Pistachio-Crusted Pork Chops

Look what my sweetie got for a special Valentine's meal.  He loves breaded pork chops and pistachios, so this was a sure way to warm his heart.  These pork chops are seared on the stove top then transferred to a cookie sheet to complete so the breading stays on.  I served this with a side of Tomatoe Basil Soup (made using canned tomatoes as they're not in season), and Baked Potatoes.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED PORK CHOPS
from Rachael Ray

1/2 cup shelled pistachios (this takes time so I'd do it the day before)
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Salt
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (I put half filled with wheat germ)
Pepper
Four 1-inch-thick pork chops
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 400°. Using a food processor, finely grind the nuts, garlic, lemon peel and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a shallow bowl; whisk in the breadcrumbs.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Dip each chop into the egg, then coat with the nut mixture; transfer to a baking sheet.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chops and cook until golden, about 2 minutes on each side; return to the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 140°, about 20 minutes.

Printable Recipe

Happily submitted to Mouthwatering Mondays over at A Southern Fairy Tale

Enjoy!

from the book "House and Home Papers"

by Christopher Crowfield

Ticknor and Felds, 1865

"'The lady who does her own work'"


America is the only country where such a title is possible, — the only country where there is a class of women who may be described as ladies who do their own work. By a lady we mean a woman of education, cultivation, and refinement, of liberal tastes and ideas, who, without any very material additions or changes, would be recognized as a lady in any circle of the Old World or the New.


What I have said is, that the existence of such a class is a fact peculiar to American society, a clear, plain result of the new principles involved in the doctrine of universal equality.