Bam! Curried Pork Chops

Having a wide selection of dried herbs and spices in your kitchen makes it easy to turn what could be a rather boring meal--like pork chops and green beans--into something more exciting. It is, after all, just as easy to sprinkle cumin and coriander on the chops as it is to sprinkle salt and garlic powder, but the results could not be more different.

When buying dried herbs--whether for the first time or as a replacement--get the smallest container you can find. Yes, you’ll have to replace them more often, and that’s the idea, because dried herbs and spices start to lose their flavor after a few months.

While you’re at the store, pick up a couple of papayas for dessert.

Menu (30 MINUTES OR LESS)

Curried Pork Chops

Sauteed Green Beans

Sliced Papayas

CURRIED PORK CHOPS

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 (6-ounce) pork loin chops

1 tablespoon butter

1 lime, cut in 8 wedges

Combine cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt and cayenne in small bowl. Sprinkle over both sides of chops.

Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chops and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Squeeze small amount lime juice over each chop. Garnish with remaining lime wedges.

4 servings. Each serving:

309 calories; 677 mg sodium; 79 mg cholesterol; 25 grams fat; 0 carbohydrates; 19 grams protein; 0.08 gram fiber.

SAUTEED GREEN BEANS (LOW-FAT COOKING)

1 pound green beans

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pinch cayenne pepper

Trim stem ends off beans. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin and mustard seeds and cook, stirring, until seeds begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Add green beans, salt and cayenne and stir to mix well. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but still crisp, about 10 minutes.

4 servings. Each serving:

64 calories; 331 mg sodium; 8 mg cholesterol; 3 grams fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 1.31 grams fiber.

INGREDIENTS

Staples

Butter

Ground coriander

Ground cumin

Cumin seeds

Cayenne pepper

Lime

Mustard seeds

Salt

Turmeric

Shopping List

4 (6-ounce) pork loin chops

1 pound green beans

2 papayas

COUNTDOWN

20 minutes before: Trim green beans. Combine spices for chops.

15 minutes before: Season chops. Melt butter for green beans.

12 minutes before: Begin cooking green beans.

10 minutes before: Melt butter for chops and begin cooking.