Pork Chops Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a popular vegetable stew from French Provence featuring eggplant, zucchini, onion, pepper, tomatoes, herbs and garlic. Complete this meal with rigatoni tossed with Parmesan cheese and hot French bread.

Recipe Ingredients:

6 bone-in pork chops, 3/4-inch thick
1 small eggplant, about 1 pound, peeled and cubed
8 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. In 5-quart casserole toss together all ingredients except pork chops. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Brush chops lightly with a little olive oil. Brown on both sides in a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
4. Remove casserole from oven; arrange chops on top of vegetable mixture; bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until chops are just done. Serve chops with vegetable ratatouille.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of National Pork Board.