Blue Cheese 'n' Chops

Description
Contributed by Healthy Recipes for Diabetic Friends Y-Group Source: Diabetic Living Diet Online Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients

 * cooking spray
 * 2½ cups brown rice
 * 4 scallions (green onions)
 * ⅓ cup apple juice
 * ¼ cup walnuts
 * ½ tsp salt
 * ⅛ tsp black pepper
 * 1 tsp dried thyme
 * 4 pork, boneless loin chops
 * 1 red pear
 * ¼ cup blue cheese, (crumbled)

Directions

 * 1) Spray a 2-quart square baking dish and a large skillet with nonstick coating; set aside.
 * 2) In a large bowl combine the cooked rice, green onions, 2 tablespoons of the apple juice, the walnuts (if desired), ¼ teaspoon salt, and the ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
 * 3) Spoon rice mixture into prepared baking dish.
 * 4) In a small bowl stir together the thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the ¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper.
 * 5) Rub onto both sides of chops.
 * 6) Cook chops in skillet over medium-high heat until browned, turning once.
 * 7) Arrange browned chops on top of rice mixture.
 * 8) Pour remaining apple juice over chops.
 * 9) Bake, covered, in a 350°F oven about 30 minutes or until no pink remains in chops and juices run clear.
 * 10) Transfer chops to serving plates.
 * 11) Stir chopped pear and blue cheese into hot rice mixture; serve with chops.

Nutritional information
Per serving:
 * 305 Calories | 9g Total Fat | 5g Saturated Fat | 45mg Cholesterol | 416mg Sodium | 38g Carbs | 3g Dietary Fiber | 17g Protein
 * Exchanges: ½ fruit | 2 starches | 2 lean meats
 * Carb Choices: 2½