Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or any day with this one-pot meal. Whiskey lends a subtle, intriguing flavor to pork chops. Brown sugar and mustard add a sweet and tangy finish.
Leeks look like a giant scallion with broad, dark green leaves that are tightly wrapped around each other. This makes it difficult to clean the dirt from the leaves. The quickest way to clean them is to trim the root end and make 4 to 5 slits from top to bottom. Run the leaves under cold water to reach the dirt trapped between the layers of leaves.
WHISKEY PORK WITH POTATO AND LEEKS
Yield 2 servings. Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
3/4 pound red or yellow potatoes, with skins, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups sliced leeks, white and green parts
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil, divided use
2 8-ounce pork loin chops with bone, visible fat removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup whiskey
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 scallions, sliced
Place potatoes and leeks in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high 5 to 6 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chops on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chops to a plate and set aside. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the same skillet. Add microwaved potatoes and leeks. Toss in the oil to brown the potatoes, about 3 minutes. Remove them to two dinner plates. Return the pork to the skillet and lower the heat. Add the whiskey, cover with lid and cook 5 to 7 minutes. Place pork on the two dinner plates. Add the water, sugar and mustard to the skillet. Stir to make a smooth sauce. Cook several minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Spoon sauce over the pork chops and sprinkle scallions on top.
Per serving: 573 calories (25% from fat), 16.2 g fat (2.2 g saturated, 8.2 g monounsaturated), 96 mg cholesterol, 45.8 g protein, 48.1 g carbohydrates, 5.2 g fiber, 286 mg sodium.
