This is a simple recipe that makes use of multiple cooking methods--the air fryer for the pork chops and the stove and microwave for the potatoes and beans. The use of multiple methods speeds up preparation and means that cleanup is kept to a minimum. I like to eat and eat well, but I'm usually short on time, and facing a counter and sink full of dirty dishes isn't my idea of a fun cooking project. So, on to the pork chops. They take minutes to prepare and cook in the air fryer in about 12 minutes. I cook the potatoes in the microwave in 10-15 minutes, and the beans steam in the microwave in 4-5 minutes. While the potatoes and beans cook, I prepare an easy onion vinaigrette in a skillet. With mustard, olive oil, and and chopped chives and thyme, the vinaigrette provides piquant taste to the beans and potatoes. To add a bit of salty smokiness, some crumbled bacon goes into the mix. The French-style beans and potatoes served alongside the juicy pork chops and a salad provide a full meal and plenty of flavor--i.e., they're really, really good together--for a cooking project that takes little time and effort. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Pork Chops With French-Style Potatoes and Beans -- Serves 4
Pork Chops
4 pork chops, each about an inch or so thick (about 16 ounces, total)
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of coriander
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch, salt, coriander, onion powder, and pepper. Sprinkle some of the mixture on each side of all the pork chops. Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil for easier clean up and then place the rack in the air fryer. Spritz the rack with non-stick cooking spray. Place 2-4 of the chops on the rack (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork in batches. I cook two chops at a time, usually). Spritz the chops with non-stick cooking spray (this will keep the coating on them), put the basket in the air fryer, and air fry the chops at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chops over mid-way through the cooking time (the pork should reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees). Remove the chops from the air fryer and tent them loosely with foil while cooking the remaining chops and/or the potatoes and beans.
Potatoes and Green Beans
1/2 pound of fresh trimmed green beans
2-3 cups of halved baby potatoes
1/2 up of chopped onion
2 tablespoons of butter
1-2 tablespoons of chopped garlic
1/4 cup of chopped chives, plus more to garnish, if you'd like
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
2 tablespoons of cooked crumbled bacon (the pre-cooked packaged version is fine)
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of vinegar (I use apple cider)
1-2 tablespoons of chopped thyme
Put the beans in a bowl with a tablespoon of water and microwave them on high for 4-5 minutes or until bright green and crisp-tender. Set the beans aside. Spread the potatoes out on a plate and cover them with a paper towel. Microwave the potatoes on high for about 10 minutes or until they are firm but can be pierced easily with a knife. While the beans and potatoes are cooking in the microwave, heat the butter and onion over medium heat in a large skillet on the stove. Saute the onion in the butter for about five minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the chopped garlic and saute it for a minute or so. Turn off the heat and stir in the chives, pepper, crumbled bacon, Dijon, olive oil, vinegar, and thyme. Add the warm potatoes and beans to the vinaigrette and stir them in the pan gently to coat them with the vinaigrette. Sprinkle on more chives, if you'd like.
Serve the pork chops alongside the warm potatoes and green beans.
