Italian Pork Chops with Peppers & Chiles on Buttered Egg Noodles

Ingredients

4 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick an about 1/2 lb each )

extra virgin olive oil

1 white onion, chopped

2 red bell peppers, chopped

1 small eggplant, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 jalapeno, seeded with ribs removed, minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth, homemade or organic purchased

1/2 cup red wine

1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 cup fresh chives, snipped with scissors

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 lb fresh or dried wide egg noodles

Preparation

Season chops with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat large skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and chops to pan. Cook pork for 3 minutes on each side. Pork should be golden brown. Remove from heat, place on a rimmed plate (like a pie plate) and loosely cover with foil. Set aside.

Add onion, bell pepper, eggplant and jalapeno to skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil and large pinch each salt and pepper. Saute vegetable over medium heat for 7 minutes. Vegetables should be just beginning to caramelize. Add garlic and saute another minute. Add chicken broth and wine, raise heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Boil for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid has almost evaporated. Add parsley, butter and 1 tbsp olive oil to pan and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Place pork chops on top of vegetables (including any meat juices in plate), lower heat to simmer and allow chops to warm while preparing noodles.

Meanwhile, bring large pot of water to boil. (This can be started while vegetables are cooking). Place a handful of salt in the boiling water and add noodles. Cook according to package directions. Divide pasta between 4 dinner plates. Top each plate with a chop, a spoonful or two of the vegetable mixture and top with chives. Serve immediately.

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About

The last time we were in Italy Peter had a pork chop dish that he still raves about. Grilled chops covered with a slow cooked medley of sweet and hot peppers, onions & garlic served over hot buttered noodles. The vegetables were incredibly fresh...just-picked taste, the pork was as natural as possible and the bit of heat from the chiles added the perfect finish.

I have attempted to recreate this dish with a few twists. I pan cook the chops most of the time (although grilling is wonderful too) and I use sweet red bell peppers and jalapeno to substitute for the Italian ones. I also add eggplant because I like the "meatiness" this vegetable adds to the sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner...elegant enough for company.
Mangiare e Divertirsi! (eat and enjoy!)