Succulent pork chops are perfect for a quick meal
Looking for a new midweek meal? Then try quick garlic and honey pork chops with new potatoes.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Serves: 2
- Difficulty: easy
- Ideal for: midweek meal
Garlic and honey pork chops with new potatoes
Pork Chops: Versatile and flavourful
Varieties of pork chops
Bone-in vs. boneless
Pork chop generally indicates the cut will contain a bone but you can get boneless.
Bone-in chops tend to have slightly more flavour due to the marrow within the bone.
Thickness
Thicker chops are great for longer cooking times, such as grilling or baking, as they are less likely to dry out.
Cuts
Different regions may have their own names for pork chop cuts. Some common types include rib chops, loin chops, and sirloin chops. Each cut has its own unique flavour and texture profile.
Pork chops usually come from the loin.
But they can also come from nearer the shoulder, called cutlet or rib chops.
Cutlet/rib chops tend to contain a little more fat, which in turn adds to their flavour and succulence.
Cooking Methods
Grilling
Grilled pork chops are a summertime favourite.
They can be marinated, rubbed with spices, or simply seasoned before being cooked over an open flame or on a grill pan.
You get that lovely smoky flavour and beautiful grill marks.
Pan-Frying
Pan-frying pork chops result in a nice crispy exterior and juicy interior.
The chops are typically breaded or coated with a seasoned flour mixture before being fried in a skillet until golden brown.
Searing/Baking
Sear the outside briefly in a frying pan, then place the meat in the middle of a medium-heat oven for the remainder of the cook.
You’ll know it’s cooked when the juices run clear, the meat is steaming throughout and there is no pink meat on the inside.
Always rest it for a couple of minutes.
They can be seasoned, marinated, or coated with a glaze before being placed in the oven to roast.
Braising
Braising involves searing the pork chops and then cooking them in a flavourful liquid, such as stock or wine until they’re tender.
This method is great for tougher cuts that benefit from slow cooking.
Flavour pairings
Pork chops have a mild, slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with a variety of seasonings and ingredients.
Some popular flavour combinations include:
- Apples and sage
- Mustard and thyme
- Garlic and rosemary
- Maple and cinnamon
- Balsamic vinegar and herbs
For another simple pork midweek meal, visit here.
Reference: BBC Good Food
Garlic and honey pork chops
Ingredients
- 500 g new potatoes
- 300 g kale
- 2 high-welfare pork chops
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the honey, soy, rice vinegar and garlic. Mix the oil and butter in another bowl.
- Start boiling the potatoes.
- On a medium-high heat, place a non-stick pan and add the vegetable oil and the butter. Once melted, add the porch chops and cook for 4 – 6 mins, turning half-way until cooked. Remove to a plate and brush with some pf the garlic and honey mix.
- In the same pan, add the kale and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the new potatoes. Fry for 5 mins or until browning.Remove to a plate.
- Place the pork chops back into the pan brush more of the honey mixture over both sides and cook for a further minute on each side. Rest the chops for a couple of minutes, then drizzle over any juices from the pan to serve. Plate up.