Kenjis Perfect Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipes

PERFECT PAN-SEARED PORK CHOPS RECIPE

Steps:

• Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season pork chops generously on all sides with all of the sugar. Season with salt to taste. Transfer to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 8 hours and up to 24.
• The next day, preheat oven to 250°F. Place baking sheet with pork chops in oven and cook until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the chops registers 100 to 110°F on for medium-rare, about 30 minutes, or 110 to 120°F for medium, about 35 minutes. To prevent overcooking, start checking temperature 5 to 10 minutes before suggested time. Remove from oven.
• Heat oil in a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Place pork chops in skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until starting to brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add butter, shallots, and thyme to skillet. Continue cooking, spooning shallots and thyme on top of chops and basting with butter until golden brown on both sides and well-crusted, about 2 minutes longer. Stack pork chops with tongs, hold them on their sides, and sear the fat caps on the edges until crisp, about a minute. Remove pan from heat, transfer chops to a clean rack set in a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Just before serving, reheat drippings in pan until smoking. Pour hot drippings over chops. They should sizzle and crisp a bit. Serve immediately.

THIN PAN-SEARED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Prepare the brine: In a nonreactive large bowl or large deep baking dish, combine salt, sugar, bay leaves, coriander, peppercorns and allspice. Stir in 8 cups cold water to dissolve salt and sugar.
• Add pork chops to brine, making sure they are well submerged, and refrigerate. Leave chops in brine for 1 to 2 hours. Remove from brine, pat dry and bring to room temperature. Discard brine.
• Make the dressing for the herb salad: Whisk together lemon juice, zest and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Put 2 large cast-iron skillets over medium-high heat and film each pan lightly with oil. (Alternatively, use a large cast-iron griddle or ridged stovetop grill.) When oil is hot, add chops in one layer without crowding.
• Cook for about 4 minutes, until chops are nicely browned, then turn and cook for about 3 minutes more, until firm to the touch. Transfer to a warm platter.
• Put herb salad leaves in a shallow bowl and season lightly with salt. Toss leaves with half the dressing, just to coat. Place dressed salad on top of pork chops. Drizzle remaining dressing over the top, add shavings of pecorino cheese (if using), and serve.

KENJI'S PERFECT PAN-SEARED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• NIGHT OR MORNING BEFORE COOKING.
• Pat pork chops with a paper towel. Combine salt and pepper in a small bowl. Season pork chops generously on all sides with the salt and sugar mixture. Transfer to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, UNCOVERED, at least 8 hours and up to 24.
• COOKING.
• Preheat oven to 250°F
• Place baking sheet with pork chops in oven and cook until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the chops registers 100-110°F for medium-rare (about 30 minutes), or 110-120°F for medium (about 35 minutes). To prevent overcooking, start checking temperature 5-10 minutes before suggested time.
• Remove chops from oven.
• Heat oil in a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking.
• Place pork chops in skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until starting to brown, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add butter, shallots, and thyme to skillet. Continue cooking, spooning shallots and thyme on top of chops and basting with butter until golden brown on both sides and well-crusted, about 2 minutes longer.
• Remove pan from heat, transfer chops to a clean rack set in a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest for 3-5 minutes.
• Just before serving, reheat dripping in pan until smoking. Pour hot drippings over chops. They should sizzle and crisp a bit. Serve immediately.