Citrus and Spice Pork Chops

I love where I live.  As hard as this is to believe, I don't pass a single fast food restaurant between my house and the local Kroger store.  (A trip that I make often.)  There are no fast food restaurants on the route from my house to the school that my kids attended.  My husband doesn't even pass a single fast food restaurant on his commute to work. 

I know what you must be thinking - "she must live on some remote island in the middle of the the Indian ocean."  🤣  Actually - I live 45 minutes outside of Atlanta - which boasts the worlds largest drive-in restaurant and the worlds busiest airport.  We love going into the city but we were very intentional when we choose a rural neighborhood to raise our family.  

For some people, this type of living probably sounds like a nightmare, but to me - it's a dream.  When my kids were young, they adored french fries and chicken nuggets as much as the next kid.  Luckily, out of site-out of mind, worked in my favor because they really didn't ask for fast food treats unless we were actually driving past the restaurant.  

I really don't enjoy eating fast food very often so the lack of burger and chicken joints in close proximity to my home actually proved to be more of a benefit than a hinderance.  I certainly would have been tempted to stop and pick up a quick and easy meal way more often if I passed by fast food options on my daily errands.  Most nights, it was more efficient for me to prepare dinner at home than it was for me to drive to the nearest hamburger shop. 

These Citrus and Spice Pork Chops are the perfect example of a recipe that I can make even quicker than I can pick up dinner.  The thin chops grill up super quickly and they are really tasty.  Way better than anything that I can pick up from the closest restaurant adorned with golden arches.  

Citrus and Spice Pork Chops
Vinaigrette                                                               Pork
1/4 cup oil                                                                2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped                     2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced                       1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced shallot                                    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sugar                                                     1/4 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard                                 1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon lime zest                                           8 bone in pork chops
2 Tablespoons lime juice                                       2 Tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

​Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together. 

Combine salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon, cumin and cloves. 

Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle with seasoning mix. 

​Heat oil in skillet.  Add chops and cook until internal temperature reaches 140.  

Transfer pork chops to a platter and spoon vinaigrette over top. 

Yes, I know that there are 4 pork chops on this plate.  How long it's going to take for me to figure out this whole cooking for two thing?   Maybe I'm in denial that we're empty nesters or maybe it's my catering experience or maybe I just don't know how to cook for two: whatever the reason, we have plenty of leftovers - which is not always a bad thing. 

​Ciao!

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