Mediterranean pork chops

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Difficulty Level: Easy

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless), about 1 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (for garnish)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Season Pork Chops:

   • Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the pork chops.

3. Sear Pork Chops:

   • In an oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.

4. Add Aromatics:

   • Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Transfer to Oven:

   • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the pork chops for 15-18 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

6. Prepare Mediterranean Toppings:

   • In a bowl, mix cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and lemon juice.

7. Serve:

   • Once the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the oven. Spoon the Mediterranean topping mixture over the pork chops.

8. Garnish:

   • Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

9. Serve Hot:

   • Serve the Mediterranean Pork Chops hot, accompanied by your favorite sides.

10. Enjoy!

    • Enjoy the flavorful combination of Mediterranean spices and toppings with juicy pork chops.

Note:

• Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your pork chops.
• You can marinate the pork chops in the spice mixture for a few hours before cooking for enhanced flavor.
• Feel free to customize the toppings with other Mediterranean ingredients like artichokes or sun-dried tomatoes.