Pork Chops with Zesty Green Onion Salsa

Wash and dry produce.
Trim and roughly chop scallions. Peel and mince garlic. Zest and quarter lime. Dice tomato. Drain and rinse beans.In a small pot, combine rice, 1¼ cups water (2¼ cups for 4 servings), and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes.Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

While rice cooks, in a small bowl, combine scallions, 2 TBSP olive oil, and 1 tsp Southwest Spice Blend (you’ll use more in the next step). Stir in a pinch of garlic and a squeeze of lime juice to taste. Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and add more garlic and lime juice as needed.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add tomato and remaining garlic; cook, stirring, until softened, 1-2 minutes.Add beans, stock concentrate, ½ cup water (⅓ cup for 4 servings), 1 tsp Southwest Spice Blend (1 TBSP for 4), salt, and pepper. (You’ll use the rest of the Southwest Spice Blend in the next step.) Simmer until thickened, 5-10 minutes.Turn off heat; stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4). Season with salt and pepper. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Meanwhile, pat pork* dry with paper towels. Season with remaining Southwest Spice Blend, salt, and pepper.Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side.Transfer to a cutting board.

While pork cooks, in a second small bowl, combine sour cream, half the lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, and a big pinch of salt. Stir in water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.

Fluff rice with a fork; stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings), remaining lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, salt, and pepper.Once cool enough to handle, slice pork crosswise.Divide rice and pork between plates. Top rice with bean mixture and crema. Top pork with salsa. Cut any remaining lime into smaller wedges and serve on the side.