Old favorites are good, but occasionally it’s good to try something new and spice it up a bit. Recently I met my new friend Sazon (say what?) “say-ZAHN,” I say. Sazon is a Latin spice blend which usually consists of garlic, cumin, coriander and turmeric (to name a few). It has a very unique savory flavor (sazon means “flavor”) being full of spice without being spicy hot. There are different varieties available and I chose “Sazon Azafran” by Goya which can be found at any grocery store with a decent Hispanic foods section.
A short while ago I tried Sazon for the first time and found that I love the seasoning with pork chops and potatoes in the crock pot. The package I bought contained 8 little seasoning packets; I used two for this particular dish, one to season the pork chops and the other to season the potatoes and veggies. One thing to know is this blend does contain MSG (horrors!) so you'll want to watch your salt in this dish. I would recommend using the Sazon alone and adding salt at serving time IF you feel it's needed. Some people get all up in arms about MSG but I am not one of those people. Now that's not to say that you should be eating foods laden with MSG every day of your life, no sir. However, once in a while (can you say moderation, ladies and gentleman?) it's FINE.
The best part about this dish is you make it in the crock pot! Yes, that's right, meat, potatoes and veggies all in one sweet little dish that you can throw together in the morning, turn on low and forget about for the day. You will come home to an amazing Latin-inspired dinner and it will cost you very little time or effort. I'd say that's reason enough to make this dish tonight!
Latin Style Pork Chops (adapted from skinnytaste.com)
6 (4 oz.) lean pork chops
6 cloves garlic, smashed
2 packets sazon seasoning (from a 1.41 oz. box)
1 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. pepper
1 T. all purpose flour
2 lb. yukon gold potatoes, diced
2 red or yellow bell peppers, diced
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/4 c. (about 18) green olives, cut in half
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped and divided
2 dried bay leaves
Rub the pork chops with the crushed garlic then season with 1 packet sazon, cumin and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chops and add to a 6 qt. slow cooker along with the garlic. In a large bowl mix together the potatoes, peppers, tomato sauce, olives, 2 T. cilantro, bay leaves and the remaining packet of sazon. Stir to combine then pour over the pork chops. Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 2-4 hours on high. Transfer to a serving platter, remove bay leaves and garnish with the remaining 2 T. cilantro.
6 servings (348 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com
Latin Style Pork Chops (adapted from skinnytaste.com)
6 (4 oz.) lean pork chops6 cloves garlic, smashed
2 packets sazon seasoning (from a 1.41 oz. box)
1 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. pepper
1 T. all purpose flour
2 lb. yukon gold potatoes, diced
2 red or yellow bell peppers, diced
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/4 c. (about 18) green olives, cut in half
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped and divided
2 dried bay leaves
Rub the pork chops with the crushed garlic then season with 1 packet sazon, cumin and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chops and add to a 6 qt. slow cooker along with the garlic. In a large bowl mix together the potatoes, peppers, tomato sauce, olives, 2 T. cilantro, bay leaves and the remaining packet of sazon. Stir to combine then pour over the pork chops. Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 2-4 hours on high. Transfer to a serving platter, remove bay leaves and garnish with the remaining 2 T. cilantro.
6 servings (348 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com
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