Look for beautiful good-quality pork, such as Berkshire, and ask for center-cut loin chops with bone. That being said, we were recipients of some meat from a recently butchered pig. Our friends gifted us a few cuts that were already wrapped in freezer paper. When we thawed them, we realized there were two loin and two shoulder chops, as opposed to center-cut loin chops. In the end, it didn’t make any difference.
For the bread crumbs, use day-old firm white sandwich bread or French loaf, cubed and whirled in a food processor, for about three cups of soft, fluffy crumbs. Take note: dry, fine store-bought crumbs will not yield the same result.
Make sure to fry these chops very gently over medium-high heat, to allow the bread-crumb coating to brown slowly, creating a crisp, golden crust. We paired ours with some Spanish-Style Butter Beans and toasted garlic bread.
The most important thing is to bread the chops early and let sit uncovered in the fridge for a couple of hours. It really makes a difference. The crust sautés beautifully without being greasy or falling off.
Pan-Fried Breaded Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 (8-oz.) center-cut pork chops, about ½-inch thick
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup milk
- Small pinch of cayenne powder
- All-purpose flour, for sprinkling
- 3 cups fresh bread crumbs (from 8 slices crustless day-old sandwich bread)
- 1 cup clarified butter/ghee, extra-virgin olive oil or lard, plus more as needed
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
Directions
- Lay pork chops on a baking sheet, and season well on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Combine eggs and milk in a low, flat bowl. Season with salt, pepper and the small pinch of cayenne.
- Sprinkle flour generously over the chops on both sides, then shake off excess.
- Submerge the floured chops in the egg mixture, and turn them over several times to coat well. Leave chops in egg mixture for 5 minutes.
- Use your left hand to remove a chop from the batter and drain off excess liquid. Place chop on a baking sheet and, with your right hand, heavily sprinkle with bread crumbs on both sides. Repeat with remaining chops.
- Sprinkle each chop again with crumbs, patting with your hand to make sure crumbs adhere and coat well. Refrigerate, uncovered, until ready to fry.
- Set a wide cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add clarified butter to a depth of ½ inch. When butter is hot, lay in the chops without crowding, and let them fry very gently, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown. (Turn down heat if they seem to be browning too fast.) If your pan is small, cook in 2 batches and keep finished chops warm in a 250-degree oven.
- Blot cooked chops on paper towels. Transfer to a warm platter or individual plates. Serve with lemon wedges.
Recipe by Davis Tanis for The NYTimes Cooking
Accounting for Taste 