Sunday, February 3, 2008

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops & Pasta


My oldest daughter is a very picky eater. She could live off of pizza, chicken nuggets and tacos. I can get her attention with just about anything that contains cheese. She's been down with the flu since Wednesday and I think we've finally turned the corner because her appetite is starting to return. I decided to prepare one of her favorites.

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops - Heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium-medium high heat with about 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper four bone-in pork chops. In a bowl, mix one cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan reggiano cheese. When the oil is thoroughly heated coat the chops with the dry mixture and fry until golden brown on both sides. About four minutes per side.

Garlic and Cheese Pasta - Boil your favorite pasta in heavily salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan heat 3/4 of extra virgin olive oil and add 8 cloves of peeled, smashed garlic. Heat until garlic begins to turn golden brown. This will infuse the garlic flavor into the oil. Be careful not to burn garlic. Remove garlic from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside and reserve oil. Ladle 3 tablespoons of garlic oil into a large pot over medium high heat and brown four slices of pancetta or bacon cut into small pieces. Remove pancetta or bacon from pan and set aside. Saute 1/2 onion finely chopped in the oil. When the onion is almost translucent, add the cloves of garlic and smash them on side of the pot, cook one more minute. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth and reduce. Lower heat to medium and add one cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan reggiano. Season with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of fresh tyme, 1/4 teaspon of red pepper flakes. Reduce slightly. Add 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. Add pacentta or bacon and cooked and drained pasta and blend sauce into the pasta.

Garlic Bread - Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice four piecess of French or Italian Bread and ladle the reaming garlic oil onto bread slices. Sprinkle parmsean cheese on top and cook in 400 degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the edges of bread and parmsean are beginning to turn golden brown.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am quickly becoming a fan. This dish was full of taste.

Anonymous said...

Fried Pork Chops never tasted so good. Thanks for the new idea.