Old Fashioned Butterflied Pork Chops Recipes

TONKATSU-STYLE BUTTERFLIED PORK CHOPS WITH WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Butterfly the chops: Lay them flat on a cutting board and, holding your knife parallel to the board, cut through the meat along the side of each chop until you reach the bone. This cut should evenly divide the meat of each chop into 2 equal flaps, which remain attached to the bone. Spread each chop out in the shape of a butterfly.
• Place the chops between sheets of wax paper, and pound each flap with a mallet or the side or back of a heavy cleaver. Pound until each flap is an even 1/4-inch thick.
• Mix together the 1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and a few drops of Japanese sesame oil. Place the pounded pork chops in a wide, shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for 2 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat the peanut oil in a wok, deep-fryer, or deep, wide pot to 365 degrees.
• While the oil is heating, remove pork chops from the marinade and shake off liquid. Dredge chops in flour, making sure to cover all spots of the meat and bone. Then dip the chops in the beaten egg, and let the excess egg drip off. Finally, dip the chops in the panko crumbs, making sure to cover the entire meat and bone.
• When the oil is hot, add the pork chops (if your frying vessel is not large enough, you should do this in 2 batches). Deep-fry until chops are golden brown on the outside, just cooked through on the inside, 3 to 4 minutes altogether. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• While the pork chops are cooking, make the watercress salad: Toss together the watercress, tomato, scallion, bean sprouts, rice-wine vinegar and sesame oil. (Make sure the salad has a light taste of the sesame oil; if not, add a little more.) Season with salt.
• Place each chop on a large dinner plate and season with coarse salt. Strew each chop with the watercress salad and serve immediately.
• *panko crumbs are Japanese bread crumbs -- light, airy, remarkably crisp. They are available at Japanese groceries.

OLD-FASHIONED PAN-FRIED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine the garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. Place the flour in a shallow dish. Pat the chops dry with paper towels. Cut 2 slits about 2 inches apart through the fat on the edges of each chop (Since pork chops have a tendency to curl when cooked at high heat, cutting the slits will prevent this from happening). Season both sides of the chops with the spice mixture, then dredge the chops lightly in the flour (do NOT discard the flour). Transfer to a plate and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the chopped bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the fat renders and the bacon is crisp, about 8 minutes. using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve for another use. (if having baked potatoes with the pork chops, serve with sour cream, chopped chives, and sprinkle on the cooked, chopped bacon -- YUM!) Do NOT wipe out the pan!
• Add the oil to the fat in the pan and heat over medium-high heat until just smoking. Return the chops to the flour dish and turn to coat. Cook the chops until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Serve and enjoy!

OLD-FASHIONED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, mustard, garlic salt and pepper. Add pork, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat., In a large skillet, brown chops in oil on each side. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Top with soup, onion and parsley. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until meat is tender.