Grilled Cuban Pork Chops & Lime and Cilantro Rice

Grilled Cuban Pork Chops & Lime and Cilantro Rice

Last week I bought a lot of pork chops so I decided since it was going to be a nice week to grill outside I would find a tempting recipe for the pork chops.

I decided that I would like to find something that would honor where I was born and where my family lived in South Florida, Coral Gables/ North Miami area since the 1500s  and the Caribbean Island of Barbados since the 1400s.

Plus when I was born I was baptized in a Cuban church with a Spanish name so what is more representative of this area and my family than Cuban?

Of course if you know anything about Cuban cuisine then you know Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisine.  So I am not staying too far from my comfort zone.

I looked around for a great recipe I could adapt to my budget and would taste amazing and I think I have come up with a great recipe

Here it is:

Grilled Cuban Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS:

Cuban Rub

1 tablespoon grated lime peel

½ tablespoon chili powder

½ tablespoon fresh ground black pepper

¼ sea teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

½ clove garlic, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon

2 Pork Chops

1 Heat grill

2. Remove excess fat from pork. In

3 mix all Cuban Rub ingredients; rub evenly on both sides of pork.

2 Cover and grill pork 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, until pork is no longer pink and meat thermometer inserted in center reads 160°F.

Next to keep with the Cuban theme and of course use the lime I decided to make quick instant rice with lime and cilantro.

Cilantro because I am growing and it is inexpensive in the stores.

Here is how I made it:

Lime and Cilantro Rice

Directions:

 2 cups water

 1 tablespoon butter

 1 cup instant white rice

 1 teaspoon lime zest

 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil; stir the butter and rice into the water. Cover,

Stir the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro into the cooked rice just before serving.

A green vegetable would be great with this meal and if you are having a friend over for dinner cut up a mango and act as if it’s no big deal doesn't everyone have mangoes in their home?

Anyway you serve it it’s a great, fresh, bright and exotic meal that you will enjoy and of course it is affordable and easy to make!