My mother in law is coming to spend the weekend at our house. I'm a good cook but I have never actually cooked for her, and I want something yummy but not too complicated that LOOKS like it took all day... any ideas?

Find out what sorts of things the mother-in-law likes. THat will narrow down the possibilities a lot... especially if she's a finiky eater.

Make sure to find out if she has any allergies, or if there's any foods she doesn't eat. And maybe if she really likes a certain kind of food, like italian or mexican. Maybe you can make some of your favorite recipes to share with her. I always like showing off my own creations :)

She may also have a list of foods she can no longer eat. (As we age, we no longer have cast-iron stomachs.) Does your husband know anything about his mother's food allergies/sensitivities/preferences?

Blueberry Balsamic Porkchops

Serves 4

8 boneless center loin pork chops
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper to season
½ cup white wine or chicken stock
½ tsp thyme
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons butter

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Pan fry the pork chops in the olive oil and garlic until completely cooked about 4-5 minutes per side. Hold the pork chops in a warm oven. Add the blueberries, balsamic vinegar, wine (or stock), thyme, nutmeg and brown sugar. Simmer to reduce the volume of the sauce by half. Add the lemon juice and butter and simmer for an additional minute or so until the sauce slightly thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste and spoon the sauce over the cooked pork chops.

This will make her face happy :-)