Willadean's Smothered Pork Chops

This was a regular on the family meal rotation for a childhood friend when he was growing up. Last night he prepared this delicious one skillet meal for us and I can understand why his mother prepared it for her family.  Simply put...this was delicious.  If you've never tried smoked pork chops, look for them in your grocery or ask your butcher to order them for you.  If you can't find the smoked version, regular pork chops would work fine.

Here's our ingredient list:

1 T. bacon grease or oil

6 smoked pork chops

2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes

1 red onion, thinly sliced

4 cups of instant rice (divided)

2 large, ripe tomatoes (sliced 1/2" thick)

1 yellow bell pepper, cored and sliced through to make rings

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups water

Add a tablespoon or so of bacon grease or oil to a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Brown pork chops, alternating them in and out of the skillet until all are browned.

Cover with diced tomatoes and half the red onion slices.

Cover with the rice.

Layer on the bell pepper and sliced tomatoes and remaining onions.  Add the two cups of water and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cover with foil (or if your skillet has a lid, use that) and cook about 30 minutes until rice is tender.