On the Menu: Smothered Pork Chops and Rice Pilaf

For the Pork Chops:
2 Tbsp vegetable oil  (I will be using cooking spray to avoid these extra points)
4 Pork Chops, any kind will work
4 Tbsp flour, seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika
1 C chicken broth
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
4 green onions, sliced
1 tsp cajun seasoning

For the rice:
1 1/2 cups rice, uncooked
4 green onions, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 stick butter (I'll be using margarine)
1 C chicken broth + 2 cups water (use remaining broth from can & add water to make 3 cups)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C slivered almonds (2 ounces)

1.  Start rice.  Melt butter in a large sauce pan.  Saute 1/2 of green onions and garlic for 1 minute.  Add rice, broth, water and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer until water cooks out - about 30 minutes (depends on your type of rice...mine was done in about 20).  Once water is cooked out, remove from heat and stir in remaining green onions and almonds.  Cover and set aside until ready to serve.

2.  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Dredge pork chops in seasoned flour and brown both sides in the hot oil, about 2-3 minutes on each side.  Add vegetables and saute an additional 5 minutes.  Add broth and seasonings.  Simmer for 15 minutes or until pork chops are cooked through.  Serve over rice.

Melt butter in saucepan for rice.

Saute green onions and garlic for 1 minute.

 Dredge pork chops in seasoned flour, then brown for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Since I used cooking spray instead of oil, the flour didn't brown all the way, but it's ok because it cooks once the broth is added.



Add the veggies (green pepper, onion and green onion) and saute for 5 additional minutes.

Here's how your rice should be looking (keep it covered...I took the lid off for the picture).

Add broth and cajun seasoing.  Your house will begin to smell AMAZING at this point!

The finished product.  Hubby and I both LOVED this.  It's totally a company-worthy dinner.

Reviews:  This was the best meal I've cooked in a LONG time!  I couldn't get over how all the flavors really came together so nicely and the pork chops seemed to just melt in our mouths.  Wow!  The girls gave mixed reviews.  The 3 year old said the pork chop was too spicy and wouldn't eat the rice because it had almonds in it.  If she had tried it, I'm sure she would've liked it.  She ended up eating leftovers from the night before.  The 17 month old devoured the rice and ate a good portion of the pork chop.  She didn't seem to be bothered by the spicy cajun seasoning.  That's my girl!!  If I ever make this for company, I would definitely make a serving of pork chops without the cajun seasoning for the kids.  Maybe even just make bbq pork chops for them instead :)

Weight Watchers information:  Each pork chop was 3 Points Plus values for a 3 oz chop.  There's such a small amount of flour added to each chop that it doesn't increase the PP at all.  The rice, on the other hand, is much higher...a 3/4 c serving yields 6 Points Plus values.  Keep in mind, these PP values were based on using margarine instead of butter in the rice and using cooking spray instead of vegetable oil for the pork chops!!

Let me know if you make this and what you think of it!  I promise you won't be disappointed!