Seared pork chops with a Cilantro Date sauce

This recipe is part Nathan Lyon's and part mine. I watched him make a Lamb loin with mint date sauce on DHC and it looked so amazing. I knew I wasn't going to go out and buy a rack of lamb so I gave it some thought and decided on pork loin chops. This recipe turned out to be a big hit and I know it will become a staple in my house.

Seared Pork Chops with a Cilantro Date Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 small sweet onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 Serrano or Jalapeno chili, seeded, small dice

1 cup dates, pitted, chopped

1 tsp red wine vinegar

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2-4 Pork loin chops

Kosher salt and pepper

Directions For the Sauce

In a saute pan over medium low heat add 1 Tbs Olive Oil, onion and the garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Then add the dates and chilies and cook until softened.

Add the water and simmer until thick and reduced.

Stir in Cilantro and season with salt and pepper.

Directions for the Pork

Preheat oven to 400

Season pork on both sides. In large oven safe saute pan, heat until hot. Add 1 Tbs olive oil and heat until shimmering. Sear pork on both sides until nicely colored about 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer pork to the oven and continue cooking until cooked through about 5-10 minutes depending on thickness. Serve with the cilantro date sauce and ENJOY!