Quick Fix: Cranberry Maple Pork Chops with Caraway Fettuccine and Broccoli

Linda Gassenheimer, Tribune News Service on Dec 30, 2024

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I wanted a festive meal for this time of year but was very busy. So, I created this easy colorful dinner. The pork is cooked in a skillet and is removed, and the sauce is made in the same skillet. The sauce takes only about 6 to 7 minutes to make.

The fettuccine and broccoli cook together and are flavored with caraway seeds. The seeds come from an herb in the parsley family. They have a nutty, delicate anise flavor that perfumes the fettuccine and adds an intriguing flavor to the meal.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Any type of pork chop can be used.

Spaghetti can be used instead of fettuccine.

Use frozen cranberries if fresh aren’t available.

COUNTDOWN:

Prepare all ingredients.

Place water for fettuccine on to boil.

Make pork chop recipe.

Boil pasta and broccoli.

SHOPPING LIST:

To buy: 3/4 pound boneless center loin pork chop (about 1-inch thick), 1 bottle balsamic vinegar, 1 package cranberries, 1 bottle maple syrup, 1 box fettuccine, 1/4 pound broccoli florets, 1 bottle caraway seeds.

Staples: olive oil, salt and black peppercorns.

Cranberry Maple Pork Chops

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

3/4 pound boneless center loin pork chop (about 1-inch thick)

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 cup fresh cranberries

3 tablespoons maple syrup

Remove visible fat from pork. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Brown pork for 5 minutes, turn and salt and pepper cooked side. Brown the second side for 5 minutes and remove to a plate. A meat thermometer should read 145 degrees. Add balsamic vinegar to the skillet and scrape up any brown bits in the skillet. Add the cranberries and maple syrup. Stir to combine the ingredients. The cranberries will burst (pop). Mash them with a spoon and stir to make a thick sauce, about 2 to 3 minutes. Divide the pork in two portions and place on two dinner plates. Spoon the sauce on top.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 377 calories (22 percent from fat), 8.9 g fat (1.9 g saturated, 3.3 g monounsaturated), 96 mg cholesterol, 41.0 g protein, 30.3 g carbohydrates, 2.0 g fiber,159 mg sodium.

Caraway Scented Fettuccine and Broccoli

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

1/4 pound fettuccine

1/4 pound broccoli florets, about 3 cups

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 tablespoon caraway seeds

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot three quarters full of water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and boil 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and continue to boil for 4 minutes. Remove 1/4 cup pasta water to a bowl and add the olive oil. Then drain the pasta and broccoli and add to the bowl. Add the caraway seeds and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Serve with the pork.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 178 calories (16 percent from fat), 4.9 g fat (0.7 g saturated, 1.9 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 11.6 g protein, 48.5 g carbohydrates, 5.0 g fiber, 35 mg sodium.