Preparation time:10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Total time:25 minutes

This Crispy Almond Crusted Pork is the perfect low carb and Paleo alternative to a traditional breaded pork chop.

Last week we went out to dinner and a friend ordered this crispy pork chop and I have been thinking about it ever since. It was perfectly browned and crispy on the outside and drizzled with this amazing butter mustard thyme sauce. We were all fighting over the leftovers when she couldn't finish.

Ever since that night I been thinking about how to recreate this dish as home in a healthier and easier way. Usually my go-to strategy for creating a healthier breading is to use almond meal. Although it is a bit higher calorie than breadcrumbs, its full of healthy fats and fiber making it a healthier choice. Additionally I wanted to mimic the mustard thyme sauce but didn't want to spend thirty minutes at the stove making a sauce - plus it probably had a stick of butter. Instead I decided to brush the pork chops with the mustard and thyme before breading the chicken. I find this adds a ton of flavor to the meat and you get some of the delicious mustard flavor in every bite.

Finally, if you aren't a fan of pork, you could definitely make this with chicken breasts. I would just recommend pounding them out so they cook more quickly.

600g lean boneless pork chops (or pork tenderloin cut into rounds)
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 egg whites
1/3 cup almond meal
3/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil

600 g lean boneless pork chops (or pork tenderloin cut into rounds) 3 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 egg whites 1/3 cup almond meal 3/4 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 230C.

2. Stir the thyme, salt, and pepper into the mustard.

3. Spread the mustard mixture evenly over the pork. Whisk together the egg whites.

4. Dip the pork into the eggs whites and then into the almond meal.

5. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and once it is hot, lightly fry the pork for 2 minutes on each side or until brown and crispy.

6. Place the whole skillet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked to your liking.