Quick Mustard Pork Chops and Loving Nigella Lawson

Sarah, I'm not sure if we've previously discussed our mutual love for the great Nigella but it was just this weekend that I was extolling her many virtues to my mom who was visiting. We were watching Nigella Express (as I love to do on Saturday mornings - it's my adult cartoon) and I was flipping through her cookbook to show my mom all the reasons why I love Nigella so and want to be like her when I grow up.

Thanks for sharing your tale of Nigella worship too.

I didn't know you also adored her, Faith. She's totally tops in my book, too.

It's so interesting that you comment on the idea of "leisure" because I was just reading somewhere how American it is to NOT feel like one deserves leisure and downtime. To make a broad-sweeping generalization, more Europeans, whether they work hard or not, know they deserve it.

When you take a closer look at our advertising here, there are so many phrases like, "You deserve...", "You worked hard for...", "You're worth it!," etc. Why do we have to be convinced so often that we deserve that beer or hair dye? Ugh!

Really well said, Alicia. It seems like leisure is more intrinsic to European culture (just look at their vacation time!) than American. To continue the generalizing, I think Americans maybe compensate for our lack of downtime by overspending because we "deserve" things that we can't afford, when maybe we just need some downtime and a glass of wine!

I have only tried one of Nigella's recipes, but it is soooo good I end up making it almost once a week. It is called Chocohotopots and is like a gooey half-baked brownie in your own personal ramekin (I'm a sucker for anything that is made in individual pots/dishes). It is so easy and quick, and is quite possibly my favorite dessert of all time. The recipe is on foodnetwork.com. Mmmmm, now I'm in the mood for chocolate....

I love gnocchi.  I first had it in Vienna (Home of my heart) with a gorgonzola and walnut sauce that blew the lid off of my brain in ways I never thought possible.  For myu current foodie obsessions, when I am taking a break from writing my cookbook and other literary feats I am attempting, I have been reading "How to Eat" by Nigella Lawson and "My Life in Paris" by Julia Child.  Anyways, I recreate gnocchi in gorgonzola fairly often but mustard sauce is a perfect idea t9oo.  I think an even more fattening and leisurely way to enjoy this recipe would be t o cut off the rinds of camembert and melt the soft gooey parts into the sauce as it cooks.  I think this would be equally good with fish or chicken!  Yum-o!  Sarah, do you watch Iron Chef too?

I actually watched Nigella today on TV for the first time. I was struck by her elegance, her vocabulary, and her impatience. She made a dessert which only required that she reach into her home freezer and retrieve four different flavors of some famous artisan sorbets, delicately scoop each into perfect parfait glasses, and then pour in bubbly prosecco. Great idea. Maybe just one flavor for me. Black currant looked amazing. This dessert would be a nice finish to your lovely meal. Hope you are well. Deanne (Amanda's mom)

I so agree with you, Sarah. I loved this post, reminding me to revel in this weekend and be perfectly leisurely.

You describe Nigella perfectly, as she is the embodiment of seduction and wit. She is such a real woman!

I adore Nigella. Your post about her was lovely.

I, too, adore Nigella, and why does it feel like some sort of guilty pleasure?

Anyway, I've made that mustard pork chop dish several times, and I can't get over how perfectly delicious it is. (I think the recipe calls for hard cider, which I love--the combination of apple and pork is so classic.) Yum.

So sorry that I am late in publishing and responding to your comments, everyone. Was having some internet slowness over the weekend, but we're back in business!

Andrea, Nigella does seem to appreciate chocolate in a way I understand! She's speaking my language with those chocopots. :)

Deanne! Hi! Yes, she is majorly impatient, which I think is a really funny (and relatable) foil to her love of "the good life." I hope you are helping to keep Austin weird!

Ann, Ruth, and Susan, She IS such a real woman! Finally, a famous woman we can actually aspire to!

Heather, You know what's so cool about Nigella, is that she doesn't think it's an indulgence. She thinks she is entitled to all of it: delicious food, silk pajamas, lazing around in bed, and I love that. We all deserve that -- it's not something we have to "earn." And you are so right, the recipe calls for hard cider and cream, neither of which I never seem to have, so I just sub the beer and butter. But you are so right, that must be delish!

Oh, my. Nigella makes me wish I could call my kids "darling" with such elegance and calm.
And, let's not forget how she so "sumptuously" fills out the contours of her little sweaters.

hi,

yum yum. i wonder how this would turn out with lamp chops?

Delish, I bet. Maybe you could even sub red wine or balsamic vinegar for the beer in that case? Sounds like a fun experiment.

Mmm, this looks so yummy! This shall be my dinner tonight. And yes, it seems women around the world all have a bit of a girl-crush on Nigella for her warmth and femininity.

Try this receipe with a cider instead of the beer, apples and pork are good friends!!! Instead of butter try 35% cream, and use a grainey mustard and this recipe can be even better. Total agreement that the plate must always have some sort of green. I have two nigella books so far and counting :)

You basically just described to a tee Nigella's original recipe, Natalie, which I'm sure is fab. But sometimes you just got to make stuff work with what's on hand!

I've been spending a lot of time reading rainy, moody London books to make it through the last few weeks (months?!) of winter weather. You've inspired me with this post to change course and pick up "Endangered Pleasures: In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences." My weekend is set, thank you!

So, I admit, I've been lurking around, reading your blog for a long time. Now, I am shunted into the light----this post completely delighted me, as I am on a spring time new food fast kick! And, at your recommendation, I hustled out and bought Nigella Express yesterday! What fun!

Love to you and Sebastian---

Oooh, Hilary, I hope you like it as much as I do!

I made this too when I saw it on her show. It was heavenly. I used the coarse ground mustard and it added a little extra interest. On her show she also suggested using hard cider, which I did. It was amazing. :)

This sounds yummy and the idea of gnocchi scooting made me smile.

Know what would make this supper even more amazingo? Crumgled gorgonzola or goat cheese. Im just saying you know!

mmm...looks quite tasty! I never really enjoyed eating pork, except bacon, after all bacon is a fruit! These look so good, I think I shall make them tomorrow.