Family Dinner: Porkchops and Applesauce

This post is brought to at the request of the husband.  I wish I could say it was the pork chop, but I really think it is the applesauce that gets him excited.  And I can't say I disagree with him.  Yes, you can buy applesauce from the store, but the kind on your stove, all sweet and warm with homemadey (this should be a word) flavor really hits it out of the park.  And what better to serve alongside the sauce than some oven baked pork chops?

A simple dinner you can't go wrong with. I start my applesauce (and in this case, some carrots), then make the chops.  Walla, everything gets done about the same time.

Stove Top Applesauce
Makes 4 servings
105 cals / 0g fat / 29g carbs / 0g protein

2 softer sweet apples (such as gala)
2 granny smith apples
2 TB brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt

1. Peel, core, and chop your apples. You will want to cut the granny smiths into smaller pieces than your sweet variety because it will take longer for these to break down (roughly 1/2 to 1/3 the size).

2. Place the cut apples in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt.

3. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until most pieces are broken down and it is at your desired consistency, adding more water if needed. I cook mine for about 30 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Oven Baked Pork Chops
Makes 8 Servings
150 cals / 2g fat / 9g carbs / 19g protein

1 pack of 8 thin pork loin chops (~1.5 lbs)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup panko
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 egg whites
3 TB water
Salt and Pepper and Cooking Spray

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425. Cut that ribbon of fat off of the pork chops (and any other visible fat) and generously season them with salt and pepper.

2. Onto a plate or shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and water together with a fork until frothy.

3. Generously spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Dip each chop in the egg whites, then dredge in breadcrumb mix to coat. Place each on the prepared sheet and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.

4. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping the chops over half-way through cooking.

This post is brought to at the request of the husband.  I wish I could say it was the pork chop, but I really think it is the applesauce that gets him excited.  And I can't say I disagree with him.  Yes, you can buy applesauce from the store, but the kind on your stove, all sweet and warm with homemadey (this should be a word) flavor really hits it out of the park.  And what better to serve alongside the sauce than some oven baked pork chops?

A simple dinner you can't go wrong with. I start my applesauce (and in this case, some carrots), then make the chops.  Walla, everything gets done about the same time.

Stove Top Applesauce
Makes 4 servings
105 cals / 0g fat / 29g carbs / 0g protein

2 softer sweet apples (such as gala)
2 granny smith apples
2 TB brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt

1. Peel, core, and chop your apples. You will want to cut the granny smiths into smaller pieces than your sweet variety because it will take longer for these to break down (roughly 1/2 to 1/3 the size).

2. Place the cut apples in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt.

3. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until most pieces are broken down and it is at your desired consistency, adding more water if needed. I cook mine for about 30 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Oven Baked Pork Chops
Makes 8 Servings
150 cals / 2g fat / 9g carbs / 19g protein

1 pack of 8 thin pork loin chops (~1.5 lbs)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup panko
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 egg whites
3 TB water
Salt and Pepper and Cooking Spray

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425. Cut that ribbon of fat off of the pork chops (and any other visible fat) and generously season them with salt and pepper.

2. Onto a plate or shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and water together with a fork until frothy.

3. Generously spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Dip each chop in the egg whites, then dredge in breadcrumb mix to coat. Place each on the prepared sheet and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.

4. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping the chops over half-way through cooking.