Grilled pork chops

with orange zest, paprika and jeweled rice

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 people

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Ingredients:

Ingredients for pork chops: 4 pork chops
1 oranges, zested
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
2 red chillies, deseeded and very finely chopped
6g parsley leaves, finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil


Ingredients for jeweled rice: 150g brown basmati rice, washed and drained
50g Puy lentils
2 carrots, finely diced
1 onion, finely diced
1 stick of celery, finely diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp currants
Seeds from half a pomegranate
3 tbsp of toasted pine nuts
10g dill, chopped
10g chives, chopped

Instructions:

1. Combine the orange zest, garlic, chillies and parsley in the oil and set aside.
2. In a medium sized saucepan, cook the onion, carrot and celery in a little olive oil, until softened but not coloured, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Add the currants and stir in the rice and the lentils.
4. Add enough water to cover the rice by about 1cm ( about 450ml). Cook, covered for about 20 minutes .Start on a medium heat turning down to a low heat for the last 10 minutes.
5. You may need to add a little more water during cooking but you should avoid having any water left at the end of cooking.
6. When the rice and lentils are cooked, drain any excess water if you have any and season to taste. Leave in a warm place, covered, until needed.
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7. While the rice is cooking, heat a griddle pan or grill to a high heat.
8. Lightly baste the pork chops with olive oil. Season and place on the heat.
9. Each side should take 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness of the chops. When done, leave the chops to rest in a warm place, covered.
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10. Just before serving, add the pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and herbs to the rice. Serve immediately with a pork chop to the side.
11. Finish by drizzling a little of the orange and chilli oil on each chop.Note:
    If you do not have a griddle pan, you can just as easily cook the pork chops under the grill, the cooking times will be very similar.
    The chops are done when no longer pink in the middle but still very moist looking.