Archive for the ‘PORK’ Category
Basic Baked Pork Chops
October 21, 2017 Lee
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Basic Baked Pork Chops

This is a base recipe and is straight forward. For this you want thick cut chops, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Bone in gives more flavor but you can use boneless. This is a two step cooking process, stove top then oven.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 thick cut pork chops, bone in or boneless
  • salt and pepper
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 220 C. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Heat a large pan on medium heat with a splash of olive oil. When the oil is hot, sear the chops for two minutes on each side.
  • Transfer the chops to the baking sheet and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 3 minutes.
  • Serve with your choice of sides.

Notes

I can base this in very thick cut boneless loin chops, you will need two, and cut each one in half to make 4 chops. Figure about 110 Baht for the chops. For 4 servings, this is about 81 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,PORK
Simple Thick Cut Pork Chops
October 12, 2017 Lee
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Simple Thick Cut Pork Chops

Four ingredients and very simple instructions makes for tasty thick cut pork chops. This is for 1 1/2 to 2 inch thick chops, bone in or bone out.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 thick cut pork chops, 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Rub olive oil over all sides of the pork chops, about a tablespoon or so. Generously salt both sides and pat that in well and the same with the pepper. Let the chops sit out.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Once the oven is hot, heat a oven proof pan, cast iron would be ideal, over high heat.
  • When the pan is almost smoking, add the chops and sear for 2 minutes on each side.
  • Place the pan in the oven and figure about 15 minutes for a 1 1/2 inch thick chop, 20 minutes for 2 inch thick. Internal temp should be 63 C / 145 F. Remove from oven and let rest for for 5 minutes.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

I will price this the next time I pick up boneless pork chops. This is low cost however.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,PORK
Citrus Marinated Pork Chops
October 12, 2017 Lee
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Citrus Marinated Pork Chops

This sounds really good and I have some thick pork chops I am going to try this with.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 6 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • juice from 2 limes
  • juice from 2 oranges
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 pork chops, 1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • In a large baking dish (glass, do not use metal), add the pork chops in a single layer, mix together the first 8 ingredients to make the marinade, pour over the pork chops and and flip them to make sure they are coated well. Place in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours, turning them once in a while.
  • When you are ready to cook, heat a heavy pan on medium heat for two minutes, while the pan is heating, remove the pork chops from the marinade, set the marinade aside.
  • Brush the pan with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, cook pork chops for 5 minutes on each side, pour in the marinade and reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and cook for 7 minutes, turning them once.
  • Remove the pork chops and set aside. Turn the heat to medium and reduce the marinade until thickened then stir in the butter. Strain the sauce and pour over the pork chops.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.

Notes

I will have to price the pork chops next time I go to the store. This probably low cost.
Variant: Double the marinade for more sauce and to cover the chops better when marinating.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PORK
Roast Red Pork (Char Siu)
September 3, 2017 Lee
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Roast Red Pork (Char Siu)

Lobo Brand Seasoning Packet, Thailand.
This is Chinese in origin, but adapted to Thai cooking. This recipe is from a seasoning packet, as many westerners seem to be cautious with using these. This is straight forward and easy. And keep in mind, the Lobo brand packet has two packets inside for making this dish twice, cost savings right there. This packet is available in the US at most Asian markets. This is a very nice, mild flavor, the red is not from chili powder.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese, Thai
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 600 grams pork loin, (about 1â…“ lb)
  • 1 packet package has 2 packets, Lobo brand package
  • ½ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Cut the loins into 1 inch thick strips about 6 to 8 inches long.
  • Mix 1 packet of seasoning in the ½ cup water in a shallow bowl, then add the pork loin in a single layer, turn the loins every 15 minutes or so. Marinate for 2-3 hours.
  • This is the package I use, excellent quality, Lobo brand.
  • Heat a large non stick pan on low heat, add the loin strips in a single layer, cover and cook for 5 minutes, turn over, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the lid and cook turning occasionally until tender, about 5-10 minutes more.
  • Transfer to a plate.
  • Slice and serve with rice, vegetables, and Roast Pork Gravy if desired (also available in Lobo brand).

Notes

Pork loin would cost about 75 Baht/600 grams. For 4 servings, this is about 56 cents per serving.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,: CHINESE,: THAI,PORK
Oven Pork Chops
September 2, 2017 Lee
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Oven Pork Chops

This sounds really good. I am going to have to search for pork chops now due to my location, or I will try this recipe using just sliced pork loin. I made these on 26 Mar 2018, excellent flavor.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops, thin cut would be good
  • 1/2 small onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt, pepper, garlic powder, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Tenderize each chop with a hammer or needle tenderizer. Tenderize each side. Place chops on the baking sheet.
  • Mix together the mayo and onion. Season chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste, spread the mayo mixture evenly over the chops, top with the shredded cheese.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and chops are cooked through.
  • Serve with buttered mashed potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

I will say low cost for now, pork is cheap, pork chops however, I need to price those.
Variant: 1. Gouda cheese works well.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,PORK
Pan Fried Enoki Mushrooms & Bacon
August 27, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Pan Fried Enoki Mushrooms & Bacon

Enoki mushrooms are long and slender with very small caps, in the US these would be known as Golden mushrooms. Enoki goes well in soups also as they maintain their crispiness well. This is a make as much as you want recipe.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine Asian
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Enoki mushrooms
  • 1 package bacon
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Trim off the root end of the mushroom bundle(s) and quickly rinse them.
  • Divide the mushrooms into smaller bundles.
  • Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap half a slice of bacon around the middle of a mushroom bundle and secure with a toothpick.
  • When you have all the bundles of mushrooms you want, heat a non stick pan to medium heat with a splash of olive oil, then as the bacon cooks you will have enough oil in the pan.
  • Add the mushroom bundles to the pan, turning as needed to cook the bacon through.
  • When the bacon is cooked, they are ready to serve and enjoy as a side dish or appetizer. I had some leftover bacon so I just cooked that as well.

