Thyme for                         Cooking

  Pork Chops with Ginger Caper Sauce
Basmati Rice
Broccoli with Yogurt Mustard
Cooking time:   30 minutes for menu
Cooking schedule: see below for "menu"  instructions

     As long as we have fresh ginger on hand, here is an interesting combination of capers, mustard and ginger.  The sauce is lovely, and really needs something to sop it all up, like a fragrant Basmati.

Pork Chops with Ginger Caper Sauce                             Time: 30 minutes
   I used boneless chops for this, pan-fried, then kept warm while the sauce is quickly made. Remember, slightly pink pork is okay, and keeps it tender and moist. You need Greek yogurt, crème fraiche or sour cream for this.  Regular yogurt will not give a nice, thick sauce.

2 - 4 pork chops, depending on size, 10 - 12 oz total weight  (I used 2 boneless)
1 tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 tbs tomato paste
1 tbs capers
2 tsp minced, fresh ginger
1 tsp Worcestershire
1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
1 tsp dried oregano
1/3 cup (3oz, 90ml) chicken broth
1/2 cup (4oz, 125gr) Greek Yogurt or sour cream

Mince garlic. Peel a small section of ginger,  cut into thin slices, then mince.  In a small bowl mix ginger, tomato paste, capers, Worcestershire, mustard, oregano and yogurt.  Set aside.  In medium nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat.  Add pork chops and sauté until well browned and cooked (almost) through, 7 - 8 minutes per side.  Remove chops to a small platter or plate and cover to keep warm.  Add garlic to skillet and sauté briefly.  Add chicken stock and cook, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.  When simmering nicely add yogurt mixture, stirring well with a wooden spoon and simmering until thickened.  When sauce is hot and thick, pour over chops and serve.

Basmati Rice with Herbs                  Time: 20 minutes or whatever your package says
    Simple, fragrant, fluffy rice - vary the herbs to fit the main course.

1/2 cup Basmati rice
1 tsp butter
1/2 cup chicken stock,  (4oz, 120ml)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp dried chives
1 tsp dried parsley

Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat.  Add rice and sauté, stirring for 2 - 3 minutes.  Add stock or water and herbs.  Cook rice for length of time on package.  When done fluff with a fork and serve.

Broccoli with Yogurt Mustard                                         Time 25 minutes
      
Crisp tender broccoli with a creamy, slightly hot mustard sauce is a nice accompaniment to any meal.  And when we are already have an open container of yogurt this uses it up!

1/2 head of broccoli  (enough for two)
4 tbs Greek yogurt
1 tbs Dijon-style Mustard
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 cup shredded cheese (any kind)

Cut broccoli into bite size florets and stems.  Put in steamer basket in saucepan with an inch of water in bottom.  Put on medium heat and steam for 10 minutes or until just done but still green.  Remove from pan and put into a small baking dish.  In a bowl mix yogurt, mustard and oregano. Pour over broccoli.  Sprinkle with cheese and bake, 400F (200C) until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.
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Cooking Schedule: 30 minutes
Assemble all ingredients and utensils
Peel and mince garlic
Peel and mince ginger
Sauté rice
Start to sauté pork chops
Add stock, herbs, to rice cover and cook
Mix capers, ginger, yogurt, etc. for pork
Trim and cut broccoli
Start to cook broccoli
Turn chops
Mix mustard, yogurt, herbs for broccoli

Pause while everything cooks
Remove broccoli and place in baking dish
Pour yogurt sauce over, sprinkle with cheese
Bake broccoli, uncovered
Remove chops and cover
Add garlic, sauté
Add chicken stock, scrape up the brown bits
Add yogurt/caper/ginger sauce, stir and cook
Mind the rice... fluff and put into serving dish
Pour sauce over chops
Remove broccoli from oven
Serve!

 

 

 

 

Cooking for Two?  Or more? 
Our Weekly Menu Planner Service gives you healthy, gourmet dinners, carefully planned to eliminate waste and insure a wide variety of seasonal, wholesome foods each week. 

All text and images are copyright © 2005 - 2007 Kathleen Lerum Zeller.
All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated

 

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Menu for the week of March 28, 2008

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