Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich A Midwest Favorite Food

TRADITIONAL INDIANA BREADED TENDERLOIN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place each slice of pork tenderloin between two pieces of sturdy plastic (such as a cut-up large plastic freezer bag), and flatten the cutlet until it's about 1/4 inch thick, and about 3 1/2 by 5 inches in size.
• Beat the eggs and milk together in a shallow bowl, and whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, marjoram, oregano, salt, and pepper until the spices are well blended into the mixture. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow bowl.
• Dip each flattened cutlet into the seasoned milk-egg mixture and then into the bread crumbs, thoroughly coating the cutlets with crumbs. Set the breaded cutlets aside on a piece of parchment or waxed paper; do not stack.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet until the oil is shimmering. Gently lower the cutlets, one at a time, into the hot oil, and fry until golden brown on each side, about 8 minutes per cutlet. Drain the cutlets on paper towels.
• Preheat oven broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Spread the Kaiser rolls open with the cut sides up, and broil until the rolls are toasted and hot, about 1 minute. Top each roll with a fried cutlet (hopefully the sides of the meat will hang out of the roll by at least an inch on each side); top each cutlet with choice of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle slice, if desired.

BREADED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut the pork tenderloin crosswise into 4 even pieces. Cut each piece crosswise again, but do not go all the way through; you should be able to open it like a book. Pound each piece with a mallet until 1/4-inch thick and 6 to 8 inches across.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Add the pork cutlets. Make sure all the pieces are coated well with the buttermilk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Set up a breading station with 3 shallow dishes: the flour in the first dish, eggs in the second and breadcrumbs in the third. Sprinkle all 3 dishes with salt and pepper.
• Fill a large, high-sided skillet with about 1/2-inch oil, attach a deep fat fry thermometer and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Dredge each pork cutlet in the flour first, then in the egg and finally in the breadcrumbs. Gently place into the hot oil without overcrowding the skillet. You will need to fry the cutlets in batches. When the cutlets are golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, carefully turn and cook for another 2 minutes. Drain well on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Build the sandwiches by putting the cutlets between the burger buns and garnishing with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayonnaise and mustard. The cutlet should hang generously over the bun.

HOOSIER PORK-TENDERLOIN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut the pork crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Put each piece flat on a cutting board and slice horizontally almost in half (stop about 1 inch from the other side). Open like a book. Sprinkle each piece with water, place between 2 pieces of heavy-duty plastic wrap and pound to 1/4 inch thick with a mallet or heavy skillet.
• Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, garlic, 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, and the cayenne in a shallow bowl. Add the pork, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Pulse the crackers into coarse crumbs in a food processor, then transfer to a shallow dish. Put the flour in another dish. Remove each piece of pork from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge both sides in the flour, dip in the buttermilk marinade again, then coat with the cracker crumbs.
• Heat 1/4 to 1/2 inch peanut oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360. Fry the pork in batches until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Spread both halves of each bun with mayonnaise and mustard. Layer the lettuce, tomatoes and onion on the bottom halves. Add a piece of pork and a few pickle slices. Cover with the bun tops.

FRIED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH (A MIDWEST FAVORITE)

Steps:

• Cut the pork tenderloin into 3/4 inch slices.
• Pound the slices until each is about 1/4 inch thick.
• Place the cracker meal in a dish (aluminum pie pans work great).
• In a second dish, pour in the water and stir in the bouillon.
• Dip each slice in the bouillon water and then in the cracker meal.
• Coat well.
• Deep fry in a fry daddy or deep fryer at 375°F until golden brown. (Pan frying works equally well).
• Drain.
• Serve on a hamburger bun with your choice of condiments.

MIDWESTERN BREADED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH

Steps:

• After trimming any fat off from edges, cut pork into 4 equal pieces and butterfly each slice so only a thin piece of meat connects them. Put each butterflied slice between pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat hammer to pound the slice until is flattened but not torn (~1/3" thick).
• Mix together flour, cornmeal, salt and black pepper.
• Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a deep, wide skillet to 365 degrees F.
• Dip each slice of pork in milk, then in flour mixture. Fry tenderloin, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes total.
• Drain on paper towels or wire rack.

MIDWEST PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH

Steps:

• To make the pork: cut 4 (1-inch slices) of pork; trim any exterior fat from edges.
• Put each slice of pork between pieces of plastic wrap.
• Using a wooden meat mallet, pound vigorously until each slice is very thin and about 10 inches across.
• Mix flour with salt and pepper in a pie plate.
• Heat ½-inch of oil in a deep 12-inch skillet to 365°.
• Dip each slice of pork in water, then in flour mixture.
• Pat both sides with cornmeal.
• Fry, one at a time, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes total; drain on paper towels and keep warm until all are cooked.
• Serve prepared pork on buns with desired condiments.