Grilled Pork & Vegetables with Fresh Corn Polenta

Fresh-corn polenta is a summery accompaniment to the pork and vegetables here. Ancho chile powder, made from dried ground poblano peppers, adds sweet, mild heat.

Grilled Pork & Vegetables with Fresh Corn Polenta
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Active Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

  • 4 corn, husked and halved

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 1 medium eggplant (1 pound), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

  • 1 medium red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rings

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into wedges

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 3 tablespoons dried oregano, divided

  • 2 teaspoons chile powder, preferably ancho, divided

  • 1 pound boneless thin-cut pork chops, trimmed

  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high.

  2. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Transfer the kernels and cobs to a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until the kernels are very tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

  3. Discard the cobs and reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Drain the kernels and transfer to a food processor. Pulse, adding enough of the reserved cooking liquid to get the consistency of a slightly chunky polenta. Return to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Stir in butter and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

  4. Toss eggplant, onion and bell pepper with 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; toss again. Drizzle pork chops with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon each oregano and chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

  5. Grill the pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reaches 145°F, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Grill the vegetables until tender, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

  6. Coarsely chop the vegetables. Serve the pork and vegetables with the polenta. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, June 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

473 Calories
29g Fat
31g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3 oz. pork, 1 cup vegetables & 1 cup polenta
Calories 473
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 30g 60%
Total Fat 29g 37%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Vitamin A 1577IU 32%
Sodium 558mg 24%
Potassium 987mg 21%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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