Notes

Low cost.
From a family member.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,: THAI,MUSHROOMS,PORK,SIDES
Pork Chop Santa Fe
August 26, 2017 Lee
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Pork Chop Santa Fe

Stephen Connell, United States.
Sounds delicious, a must cook for me. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless pork chops, ½ to ¾ inch thick, or cut from a loin
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup salsa, Shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions
 

  • In large heavy skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chops quickly, about 2 minutes per side. Lower heat and add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer 8 minutes, until internal temperature is 71° C / 160° F, followed by a 3 minute rest time.
  • Serve with sides of your choice.

Notes

Pork loin will cost about 125 Baht/kilo. I don't think for 4 thick slices would be a kilo, but just using that number, for 4 servings this is about 92 cents per serving. I have only seen pork chops in specialty chops and they are pricey. Going with just a loin that you cut yourself, money saver.
Shortcut: Salsa.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PORK,TEX-MEX, sort of
Pork with Red Chili Paste
July 19, 2017 Lee
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Pork with Red Chili Paste

This is a simple Thai dish with 5 ingredients, this shows just how easy and simple a basic Thai dish can be.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 teaspoons red chili paste, or to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoons shrimp paste, or to taste
  • 500 grams pork, sliced into thin pieces
  • handful kaffir lime leaves, chopped, young leaves best
  • splash cooking oil

Instructions
 

  • Heat a splash of cooking oil in a large non stick pan, add the chili paste and shrimp paste and cook until that bubbly and fragrant.
  • Add the pork and mix into the sauce, stirring occasionally. until the pork is cooked through, about 15 minutes or so. Sprinkle in some lime leaves, young leaves being better and mix in.
  • Ready to serve with rice on the side.

Notes

Figure about 60 Baht for the pork, for 4 servings, this is about 44 cents per serving.
Watched my wife, Rrayada Thayer make this.
Thailand.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,: THAI,PORK
Pan Fried Pork Chops
July 15, 2017 Lee
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Pan Fried Pork Chops

When I lived in the US, pork chops were very common, and even better was pork steaks with milk gravy, but for where I live now, pork chops are not common outside of touristy areas, and I do not live near those. So an alternative, just buy a pork loin and cut into 1 inch thick chops, problem solved. I will adjust the cook times when I make these. For bone in thick cut chops, the cook time is perfect. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 pork loin chops, about 1 inch thick
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil, rice bran oil would be good
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Rinse pork chops. Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops.
  • Combine all dry ingredients. Dredge each side of the pork chops in the flour mixture, then set aside on a plate.
  • Heat oil over medium heat. Add butter. When butter is melted and butter/oil mixture is hot, cook 3 pork chops at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on the first side; 1 to 2 minutes on the other side. Chops should be browned and no pink juices remain. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining chops.
  • Serve with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, rice, long beans, etc.

Notes

Pork loin at Tesco would run about 115 Baht/kilo, slice yourself into chops. I cannot price this until I try to see how many thick chops from a kilo of loin. I also found thick cut bone in chops in Tesco recently, 100 Baht/250 gram chops. This is $2.95 per serving.
Shortcut: Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,PORK
Southern Smothered Pork Chops
June 8, 2017 Lee
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Southern Smothered Pork Chops

These sound very good, pan browned then baked in the oven with a nice gravy, on my to cook list.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 teaspoons rotisserie seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup celery, finely diced
  • 1/2 onion, finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 4 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • cooking oil, as needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, mix together rotisserie seasoning, sage, rosemary, paprika, salt and pepper. Season pork chops evenly with 1/2 the mixture.
  • To fry the pork chops, there is two methods. 1. Put a large pan on medium high heat. Add 1/2 inch of oil. 2. If you prefer to use less oil, simply sear the chops using only 2 tablespoons of oil. I would say number 1 is truly southern.
  • While oil is getting hot, place 1 cup of flour on a plate. Dip all sides of the chops in flour, and tap off any excess.
  • Carefully place the chops into the hot oil, and brown on both sides. Adjust the heat as needed. You are browning them, the trick to a juicy pork chop is to brown them then bake in the gravy to cook them through. When browned on both sides, remove to a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Preheat your oven to 190 C, get out a large baking dish.
  • Discard the oil from pan and turn heat to medium low. Add in butter. When butter is melted, add in celery, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until vegetables are softened.
  • To the skillet whisk in the flour and garlic. Adjust the heat as needed, and continue to cook the roux for 7-10 minutes until golden brown, then gradually add in chicken stock while whisking. Adjust the heat as needed, and allow to come to a boil to thicken. Then add in remaining rotisserie mixture and stir. Remove from heat.
  • Place the pork chops in the baking dish in one layer, pour in the gravy from the pan, cover with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Remove from oven, serve with mashed potatoes and the gravy spooned over the chop and potatoes.

Notes

The price for pork can vary widely, my preference would be to use pork loin, which is basically a boneless chop and is readily available. Standard Tesco pork loin is about 132 Baht/kilo, Betagrow brand is 300 Baht/kilo, and an open market I cannot price until I get some. For these you have to slice it as well. Going with 132 Baht as an estimate until I make this, for 4 servings, this is about 97 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Rotisserie Seasoning.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PORK