i have to share this recipe because it is even more delicious than it is easy, so enjoy!
pork with creamy barley and peas
ingredients:
1/4 c plus 3 tbsp light ranch dressing
4 boneless center-cut pork chops (about 1 1/2 lbs total)
1 cup quick-cook barley (found this at Walmart, but nowhere else)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or a little more if you like it hot!)
directions:
1. place 1/4 cup dressing and pork in a resealable bag. refridgerate for at least 1 hour.
2. while the pork is marinating, measure out your peas so they can thaw and get the water ready to heat up (you can start boiling before your hour's up so that cook time is less).
3. remove pork from bag and discard marinade. heat a large non-stick skillet over meadium heat. cook pork chops 7 minutes, then turn and cook an additional 7 minutes, or until internal temperature registers at 150 degrees.
4. meanwhile, bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium sized sauce pan. stir in barley, reduce heat to medium and cook for 8 minutes. add peas and continue to cook for 2 minutes, then drain and return to pot. stir in remaining 3 tablespoons of ranch dressing, salt, pepper, and cayenne. serve with pork.
this dish was so good, i've been wanting to make it for a while. i found 3 1" thick pork chops on manger special at kroger yesterday for $7. I'm going to be able to make 2 dinners and at least 2 lunches with that buy! :)
tip: be sure to consider the manager special on premium meats if you have time wihtin 24 hours of bringing it hope to cook or freeze. if you can't cook, be sure to repackage your meat in a freezer bag and mark with the date you've frozen. typcially, frozen foods should be consumed no more than 6 months after freezing.
