Have you figured out yet that I’m a lazy cook? And this recipe is designed for the lazy cook. It’s also delicious and I make it often. You can make it more complicated with wine and mushrooms, but it’s great just like this. Here’s the one warning: only use Muir Glen Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. I’ve tried other brands and they are not as good and one was really horrid. I can’t find Muir Glen in every store, so you might have to check around. (If you find another brand you love, please let me know).

Okay. Ready for some easy cooking?

Pork Chops and Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Serves 2 (easy to double for 4)

Ingredients:

-1 T olive or vegetable oil

-2 thick boneless pork chops, trimmed of fat (you can use any pork chops, but we get the big gorgeous ones from Costco and I freeze them two to a package to have on hand. They are considerably thicker than the ones in this picture. If you use thinner chops, adjust the cooking time)

-1 large onion, sliced in rings (optional)

-1 14 oz can of Muir Glen Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes

-s & p

Directions:

-heat the oil in a medium saute pan, preferably non stick.

-brown the chops on both sides, about 4 minutes each side; remove from heat if using onions.

-saute the onions (if using) until almost translucent. Add a little more oil if needed.

-Put the chops on top of the onions and pour the can of tomatoes, undrained, over it all

-bring to a boil; then reduce heat to a low simmer and cover the pan for about 30 minutes. At 20 minutes, start checking to see if the chops are done. I’ve really gotten into my meat thermometer. Before, I used to cut so many slices in my meat as I tried to figure out if it was done that it looked like it had been tortured during cooking. Consider getting an instant read meat thermometer if you don’t have one. For the chops, cook to 140-145. They should still be a bit pink.  More than that and they will be dry. Trichinosis is killed at 137. It’s not the worry it was when many of us first learned to cook.

-salt and pepper to taste if you must

-Serve the chops with mashed potatoes or egg noodles and some yummy vegetable on the side.

-Eat up!