Mexican Baked Pork Chops

9/10/13: When you move into a new house, there are a few things that every person should know: where the closest fire station & police station are, where the nearest Starbucks is, what fast food is available (and what will I have to drive across town for), and what grocery store is the closest.

Central Market has the best produce!

For me, the closest grocery store is Kroger. However, within about a 2 mile radius, you’ll find a Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Albertsons, Aldi, and Sprout’s. A bit farther down, you’ll run into Tom Thumb, Trader Joe’s, and Central Market. A cooking gal certainly cannot complain.  However, a working-full-time-overly-committed-to-social-events-don’t-like-to-overpay gal certainly CAN complain. I hate the grocery store- HATE IT, but I also am crazy picky about my groceries. Low fat this, skim that- I am particular because I know that well-thought-out choices are imperative to a healthy lifestyle.

When I’m feeling very financially secure, I will go to Central Market for fruit and veggies. They have, hands down, the best produce in this town.  If I’m in a rush, I’ll go to Kroger because it is the closest, and I know it the best.  For bulk (like chicken breasts, Zipfiz- Andy’s daily vitamin, and lettuce), I will go to Costco (but not on a weekend. I refuse to go to Costco on the weekend).  For general items (like cleaner, shampoo, bread, etc), I go to Wal-Mart because they have the lowest prices (and price-match rocks. Get the “Shop Savy app” and save some bucks).  But, most recently, I have started going to Albertsons.

Albertsons was where we always shopped when I was little. I’d always pick up a hot, fresh loaf of French bread out of the big metal cart after ballet class and eat bites of the soft part in the middle. One time, I ate too much of it and my mom was not happy when we got home that “a little mouse must’ve gotten in” her bread! So, the next time I accidently ate too much out of the inside, I snuck back over to the bread warmer and replaced the hollowed-out load with a brand new one, leaving the hollow loaf for some unsuspecting bread-buyer. I was such a jerk! But, let’s be honest, I didn’t want to get in trouble for eating all that bread again!!

Albertsons' hot fresh French bread

So anyways, lately Albertson’s has been having these crazy-good “Buy 1 get 2 free” deals on chicken breasts, petite sirloin steaks, and pork chops. I got six petite sirloin steaks for $13- that’s a steal that even Costco can’t beat!  Most recently, I bought one pork chop and got two free for only a total of $8.95. Six pork chops (since 2 come in each package) for $8.95- I was pretty proud of my mad skillz.

Mexican Baked Pork Chops are a great way to make pork chops if you’re looking for something unique and out of the ordinary. Most people simply grill or bake pork chops, but we were wanting something with a little pizzazz and spice (although I’m probably going to develop ulcers by the time I’m 30 if I keep eating so much spicy food- but it’s so good!!) So here’s your assignment- ready? Try new things- new grocery stores, new recipes- because you never know when stepping out of your ordinary routine will land you with a full and satisfied stomach!

Mexican Baked Pork Chops
All Recipes; altered by Kate Strickland
Servings: 2 chops, 4 servings of the saucey side; Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value: 11

Mexican Baked Pork Chops (and a Hawaiian Sweet Wheat roll)

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp fat-free chicken broth
• 2 boneless pork chops
• 1 (14.5 oz) can chopped stewed tomatoes, WITH juice
• 1 (8.75 oz) can whole kernel corn
• 1 (8 oz) can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, drained
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 4 sprays fat-free cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Heat the chicken broth in a skillet over medium heat; spray both sides of each pork chop with 1 spray/each side of pork chop with cooking spray
3. Brown the pork chops about 5 mins on each side
4. Remove chops from skillet; drain remaining liquid
5. Mix the tomatoes, corn, beans, chilies, and salt into the skillet
6. Bring this liquid to a boil- cook and stir for 1 min until heated through
7. Transfer the tomato mixture to a baking dish
8. Arrange the browned pork chops over the mixture
9. Bake covered 30 mins in the preheated oven
10. Uncover, and continue baking 10 mins

Keep on cookin'!

-Katherine