Pork chop meal

Posted by Zamba on January 16, 2009

Great meal, fairly easy though it does take a little while for everything to get done.

Main dish

Herbed Pork Chops

2 boneless pork loin chops (about .5lb each but a little bigger is ok)
1-1/2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

In a skillet on the stove (medium high heat) heal oil. Brown pork chops on both sides in oil. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl. Once pork chops are browned on both sides, pour the liquid mix over them. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the pork chops are tender.

I actually like to keep them uncovered part of the time so that the liquid reduces some and makes a nice sauce. You don't want to let all of the liquid go away though.

Side 1

Savory Red Potatoes

Red potatoes (I prefer the baby reds)
Olive oil
Italian seasoning (or any mix of herbs you prefer)
salt
pepper

Cut the potatoes into bite size pieces and put into a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Season to taste with herbs, salt and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake in the oven until tender (probably at least 15-20 minutes).

Side 2

Cinnamon Apples

Apples (I use granny smith)
Butter or margarine
Brown sugar
Cinnamon

Peel and core apples, cut into whatever size and style of pieces you want. I usually just make slices like you would normally slice an apple but a little thinner (16 slices per apple), but you can chop them into little cubes or whatever. In a skillet on the stove, melt some butter or margarine. You don't need a lot, just enough so all the apple pieces will get a little coating. Add apples and saute briefly, just until they are beginning to soften. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, really just to your taste. I probably use 1-2 spoonfuls of brown sugar per apple and then just give a good sprinkling of cinnamon over all of them. Let the sugar melt and then stir just to get all the apples coated. You can let these cook as much longer as you want to, depending on how soft you want the apples to be. Just take them off the stove when they get as soft as you like them.

If you make these all together, in order to get things done about the same time you will want to start in this order. Get the potatoes in the oven, then start the pork chops. The apples don't take very long so don't start them until the pork chops only have 5-10 minutes left. Also remember that apples get brown if left in the open air after they are cut, so don't peel and cut them until you are ready to use them.

Any questions post a thread or post a comment. If you make any of these please let me know what you think!