Tuscan Pork Chops

I was dreaming of fall yesterday...wishing it was here.

While it is still in the 90's in LA I can pretend can't I?  I'm thinking of fall in LA, different from everywhere else I'm sure.  Golden leaves...(that's about all we see around here) and warm Santa Ana winds (aaah chew! my allergies!).  We usually have hot and cold weather, back and forth, through October.  Not ideal, but I'll take it.  Anything for some change in the weather...just a little!

So in dreaming about it I also think of rustic food.  Something homey, comforting, and something you can sink your teeth into.  Don't you love rustic food?

This dish fits that perfectly.  My Tuscan Pork Chops remind me of fall.

So, I made them last night for our dinner.  This is one of my Favorite dishes and is a great weeknight dinner that provides some really good flavors from the addition of balsamic vinegar to the sauce.  You can have this on the table in 30 minutes, and enjoy a meal that satisfies your palate, and your tummy...and makes you think of fall!

So let's make some Tuscan Pork Chops.

First, you will want to have some thin cut boneless pork chops.  They cook up really quick.  Dredge them in some flour that seasoned with salt & pepper.

Place them in a hot skillet that has a Tablespoon of olive oil in it so they don't stick.  Brown them on each side for about 3 min.

Remove the from the pan so you can make the sauce...they will finish cooking once you return them back to the pan.

Next, throw in the minced garlic and some sliced mushrooms.  If you don't like mushrooms, leave them out, or you can use zucchini instead...whatever floats your boat!

Then add some chopped tomatoes.  I used a combination of red Roma tomatoes, and some yellow cherry tomatoes.  Use what you have, this is flexible.  Saute about 1 min.

Add the balsamic vinegar and the broth.  Stir scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pan.  Return the pork chops and any juices back into the skillet. 

Bring your sauce to a boil.  Cover with a lid and turn the heat down to a simmer.  Simmer for about 4 min or until pork is done.

Serve with sauce and mushroom-tomato mixture.  Soooo good!

You are gonna love the flavor!

Let me know how you like it....this is one of my FAVORITE dishes!

Tuscan Pork Chops

Serves 4

1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 t pepper
8 thin cut boneless pork chops
1 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 c mushrooms, sliced
3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
1/3 c low sodium chicken broth

Salt & pepper your pork chops and dredge them in flour in a shallow pan.

Cook pork chops in hot oil in a large skillet over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.  Remove chops from the skillet.

Add garlic and mushrooms to skillet, saute 3 min.  Add sliced tomatoes to skillet and saute 1 min.

Add vinegar and broth, stirring to loosen particles from the bottom of the skillet.  Return the pork and accumulated juice to the skillet.  Bring your sauce to a boil.  Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 4-5 min. or until pork is done.  Serve pork chops with sauce and mushroom-tomato mixture.