Ever want to make something, but realize that you do not have all of the ingredients? However, you have no desire to run to the store for that one ingredient, and you are determined to come up with a substitute that doesn’t ruin the over all flavor? It seems like this happens to me a lot!
I was really wanting to make pesto but didn’t have any pine nuts on hand. So, I was excited to see this recipe from Cooking Light that uses almonds. No grocery store run for me!
I used that recipe as my base and worked from there to come up with a pesto that would work well with pork, specifically, grilled pork.
The texture is thicker than a traditional pesto, but works great as a coating for these chops. The pesto provides a crust of flavor to juicy grilled pork chops. Yum! And I didn’t even have to waste time going to the store! 🙂
Grilled Cilantro Pesto Pork Chops
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- For the Pork
- 4 butterfly chops, trimmed of fat
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp onion powder
- For the Pesto
- 2 C fresh cilantro, large stems removed
- 1/4 C toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp fresh lime juice
- shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
- Sprinkle pork chops with salt, peppers, and onion powder. Set aside.
- Place all of the ingredients for the pesto, except olive oil and lime juice, in food processor. Pulse 8-10 times or until chopped. Drizzle olive oil and juice over the top and pulse until smooth.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat. Spread pesto over pork chops, about 1 tablespoon per side. Discard any remaining pesto that comes in contact with raw meat. Lightly oil grill grate. Grill pork chops for 8-10 minutes per side or until done.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe is linked to Fit and Fabulous Fridays, Kitchen Fun Friday, Seasonal Inspiration, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Sweet Treats and Swanky Stuff, Totally Tasty Tuesday, and Weekend Potluck.
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Been there! Good for you for getting creative. Almond pesto sounds so good too. I think I might even like that better than pine nut. 🙂 great healthy dinner!
These look amazing! I can’t make a pork chop to save my life… always dry and flavorless. Need to try this!
I’m sorry, did you just say this was made with CILANTRO. PESTO?! I could eat that entire batch with my fingers, no joke. Cilantro + pesto are two of my FAVETHINGSEVAH. And now you are, too.
I agree with Hatley, love pesto and cilantro and the pork chops looks delicious! )
I LOVE pesto! But I never seem to have pine nuts either – thank you for the tip on substitution, Jessica! These chops look delish!
WOW cilantro pesto! Scrummy!
OMG this is too delish you could use this with other meat too and I bet it would be pretty tasty! Maybe even fish??
Oh my word, these look so good! I can taste them already! Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you posted this. I’ve also run out of pine nuts and wanted to make a few more batches of pesto with the remaining basil in my garden. Thanks for sharing!
i am the worst about picking a recipe and not carefully reading the ingredients list. i frequently have to do a switch up.
I’m not a fan of pine nuts so I love that this uses almonds! Looks great!
That pesto looks incredible my friend especially on the pork 😀
Great job!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
This looks great! I’ve tried pesto with an assortment of nuts over time and it always works. Walnuts and pecans work wonderfully.
Yum, love this idea!!
That happens to me ALL.THE.TIME. No way I’m packing 3 kids in the car just for one ingredient!
This looks amazing – hubby LOVES pork, and I LOVE pesto – we will DEFINITELY be trying this one! Great idea!
Yum. I can taste these through the screen!
mmmm. Pesto on a pork chop sounds really great! This combo would be a good crowd pleaser 🙂
what a great idea! I’ve never tried a cilantro pesto…
Looks delicious! I love changing up the nuts and herbs in pesto to make different combinations. The cilantro and almonds sound great!
This sounds amazing! What a great flavor combo!! Thank you for sharing at Fit and Fab! 🙂