Do you search for ideas on Pinterest? I do. All. The. Time. It’s actually my favorite way to fall asleep at night.
Despite all I’ve read on how bad screen time is before sleep, it’s just a habit I can’t break. From my cleaning + laundry tips board, to my clean beauty board to my clean eating board, there’s never a shortage of ideas to flick through.
All the crockpotting I’ve been doing lately has inspired me to step outside my comfort zone in the kitchen a bit more. How?
There’s almost no dish that gets made in our house that doesn’t involve garlic. (Our friends know how much we LOVE garlic!).
Tomatoes, green peppers and onions are frequently in our foods, too. Sofrito is common in both Caribbean and Italian cooking, hence why many of our foods have those ingredients.
But I was ready for something different. Something easy without sacrificing flavor. And OMG did I find what I was looking for!
Did you know that Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® can be used for more than just ranch dressing and dip? If you didn’t, then you’re not alone. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I honestly didn’t know until a week ago.
When I saw Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® recipes I was a little hesitant. I’m not big on ranch dressing. I don’t even use it to dip hot chicken wings. Maybe it’s because I associate it with mayonnaise, but I never have it.
When I asked my husband about Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix for food, I was surprised to learn he’s had it. And, passing the true test of this foodie, he liked it. He told me he’s had it on potatoes before.
That piqued my interest. Maybe I can try it on chicken or pork?
O.
M.
G.
That’s I have to say. O.M.G. The flavors were incredible! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever season meat with a ranch seasoning. Yum!
I ended up going with pork loin chops and I tweaked the original Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Pork Chops recipe. I could not stop raving about this to my in-laws, who now insist on trying this when they visit for the holidays. I can’t wait to make it for them.
I paired it with Hidden Valley’s Original Ranch Roasted Potatoes recipe. Divine. I expect to make this many, many times this winter.
Hidden Valley Ranch Pork Chops Recipe
This is an adaptation of the Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Pork Chops recipe. For the original version, visit Hidden Valley here.
Ingredients
- 2 packets, 2 oz Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 6 pork loin rib chops about 1-inch thick
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
- In a small bowl, add the Seasoning mix, together with the salt, pepper, and paprika and mix well. Liberally sprinkle the porkchops on both sides with the seasoning mixture.
- Arrange the chops on a baking sheet or try with a rack.
- Bake the pork chops for 20 minutes, turning once until browned or an internal temperature of 160ºF is reached. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 5 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 322Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 567mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 29g
This string bean recipe was inspired by Mr. La La Lisette’ culinary skills. While I didn’t add the Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning Mix to this, it was good. Next time I definitely plan on adding it to the greens. This is a great way to encourage little ones to eat their veggies!
Garlic Butter Baked String Beans
This is a perfect side dish for any baked main entree. It is simple and easy and a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 lb string beans, washed and drained
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- black pepper, optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Wash and dry string beans. Arrange on baking sheet.
- Season with salt, garlic butter and black pepper (optional).
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
- Serve.
Whether it be playing board games, watching a movie, or simply enjoying each other’s company, use your time wisely. Don’t waste those precious moments stressing out about what to make for dinner.
Available at most major grocery stores, Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® can make comforting foods (and make veggies yummy for the little ones) that allow you to continue making memories with your family.
Fewer ingredients to worry about make meal planning easy. And we all need ‘easy’ in our lives, am I right?
How will you make meal-planning easier? (Hint: Pin these recipes!)
Kelly D says
I will make meal planning easier by adding Hidden Valley Ranch to complete some of our favorite recipes such as pasta salads and casseroles and by using my crock pot more.
Elena says
I will make meal planning easier by using convenient food and adding Hidden Valley Ranch to it
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/668931974094979072
Mami2jcn says
I will make mealtime easier by planning on the weekend what I’ll make during the week.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/668970237270847488
heather says
I will make meal planning easier by going to the Hidden Valley Ranch site they have some great recipes on there. Hidden Valley Ranch crispy chicken is my favorite recipe it is so yummy.
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/669133065562681349
Natalie says
I can make meal planning easier by seasoning my meals with Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. Because it is so flavorful, I do not have to waste time mixing a bunch of ingredients to add flavor to chicken or salads. I will also plan all my meals on Sunday for the week.
jackie says
What a great way to spice up your meal. I love simple meals with big flavor, so these packets are such a great way to get flavor without dragging out a million spices!
Madeline says
I’ll make some of the recipes I find on the web, like the Hidden Valley Original Ranch Crispy Chicken dish.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/669546486561161216
Jessie C. says
I will make meal-planning easier by preparing main ingredients during weekends and jazzing meals up with the help of Hidden Valley Original Ranch.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/669605230686834688
Mia says
I can make meal-planning easier by planning what ingredients to use in advance and then add some hidden valley when I’m cooking.
Julie Wood says
I love your easy HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH PORK CHOPS RECIPE, and GARLIC BUTTER BAKED STRING BEANS! I will be making these, and I will make dinner easy by using Hidden Valley Ranch on my chicken and pork to give it a lot of flavor and add the seasoning packets to my veges to give my dishes more flavor.
Julie Wood says
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/669929265564008448
D Schmidt says
I think I will start to prep meals more the night before, like boiling the pasta for a ranch, tuna, pasta salad.
