When James Beard Award Winner, Chef Mary Sure Milliken, was on Hey Sis, Eat This, she and her sisters Chris and Julie raved about the pork chops their Momma Ruthie used to make for the girls Birthdays. We tried them out and they are definitely worthy of a celebration!
Momma Ruthie's Birthday Pork Chops
Why it's on our list
Momma Ruthie had many stand out dishes in her repertoire but there was one dish that was consistently requested for birthday dinners from her daughters Mary Sue, Chris, and Julie Milliken, Momma Ruthie’s Pork Chops! A beloved dish among her daughters, these savory, succulent bone-in pork chops became a cherished symbol of family gatherings.
Each chop is seasoned generously with salt and pepper, then topped with a mix of smashed stewed tomatoes, brown sugar, and a slice of onion. Then they are baked to perfection in a hot oven and finished under the broiler, where the topping caramelizes beautifully, creating a savory-sweet crust that is impossible to resist.
To this day, the Milliken daughters still make Momma Ruthie's Birthday Pork Chops and for their own families, passing down the love and flavors of their childhood.
Ingredients
2 bone in pork chops
1 TLBS brown sugar
1 14 oz can of stewed tomatoes (you could use regular canned tomatoes)
1" thick slices of white onions
salt & pepper
Directions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the bone-in pork chops on a baking sheet. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
On top of each pork chop, add a generous spoonful of the smashed stewed tomatoes. Sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar over the tomatoes, and place a slice of onion on top.
Bake at 375°F until the pork chops are nearly cooked through, about 25-30 minutes, depending on thickness.
Once the pork chops are cooked, switch the oven to broil
Crack the oven door open a few inches to allow steam to escape. Broil the chops for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the topping is caramelized and the fat begins to drip.
Remove the pork chops from the oven and allow them to rest for 2 minutes. This helps retain their juices.
Serve: Plate the pork chops alongside your kids' favorite vegetables. Enjoy the delicious flavors of Momma Ruthie’s Birthday Pork Chops—before the cake, of course!
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