Blue Cheese and Chops

By Beckylynn

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• 4 green onions, sliced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 boneless pork loin chops, cut 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick (about 12 ounces total)
• 1 red pear, cored and chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Preparation

Step 1

1. Spray a 2-quart square baking dish and a large skillet with nonstick coating; set aside. In a large bowl combine the cooked rice, green onions, 2 tablespoons of the apple juice, the walnuts (if desired), ¼ teaspoon salt, and the ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Spoon rice mixture into prepared baking dish.

2. In a small bowl stir together the thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the ¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper. Rub onto both sides of chops. Cook chops in skillet over medium-high heat until browned, turning once. Arrange browned chops on top of rice mixture. Pour remaining apple juice over chops.

3. Bake, covered, in a 350° oven about 30 minutes or until no pink remains in chops and juices run clear. Transfer chops to serving plates. Stir chopped pear and blue cheese into hot rice mixture; serve with chops.

Serves 4
Serving size: 1 chop plus ⅔ cup rice mixture