Many of us are looking for ways to stretch our food budgets further. After all, with housing costs being on the rise and all the things kids need, it’s important to cut costs where we can. Food costs are one of the few things we can control.
Pork is one of the cheapest kinds of meat that you can buy. You can get dinner on the table for your whole family in far less than 30 minutes. Sometimes, cooking inexpensive meals from scratch can be prohibitively time consuming for today’s busy moms.
This meal not only requires minimal cooking time, but it also doesn’t require much cleanup, either. When you have a meal that’s easy to make and easy to clean up, you can spend even more time doing what really matters: spending more time with your family.
Crispy Pork Cutlets
These crispy pork cutlets are a perfect main dish. They provide a source of protein which is pretty lean. Picky eaters in your household are sure to happily chow down on a delicious dish like this.
The question that arises is what to serve with your crispy pork. Fortunately, lots of things are good choices for side dishes. From cheesy broccoli rice to potato wedges, it doesn’t take much to really wow your dinner plate. Starchy dishes (in moderation) make a great accompaniment for savory pork.
These pork cutlets are sure to be a dish you turn to again and again. Whether it's because your grocery budget is tight this week or because your family just ends up loving them, this recipe is sure to be a delight every time you try it. Classic recipes like this are a must in every home's cookbook.
Baked Pork Cutlets
The original recipe for these crispy pork cutlets is delicious, for sure. But one argument that can be made is that it’s not necessarily the most health-conscious. Because the pork cutlets are batter-dipped and fried, it’s the kind of Southern dish that’s an indulgence you may not want to eat every day.
Fortunately, it’s easy to give these cutlets a healthy makeover. One way you can do that is by baking them in the oven instead of frying them in oil. Baked pork cutlets still have all of the great taste without the artery-clogging fat.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Many families have to take food allergies into consideration when planning meals. Back in Grandma’s day, food allergies were pretty uncommon, or at least people didn’t know that they had them. As a result, many of Grandma’s recipes are full of ingredients that aren’t appropriate for people with food allergies.
But by some luck, this recipe is naturally free of most of the major allergens. It does have eggs for ease in dredging the pork through the mixture. But as long as you don’t have anyone in your family with an egg allergy, this recipe can be a winner. Since it’s both dairy-free and gluten-free, it can fit within many diets. (Just check to make sure the potato flakes are free of both ingredients as well since sometimes they might contain some sneaky hidden allergens.)
This budget-friendly recipe will likely quickly make it into your regular rotation of meals. After all, the most important thing is to have a family dinner together as often as possible. Memories are made around the family dinner table. It’s a great time to connect with your family. And it’s even better when the food is something everyone will like to eat.
Sides to Serve With This Recipe
Finding the right side is the key to having a complete meal. If you pair a side with a main course and they don't work well together, suddenly your meal goes from amazing to unappetizing. When it comes to picking a side for this recipe, you have a lot of options.
Going with a vegetable won't be a popular choice with certain members of your family, but it's a great way to make this meal healthier. Pretty much any vegetable will do, but we recommend choosing one that is nutrient-dense. If you want to expose your family to a variety of nutrients, a vegetable mix is a good idea.
Of course, we can't talk about side dishes for a meat without talking about mashed potatoes. Arguably one of the most popular side dishes in history, mashed potatoes are beloved by millions. They're easy to make, but if you don't have the time then you can find pre-made mashed potatoes in the store.
Our final suggestion is one that the kids will definitely love: mac and cheese. Who doesn't love some cheesy goodness in their life? This one may not be a healthy choice, but sometimes it's okay to indulge a little. Buy some boxed mac and cheese to save time and make your life simpler.
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Crispy Pork Cutlets Recipe
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
These crispy pork cutlets are a perfect main dish. They provide a source of protein which is pretty lean. Picky eaters in your household are sure to happily chow down on a delicious dish like this.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2 pounds pork cutlets
- 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
- 3 tablespoons oil
Instructions
- Blend eggs and mustard together in a shallow pie pan (set aside).
- Dip pork cutlets in egg mixture.
- Coat with potato flakes.
- Heat oil in a skillet.
- Add pork, heating on both sides until done.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Beautytrend4u/Shutterstock.com.