Apricot Chipotle Glazed Pork Chops with Creamy Smashed Potatoes

Happy Saturday everyone!  Have I ever told you all that The Husband is really bad at keeping his “surprises”?  He gets all antsy like a little kid and cannot wait to tell me what my presents are or if he is going to “surprise” me. I think he has only kept his “surprise” like once for my birthday (I even knew when he was going to ask me to marry him BEFORE he did because he told me LOL.). He is so funny because he has already asked me about 5 times, “wanna know what I am doing for your birthday?”

Of course I say NO because, I mean, don’t you all like surprises?!  Well, today, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and decided to spill the “beans”.  He was going to “wait” and just drive there but wasn’t sure how he would explain how we needed to stop putting in our living room floor in the middle of the day for a road trip.

Tomorrow as an early birthday present ~ I am getting a DAY OF DECADENCE!! Facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, dinner…..He rocks!  He said he didn’t tell me EVERYTHING, but, um, that works for me

I was pretty pumped after hearing my “birthday surprise” so I hopped on the treadmill for an awesome 35 minute sweat session followed up by a crunches.

Breakfast was a quick eggwich ~ 2 slices of TJ’s FF Multi-Grain Bread, ICBINB Spray and a “fried egg”. (5 points+)

On trip #1 of like 3 to Home Depot today, we stopped at Starbuck’s.  OMG, have you all noticed their AMAZING looking cupcakes?!  I was totally tempted to get one then saw that they NOW post the CALORIES….That is awesome, seeing 410 calories made it super easy to say, um….no to the Vanilla Bean (my favorite flavor ever!).

By the way, for those wondering, these bad boys clock in at 11 points+ for ONE.

I said NO and opted for my Venti Iced Nonfat Decaf 1 Pump Mocha Dirty Latte (4 points+)

One thing that I get asked a lot is how to do you calculate the points+ of your foods when you have the nutrition information saying one thing and the Weight Watchers Books saying another.

I ALWAYS calculate the points+ off the nutritional information when it’s available because the books are just an average, meaning, sometimes it’s higher and sometimes it’s lower.  When in doubt, ALWAYS go with the higher points+ values to be safe.

I go to STARBUCKS.COM and use their nutrition calculator every time I want to check the stats on my drinks.

My VENTI Iced, NONFAT latte is 3 points+ and the mocha syrup is 1 points+ per pump.  I get one pump so that brings the total to 4 points+.

My other TIP ~ always opt for ICED because it’s less points.  This same drink comes in at 4 Points+ when you get a hot drink and you only get a tall (12 oz).

The Husband requested “snacks” for lunch ~ so we busted out these Arancini Bites we picked up at Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago.

3 Points+ for 2, but, they are a decent size.

I had 4 Cheesy Rice Balls (6 points+) and 2 of his Anytizer Buffalo Bites (2 points+).

They look better than they taste really.  I dunno ~ it sounded good, but, the flavor was just ok.  They would be better with marinara for dipping or some type of sauce.

Crunchy sides ~ carrots & Annie’s Cowgirl Ranch (2 points+)

Dessert!

Believe it or not, this platter kept me full ALL afternoon ~ 6 hours.

Dinner tonight was AMAZING ~ it was EASY, less than 5 ingredients for BOTH recipes and super tasty.  OH and start to finish it took less than 30 minutes.

Place 2 teaspoons Olive Oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Season your pork chops with Season Salt & Black Pepper.

Sear on both sides about 4-5 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

Remove your chops and set aside.

Mixed together 1/2 of a smashed Chipotle in Adobo Sauce with 1/4 cup reduced sugar apricot preserves.  Add to pan and bring to a simmer.

Return your chops to the pan, cover in sauce and set aside.

Meanwhile, add 1 lb of small white potatoes to a large stock pot and cover with enough water to cover all the potatoes.  It’s optional to salt your water, but, I like to.  Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes.

Drain and mashed a little, but, not all the way…it’s fun to have chunky mashed potatoes when you leave the skin on.

Add 2 Laughing Cow Wedges, 1 Tbsp Butter, 1 Tbsp Olive Oil, 1/4 cup Fat Free Milk, Garlic Taste and Black Pepper to taste.

Stir to combine and your potatoes are done.

Slightly sweet, smoky, spicy and melt in your mouth good.

I cut up 1 tsp of butter into little pieces and let it melt over the top of my mashed potatoes.  I LOVE having a little real BUTTAH with each bite.

Steamed asparagus on the side topped with ICBINB spray, garlic salt and black pepper (0 points).

The Husband who doesn’t eat any sweet meats (as in Teriyaki is a stretch for him) actually LOVED this too.  It’s a total winner in my book and perfect for when you don’t want to cook or need a quick meal.

APRICOT CHIPOTLE GLAZED PORK CHOPS

Ingredients

• 1 lb center cut, lean pork chops, about 3-4 chops
• Season Salt & Black Pepper to taste
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1/4 cup low sugar apricot preserves
• 1/2 smashed chipotle in adobo with 1 tsp adobo sauce

Instructions

1.  In a small bowl, combine the apricot preserves and chipotle chilies with adobo sauce. Set aside.

2.  Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season both sides of the pork chops with season salt and black pepper to taste; add to pan. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove pork from pan; set aside.

3.  Add apricot mixture to the pan. Simmer, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture thickens and reduces slightly.

4.  Return pork chops to pan and spoon glaze over the pork and serve with smashed potatoes, recipe below, if using.

Makes 3-4 servings, depending on how many chops you use

Nutritional Information per 4 ounce cooked chop with sauce, 6 points+

Creamy Smashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 Lb small white potatoes
• 2 Laughing Cow Wedges
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Fat Free Milk
• Garlic Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

1.  Place whole potatoes with their skin in a large stock pot.  Add enough water to cover all the potatoes and sprinkle with 2 tsp sea salt if using.  Bring to a boil, and boil for 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

2.  Remove from heat, drain, mashed and stir in Laughing Cow through milk.  Season to taste with garlic salt and pepper.

Makes 6, 1/2 cup servings, 3 points+ each

Nutritional information per 1/2 cup serving

I think my Weigh In tomorrow is going to be good ~ fingers crossed the scale shows what it did this morning better…Yup, I totally peaked

Make sure you head over HERE TO WIN SOME WEIGHT WATCHERS LOOT!

Q’s

What is your favorite appetizer to have?

Mine is by far cheese & crackers, but, I am always the girl stealing all the veggies and fruit off the trays.  Favorite, not so healthy appetizer ~ BUFFALO WINGS – LOVE them!

Night all!