Crunchy Pork Chops

During the 19th century, sauerkraut was a cold-weather food, and sauerkraut served with pork was a Fall dish. Sauerkraut with turkey was a Christmas dish. Sauerkraut served with pork was eaten for good luck on New Year's day, because as the Pennsylvania Dutch say, "the pig roots forward" with it's snout, thus moving forward into the New Year.

This menu was popular in Pennsylvania back when my parents were growing up. Every New Year’s Day they would eat this meal because according to folklore it would bring good luck in the coming year. In Germany and in Pennsylvania Dutch culture, cabbage leaves represent paper money and since sauerkraut comes from cabbage, eating cabbage signifies being financially lucky.

All three of these dishes is really good when combined together. For the vegetarians out there, a combination of the sauerkraut with the mashed potatoes is fantastic! This is a highly processed meal (with the instant mashed potatoes and the breading for the chops) but it is fast, easy, different, and one of my favorite meals that I only indulge in about once a year. The fried coating should get crunchy while keeping the inside from drying out, but watch that they don’t overcook.

During the 19th century, sauerkraut was a cold-weather food, and sauerkraut served with pork was a Fall dish. Sauerkraut with turkey was a Christmas dish. Sauerkraut served with pork was eaten for good luck on New Year's day, because as the Pennsylvania Dutch say, "the pig roots forward" with it's snout, thus moving forward into the New Year.

You don't have to use instant mashed potatoes. If you have a favorite homemade recipe for creamy mashed potatoes, use that recipe instead.

• May help to prevent anemia
• Help to build and maintain body tissues
• May help to improve male fertility
• Help to maintain the nervous system

The fat content of pork has decreased to 20% in the 1990s, down from 30% in the 1950s. Further trimming brings the fat down even lower to four percent. A lean pork steak can contain as little as 3g of fat per four ounces.

Meats are hard to digest but are recommended for those who are run down, in order to strengthen the body, as long as they are prepared in an easily digestible way, such as soups. Chinese doctors believe beef is good for the blood, the bones, and lower back pain. Lamb is prescribed for impotence and kidney problems. Pork is believed to be good for dry coughs, and for those with a weak or nervous constitution.

In recent years, meat has become much leaner due to new breeding and butchering techniques, which results in some meats having lower fat than skinless chicken. Extra-lean cuts of meat are rich, low fat sources of protein that can be part of a weight loss diet.

Meats supply all of the nine essential amino acids and are known as a high biological value protein food. They are a particularly useful source of protein for young children and the elderly who may have small appetites, but who still need to take in high levels of protein to build up or maintain their bodies.