Leigh Anne Borders says
Pinterest is such a great place to find recipes. Definitely pinning this one for furture use. It looks so yummy!
Leigh Anne Borders says
https://twitter.com/leighanne000/status/670098834224226304
Lisa Brown says
I meal plan now and it is fast and easy, since I have been doing it for so long. Just be sure to have your freezer stocked with quick meals, plan your weekly meals and make the shopping list at the same time.
Lisa Brown says
twet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/670315717317693441
Erika says
I actually didn’t mean plan (or cook much!) until Pinterest. It has helped so much to find great recipes quickly!
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Jeffrey says
I make mealtime easier by planning ahead, usually know the dinners for the week by Sunday night. We usually don’t keep much in the freezer or fridge for that matter so it starts by creating a grocery list. Hidden Valley Ranch can definitely help add flavor to a lot of the dishes I prepare.
Jeffrey says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/671105035221270528.
tara pittman says
A pizza sounds yummy.
Elle says
I can make meal planning easier by thinking ahead for when I go to the grocery store so I have the ingredients already that I can use to make meals for my family.
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/672538265770070016
rachel says
Pinterest is a lifesaver!
Gina M says
I will keep a rotation of 5-10 recipes that use simple ingredients that I usually keep on hand. That will make things a lot easier.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/674637215213989888
Amy Tong says
I make meal plan easier by writing out what I need for the week and do the shopping in one or most 2 trips. Also, I like to cook 1 type of meat in big batch and turn left over into another dish for another day.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/675601616897097729
amy [at] utry [dot] it
kjasus says
i will make planning easier by getting ideas from pinterest probably
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/675859238875439104
maria cantu says
By using recipes on pinterest.
Kerry says
I will make meal planning easier by finding great recipes like this on line.
SHAWN GALLAGHER says
I THINK ILL BROWSE SOME PINTEREST RECIPES! THANKS FOR THE GREAT IDEA!
SHAWN GALLAGHER says
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/676210001061552128
Tamara says
The meal you made looks FANTASTIC! I think using Hidden Valley ranch seasoning mix to my chicken or pork chops would definitely make dinner easier for me.
westiemks5 at yahoo dot com
Tamara says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/679126944135311360
ELIZABETH P says
I want to try this recipe it looks delicious! I usually add it to a pasta salad.
ELIZABETH P says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/679134144438243328
Jerry Marquardt says
I will make meal-planning easier by using simple, eye-catching recipes like the ones on the Hidden Valley Original Ranch Pinterest website.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/679426910825394176
latanya says
trying one pot meals
latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/679486600842182656
Stephanie Phelps says
I make meal planning easier by making enough meats for several different recipes!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/679526377410924544
Ellie Wright says
I like to cook ahead and have a few freezer meals for nights when there’s no time to cook.
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/679540916772708354
Rebecca Graham says
I will add Hidden Valley to a lot of my recipes and post on Pinterest.
angie says
I make meal planning easier by doing it only twice a month. Every two weeks I buy all I need for the next two weeks.
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/679712259921285121
erica best says
I will try the cooker freezer meal in the up coming year
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/679770569492033536
Angel Jacklyn says
https://mobile.twitter.com/kytah00/status/678987521062273024
Angel Jacklyn says
I’ll grab a pinned reçipe!
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry – tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/679804985895469057
Kathryn C
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry – comment
definitely by choosing a quick, tasty, easy recipe (like breaded ranch chicken) & one that has easy cleanup- its a win win for the whole family
Kathryn C
Debbie B says
i’ve never been good about meal planning ahead but i can see where pinterest would be a big help
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet :
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/679860194373808128
Tabathia B says
I like to plan so I would make a list and make a menu and stick to it
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/680537607772729344
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Thomas Murphy says
I will plan out my meals every Sunday for the week and make a list of what I need.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/680622873594191872
Birdiebee says
I make meal planning easier by bookmarking my recipes as well as pinning them to my Pinterest Boards. In addition, I try to make meals with 5 ingredients or less as well as many slow cooker dump meals.
Birdiebee says
Tweeted-https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/680646629527965696?lang=en
James Robert says
My kids really enjoy a macaroni salad I make with ham, cheese, hard boiled eggs, mayo and ranch.
James Robert says
An Easy Dinner Inspired by Pinterest #SweepstakesEntry https://www.lalalisette.com/an-easy-dinner-inspired-by-pinterest/ … via @nbellediaries
James Robert says
https://twitter.com/mijames82/status/680749180265041920 Sorry, didn’t grab the right link
Barbara M says
I will make meal planning easier by serving more easy salads of course using Hidden Valley Ranch!
thank you
Barbara M says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/681213414270615552
Emily N. says
I think having both fresh and frozen fruits and veggies on hand will make meal planning easier.
Emily N. says
https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/681295219229261824
Betty C says
I will make meal planning easier by keeping Hidden Valley ranch seasoning on hand. It makes an ordinary meal taste fabulous.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/681761828653760512
Annette says
https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/682293017689067522
Annette says
I’ll make meal planning easier by utilizing some of the great recipes featured on Hidden Valley’s website. I love using packets of premixed seasonings to breathe new life into old recipes, too.
Margaret Smith says
I like to look online, pinterest and Facebook for recipes. If I like one, I usually print it up to use in the future.
Margaret Smith says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/682337003531153413
Thanks again.