Spalla Di Maiale Pork Chops With Tuscan Kale Recipes

SPALLA DI MAIALE (PORK CHOPS WITH TUSCAN KALE)

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, or a coffee or spice grinder, coarsely grind together 1 teaspoons salt and the fennel seed. Cut the roast crosswise into slices that are one-fourth- to one-half-inch thick. Arrange on a plate and season with the salt and fennel seed mixture. Set aside at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil. While waiting for the water to heat, strip the stems from the kale, and chop the leaves coarsely. Add the leaves to the boiling water and cook until they are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, squeeze dry and set aside.
• When ready to cook, pour the oil into a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the garlic cloves, and cook until they begin to brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and discard. Add the meat to the hot oil and brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Remove the pork to a clean plate and put in a warm place. Reduce the heat to low, add the kale to the pan and cook, stirring to coat with the pan drippings, until the flavor mellows and combines, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
• Arrange the pork on top of the kale, pouring any collected juices in the plate over the greens. Season with more salt if necessary, cover and cook over low heat until the pork is heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately, spooning a mound of the greens onto the plate and placing the pork steak on top.

COSTOLETTE DI MAIALE CON SALVIA (PORK CHOPS WITH SAGE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F Put your potatoes into a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Give them 3 or 4 minutes - you only want to parboil them - then drain them and allow them to steam dry.
• Lay your pork chops on a board and insert a small paring knife horizontally into the side of each chop to make a hidden pocket. Make sure the tip of your knife stays in the middle of the chop, as you don't want to cut through the meat to either side. Be careful -watch your fingers!
• Set aside 8 of the largest sage leaves. Add 8 more leaves to your food processor with a peeled clove of garlic, the prosciutto, butter, apricots, and a pinch of salt and pepper and give it a whiz. This is now a beautifully flavored butter that can be divided between the pork chops and pushed into the pockets.
• Dress the 8 large sage leaves that you set aside with a little oil and press one side of them into some flour. Press a leaf, flour side down, onto each side of the chops (so you have 2 leaves on each chop). Leave the chops on a plate, covered with plastic wrap, to come to room temperature while you get your potatoes ready.
• If you're using thick strips of pancetta, slice them into matchsticks, as thick as a pencil. Put them into a large roasting pan, with your potatoes, the remaining sage leaves, and the rest of your whole unpeeled garlic cloves. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and put the pan into the preheated oven.
• After 10 minutes, put a frying pan on the burner and get it very hot. Add a touch of olive oil and put in your seasoned pork chops. Fry for 10 minutes, until golden and crisp on both sides, then remove the pan of potatoes from the oven - they should be nice and light golden by now - and place the chops on top. Put the pan back into the oven for 10-15 minutes, depending on how thick the chops are, then remove the pan from the oven and serve.