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.

SHORTBREAD-CRUSTED PORK MILANESE

Steps:

• For the arugula and vinaigrette: Whisk together the mustard, vinegar, shallots, oregano and garlic in a large bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• For the pork: Put the panko, Parmigiano-Reggiano, oregano and cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Transfer to a shallow dish. Put the eggs and flour in separate shallow dishes.
• Season the pork on both sides with salt and pepper. In order, dip one of the cutlets first in the flour, then in the egg and finally in the cookie mixture, being sure to shake off any excess after each step. Repeat with the other cutlet.
• Heat the butter, thyme and sage in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the cutlets and lower the heat to medium low. Slowly brown the cutlets on one side, about 3 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side. Drain on a rack and immediately season with salt and pepper.
• Toss the arugula in the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Divide the pork cutlets and salad between plates.

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.

PORK KATSU SANDO WITH HEARTY WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• For the katsu: Pound the pork loins out with a meat mallet or rolling pin between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to about 1/2-inch-thick and roughly the size of a piece of sandwich bread. Salt and pepper both sides.
• Set up a breading station: Place the flour and some salt in one shallow dish, eggs with a dash of water and a pinch of salt in the second dish and panko in the third dish. Working with one piece of pork at a time, coat the pork in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip in the egg and drain the excess, then dredge in the panko. (Make sure the panko coats all sides.) Transfer to a plate.
• Season the mayo: Whisk together the mayo, vinegar, gochujang, sugar and wasabi in a small bowl until smooth; set aside.
• Fry: In a 12-inch skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat to 325 degrees F. Place the pork in the oil in batches and fry, flipping halfway through, until both sides are golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as necessary. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Assemble: Spread the mayo on the bread. Place the pork on one piece of bread and top with another. Trim the edges to create a square, crustless sandwich. The meat should be fully exposed on the edges, so that you can see the interior. Cut the square in half on the bias. Repeat to make another. Serve the sandos with the salad.
• For the salad: Whisk together the oil, vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the endive, frisee and mustard greens in a large bowl and add the vinaigrette; toss.