"The How Not to Miss the Cocktail Hour Cookbook"

A few months ago on a trip to Sanford, NC I found an amazing little gem from 1964 entitled "The How Not to Miss the Cocktail Hour Cookbook".

Not only does this allow you to socialize with your guests, if you have company, but it's also wonderful for weeknight meals to assemble in the morning or the night before. This week on Tuesday before work I made Pork Chops and Beer! This recipe was delicious and SO easy! I did have to make a few substitutions, for example, the orginal recipe called for 2 tsps MSG! 

Pork Chops & Beer

Healthy and Husband Approved 

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced

2 tbsp. Brown Sugar

2 tbsp. Melted Butter

1 large onion, peeled and sliced

3 tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced

4 pork chops (I used a lean center cut), seasoned with S&P and browned

2 tablespoons flour  

1 tbsp salt

12 ounces of beer (I used New Belgium's Fall Tour)

Layer sweet potatoes in a large greased (I did a coconut oil spray) casserole dish with a cover, like a dutch oven, sprinkle with brown sugar. Then layer pork chops and cover with apples and onions. Next mix your flour, salt and melted butter together into a "slurry" and then mix into the beer. Don't skip this part because if you mix flour into the beer directly it clumps - trust me! Now pour over the chops and cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour, remove lid and bake for another 20 - 30 mins. 

Plenty O' Time for a cocktail!

Note: I made this in advance and it was baked 5 hours later - if you do this I would suggest pre mixing the "slurry" but not pouring over until baking time. 

Additions/Substitutions: Anything that reminds you of fall or winter would do well in this dish! I am thinking fresh sage, rosemary, a hearty winter squash or brussels sprouts!