Mexican food is one of my favorites! I could enjoy a spicy, south-of-the-border dish at least once a week and never tire of it!
Though this isn’t an authentic Mexican dish, more Mexican-American or even Tex-Mex, I love it and it’s really fun and easy to make! Quick enough for a weeknight meal no problem, and could easily turn “Taco Night” into something extra special! 😉
I used to use a seasoning packet years ago for this, but now I’ve come up with my own blends that work so much better. When I found that I was having to add more seasonings to the mixes than what was even in there to begin with to actually get a decent flavor out of them, I realized it was time to pitch the packets, quit wasting my money on them, and just create my own. So that I did! 😉
You should already have all of the ingredients on hand as there’s nothing inconvenient and hard to find nor expensive. Literally a fraction of the cost of one of those “salted flour” packets. 😉
I love making these because they come together so quickly, yet there’s no rush. While they’re baking in the oven, there’s leisure time to slice ‘n dice whatever your hearts desire to top them with.
And, there’s also plenty of time to cook or warm a side dish to boot! You can even hold them before or after frying for 15-20 minutes while you get some rice started. Gotta love it! 😀
Though I’ve never tried these on the grill, I don’t see why they couldn’t be adapted to cook that way so long as after you have coated them well with the rub, before grilling, you oil the grates and the chops as well.
You could even spray the chops with a butter-flavored cooking spray to eliminate fat and extra calories as these are actually quite healthy. “Pork. The other white meat.” 😉
Sub with low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt and you’re totally there! 😉
So whether you’re looking to spruce up “Taco Night” or searching for an easy, family-friendly dish to serve to for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, you’ll really have a lot of fun and appreciate this one! 😀
A no-fret, stress-free, wonderfully flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and you’re enjoying some much needed spring weather! 😀 Talk to you all later! 😀
LA HACIENDA PORK CHOPS GRANDE!
Serves 4
4 medium to thick-cut pork loin chops, trimmed of excess fat
1 Tbl. butter
2 Tbl. oil
4 rounded Tbl. salsa
2 cups finely shredded Mexican Blend Cheese such as Kraft or Sargento
Spice Rub:
1 tsp. seasoning salt, I use Johnny’s
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/8 tsp. sugar
1 Tbl. flour
Toppings of Choice:
shredded lettuce
sliced grape, pear or roma tomatoes
sliced black olives
pickled jalapeño rings
sliced or diced avocado
sour cream
guacamole
snipped green onions or chives
hot sauce of choice, we like sriracha
DIRECTIONS:
Trim excess fat from chops, pat dry and set aside. In small bowl mix Spice Rub well, and sprinkle evenly over each side of chops and rubbing in as you go. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9 pan or glass baking dish to have ready for baking.
In large frying pan, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Fry chops on each side 1-2 minutes per side until seared. Transfer the chops to spayed baking dish. Top each with a spoonful of salsa. Pop into preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes for 1/2″ thick chops, and 30-35 minutes for 1″ thick. Top each with a mound of shredded cheese and bake for 5 more minutes or until melted.
Remove to serving plates or platter and top with topping of choice. Serve hot with Mexican or Spanish Rice, chips and refried beans, hot sauce, and rolled warm flour tortillas if desired.
