Pork Chops & Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Remove the honey from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature. Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Medium dice the potatoes. Cut off and discard the stem ends of the green beans. Cut off and discard the stems of the peppers; remove the cores, then quarter lengthwise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Combine in a bowl. Halve the tomatoes.

Add the diced potatoes to the pot of boiling water. Cook 17 to 19 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Add the buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Using a fork or potato masher, mash to your desired consistency. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the prepared green beans in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add 2 tablespoons of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter); season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the water has cooked off. Add the prepared peppers and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the halved tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the liquid has cooked off. Transfer to a bowl. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Pat the pork dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned pork. Cook 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board and let rest at least 5 minutes.

* An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

While the pork rests, to the pan of reserved fond, add the mustard, demi-glace (carefully, as the liquid may splatter), and honey (kneading the packet before opening). Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up any fond, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the liquid is slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Slice the rested pork crosswise. Serve the sliced pork with the mashed potatoes and cooked vegetables. Top the pork with the pan sauce. Enjoy!