Chargrilled Pork Chop with
Oregano and Grilled Baby Eggplant

Dinner for two! This fabulous recipe is courtesy of Sanford D'Amato of Sanford’s Restaurant, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Recipe Ingredients:

Pork Chops:
2 bone-in pork rib chops, 3/4-inch thick (7 to 9 ounces each)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon
2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
2 teaspoons Greek dry oregano leaves, or Mediterranean dry oregano
1/2 tablespoon ground fennel seed
1/4 tablespoon kosher salt
1/8 tablespoon black pepper

Grilled Baby Eggplant:
2 baby eggplants, (6 to 7 ounces each)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon dry white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons ground fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Directions:

1. For Pork Chops: Place pork chops in a medium resealable plastic bag.
2. Combine lemon juice, 2 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, the coriander seed, dried oregano, ground fennel, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour marinade over pork in bag; close bag. Turn bag to evenly coat pork with marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight, turning bag occasionally.
3. Prepare a medium-hot fire in grill. Remove pork from marinade; discard marinade in bag. Drizzle remaining 1 teaspoon oil over both sides of pork chops.
4. Grill chops, uncovered, over direct heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F (70°C), turning chops over halfway during grilling. Transfer chops to a cutting board. Loosely cover with foil; let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with Grilled Baby Eggplant. Garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon fresh oregano.
5. For Grilled Baby Eggplant: About 20 minutes before grilling eggplant, use the tines of a fork to score the skin of the eggplant from stem to bottom, then cut each into quarters. Place eggplant in medium resealable plastic bag. Combine oil, lemon juice, wine, ground fennel, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour mixture over eggplant in bag; close bag. Turn bag to evenly coat eggplant with marinade. Marinate at room temperature about 15 minutes.
6. While pork chops are grilling, grill eggplant; cut sides down, over direct heat for 4 to 6 minutes or until fork tender, turning eggplant pieces over halfway during grilling. Remove to plate and serve at room temperature with pork chops.

Makes 2 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 of recipe): Calories: 610 calories; Protein: 29 grams; Fat: 47 grams; Sodium: 890 milligrams; Cholesterol: 65 milligrams; Saturated Fat: 8 grams; Carbohydrates: 17 grams; Fiber: 7 grams.

Recipe provided courtesy of National Pork Board.