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Anger is a difficult emotion for me. It wells up at the most inconvenient times for expression. “Of course I understand that no one can trade a call at that hospital for me that night-I’ll ask my child’s teacher to film his performance.” “Sure honey, your very important meeting will take precedent over the carpool and I’ll be late for my own meeting again.” etc. As multi-tasking moms we just smile and move on, but some times it gets to be all too much. After one of those days I decide that a little pounding in the kitchen is needed to release my pent up rage. Scallopine anyone?

Pounding a piece of meat thin is a great way to release that anger AND make that meat go farther and cook faster. Boneless pork is one of my favorites for this treatment.

pork scallopine with herb crust (recipe)

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes, depending on the number of chops

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Stress relief Time: at least until morning

2 boneless pork chops 1″ thick

2 t chopped fresh herbs (imagination at play here, but parsley, cilantro, thyme work best)

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 t olive oil

s&p to taste

Trim fat from the chops (don’t you wish it was this easy for us?). Place pork chop between two sheets of plastic wrap or a large ziploc bag. Pound away with any available non-breakable object – note: kids can break. I favor a heavy sauce pan but have also used a rolling pin or a meat mallet if you have one. Pound until about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

Make a paste of the chopped herbs, garlic and a little olive olive to bind.

Press that into one side of the meat.

Heat a saute pan to very hot on the stove and coat with a thin layer of olive or canola oil (canola oil can take the high heat). Sear the chop on one side; it’s done when it “releases” from the pan about 5 minutes. If you have to hack below it with a spatula to get it off, it’s too soon. Flip and cook on the other side for 3-5 minutes. Viola, instant dinner! You can cut these plate sized “scallops” in half for better portion control without looking cheap. Serve with you favorite salad or vegetable.

Stress relief, money saver, time saver-if only it gave a pedicure too.