If you grew up in a tropical climate, and when my mom used to make Pork Chops with purslane, purslane was not something you went to the market to buy. It was something that your mom sent you to look for around the neighborhood, whether at a neighbor’s house or on the side of the road.
Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce
It used to be the same way with Nopales, also. For example, my Mom would ask some of my siblings or me to go to a neighbor’s house, if she was growing purslane, and kindly ask for some.
You would arrive at her house and say something like:
“Good Morning Sra. Lupita, my Mom wants to cook Pork chops with purslane today, and she says if you would be so kind to share some Purslane for today’s meal.” It could be purslane, nopales, lime, epazote, mint, avocados, or whatever they had planted in their patio.
At my parents’ home we had limes, so people would often come to our house asking if we could share some limes with them. Those were other times, but I’m not feeling nostalgic, I like that the convenience of modern life lets me go to the supermarket and buy them by pounds or bunches! Or go outside and cut it straight from my veggie garden.
How to cook Purslane?
If you haven’t tried Purslane before, this is your chance to do it with this mouth-watering pork chops with purslane in a tomatillo stew. This stew is one of the most common ways that you will find purslane prepared in central Mexico.
You can steam purslane, saute or added it to stews the same way you will with spinach. Or added to salads, just used the leaves and tender stems.
What does purslane taste like?
Purslane’s flavor can be compared to that of spinach. I hope you give this plat a try since it also has a lot of amazing benefits like a great amount of Omega 3 Fatty acids.
How to make Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and brown well on both sides. This step will take about 15 minutes. Turn the pork at least once during the cooking time. (Please check the ingredients list below)
- While the pork chops are browning, combine husked tomatillos and pepper in a saucepan covered with water. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place chopped onion, garlic, cooked tomatillo, and Serrano peppers in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add a little of the tomatillo-cooking water to the blender if needed.
- Once your pork chops are well browned, add the tomatillo sauce. Add the chopped purslane, cumin and salt. If you wish, you can mix in other veggies like I did here, by adding diced zucchini. It’s a great combination. Keep simmering on low heat for about 20 more minutes, until the pork chop meat is tender.
UPDATE: May 23th, 2018
INSTANT POT Pork Chops with Purslane
- Place the pork chops in the instant Pot with ½ cup of water and 1 Tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Place the salsa ingredients in your blender and process until they have a chunky texture. Ass the salsa to the Instant Pot and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Release the pressure valve to open the pot and stir in the purslane. Place back the lid and cover. Just let the steam of the already cooked meat cook the about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Enjoy your Pork Chops with Purslane in Salsa Verde!
Provecho!
Mely,
More recipes:
Lentil Soup
Creamy Black Bean Soup
Pork Chops with Purslane in tomatillo sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Pork chops ¾ in. thick (6 Pork chops)
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 bunches of purslane cleaned and thick stems removed (About 3 cups)
- 1 ½ Lb Tomatillos
- 4 Serrano peppers*
- 2 garlic cloves
- Water to cook tomatillos and Serrano peppers
- ⅔ cup of white onion chopped.
- ¼ teaspoon cumin ground
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and brown well on both sides. This step will take about 15 minutes. Turn the pork at least once during the cooking time.
- While the pork chops are browning, combine husked tomatillos and pepper in a saucepan covered with water. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place chopped onion, garlic, cooked tomatillo, and Serrano peppers in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add a little of the tomatillo-cooking water to the blender if needed.
- Once your pork chops are well browned, add the tomatillo sauce. Add the chopped purslane, cumin and salt. If you wish, you can mix in other veggies like I did here, by adding diced zucchini. It’s a great combination. Keep simmering on low heat for about 20 more minutes, until the pork chop meat is tender.
Catherine
Oh, that dish looks so good. Blessings, Catherine
MARALYN
I'm growing a tomatillo in a large container on my patio and it's covered with blooms. I am definitely going to try this. Love pork chops. I lived in Zihuatanejo for several years and I miss it so much. Your clay cookware made me nostalgic. I have not seen purselane in any grocery stores where I live but since you said it kind of compares to spinach I will use that. I love your blog, especially the how to's.
Prieta
Mely, I have verdolaga s growing in my back yard. I used to think they were weeds but one day I recognized the plant and started using it in my kitchen. I love verdolagas con espinaso, I will try your recipe some day
Esther
This is one of my favorite meals. I also have a patch of verdolagas growing in my yard.
One time my landscapers pulled the whole thing out. I almost had a heart attack! Since then, I fenced in that area, & also planted cilantro.
Thanks for providing recipes that always remind me of my mom's cooking.
mmartinez
Hello Esther,
I can imagine your feeling after seeing the landscapers removing the verdolagas. The good thing is that they are easy to grow.
Tifferella
Hi,
Mely! I really want to make this dish, but I can't find Purslane!! 🙁 I have searched in my local grocery store and I just haven't had any luck. I have tried a few of your recipes on here and I have to say your blog is a life saver.
Mely
Hello Tifferella,
You can use Nopalitos or other type of greens like spinach or chard.
Regards,
Mely
Ron Provencio
Found your blog and must say it is "excellent." I love the way you have outlined the meats and recipes. Congratulations and thank you for making it so easy for a novice cook such as myself.
mmartinez
Thank Ron Provencio! Enjoy and happy cooking!
Esther
This is so flavorful! I followed your recipe as written, and it was very easy to prepare.
Funny little story: I have verdolagas growing in my backyard, I had planned on cooking this dish one weekend, but when I went to pick them, I found out that the landscapers had pulled them out! I was so disappointed! So now I have them fenced in 😁
mmartinez
Hello Esther,
Good thing verdolagas are easy to grow. 🙂
Barbara
I am waiting for the purslane to get big enough to use. I had a nice start last summer but some "kind" neighbor pulled the weeds out of the bed. I hope nobody helps me this year but my area is next to a side walk. Naturally, it isn't even sold in the Farmer's Market here.
Leisa
Hi, In the instant pot recipe do I cook the salsa components before putting it in the pot? Thanks so much.
mmartinez
Hello Leisa,
Cook the meat in the instant pot according to the pot settings, while you cook the meat, cook the sauce as per the instructions. One the meat is done, add the sauce and the purslane, and cook on manual for 7-8 minutes.