The world is divided in two. Pulp…..or no pulp in the orange juice. The anti-pulp gang wants a smooth drink without having to pick something out of their teeth. The pro-pulpers like how the pulp makes them feel like they are drinking fresh, natural, home squeezed orange juice. I am a pulper in an anti pulp family.
A number of years ago when I was going to the store my youngest, who was four, stopped me and asked me to get some orange juice. I told him I would and then he told me to buy the kind without the onions in it.
Every time I go to the store for orange juice I walk to the cooler and have the internal debate. The angel on my right shoulder tells me that I should buy what my family wants and I should be a good husband and father. The devil on my left shoulder says, “Forget them. They should buy their own OJ. Time for pulp, baby!” As much as I favor the devil’s opinion, you can see that there is no pulp in the OJ in the picture below.
The citrus brings a bright flavor.
Thinner chops will cook faster.
Fry up the chops.
A little garlic.
Making the sauce.
And putting it all together.
Hot and Spicy Pork Chops with Citrus Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4 pork chops, about 1/2 ” thick
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or more
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Directions:
Sprinkle both sides of chops with cumin and garlic powder.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chops and brown thoroughly on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. You want it to brown, not urn; check it to make sure it is cooking right. Remove chops from the skillet and keep warm.
Into the skillet, add the remaining olive oil and garlic. Cook another minute, careful not to burn the garlic. Now add the orange juice, broth and lemon juice. Using a wire whisk, get all the browned bits up off the bottom of the skillet and allow the sauce to come to a boil. Turn it down and let it simmer about 4 minutes or until reduced. Add the red pepper flakes and butter, and stir till butter is melted. Now add the pork back in (plus any accumulated cooking juices) and allow to warm up. Serve chops with sauce spooned over the top and cilantro sprinkled on top of that.
