Pork Chops With Black Currant Preserves The Silver Palate Food

PORK CHOPS WITH BLACK CURRANT PRESERVES (THE SILVER PALATE)

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the mustard and preserves and set aside.
• Heat a nonstick skillet just large enough to hold the chops comfortably, and brown lightly on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste and spoon the preserve and mustard mixture evenly over them.
• Cover pan, reduce heat, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chops are done. Transfer them to a plate and keep warm in the oven.
• Remove excess fat from the skillet. Add the vinegar, place pan over medium heat and bring juices to a boil, stirring and scraping up any browned bits.
• When the sauce is reduced by about on third, pour it over the chops on the platter and serve immediately, garnish with watercress.

CHICKEN MONTEREY (SILVER PALATE)

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Pat chicken pieces dry, season with salt and pepper, and cook gently for 5 minutes. Turn the chicken, season again, and cook for another 5 minutes. Do not attempt to brown chicken as it will continue to cook in the sauce and you don't want it to overcook (chicken should be dark golden in color) Remove chicken from skillet and reserve.
• Add the onions, carrots and garlic to the oil remaining in the skillet and cook, covered, over medium low heat until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. (I usually only spend 10-15 on this step).
• Uncover skillet and add the stock, orange juice, tomatoes and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and simmer the mixture, uncovered for 10-15 minutes.
• Return chicken pieces to the pan and simmer further, 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is nearly done and the sauce reduced. Baste the pieces with the sauce and turn them once at the 15 minute mark.
• Heat remaining 2 T of olive oil in another skillet and saute the peppers for 5 minutes. Add the sliced squash and season with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and toss the vegetables in the oil until they are tender but firm.
• Transfer vegetables to the skillet with the chicken and simmer together for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and orange zest and serve.