Every once in a while, I come across a recipe online purely by accident and think that is sounds so absolutely delicious that I have to make it that very night. Normally the recipes are dessert-related or starch-related, and I end up using the recipe as a guideline to inspire my own method that fits more to my taste. However, I found the recipe for these pork chops on Eating Well completely by accident. They had some of my favorite ingredients – pistachios and oranges! And the recipe is healthy and nutritious – yay!
Bonus points: There’s only 7 ingredients including salt, pepper, and oil, and it only takes about 30 minutes to make these little guys! Extra yay! I always get excited for 30 minute, healthy meals, especially after a long day of work, classes, dragging my ass to the gym, and everything else I have to do. Eating Well really blessed us with this recipe, you guys.
I didn’t really change much to the recipe, except that I used pork loin chops instead of a whole pork loin, and I chopped my pistachios and garlic by hand instead of with a food processor – 1. because I don’t like cleaning food processors, and 2. because I don’t have a food processor. Also, I scrapped their wild rice and green bean sides, opting for a simple wild rice blend I mixed with a little butter, garlic powder, and salt and a green salad with mixed greens, feta, cranberries, apples, and a simple white balsamic vinaigrette. It was a perfect meal, and the wild rice and salad can be made while you’re preparing and cooking the pork! With my last semester of college starting on Monday (!!!) I’m really looking forward to finding and developing more recipes that can be made in less than an hour, with minimal dishes.
My ONLY complaint about this recipe is that, if you have leftovers, while the pork chops still taste great, the pistachios lose some of their crunch from the moisture in the fridge. However, I don’t really like leftovers in general, so my opinion doesn’t have much merit. Also, slightly-chewy pistachios crusted on pork is still a much better lunch than my usual quinoa salad or sandwich. Take some, lose some.
Note: You’re going to be searing these porky chops and then placing them in the oven to finish. I seared them in a pan, and then placed them on a sheet pan to finish, but next time I think I’ll sear them in an oven-safe cast iron, cover them in the marmalade and pistachio mixture, and then place them back in the cast iron to finish in the oven – then it becomes a one-pan dish!
Any ideas for healthy 30ish minute meals?
XO Sara Lynn
*Song of the Day: Old Friend by Pinegrove
