Tag Archives: quick

Green Chile Puttanesca Pork Chops

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Piquant was my initial descriptor as I savored my first bite; delicious was a very quick second. As chef Chris Morocco from Bon Appétit explains, every pork chop is a bit different, depending on its thickness and where it has been cut along the ribs or sirloin. That means each chop is somewhat unique and they often don’t cook evenly, particularly when seared like steaks.

However, this recipe calls for a two-step cooking process that mitigates this tendency, ideally starting with thinner chops of around ½” thickness, but the technique works for thicker chops as well (which ours were). A light dusting of flour allows for a deeper sear in less time, which is followed by a very fast and gentle braise in the pan sauce, allowing the chops to cook through but stay wonderfully juicy.

The heat of store-bought pickled chiles, like jalapeños (we always have our own pickled chiles on hand) and guindillas, brings a welcome zing that integrates seamlessly with the salty elements of puttanesca (made with pantry staples like olives and capers) and acts like a counterweight to rich pork chops.

With only two of us for dinner, and not wanting leftovers (unusual for us), we created the dish using only two chops, but did not decrease the other ingredients (except the flour, way too much!) You can easily cut that amount of flour by half, or more (which is indicated in ingredients list below).

Our accompaniment was sautéed baby spinach with garlic (yes, more!). If you would like to pair with a starch, polenta would make a good choice.

Green Chile Puttanesca Pork Chops

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • ½ cup, all-purpose flour; plus 2 tsp. from dusting leftovers for sauce
  • 4 ½”-thick pork rib chops (look for the most marbled ones you can find), preferably bone-in (1½–2 lb.)
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced into rings
  • 8 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ½ cup pitted Castelvetrano or other green olives
  • ¼ cup (or more) halved or sliced pickled jalapeños or guindilla peppers
  • 2 Tbsp. drained capers
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Directions

  1. Place 1 cup all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl. Season four ½”-thick pork rib chops, preferably bone-in (1½–2 lb.), with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper; lightly dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Heat 2 tablespoons. extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Working in batches if needed, cook pork chops until deep golden brown underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn; cook until light golden on other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Reduce heat to medium; pour remaining 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil into pan. Add 1 large shallot, thinly sliced into rings, and 8 garlic cloves, crushed, and cook, stirring often, until softened and light golden around the edges, 3–4 minutes.
  3. Add 2 teaspoons of leftover flour; cook, stirring constantly, until aromatics are coated, about 1 minute. Add ½ cup pitted Castelvetrano or other green olives, ¼ cup halved or sliced pickled jalapeños or guindilla peppers, 2 tablespoons drained capers, and 1 cup water and cook, stirring constantly and scraping up any browned bits, until sauce is simmering and beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup fresh lemon juice and 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and swirl pan until butter is incorporated. Taste sauce; season with salt and add more jalapeños and/or some brine if needed.
  4. Return pork chops to pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and bring sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook, basting with sauce, just until warmed and cooked through, 3–4 minutes. Transfer pork chops to a platter and top with sauce and cilantro.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Chris Morocco for Bon Appétit

Balsamic Mushroom and Sausage Pasta

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Dark and moody in color but surprisingly bright and light to eat, this quick dish comes together in just 30 minutes. Most of the ingredients are likely to be in your pantry, or at the least, easy to source.

Hot Italian sausage sings backup in this dish to a pound of mushrooms and a heap of caramelized red onion. A glug of balsamic vinegar, used to scrape up any browned bits that build up on the bottom of the pot, adds complexity, acidity, and a little sweetness in one fell swoop. Use a mid-length tube-shaped pasta so all the mushroom and sausage bits have a place to snuggle.

We had fresh basil on hand, so some coarsely chopped basil was both mixed into the pan at the end of cooking, and also used as a garnish. Serve with a side salad and voila, dinner done. Of course if you want to amp up the meal a bit, some tasty, toasty garlic bread is always a welcome companion. We served ours with a side of roasted broccoli rabe.

Balsamic Mushroom and Sausage Pasta

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 12 oz. medium tube pasta (such as mezzi rigatoni or pipe rigate)
  • 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more
  • 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 lb. crimini or button mushrooms, cut into ¼” pieces
  • 8 oz. hot Italian sausage
  • 1 large red onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, loosely packed (optional)
  • Finely grated Parmesan (for serving)

Directions

  1. Cook 12 ounces medium tube pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot or skillet over medium-high until butter is melted. Add 1 pound crimini or button mushrooms, cut into ¼” pieces, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal or ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and mushrooms are browned, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
  3. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin oil in same pot over medium-high. Add 8 ounces hot Italian sausage and ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal or ¼ teaspoon Morton kosher salt. Cook, breaking meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula, until cooked through, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add 1 large red onion, finely chopped, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped, and cook, stirring often, until combined and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Return mushrooms to pot and add 2 Tbsp. tomato paste and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; season with freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until paste is darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Pour in ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar and cook, scraping up any browned bits stuck to bottom of pot, 30 seconds.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Add pasta, ½ cup reserved pasta cooking liquid, and remaining 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Cook, stirring often and adding more pasta cooking liquid a little at a time if needed, until pasta is coated and sauce is glossy, about 30 seconds. Stir in chopped basil if using.
  6. Transfer pasta to a platter; top with finely grated Parmesan and more basil, if using.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Kendra Vaculin for Bon Appétit

Simple Veal Chops Extraordinaire!

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Veal chops are a rarity in our house, typically due to the high cost. I picked these up by mistake a while back, (I meant to get pork chops, go figure!) and put them in the freezer until such time we felt like treating ourselves. (Like every day since the lockdown went into effect.)

So on a recent Friday night—when in the good ol’ days we use to dine out—those veal chops came to mind as an “aha” moment. Grilled Veal Chops with Rosemary with Green Beans and Blistered Tomatoes, can’t even tell you how good this combo was; you’ll have to make them yourself.

While this dinner is meant for 6 people, with only two veal chops on hand, we cut the marinade recipe in half and bathed them in it for one hour (you can do up to 4 hours). The grilling was super quick; about 3 minutes per side because the thickness was less than 3/4″.

With little to do, you’ll have more time to enjoy company. In fact, the green bean side dish (absolutely divine BTW) can be made ahead and served at room temperature. Get the chops marinating before guests arrive, and all you’ll have to do is toss them on the grill for a few minutes when ready to eat. Dinner done.

Grilled Veal Chops with Rosemary

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried
  • 2 large garlic cloves, pressed, or 1 Tbsp. roasted garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 6 8-oz. veal rib chops (3/4 to 1 inch thick)

Directions

  1. Whisk oil, wine, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper to blend in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Add veal chops to dish and turn to coat with marinade. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour or refrigerate up to 4 hours, turning veal occasionally.
  2. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler.
  3. Remove veal from marinade, shaking off excess. Season veal with salt and pepper.
  4. Lightly oil grill. Grill or broil veal to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to platter. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Green Beans and Blistered Tomatoes

Super easy to make and delicious served at room temperature, these green beans pack a ton of savory, spicy flavor. Next time however, we will reduce the “remaining 3 Tbs of coconut oil” by half.

Green Beans and Blistered Tomatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1-1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into 21/2-inch pieces
  • 3 Tbs. soy sauce

Directions

  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the tomatoes with 1 Tbs. of the oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Bake until the skins crack, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Heat the remaining 3 Tbs. oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the pepper flakes and stir. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the green beans and soy sauce. Stir to coat the beans, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Uncover and gently stir in the tomatoes. Cook until the beans are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  6. Serve warm or at room temperature.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Side dish recipe found on Fine Cooking by Samantha Fore