Sierra Foothills Chops

Did you know that pork is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide? It is a meat rich in thiamin (vitamin B1) and with fat trimmed off it is one of the leanest meats yet it is high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Pork is also known as the “other white meat,” and it is the star of this recipe for Sierra Foothills Chops. It is not only easy to prepare, but wonderful comfort food on those particularly cold nights. The chops come out very tender due to the long cooking time and covering the dish while it cooks.

Ingredients
2 TBS vegetable oil
4 Pork chops, or use pork steaks
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Thyme leaves
Salt and pepper
1 Medium onion, chopped
2 Leeks, sliced up to the green
1 Bag of pre-sliced crimini mushrooms
1 Can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, plus one can of water
1 Package of onion soup mix
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spraying with a non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

On a plate lay out the pork chops. Sprinkle one side with the onion and garlic powders, thyme and salt and pepper.

Chops with spices - one side only

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. When hot place the spiced side of the pork face down in the pan.

First side of the chops browning

Next, sprinkle the top surfaces of the pork with more onion and garlic powders, thyme and salt and pepper. When the first side is just browned, turn and brown the other side.

Turn the chops when browned

When that is done remove the pork from the pan and lay in a single layer in the baking pan. Now take the onions and mushrooms and just soften these in the hot pan,

Chops in the baking pan, mushrooms and onions frying

and then pour over the pork chops. Top with the leeks.

Layered chops, with onions, mushrooms and leeks

Next, combine the mushroom soup, water, onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.

Mushroom soup mixture is ready

Combine until smooth. Pour this mixture over the browned pork chops.

Pour the soup mixture over the chops, mushrooms, onions and leeks

Cover the pan with foil and bake for 90 minutes.

Serve this with Jasmine steamed rice and a green vegetable. Last night I used zucchini fresh from the garden!

Dinner is served!

A good wine pairing with dish is a vibrant Petite Sirah!

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