A Tasty Spin on Pan Fried Pork Chops

I get it, sometimes it is so difficult to cook a meal that the whole family will be pleased with and let’s face it, it’s no fun having to make three different dishes on a drizzly Sunday evening when all you want to do is wrap up on the sofa playing solitaire with the cat on your lap.

I finally realized this one dreary Wednesday, when at about 6 pm I was multitasking in the kitchen like always, boiling spaghetti for my son, cooking up refried beans for my daughter catering for her new found love of Mexican food and heating up a lasagne in the oven for my husband when it hit me.

I didn’t remember my mother going through all of this rigmarole just to get four people around the living room table at 7 o’clock every supper time. What was it she did? The answer came to me like that lightbulb moment you only see in children’s cartoons.

My mom made pan seared pork chops. That was the one meal she could get us all to agree on, that was easy to make, healthy and finger-licking delicious.

So, I asked my mother for the recipe, tried cooking the pork chops for my family and it worked! I had everyone around the table at 7 pm like moths to flames and my children were licking their plates clean afterward, (much to my distaste, they must have learned that trick from their father).

From that point on I was determined to help other mom’s who are tired of spending most of their evenings in the kitchen to catch a break and (with my mom’s permission of course) I have this fantastic fried pork chop recipe for you to try. Give it a go! It is so straightforward and quick you will regret not having done so sooner.

Ingredients

I can see it already, you are poised, chef’s hat and apron on, pan and spatula in hand raring to go, so I won’t keep you waiting any longer, here is a list of everything you will need to make the most scrummy pan cooked pork chops with that original “mom’s kitchen” flavor.

Once you have made them for the first time, tweak the amount of salt, pepper and paprika you use to really make the recipe your own, then serve alongside some tasty roasted vegetables and watch the hungry bellies come running to you!

• 1 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tsp of paprika
• 1 tsp of sea salt
• 1 tsp of black pepper (a few generous twists from the pepper shaker will suffice)
• ½ an onion diced
• 4 pork chops (with bone in for extra rustic look)
• 3 tbsp of olive oil
• 3 slices of bacon chopped
• A serving of parsley, chopped fine to taste

Directions for Stove Top Pork Chops

Not sure how to cook pork chops on the stove? Don’t worry, here is my tried and tested pork chop recipe that will show you how to do just that. It couldn’t be easier!

1. First of all,  mix all your flavorings into a small bowl, the garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Remove the excess liquid from the surface of the chops by patting them dry with a clean tea towel or some kitchen paper.
2. Here comes the fun part. Rub your pork chops all over with the spice mixture you have created, make sure you get all the seasoning onto the chops to achieve that great taste. Put the chops onto a plate and allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes (so that the flavors can start to seep into the meat).
3. While you are waiting, add some oil to a pan and fry your onion for a few minutes until soft and then add your chopped bacon to the pan on medium heat and fry until the bacon is nice and crispy. That will take about 8 minutes. Line a plate with kitchen paper and transfer the cooked bacon to the plate with a fork so that the excess oil doesn’t absorb into the meat.
4. Add more oil to the pan with the onion and fat from the bacon and place your chops in that pan once the oil is hot. Cook the chops on medium heat until they are browned, that should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Serve the chops alongside some tasty vegetables or new potatoes and enjoy!
6. Optional – for a tasty spin try adding a glaze or sauce to your pork chop.

Conclusion

This recipe is fantastic when accompanied by Brussel sprouts, kale with lemon and garlic, spinach and dill or even roasted broccoli. If you are in the mood for something airy and summery, why not try adding a tangy cucumber salad on the side.

If you are cooking for your family and want to make something you are sure everyone will love (even the little ones) add a side of butter roasted sweet potatoes or even creamy garlic mashed potatoes to your pork chop dish. This dish also goes well with wild pilaf rice, shiitake mushrooms and couscous, so don’t worry, there is the perfect side for everyone!