4 four ounce boneless pork chops
4 slices bacon
2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper

1. Season bacon with plenty of black pepper and wrap a slice around each pork chop, securing with a toothpick.
2. Press rosemary into both sides of the pork flesh, rub with olive oil and season with a sprinkle of salt.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the outside of the pork chops to crisp the bacon, then brown both sides.
4. Add the chicken broth, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Continue to cook until pork is cooked through to the center, about 20 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

I bought some rosemary and quickly became stumped as to what to do with it. Rosemary is one of those herbs that just has to be fresh. Dried rosemary tastes like woody pine needles. Fresh rosemary is like a bouquet of flavor unto itself and as long as it's chopped fine enough doesn't have that woody pine treeness to it whatsoever. I used to despise rosemary as much as I despised cilantro, but I've come around. The only thing that bothers me when I see it now is because it's often as huge sprigs wasted as a garnish.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken is a common pairing, but I think I prefer it with pork. Now, I know I've made Rosemary Pork some time before this, but not braised and wrapped in bacon! I am probably more amazed at this than I should be, as this seems as though what a proper butcher should do anywhere, but I found a butcher shop that will cut your meat to your liking. That means I could have 2" thick pork chops if I wanted to! Or 1/4 pound slab of roast. The list goes on and on.

The Braised Rosemary Pork with Bacon was excellent. Shannon even enjoyed it immensely and she is not much a fan of rosemary. With the leftover drippings I prepared a quick gravy (just add roux) and served it with carrots, but you could use any vegetable that is complimented by rosemary, or just put it on top of the pork chops like Shannon did. I also roasted up some halved new potatoes, see Roasted Potatoes. A relatively quick and delicious meal. Bear with the photos as I've yet to pick up another desk lamp and the lighting in this basement suite is inadequate.