Bits Of Dust

Archive for August 5th, 2007

Tonight, I made a basic recipe that my family loves. Fried Pork Chops, Orzo, and Green Beans.

I thought I would list here how I make it, just so, well, in case someone else wants to make this delicious recipe some day. It’s very easy, very quick, and the kids absolutely love it. Make sure you prepare all of your ingredients BEFORE starting these dishes, because it goes so quick you might not be able to keep up.

Ingredients:

4 Pork Chops (average thickness, not too thin)

2 eggs
1/2 – 1 Cup water
2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1-2 tsp Garlic Powder

2 cups flour
1 1/2 Tbsp. Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
Pepper

Crisco shortening

I lb Orzo pasta
1 stick butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can chicken broth (or equivalent chicken stock)

green beans

In a medium sized bowl, mix the eggs, water, soy sauce, and garlic powder. In another bowl, mix the flour, seasoning salt, and pepper. Set aside. Chop the onion, and set aside.

Heat a large pot on medium-high heat and add the butter.
Place onion in pan just as the butter melts.
As the onions become clear, add the orzo and mix thoroughly.
Toast the orzo, stirring occasionally so it does not burn.

At this point start heating a frying pan to 300 degrees for your chops. I use an electric frying pan for this recipe, because it keeps the temperature of the Crisco nice and even. Once the pan is heated add Crisco until you have about 1/4 inch of oil in the pan.

Now that the orzo has toasted, add the chicken broth, then add another can full of water. Mix well.
Place lid on pot. Bring to a boil.

While waiting for it to boil, dredge your pork chops with the flour, dip them in the egg mixture, then dredge with the flour mixture again.
Add pork chops to the hot frying pan and cook for 8 minutes on the first side.

Reduce the heat of the orzo to low (like 3 out of 10) so it simmers in the pan. Stir occasionally.

After the first 8 minutes, turn the pork chops and set the timer for another 8 minutes.

At this point I start the green beans. I like to steam them in a steamer basket, but you can prepare them however you want.

Place the pork chops on a nice platter, they will have a nice golden brown breading that the kids will devour (and forget they are eating meat). Place the orzo in a bowl a few minutes before serving, because like any starch, it retains the heat and the kids will want to dive into that headfirst.

But, that’s it. It’s not rocket science, and it’s very simple, but it’s a dish my kids will actually eat over, and over, again.