Pork Chops With Orange Soy Glaze And Udon Noodles Recipes

SPICE-BRINED PORK ROAST WITH ORANGE-SOY GLAZE

Steps:

• Brine the pork: Combine the salt, sugar, ginger, garlic, star anise and chiles in a large pot with 4 cups water. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and salt. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Squeeze the orange juice into the brine, then add the squeezed orange pieces and 2 cups cold water.
• Place the pork on a cutting board, fat cap-side down and make a few slits between the ribs with a sharp knife; transfer to a large pot or resealable plastic bag. Add the brine, plus up to 2 cups more water if needed to cover the pork. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Remove the pork from the brine and pat very dry. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Set a rack in a roasting pan and place the pork on the rack, fat-side up. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 115˚ F to 120˚ F, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 425˚ F.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Combine the orange juice, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and sugar in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Simmer, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside about half of the glaze for serving.
• Brush some of the remaining glaze over the roast. Return to the oven and continue cooking, brushing with more glaze every 5 minutes, until the thermometer registers 135˚ F to 140˚ F, 15 to 25 more minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest 20 to 30 minutes before carving. Serve with the reserved glaze and any collected juices.

PORK AND UDON NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add the carrots and onions and saute until they begin to caramelize. Next, add the ginger, garlic and habanero. Saute until the vegetables become aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the mushrooms and cabbage. Stir in the tamari sauce, chicken stock and pork. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer about 20 minutes.
• To serve, divide the prepared noodles between 4 entree-size bowls. Ladle the soup into the bowls and garnish each with cilantro leaves, bean sprouts and lime wedges. Drizzle with additional tamari sauce, if desired.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Using a pastry brush, spread the mixture all over the pork shoulder.
• Set the meat on a rack set into a roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 325 degrees F. Continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the shoulder reads 185 degrees F, about 4 hours. Remove the pork from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes.

SESAME-GINGER PORK WITH SOBA NOODLES

Steps:

• Cook the soba noodles according to the package directions. Drain and transfer to a large zip-top plastic bag. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil, seal the bag, and shake to coat the noodles.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high; add the pork, and cook, stirring, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Add the salt and pepper and stir to coat the pork. Add the scallions and sesame seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the broth and soy sauce reduce heat to medium, and simmer until the pork is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the water chestnuts.
• If you're stopping here:
• Let cool to room temperature, then transfer the mixture to a large zip-top plastic bag or plastic container and refrigerate along with the bag of noodles for up to 3 days.
• When you're ready to eat:
• Combine the pork mixture and soba noodles in a large skillet set over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes to heat through. You can also reheat the noodles and pork mixture together in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes on HIGH. Meanwhile, chop the cilantro.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the cilantro, and serve.