Simple Italian Pork Chops

Simple Italian Pork Chops

Pork Chops are not one of my favorite foods. In fact, I didn't really like them until I made these. My simple Italian pork chops are super easy to make and taste juicy and delicious. You can cook them in a skillet with a little extra virgin olive oil, broil them in a 400 degree oven, or grill them. I made mine in a cast iron skillet that I transferred into an oven. I prefer bone in pork chops they have more flavor if you leave the bone in while cooking. The photos are of my finished pork chops. (recipe below).

Simple Italian Pork Chops

recipe by Julie Hodges

Ingredients:

• 4-6 bone in pork chops
• 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• salt
• pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (marinade) plus 2-3 tablespoons for cooking
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (marinade) plus more for cooking

Salt and pepper both sides of the chops. Place the chops in a bowl that has a lid or gallon size zip lock bag, pour the Italian salad dressing over the chops add the garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and the Parmesan. Shake it around until all the flavors mix. Marinade in the fridge for 20 minutes flipping halfway in. Then preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a skillet, add a little extra virgin olive oil about 2-3 tablespoons and brown each side of the pork chops for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side over medium high heat. This will develop a nice crust and color which will help seal in the juices. Sprinkle a little more Parmesan cheese on each side before you flip the chops. Then place the chops in a casserole dish or if using a cast iron skillet leave in the skillet and place in the oven and finish cooking until the chops are brown and thoroughly cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check to see when they are done. Pork should be cooked to about 160 degrees for the standard. Allow the chops to sit for 5 minutes so the juice will remain inside and give you a juicy chop before serving.

photos and recipe by Julie Hodges (me)