Today, June 3, is the greater feast of actress Rue McClanahan, best-known for her role as self-absorbed Georgia belle Blanche Devereaux on the 1980’s sitcom Golden Girls. Her performances as Devereaux earned her three Golden Globe nominations, three Emmy nominations, and an Emmy win in 1987. At the time of her death in 2010, she was 76 years old. (A&E Television Networks)[1]
Blanche Devereaux became a gay icon in time, even meriting a song in her name by Jonny McGovern. While she was a fictional character, she could be said to be a woman doing her will, regardless of what others thought. In honor of Blanche Devereaux’s birthplace in Georgia, we present this lovely peach recipe.
Peach and Bourbon-Basted Pork Chops
- 3 tbs yellow or brown mustard seeds
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup peach preserves or jam
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- ½ cup dried bread crumbs
- 1 tbs snipped fresh rosemary
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 6 loin pork chops, each 6 ounces about ¾ inch thick
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Lightly butter a large baking dish.
In a bowl, combine the mustard seeds and lemon juice. Let stand for 30 minutes. Add the peach preserves, mayonnaise, mustard, bourbon, shallots, rosemary, salt and pepper. Spread about one-third of the glaze on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the pork chops on top of the glaze. Using a basting brush, evenly spread the remaining glaze over the chops. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake until just a hint of pink remains in the pork chops, about 35 minutes. Transfer to warmed individual plates and serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Dickey Farms, Musella, Georgia.
[1] “Rue McClanahan.” Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 28 May 2015.
