Pan Seared Pork With Potatoes And Lemon Food

JUICY OVEN-BAKED PORK CHOPS WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and place an oven rack in the center. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and season evenly on all sides with the kosher salt (1 teaspoon) and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon).
• Heat an oven-safe skillet on high or medium-high heat, depending on your burners, until very hot. This will take only 30 seconds or so with stainless steel, but up to 5 minutes with cast iron. (to test, you shouldn't be able to hold your hand a couple inches over the skillet's surface for more than a few seconds.)
• Add the oil (2 tablespoons) and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan (or use a spatula to evenly distribute it). Add the pork chops to the skillet and allow to sear, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. While they are searing, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the fresh oregano and thyme (or less than 1/2 teaspoon if using dried), once minced clove of garlic, and half the lemon zest on the top side of the pork chops.
• Turn off the heat on the burner and flip the pork chops. (Tip: they should release easily from the bottom of the skillet- if they don't, they may need more time searing.) With the seared side facing up, sprinkle the remainder of the fresh herbs, minced garlic, and lemon zest on top of the pork chops. Place the lemon wedges in the spaces around the pork chops. Slide skillet onto center oven rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until internal temperature is 145 degrees F (cooking time will vary depending on thickness and oven temperature).
• Remove pork chops to a plate or cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes (tent with foil if resting for longer than that to keep them warm).

PAN-SEARED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ROSEMARY BALSAMIC AND ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, salt, orange zest, and minced rosemary in a small bowl. Rub the oil mixture all over the trimmed pork tenderloins and place them in a large baking dish. Cover and let the pork marinate 20 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and sear, cooking until browned on all sides. Remove the pork tenderloins from the skillet and place into an oven-safe dish; cover. Roast the pork until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads about 145 degrees F, about 15 minutes.
• For the pan sauce: Pour off the majority of the cooking fat leaving any browned bits in the pan. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add the shallot and the wine. Continue cooking until most of the wine has cooked off, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Add the broth and continue cooking until the sauce has reduced by half. Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter, one piece at a time, until fully incorporated.
• Stir in the balsamic vinegar, rosemary, orange zest, salt, and pepper, to taste. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Drizzle the pork with the balsamic pan sauce.
• After searing the pork tenderloins, pour off the majority of the cooking fat leaving any browned bits. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add the shallots and wine. Continue cooking until most of the wine has cooked off, scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Add the broth or stock and continue cooking until the sauce has reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until fully incorporated.
• Add the vinegar, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper, to taste. Spoon the sauce over the pork or meat and serve.

PORK CHOPS WITH LEMON ROAST POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pour the oil into a roasting tin and put in the oven to heat. Put the potatoes, garlic and half the lemon wedges into a large pan. Cover with cold salted water and bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins. Drain the potatoes, discarding the lemon and garlic. Toss the potatoes with the lemon zest, oregano and seasoning, then carefully transfer to the hot oil in the roasting tin and roast for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, finely chop the olives in a small food processor with some pepper. Press the olives onto both sides of the pork chops, then add the chops to the roasting tin and cook for a further 15-20 mins. Just before serving, heat a dry frying pan until very hot. Tip in the spinach, cook for 20 seconds or so until wilted, then set aside in a colander to drain. Season, then serve with the pork, potatoes and remaining lemon wedges.