Madness, Spring Fever, and the Cats Who Run This House

March in New England is a strange, wonderful, chaotic time. One minute we’re shoveling snow, the next minute we’re celebrating the first day of spring, and somewhere in between, the entire region collectively loses its mind over March Madness.

Yes, I knew it was a big deal.
Yes, I knew it involved basketball.
But I didn’t realize just how seriously New Englanders take it until I saw a news story about companies setting up break‑room watch parties on company time.

Excuse me… what
People get paid to watch college basketball at work
Only in New England.

So What Is March Madness

For anyone else who’s been living under a cozy blanket with a box of tissues (hi, it’s me), here’s the quick version:

  • It’s the NCAA Division I men’s college basketball tournament
  • 68 college teams from all across the United States
  • Single elimination — lose once and you’re out
  • It runs from mid‑March to early April
  • It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the country

It’s not a New England invention, but you wouldn’t know that from the way we treat it. Between UConn fans, bracket pools, and the general “we survived winter, let’s celebrate something” energy, March Madness might as well be our unofficial regional holiday.

Meanwhile, Spring Sneaks In Early

I always think of spring arriving on March 21, but this year the equinox showed up on March 20, probably because even the universe is tired of winter and wants to get things moving.

New England, of course, will respond by giving us:

  • one warm day
  • one cold day
  • one rainstorm
  • and a surprise snow squall just to keep us humble

Yes it's March in New England if its not mud its still snow.

But on the calendar at least, spring is here.

Balboa: The Fastest Paw in the East

While all this seasonal excitement is happening, Balboa has declared war on my last surviving computer mouse. He’s the Fastest Paw in the East, and he takes that title seriously.

Today’s crime
I dared to vacuum during his nap.

He stomped out of the room like a tiny, offended emperor, tail flicking dramatically. I had to issue a formal apology in the form of treats. He accepted, but only after giving me the look — the one that says:

“You may continue living here, hooman, but your behavior will be monitored.”

Now he’s back on the desk, supervising this post and occasionally taking swipes at the mouse like he’s auditioning for a martial arts film.

Banner and the Case of the Missing Hair Band

While Balboa is busy waging war on technology, Banner has discovered a new hobby: elastic hair bands.

During a recent bathroom decluttering session, I found an old stash of them.
Banner thought he had won the lottery.

He carried one around the apartment, talking to it like it was his long‑lost friend. Then he took it into the bathtub — his personal gladiator arena — and tossed it around like he was training for the Hair Band Olympics.

And then… it vanished.

I looked everywhere.
Under furniture.
Behind furniture.
Inside the furniture.
Nothing.

The only conclusion I can come to is that once he finished playing with it, he ate it like a tasty little spaghetti noodle.

So that’s it.
No more hair elastics for Banner.
He cannot be trusted with them.
He has lost his hair‑band privileges indefinitely.

March in New England: A Summary

  • Basketball fans are losing their minds
  • Companies are letting employees watch games at work
  • Spring is arriving early
  • My nose is running a marathon
  • Balboa is plotting the downfall of all computer mice
  • Banner is eating hair accessories like snacks

Honestly, it feels about right.

Declutter Before You Die?

Posted on by

Lilacs are a sure sign of Spring in New England

🌸  My Spring Cleaning Adventure Begins

Spring in New England: Flowers, Mud… and Decluttering

Ah, spring in New England.
Fresh air, cool breezes, mud season… and flowers bursting out everywhere you look. It’s a lovely time to go hunting for blossoms — but it’s also the season of spring cleaning and decluttering.

Junk Luggers emails me weekly, just in case I forget they exist should I ever decide to take a backhoe to my closet.

My Slow‑Motion Decluttering Journey

I’ve been trying to declutter since last fall. I make small inroads, then stall out. I pick up the scrapbooks and, instead of tossing them, I settle in to reminisce with the cats. Needless to say, the scrapbooks have not left the room. In fact, I may be preparing to make more.

So what can I do to make decluttering even a little more successful?

AARP Says 30 Days… I Say 30 Months

According to AARP, it just takes a bit of planning and time management. They claim you can declutter your home in 30 days.
Huh. I doubt I could do it in 30 months.

AARP argues that you don’t want to leave a cluttered home behind when you die because it’s not fair to your survivors. It has a bit of an End‑of‑the‑World vibe. Instead of “Repent, the end is nigh,” it’s “Declutter before you die.”

Week 1: Bathrooms, Entryways, and Cars

Their first suggestion is to stay motivated. I guess that means not settling down with a stack of scrapbooks.

They recommend dividing the project into “achievable tasks.” For example, Week 1: spend 20 minutes a day cleaning bathrooms, entryways, and cars. Stick to the time, they say. Don’t try to do too much or you’ll burn out.

My Reality Check: Banner, Balboa, and a Missing Entryway

In my place, I only have the vanity to clean out. That could be a problem since getting on my knees means I need a crane to get back up.

Banner declutters the medicine cabinet- the resultsMy medicine cabinet is pretty empty thanks to Banner, who likes to open the doors and pull hairspray and other items onto the floor. My meds aren’t kept in the bathroom — too humid after a shower — so they live in a pretty box under the coffee table.

