Pork and Sauce

Decided on pork chops for dinner this evening.  Since I cannot bake them, I cooked them in an electric skillet.  Started by making a rub of dried oregano, dried basil, onion and garlic powders, and a pinch of chili powder.  Added some olive oil and mixed to a paste.  Seasoned the chops with salt and pepper, then rubbed them with the paste.  Seared both sides for about 5-6 minutes, then let rest.  I wanted to make a sauce so added the only thing I had available, Apple Cider, to the drippings.  A pat of butter, reduced, and poured onto the chops.

One of my favorite shows is Chopped on Food Network.  When I have very little in the "pantry" I pretend I am on Chopped and must make due with what I have.  I have to say, the sauce was very tasty (sweet but not too sweet and just the right thickness) and the chops were tender.  I used to cook the death out of my chops, fearful of undercooking them and poisoning everyone.  I have learned to let the meat rest.  Which, by the way, produced a nice 1/2 cup of fresh drippings that I added to the sauce before it was finished.

I have no pictures.  Probably wouldn't have posted anyway as there was really only one golden-seared chop, so nothing too pretty.  But the real reason is I was so freaking stressed out after cooking (add in 3 microwaved red bliss potatoes and a pathetic attempt at fried biscuits) in a small, tight space with no room, that I had no desire to take out the camera.  I just had Steve pour me a glass and sat to eat.  Luckily, it tasted good.  The kids even ate all of theirs up!  So everyone got a mini St. Patrick's Day cupcake.

My goal...a sauce with every protein.

Do you have a favorite sauce recipe?