Firecracker Pork Chops with Fresh Pineapple, Kiwi, and Red Pepper Salsa

Did you all have a happy and safe holiday?

Did anyone else see these fireworks? My town always puts on a fantastic fireworks display and I always love seeing the shaped fireworks like this star one. 

...and this heart one...

...and the allusive smiley face firework!

I have only seen the smiley face a few times. I have also seen many failed smiley face fireworks. HOW DO THEY DO THAT!?!?!? Fireworks are always an amazing sight to see like once a year. It's nice to just stop for a half an hour and just be amazed by them.

You know what else is nice to just stop and eat during grilling season?

Firecracker Pork Chops with Fresh Pineapple, Kiwi, and Red Pepper Salsa! I'm not a huge fan of pork chops but these are darn tasty. One of those recipes that I had to stop eating just comment on how good they were. These are especially good paired with the salsa. This salsa recipe features my new secret to spicy salsa. Instead of covering my hands and lemon-ing them after handling jalapenos, I just add a squirt of Sririacha instead! A perfect combo for these hot and humid summer nights. Don't forget ice cream for dessert!

Firecracker Pork Chops with Fresh Pineapple, Kiwi, and Red Pepper Salsa

from A Spicy Perspective

For the Pork Chops:
4 boneless pork chops, 3/4 - 1 inch thick (1-1.5 lbs)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tb. sriracha hot sauce
3 Tb. honey

For the Salsa:
1 cup fresh diced pineapple
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup diced kiwi (about 4)
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 Tb. chopped cilantro
1 Tb. olive oil
1/2 tsp. sriracha hot sauce

Salt and Pepper

Pour the soy sauce, hot sauce, and honey in a large zip bag. Shake to mix, then add the pork chops. Marinate for at least thirty minutes.

Preheat the grill to high heat.

For the pineapple salsa, mix all ingredients in a medium bowl and toss. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Once the grill is hot, grill the pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side. You want the pork chops to be slightly pink or just barely cook through, but not dry.

Cover the chops with foil and allow them to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.


Serve warm with fresh salsa piled over the top.

Stove Top Roasted Pork with Sweet Peppers

Still a little occupied with the job search. Sorry for the lack of posts. I do have a very exciting interview this coming Friday but that is a secret until I know if I did or didn't get it. Trust me, you will all know when I do.

I made this dish a couple weeks back and I believe it is my first venture with pork loin! It was very tasty and I very much look forward to making it again. I am also a big fan of anything that includes egg noodles. Very comfort foody.

Stove Top Roasted Pork with Sweet Peppers

from Katie's Cucina, who adapted it from Rachael Ray 

3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 boneless pork loin
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups sweet mini bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
4 leaves fresh sage
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth

1. In a 5 quart pan with lid, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper and brown on all sides (about 10 minutes). Transfer the pork loin to a plate, and pour off the fat if needed.

2. Add the bell peppers, onion, garlic, sage and remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened about 8-10 minutes. Add the chopped tomato and broth to the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the pork back to the pan with the sweet pepper mixture, cover and cook over low heat, turning the meat once (cooking time should take about 40 minutes). Using an instant-read thermometer (insert it into the center of the pork it should read at the very minimum 145 degrees although just last year the standard was 165 and that’s what I still go by.).
4. Remove the pan from the stove top. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice into 1/4-inch-think pieces and transfer to a platter. Meanwhile, place the vegetables and juices back on the heat and bring to a simmer reducing the sauce. Top the pork with vegetable mixture.