Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops are a classic American dish. However, my smothered pork chops are NOT your classic American version. These pork chops are covered in a delicious homemade fresh sofrito sauce, which is finger-licking good.

What Part of the Pig Is a Pork Chop?

Pork chops all come from the loin, which runs from the hip to the shoulder and contains the small strip of meat called the tenderloin. The most common chops you see in the butcher case are from the ribs and the loin.

Is pork healthy to eat?

Pork is a rich source of certain vitamins and minerals your body needs to function, like iron and zinc. It's also an excellent source of high-quality protein. Minimally processed, lean, fully-cooked pork eaten in moderation can provide certain benefits when added to your diet.

PORK CHOP CUT GUIDE:

There are four different cuts of pork chops that you can purchase. Each cut has a different characteristic, but all of them can be used in pork chop recipes. Whichever cut you purchase, it is advisable that you buy one that is 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick as they cook more evenly and are less likely to dry out. It is very easy to overcook a thinly sliced pork chop. Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rib Chop: This is the most desirable cut of pork chop. It comes from the rib section (hence its name) and has a large bone running along one side. This cut is very tender with a nice pork flavor.

Loin Chop: This pork chop cut has a t-bone in the middle. It has two different kinds of meat on it, with loin meat on one side, and tenderloin meat on the other side. These two meats cook at different rates so it is a more difficult cut to work with.

Boneless Chop: This is the most lean cut of pork. It is very easy to over cook this cut and dry it out as it has very little fat, connective tissue, and doesn’t have any bones. This is the most commonly sold pork chop cut in the United States, but it is certainly not the most desirable because it is lean, and so easy to overcook.

Shoulder Chop: This is the least desirable cut of pork chop and is not commonly found in American grocery stores. They have lots of flavor, but also have a lot of gristle and bones. This cut of chop is best braised.

Make it

Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients

5 garlic cloves

1/2 red and green bell peppers

1/2 medium-sized onion

1 tsp adobo seasoning or to taste

1 packet of sazon

1/4 cup fresh parsley

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp ground coriander

Black pepper to taste

1 fresh lemon, juiced

2 tbsps olive oil

Instructions

To begin in a food processor add five cloves of garlic, half a red bell pepper, half a medium-sized onion, and half a green bell pepper. About a quarter of a cup of fresh parsley, one teaspoon of adobo seasoning or to taste, a quarter of a teaspoon of ground cumin, half a teaspoon of ground coriander, half a teaspoon of oregano, half a teaspoon of paprika, one packet of sazon, the juice of one lemon, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Then go ahead and process. It doesn't have to be totally smooth it's okay if it's a little bit chunky. For this recipe, we are using two pounds of pork chops, go ahead and pour over the pork chops.

Toss and ensure that they are all covered in the marinade for the best result transfer to the fridge, and let them marinate for at least one hour or overnight.

Now in a large skillet over medium-high heat add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil followed by one tablespoon of granulated sugar. Let the sugar turn brown, once the sugar begins to burn add the pork chops into the skillet. Sear the pork chops for about 5 minutes per side then add 2 cups of water and bring the water to a simmer. Once it comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, continue simmering on medium-low for about 35 to 40 minutes. And as they simmer add one tablespoon of tomato paste, flip the pork chops every 10 minutes or so so they cook evenly. Then after simmering for about 40 minutes remove from the heat and serve. You may serve it with rice potatoes or anything you want. I am pretty sure that now you are ready to eat.

There you guys have it, quick and easy smothered pork chops. Enjoy, buen provecho, and thanks for watching, byeee!