PERFECT GRILLED PORK LOIN CHOPS

• 4 boneless pork loin chops (such as top loin) ¾-inch thick
• 1/2 lime
• Vegetable oil, for brushing chops and seasoning the grill
• Salt and pepper

Season both sides of chops with salt and pepper on both sides and allow to rest on counter for 15-30 minutes.

Preheat grill and season grill with towel dipped in vegetable oil (use tongs for safety). Just before grilling, squeeze lime juice on both sides of the chops, and then brush with vegetable oil.

Grill the chops on medium-high direct heat until lightly charred on the outside, but juicy and pink on the inside, about 3-4 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degree F. Remove chops from grill and let rest a full five minutes before serving.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 30-40 minutes, including tempering and resting time
Ease of preparation: Easy

GRILLED PORK AND VEGETABLE CHOPPED SALAD

• 2 perfectly grilled pork loin chops (recipe above)
• 2 bell peppers (red, yellow or orange, or mixed), seeded and halved
• 2 zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 cup grape tomatoes placed on pre-soaked wooden skewers or in a grill basket 2 cups red leaf lettuce, chopped

• Lemon thyme vinaigrette
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Juice of one lemon (approximately 4 TB)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

In a small bowl, whisk the Dijon mustard with the lemon juice. Drizzle in the olive oil, whisking, creating an emulsion. Add thyme, scallion and salt and pepper. Set aside.

With the grill on medium-high heat, brush peppers, zucchini and tomatoes with vegetable oil. Grill the vegetables until tender – approximately 3 minutes per side for the peppers and zucchini; 1 minute per side for the tomatoes.

While the vegetables are cooking, slice the pork chops in to 1-inch slices.

Remove vegetables from grill. Place peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove the skin from the peppers, and chop both peppers and zucchini in to bite-sized pieces. Toss perfectly grilled pork chops with the grilled vegetables, lettuce and vinaigrette. Best when served while vegetables and pork are still warm.

Yield: 4-5 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes (not including time to grill pork and vegetables)
Ease of preparation: Easy


Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories: 240
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 95mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 10g
Fiber: 3g

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