Lime Coconut Pork Chops

We bought a pork loin that I am cutting up and cooking in different ways. Rather than cooking it as one big roast, since it is way to hot for that, I am cutting it into thick pork chops instead. The first way I prepared it was in a light lime and coconut sauce.

Lime and Coconut Pork Chops

There are so many different curries from around the world. My favorites are both the Indian and the Thai curries. This recipes has influences from both of those curries plus my own added touches as well.

3-4 thick cut pork chops

1/4 red onion, sliced very thin

1 TBSP ginger

1 TBSP garlic

1 cup coconut milk

1 TBSP coconut vinegar, optional

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tsp honey or hot, spicy honey

1 TBSP lime juice

1/2 red or orange bell pepper, sliced thin

1 cup corn

1/4 cup fresh, cilantro, basil and/or lemon verbena

salt to taste

1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste

olive oil and butter for cooking

1/4 cup toasted coconut

Get a large skillet very hot, add the oil and butter then sear the pork chops for about 4 minutes per side. Once both sides are brown, remove the pork from the pan and keep warm. You can use this same sauce with chicken or shrimp too.

Add the ginger, garlic, corn and peppers to the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes then add the coconut milk, honey, spices and broth.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, re-add the pork chops and continue to cook for about 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add most of the fresh herbs right at the very end of the cooking process and mix in. I thought I had cilantro, since I always have cilantro on hand, but this time I didn’t. But I had plenty of lemon verbena, that has taken over my back yard, and fresh basil, so I used both of those.

Serve over rice. I used wild rice, with a topping of a little sauce, then the pork, a bit more sauce, and topped it with more fresh herbs and the toasted coconut. I served it with potstickers and green beans on the side, with a cool crisp white wine to complete the meal. DELICIOUS!

Life is short. Live life to the fullest and make the most out of everyday. Have a great day and make everyday great. ‘Til next time.