PAN ROASTED PORK CHOPS WITH PEA SHOOT PESTO

Pan Roasted Pork Chops With Pea Shoot Pesto image

A pesto built on pea shoots, pine nuts and cilantro brightens this pork chop recipe. The chops are seared, then roasted in an oven for 15 minutes, putting dinner on the table in less than an hour. To serve, pair it with a light salad coated with lemon and olive oil, salt and pepper. Try it tonight.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

3/4 cup pine nuts
3 cups pea shoots
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 1 1/4-inch-thick) bone-in pork chops (about 3/4 pound each)
1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups pea shoots
1 small bunch arugula, cleaned
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Lemon juice, for drizzling
Coarse sea salt, such as fleur de sel, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast pine nuts, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes.
To prepare pesto, in a food processor or blender combine pea shoots, 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, cilantro, Parmesan, garlic and salt. Pulse until roughly chopped. With motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil; blend until well combined. Scrape pesto into a bowl.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut each pork chop horizontally in half to bone, making a pocket for stuffing. Rub pork chops all over with cut side of garlic clove, grinding garlic juices into bone and meat. Season chops all over with salt and pepper, and fill each pocket with 1 tablespoon pesto.
In a very large ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear pork chops until well browned, about 3 minutes a side. Transfer skillet to oven. Cook pork chops until they register 140 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 12 to 15 minutes (or cook pork to taste). Let stand in skillet for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare salad: In a large bowl, toss together pea shoots, arugula, remaining 1/4 cup pine nuts, cilantro and shallot. Toss with enough olive oil to lightly coat greens; drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Divide salad among 4 serving plates. Place a pork chop on each bed of greens. Top chops with additional pesto. Spoon pan juices over each plate.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 919, UnsaturatedFat 50 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 71 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 62 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 1163 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams