avoiding touching onions at all costs

I used my CHOP WIZARD for the first time tonight. There's a story. But first you have to know that my granddaughters Brookelyn and Bailee love to watch infomercials and 'special offer' ads on TV. Once we were watching an ad for the Chop Wizard, and I said something like, "I need that because I don't like to chop onions." (I really don't - I hate the smell of onions on my hands. Usually I cook with minced onion from a jar which is not gourmet at all. If I have to chop an onion, I wear my rubber gloves.)


Brookie was all over the idea of me buying a Chop Wizard. She immediately got out a paper and wrote the 1-800 number so I could call right now and order. I said, putting her off, "Oh, I usually order things like that on the internet." Brookelyn copied the internet address off the TV screen and three minutes later she came into the kitchen and said, "I have it on the computer for you Grammy." Scott had observed everything going on and went right to the computer and ordered the Chop Wizard. (It took two months to get here. In the meantime I saw it cheaper at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but without the free gift of a mini chop wizard). Brookie has also supplied me with the phone number for several other TV products like the Snuggly. Bailee loves this stuff too. The really ironic thing is that Aaron (B & B's dad) is somewhat involved with direct TV sales in his job. Someday his girls will be his competition!

Tonight I made a recipe that I got off the internet at allrecipes.com. It calls for chopped onion, which is why I used the Chop Wizard. It worked well. These pork chops are really delicious; and easy to make. Both Scott and Mike liked them.

Saucy Baked Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS

• 8 (1/2 inch thick) boneless pork chops
  
• 1/2 to 1 onion chopped
• fresh mushrooms
• salt and pepper to taste - also other seasonings like Old Bay or garlic
  
• 1 tablespoon oil
  
• 1 soup can milk
• 1 slosh worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (I used two cans since I had 8 pork chops)
• mashed potatoes, noodles or rice
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat, add onion and cook until transparent. Add the pork chops and cook for about 4 minutes per side. Season to taste with salt and pepper, Old Bay seasoning, garlic or whatever.
   
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk and soups. Place the pork chops in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour the soup mixture over the chops.
4. Bake for 25 minutes (40 minutes if your pork chops are over one-inch thick).
5. Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice or noodles.