Baked Pork Chop with Roasted Sweet Potato and Green Beans

Ingredients

• Lean pork chop 5 oz
• Sweet potato 3/4 cup cubed
• Green beans 1 cup
• Olive oil 1 tbsp

Method

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Sweet Potatoes. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel the sweet potato if you prefer, then cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes to ensure even roasting.
   Tip: Cutting the sweet potatoes into uniform pieces helps them cook evenly.
2. Season and Roast Sweet Potatoes. Place the cubed sweet potatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with half the olive oil (about 1/2 tbsp) and toss to coat evenly. Spread them out in a single layer to roast.
   Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan so the sweet potatoes roast instead of steam.
3. Bake Sweet Potatoes. Put the baking sheet in the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for about 20 minutes. Halfway through, stir or flip the cubes to promote even browning.
   Tip: Use a spatula to gently turn the sweet potatoes at 10 minutes for even roasting.
4. Prepare Pork Chop. While the sweet potatoes roast, pat the pork chop dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper or your preferred seasoning.
   Tip: Drying the pork chop helps achieve a nice sear.
5. Sear Pork Chop. Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp olive oil. When hot, add the pork chop and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
   Tip: Avoid moving the pork chop too much to get a good crust.
6. Bake Pork Chop. Transfer the seared pork chop to the oven (you can place it on the baking sheet with sweet potatoes if there’s space) and bake for 10-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
   Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for safety and juiciness.
7. Prepare Green Beans. While the pork chop bakes, trim the ends of the green beans. Steam or boil them in salted water for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain well.
   Tip: To keep green beans bright and crisp, plunge them into ice water after cooking, then drain.
8. Serve. Plate the baked pork chop alongside the roasted sweet potatoes and green beans. Optionally, drizzle any pan juices over the pork for extra flavor.
   Tip: Let the pork chop rest for 3 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.

Pro tips

• Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking the pork chop.
• Roasting sweet potatoes at high heat caramelizes their natural sugars for better flavor.