Pork Chops with Quinoa & Peas

for the pork chops:

• 2 bone in 1/2 inch thick pork chops

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders (breast meat) – cut into bite size pieces
• ¾ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup canola/vegetable oil

Takes 10 min

for the pork chops:

1. 2 bone in 1/2 inch thick pork chops

for the pork chop rub:

• 1 teaspoon ground garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 3 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil

Takes 20-25 min

Instructions

1. combine all the rub ingredients in a large Ziploc bag and add the pork chops. Massage the rub into the pork chops and let marinate on the counter for about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. to cook the pork chops:
3. preheat oven to 350 degrees
4. heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a cast iron skillet, add the pork chops and brown on both sides (about 3 minutes on each side)
5. Place the skillet into the pre-heated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for about 7 to 10 minutes.

Ingredients for the quinoa:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 medium shallots – finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic – finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 cups of peas (these can be fresh peas that you have cooked or frozen that you have thawed)
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• salt to taste

Takes 20 min

to cook the quinoa:

1. heat the olive oil in the sauce pan, add the chopped shallots and garlic and saute for about 3 minutes on medium heat. Add quinoa to pot with the veggie broth, increase heat to high until the mixtures starts to boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes.
2. After the quinoa is cooked add the lemon zest and juice, butter, peas and salt to taste. And you are ready to serve