Chili Lime Pork Chops with Cilantro Cream

Name: Chili Lime Pork Chops with Cilantro Cream
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder; 2 tsp (10 mL) grated lime zest; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt; 4 (about 1-inch/2.5 cm) boneless pork loin chops; 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter divided; 1 onion halved lengthwise and thinly sliced; 2 tsp (10 mL) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (250 mL) 10% half-and-half cream; 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice; Pepper; Lime wedges

This recipe is taken from the 2012 Milk Calendar. Turn simple pork chops into something special with a zesty cream sauce and the fresh punch of cilantro and lime all over a bed of rice. You’ll get rave reviews from your guests - guaranteed!

Prep: 10 min
Cooking: 15 min - 20 min

Yields 4 servings

chili lime pork chops with cilantro cream

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder
2 tsp (10 mL) grated lime zest
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
4 (about 1-inch/2.5 cm) boneless pork loin chops
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter divided
1 onion halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 tsp (10 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 mL) 10% half-and-half cream
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice
Pepper
Lime wedges

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a small bowl, combine chili powder, lime zest and salt; set half aside. Rub remaining chili powder mixture over both sides of pork chops.

In a skillet, melt half of the butter over medium-high heat; sear pork chops for 1 to 2 min per side or until browned; transfer chops to a rimmed baking sheet. Roast in oven for about 12 min or until just a hint of pink remains inside.

Meanwhile, return skillet to medium-low heat and melt remaining butter, swirling to coat. Sauté onion for about 5 min or until softened and starting to brown; add remaining chili powder mixture and sauté for 1 min. Whisk flour into cream and gradually pour into pan, stirring. Simmer, stirring, for about 3 min or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro and lime juice and season to taste with pepper. Spoon sauce over rice onto serving plates and top with pork chops; garnish with lime wedges to squeeze over top.

Tips

If you prefer bone-in pork chops, you may need to sear the chops in two batches to avoid crowding the pan which will prevent browning.

If your pork chops are thinner than 1 inch (2.5 cm) check for doneness after 8 min in the oven.

Add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp (1 to 2 mL) chipotle powder with chili powder or 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced chipotle in adobo sauce and 1 thinly sliced apple with onion; add 1 tbsp (15 mL) tequila with lime juice.