Spices For Health: Apple Pork Chops Recipe

By Summer:

From McCormick, Mom Start has brought you spaghetti, tacos, and enchiladas to help you use Spices For Health in your everyday cooking. McCormick spices not only taste great in your cooking, but they also offer added antioxidants to your diet.

After some Italian and Mexican here is a traditional meat dish – pork chops. These chops are spiced just right and offer some added sweetness with the apples. Many of my friends have been practicing the paleolithic lifestyle or caveman diet, and I checked in with them and this recipe qualifies as a Paleo recipe IF you don’t cook the pork in the recommended vegetable oil; which is fine, you can actually fry-up the pork chops in their own fats and juices. Be sure not to trim the fat off of your meat! This is not only a natural way of cooking, but it locks in the flavor of the pork. However if you wish substitute the vegetable oil and stay Paleo then use lard. See my alternative directions step 2b.

Apple Pork Chops Recipe

Ingredients:
4 pork chops
1 teaspoon McCormick garlic powder
1 teaspoon McCormick thyme leaves
½ teaspoon McCormick crushed rosemary leaves
¼ teaspoon McCormick ground (cayenne) red pepper
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup apple juice
1 medium apple, cored and sliced
½ teaspoon McCormick ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, and cayenne in a ramekin. Rub the pork chops with the blend.

2. Pick an option:
a. STANDARD: Sauté pork chops in a skillet with oil for 4 minutes on each side.

b. PALEO: Be sure not to trim the fat off of your meat! Sauté the pork chops in their juices and fat which will naturally come out during cooking. Cook on each side for 4 minutes, so a total of eight minutes; turning pork chops every two minutes so the fat doesn’t burn onto the pan.

3. Add apple juice and slices, and cinnamon to the skillet. Cook pork chops for an additional 3 minutes on each side while the apple juice reduces.

This was a super easy recipe! I actually made this meal for my family before heading out for the night. This is a quick real homemade meal that’s fast and healthy.

Adding spices and fresh vegetables adds antioxidants and nutrients to foods you already include into your normal food rotation. For more on spices from McCormick you can Like them on Facebook. Also stay tuned to Mom Start for more recipes spiced up for you by McCormick … next up, PIZZA!

Disclaimer: McCormick sent samples of the spices featured in this recipe.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.