Stove Top Smothered Meat Chops



4 large meat shoulder chops(lamb, beef or pork-bone in)
1 large onion sliced
3 carrots coarse chopped
3 stalks celery coarse chopped
4 cloves garlic smashed
1 large red or green bell pepper coarse chopped
1 cup seasoned tomato sauce
1 cup water or meat broth
1 Tbs. dried, crumbled basil
salt and pepper to taste
1 large potato coarse diced
1/4 cup dried mushrooms
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
1 cup frozen green peas
1 cup twisted ziti pasta uncooked


1. Trim any excess fat off meat. In a heavy duty pot layer half onion then meat chops then onions and remainder of ingredients except peas and pasta. Bring all to a boil and cover and simmer at a gentle bubble for 2 to 3 hours or meat is fork tender.
2. The last half-hour add peas then pasta and cover and finish cooking at the gentle bubble until pasta has absorbed liquids and is tender. ( There should be sufficient liquid generated to cook the pasta- if not add a bit more broth or water.).