Clincher on pork chops: a salsa

If you're looking for a main course dish that can be ready to serve in about 30 minutes or less, pork chops are a good starting point. The clincher would be some tasty way to dress them up.

In this recipe, pork chops for four diners are cooked in a few minutes by either grilling or broiling. While they cook, there's time to prepare a piquant salsa from a few easily available ingredients.

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GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH SQUASH AND OLIVE SALSA

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 well-trimmed center-cut pork chops (5 to 6 ounces each), cut 3/4-inch thick

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 cup diced red onion

1 large (8-ounce) zucchini squash, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1 large (8-ounce) yellow summer squash (crookneck), cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1/2 cup ready-made chunky salsa

1/2 cup thickly sliced manzanilla olives stuffed with pimiento

Optional garnish: chopped cilantro and lime wedges

Prepare grill or preheat broiler. Sprinkle lime juice, cumin and salt over pork chops. Grill over medium-hot coals, or broil 4 inches from heat source, 5 minutes per side or until chops are barely pink in center.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes. Add squash; cook 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Add salsa and olives; heat through. Transfer mixture to and divide among 4 serving plates; top with pork chops. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 287 cal., 13 g fat, 88 mg chol., 912 mg sodium, 9 g carbo., 4 g dietary fiber, 33 g pro. Recipe created for AP by Lindsay Olive Co.