Geoffrey Zakarian Pork Chop Recipes

GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH SPICY ZUCCHINI-PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Place the pork chops into a glass baking dish or bowl and pour the chilled Base Brine over top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• About an hour before serving, make the salsa. Combine the pineapple, zucchini, mint, olive oil, chardonnay, shallots, jalapenos, ginger and some salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Let marinate 1 hour. (This is best if allowed to marinate for 1 hour, but you can also serve it straight away if necessary.)
• When ready to cook the pork, prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Remove the pork chops from the brine, pat dry and allow to sit out while the grill is preheating.
• Season the pork chops on all sides with salt and pepper. Place onto the hot grill and cook until the internal temperature registers 145 degrees F on a meat thermometer, 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium. Allow the pork chops to rest for 5 minutes before serving topped with the salsa.
• Combine the brown sugar, salt, peppercorns, garlic, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf and 8 cups (2 quarts) water in a large stockpot and heat just to dissolve the salt and sugar. Chill thoroughly before using.

ALMOND-CRUSTED PORK CHOPS WITH APPLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• To make the pork chops: In a food processor, pulse the almonds into crumbs. Mix the breadcrumbs and almonds in a shallow dish and stir in the orange zest. Season the mixture and the pork chops with salt and pepper. In another dish, mix the mustard and eggs together. Brush the chops with the mustard mixture and dredge all over in the crumbs.
• Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat and add about 1/2 inch of the oil. When the oil is hot, brown the chops on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove them to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and cook in the oven until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
• To make the apples: Pour the fat out of the skillet, then wipe the skillet and set over medium heat. Melt the butter. Add the shallots, apples and rosemary, and toss until the apples begin to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar, orange juice, stock, and some salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cook just until the sauce comes together, about 15 minutes. Remove the pork chops from the oven and serve with the apples.

MOROCCAN SPICED RACK OF PORK

Steps:

• Combine the ras al hanout, salt and brown sugar in a small bowl. Score the fat of the pork in a cross-hatch pattern. Rub the ras al hanout mixture all over the pork and allow to sit overnight in the refrigerator.
• Put the pork on a rack and allow it to come to room temperature for about 45 minutes before putting it into the oven.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put the apricots, sake, chicken stock, garlic, cilantro, lemons, carrots, onions and turnips in the bottom of a medium roasting pan. Put the rack with the pork in the roasting pan and roast until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F for medium, 40 to 50 minutes. Allow to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
• Transfer the drippings, vegetables and aromatics to a strainer set over a saucepan. Press the vegetables against the strainer to get as much liquid out of them as you can. Place the pan over medium heat, bring to a simmer and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low, add the butter and stir until melted. Keep warm over low heat and serve with the pork.

PAN-SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BRAISED TURNIPS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Combine the cumin, garlic salt, oregano and mustard powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle the pork medallions on all sides with salt, followed by the rub.
• In a large straight-sided saute pan, heat the canola over high heat until it begins to smoke, then turn down the to medium. Add the pork medallions and sear until caramelized on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip, then sear on the other side until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F, about 4 more minutes. Remove the pork and set aside to rest. Return the pan to the heat and add the scallions and garlic. Cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the turnips and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables, for 1 minute. Add the white wine and chicken stock, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce by three-quarters, about 5 minutes. Chiffonade 1/2 cup of the turnip greens and add to the sauce with the butter and rosemary. Return the pork and any accumulated juices to the pan. Remove from the heat and top with the Parmesan. Divide among plates and garnish with the chives.