Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Chops Primavera

April 1, 2008

Primavera — which means Spring — also refers to an Italian cooking technique that involves fresh vegetable garnishes. Usually this culinary style applies to pasta, but in this case the primavera garnishes quick-cooked pork chops. The chops are brushed with soy sauce and seared in a pan. Then a simple sauce is made with apple butter. Green beans and grape tomatoes are the fresh vegetables that finish off the dish. If this sounds good, check out the recipe now, just read more.

From Better Homes and Garden magazine

Pork Chops Primavera

Ingredients

4 slices peppered bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces
12-oz. trimmed fresh young green beans
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
1/3 cup apple butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup red or yellow cherry or grape tomatoes

Directions

In 12-inch skillet cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp; remove. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towels.
Meanwhile, in 2-quart microwave-safe dish cook beans in 2 tablespoons water, covered, on high (100% power) 4 minutes; stir once. Drain, set aside.
Brush chops with soy sauce. In skillet brown chops on both sides. Add apple butter and the 1/4 cup water; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 5 minutes.
Add beans, tomatoes, and bacon; cook, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes, until sauce thickens.

Serves 4.