Jun 6, 2012

Perfect Summer Pork Chops


I found this recipe for grilled pork chops in this month's Southern Living, in an advertisement by the National Pork Board.  A little bored with steaks and grilled chicken, but always looking to enjoy something grilled, I pulled it out.  I figured the National Pork Board knows what they are doing when it comes to pig preparation.  I was correct in this assumption.  I think I would be an outstanding recipe taster/tester for the National Pork Board, by the way.  Pig is one of my favorite foods- a road trip game in college was me naming types of pork products, Bubba Gump style.  I can go for days just on types of sausages.  Then when I get into cured meats?  I could take you from Athens to Montgomery right there.

Anyway, grab a whole bunch of basil out of your garden (or your Kroger), and make these delicious and nutritious pork chops.  You can get free range organic bone-in pork chops for about a quarter of the price of steak, and they feel just as fancy.

So the recipe (from here)-

4 pork chops, bone-in, sliced about 3/4 inch thick
1 cup basil, packed tight
2 cloves garlic peeled
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

With the machine running, drop garlic through the feed tube of the food processor to mince.  Stop, add fresh basil, and process until chopped.  Add lemon juice, oil salt and pepper. and process to make thin wet rub.  Coat both sides of the pork chops with basil mixture and let stand 15-30 minutes.

Prepare a medium hot fire in the grill.  Brush grate clean and oil the grate.  Grill chops over direct heat, turning once, 5-6 minutes per side, followed by a three minute rest.

These pork chops are excellent example of nap time cookery.  While Miss Priss was taking her early evening cat-nap (or chilling out on a quilt on the kitchen floor), I prepared the garlic rub, marinated the chops, cut up the zucchini and squash and put together a baked mac and cheese.  This sounds impressive, but the sink was filled to the brim with dirty dishes, and it only took me about 25 minutes.

Hubs took care of the mac and cheese going into the oven, and grilling the chops, while I bathed and fed Miss Priss.  After putting her in bed, we sautéed the squash, and sat down to a fresh and healthy supper.

6 comments:

  1. Yum pork is one of my favorites too!

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  2. Yes please. This looks fantastic!

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  3. Lady! I love all the food inspiration coming from you lately. Signed, your fellow porkfiend.

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  4. How serendipitous! I'm planning on make pork chops tonight but didn't have ideas about their preparation.. thank you for the idea!!

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  5. That sounds like a delicious meal....Now share your baked mac n cheese recipe!

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  6. Am drooling on keyboard at work. Thanks.

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