Balboa has reserved the shelf on the bathroom storage cabinet as his throne, so that’s clearly off‑limits.

I don’t have an entryway.
And my car? Everything is already corralled in a cargo box in the back: shopping bags, miscellaneous bits, and a small cooler from my DoorDash days. I already brought in the binoculars and the window cleaner.

So Week 1 is done… sort of… except for the vanity.

Time for a Break

I think it’s time for a break. I don’t want to overdo it and burn out. When I come back, we’ll tackle Week 2: Kitchen and pantry.

 

Spring in New England

Posted on by

 

Ah Spring: A Season That Arrives When It Feels Like It

Daffodils are a sure sign spring is upon us

A Poem From the Past

Every now and then, a memory from childhood pops up and refuses to leave. Recently, I found myself thinking about a play we did in school — a bunch of hillbillies, a lot of flannel, and one truly unforgettable poem. It went something like this:

Spring has sprung,  
The skunks air out.  
Spring has sprung — just sniff about.  
Mating time is drawing near,  
You can smell it in the air.

Not exactly Shakespeare, but it captured something very real about spring in New England: you don’t need a calendar to tell you it’s coming. Your nose will do the job just fine.

The Calendar Says Spring… But New England Has Other Plans

Technically — officially — scientifically — spring begins on March 20 this year. The equinox arrives, the sun crosses the celestial equator, and somewhere far away, flowers bloom on cue.

But here in New England?
We don’t buy it.

Around here, spring doesn’t start when the calendar says so. Spring starts when the Red Sox take the field at Fenway Park. That’s the moment the region collectively thaws, stretches, and decides maybe — just maybe — winter is finally loosening its grip.

And since Opening Day at Fenway is April 3 this year, I guess true spring will be running a little late. Again.

Local Wildlife Confirms the Delay

If you need further proof, just ask the skunks. They’ve already begun their annual “perfume tour,” leaving unmistakable reminders that love is in the air — whether we want it or not. Nothing says spring quite like cracking open a window for fresh air and immediately regretting it.

Even the Cats Know Spring Is a Moving Target

Banner and Balboa have their own opinions about the season. Banner has already begun his warm‑weather routine of turning on lights with his teeth — a helpful service at 3 a.m., apparently. Balboa, meanwhile, has resumed his post by the sliding door, watching for birds, squirrels, and anything else that might signal the world is waking up.

They’re not convinced it’s spring yet either. And honestly? I trust their instincts more than the meteorologists.

Spring Will Get Here… Eventually

So while the rest of the country celebrates the equinox, we’ll be here in New England waiting for the crack of the bat, the roar of Fenway, and that first warm day that doesn’t immediately get followed by a frost warning.

Spring comes late here.
But when it finally arrives, it’s worth the wait.

 

The Great Photo Tagging Project

Posted on by

 

Scout

Rediscovering a Blog That’s Been With Me for Years

I’ve started a really big organizational project. No, I’m not talking about cleaning out my closet. I’m talking about Arounddustyroads. I’ve had my blog for many years now. It’s grown and hiccuped its way along since around 2011. I honestly don’t remember my very first post, but I do remember being a little scared. Was I really going to share my thoughts and feelings with the big wide world?

Over the years I’ve set it aside for other things, but I always seem to come back to it. Reading older posts is like reminiscing with an old friend — familiar, comforting, and sometimes a little surprising. (“Did I really write that?” Yes. Yes, I did.)

When Your Media Library Turns Into a Digital Attic

Somewhere along the way, my media library turned into a full‑blown archaeological site. I’ve now got over 10,000 photos tucked in there, and finding just the right picture to illustrate a post has turned into a major scroll‑fest. It can take hours. By the time I find the photo I want, I’ve forgotten what the post was even about.

That’s when it hit me: this system is not sustainable. Something had to change.

Learning the Magic of Photo Tagging (A Little Late)

When I first started blogging, I didn’t even know you could tag your pictures. So most of my library is… well… let’s call it “mysterious.” Untagged. Unidentified. A giant pile of “good luck finding anything in here.”

So with help from my AI coach, I finally rolled up my sleeves and started going back through all of these photos and tagging them properly. And let me tell you — this is not a weekend project. This is a year‑long expedition.

Working Backward and Finding Hidden Gems

I’m working backward, starting with the most recent photos while the memories are still fresh. I figure if I’m diligent, I might actually get through the whole thing before the next ice age.

But here’s the surprise: it’s actually kind of satisfying. Every time I finish a page of photos, it feels like I’ve restored a tiny corner of my digital world. I’m rediscovering trips I forgot I took, meals I forgot I cooked, and sunsets I forgot I captured. It’s like flipping through an old scrapbook — only this time, I’m labeling the pages so future‑me doesn’t have to guess what she was looking at.

One Tag at a Time

It’s a big job, but it’s worth it. And when I’m done, finding the perfect photo for a post won’t feel like an archaeological dig. It’ll be quick, easy, and maybe even fun.

Do you tag your photos, or are you sitting on a digital mess of your own? I’d love to hear how you keep your pictures organized — or if you’re braver than I am and just scroll until something looks right.