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Date Night Pork Chop

4.9

(14)

Easy pork recipes One large pork chop cut into thick horizontal slices and laid along the bone next to a salad of green...
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Pearl Jones

Rubbing a little honey across the surface of the pork before searing guarantees a shiny, caramelized crust. Pair that with a lemony endive and apple salad, and you've got the ultimate dinner for two.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    2 servings

Ingredients

1 (1-lb.) bone-in pork loin chop (1"–1 1/2" thick)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tsp. honey, divided
5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 Tbsp. skin-on hazelnuts, crushed
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
1 lemon, halved
1 small Pink Lady apple
1 large or 2 small endive, leaves separated
1 oz. Parmesan, shaved, broken into small pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pat pork chop dry with paper towels; season generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Heat a medium skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium. Drizzle 1/2 tsp. honey over 1 side of pork chop, then drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil. Rub all over; repeat on the other side. Cook until deeply browned, about 3 minutes per side. Turn upright onto fat cap and hold with tongs; cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; cook 1 more minute on each side (an instant-read thermometer inserted about ½" from bone should register 130°F; cook another minute if needed). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add hazelnuts and 2 Tbsp. oil to same skillet; cook over medium-low heat, tossing, until nuts are golden, about 3 minutes. Add shallot; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until shallot is softened and browned, about 2 minutes. Add remaining 2 tsp. honey and squeeze in juice from a lemon half; toss well. Remove from heat.

    Step 4

    Cut around apple core to remove flesh in 3 lobes. Thinly slice 2 lobes (do as you will with remaining apple). Toss apple slices, endive, and Parmesan in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, squeeze in juice from remaining lemon half, and toss again.

    Step 5

    Cut bone away from pork chop and slice meat 1/2" thick. Arrange on a plate and drizzle juices over. Mound salad alongside and spoon hazelnut mixture over.

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