Herbed Pork Chops

Tonight's dinner was herbed pork chops and "vegetable pasta" with salad. I actually try to keep our dinner carbs to about 25-30, but tonight's dinner was more like 10 grams. This was a great and light meal. And really easy, although it does require a little prep time (for the "vegetable pasta"). The pork chops were *extremely* easy, and only took 30 minutes in the oven, plus about 5 minutes before to brown the pork chops, combine the herbs, and get it in the oven. Excellent weeknight option!

From Idiot's Guide:

 Herbed Pork Chops


6 pork chops, 3/4 inch thick
2 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped into large pieces
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Mix oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper together. Set aside.

3. Melt butter in an ovenproof medium saucepan (that has a lid for later) over medium-high heat. Brown both sides of pork chops in butter.  Near the end, throw in chopped onion.

4. Sprinkle both sides of the pork chops with the herb mixture.  Off heat pour in water and cover pan.

5. Bake covered for 30 minutes.

Vegetable Pasta


3 (6-inch) zucchini
1 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp black pepper

1.  Cut each zucchini in half crosswise and then into several lengthwise strips, 1/2 inch thick. cut each strip into 1/2 inch-thick-pieces. Place in a colander and sprinkle with salt.  Put over a bowl since this will make water drain from the zucchini.  Let stand for 30 minutes. Pat dry. (This is supposed to pull water out of the zucchini to make it hold its shape and get less mushy during cooking).

2.  Put zucchini in a microwave-safe bowl. Toss in olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until tender-crisp.  Serve as is or with sauce.  (I sprinkled it with grated Parmesan, and it was pretty tasty, although definitely not pasta-like).

We, of course, finished this with a salad (green salad with blue cheese and sunflower seeds).  Definitely a very light meal, but the pork chops were very tasty! They are definitely a repeat item!