RECIPE: REC: Mediterranean Chops with Parmesan Orzo, recommended by kpinky

[andreaindc]

Mediterranean Chops

Makes 4 pork chops

Total Time: 50 mins. (including orzo)

4 boneless pork chops (6 oz. each)

salt & pepper

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. olive oil

1 1/2 c. onions, sliced

1 c. golden raisins

2 Tbsp garlic, chopped

1/2 c. dry marsala

1 1/2 c. choppped Roma tomatoes, seeded & peeled

1 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. white wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 c. pimiento-stuffed green olives

2 Tbsp. capers, drained, crushed

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

- Season the chops with salt and pepper; dust with flour.

- Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high. Add the chops and saute until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes; remove from pan.

- Add onions and saute 3 minutes; stir in raisins and garlic, and saute another minute.

- Deglaze with the marsala, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

- Stir in tomatoes, broth, vinegar, sugar, and oregano; bring to a boil. Return chops to the pan, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the olives and capers; simmer until heated through.

- To serve, arrange chops over Parmesan Orzo (below), then garnish with parsley and lemon zest.

Parmesan Orzo

Makes about 3 cups

Total Time: 15 minutes

1 cup dry orzo pasta

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 c. parmesan or asiago, grated

salt and pepper

- Prepare orzo according to package directions; drain and transfer to a bowl.

- Stir in olive oil, cheese, salt, and pepper.

Cuisine at Home, Feb. 2006

 

[marsha-tbay]

I wonder, could you substitute white wine for Marsala, just a different flavor....

 

[kpinky]

I wouldn't do white wine - but sherry maybe...(more)

Marsala (which is a reddish hue) has such a wonderful and rich flavor. It's not expensive and comes in smaller bottles although I use mine more and more - especially for chicken marsala which is so good and easy. I would try the recipe as written first. Then decide. Dry sherry would be the closest sub I can think of. White wine I don't think is strong enough to stand up to all the other great flavors. I hope I can remember to bring in that recipe to post!

 

[kpinky]

AndreainDC ~ thanks for posting recipe!! I didn't read ahead thinking this was my original post...

I hope some of you out there in food land will try it. It is SOOOO good. And the lemon zest is a must...the picture in the mag showed those long strips of zest but I used my microplane. The zest is good sprinked over all...would be great mixed with the orzo too. I made 3 chops and a full recipe of sauce.

 

[kpinky]

I didn't use quite all the vinegar...afraid it might be too "sour". And do NOT slice the olives...

the recipe implies whole olives so I bought the smaller ones. Not jumbo. Thanks again, AndreainDC.

 

[andreaindc]

You're welcome!

Thanks for pointing out the recipe - the mag had been languishing in a basket! I will be sure to make this - it sounds great (and looks pretty too).