Smothered Pork Chops & Collard Greens

When January rolls around, I’m content to keep on pushing with my goals, and sticking to my plans.  Chase, however always thinks about tightening the budget and eating better.  I’m not really sure it’s the “resolutions” time of year so much as it’s the change in the date on the calendar.  Whatever the case, I’m always happy to stick a little closer to our eMeals Clean Eating plan, because it’s so. so. so. good. In 2014, we tested out a few new plans like 30 minute meals (which holds true to it’s time constraints) and once again visited Traditional Meals (which we really didn’t like at all).  That’s the nice thing about eMeals. Just because you sign up for a certain plan doesn’t mean you can’t switch it up!

Before you delve into the depths of this awesome recipe, remember that I’m an affiliate of eMeals, so if you decide to purchase a plan (about $5 a month for a year), I get a few bucks. AND there’s a two week, no obligation, trial for you to test it out. FREEEEEE. Everyone loves free. There’s no reason not to save money and eat better!  Now, while our family really does enjoy the eMeals brown rice and green beans side dish, Chase opted for a recipe for collard greens that really did impress.  Once again, a prep-heavy, time-consuming dish, but man, oh man, the palate worship that follows is intense.

Smothered Pork Chops

Total Menu Prep 10m Cook 40m Total 50m

2 boneless pork chops

1⁄2 tsp salt, 1⁄2 tsp pepper

1 tsp paprika

1⁄4 cup whole-wheat flour

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion, sliced

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

1⁄2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1⁄4 cup reduced-fat milk

Sprinkle pork chops with 1⁄4 tsp each salt and pepper; combine paprika and flour. Dredge pork in flour mixture, shaking off excess; reserve 3 Tbsp remaining flour mixture. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown pork 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove pork from skillet, and keep warm; add onion and thyme to skillet. Sauté 8 minutes or until tender; stir in reserved flour, and cook 1 minute. Whisk in broth and remaining salt and pepper; cook 10 minutes longer. Add milk and pork chops; cook 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened and pork chops are done.

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Brown Rice and Steamed Green Beans (Click here for the collard greens recipe)

1⁄2 cup uncooked brown rice

1 lb green beans, trimmed

1 Tbsp butter, 1⁄4 tsp salt, 1⁄4 tsp pepper

Cook rice according to package directions.  Place green beans in a steamer basket over simmering water; cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Toss with butter, salt and pepper before serving.