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Monday, July 26, 2010

Pork Paillards

Are you shocked that I'm not posting a recipe I made on the grill???  I am too, so no worries :)  I take a break from the grill every now and then, even when it's hot.  This is the perfect dish to pull me away from the grill too... I could have actually done this on the grill, but thought it probably needed a break anyway!  Funny thing is, I actually have a recipe for a grilled pork paillard!!  But I'm not going to get into that today :)  Today, it's all about cooking inside.

I have had pork paillards (also known in some areas as milanese) before, but have never made them at home.  No reason why, just always had something else I wanted to try.  The other day, Stephen posted a recipe for pork paillards and it made my mouth instantly water.  I knew I was going to have to try them...and extra points for me, I had a pork loin roast just sitting in my freezer waiting to be used.  So the first chance I got, I made them.  They were wonderful.  Simple, flavorful, moist, and not the least bit greasy.  The key, thanks to the tip from Stephen, is to make sure the oil is hot hot hot.  The hotter it is the faster it will cook and the less likely it will be that it will soak up all that grease.  Trust the cooking time on this too...anything longer and you are bound to get really dry pork and nobody likes that!  Remember you are pounding the pork really thin, so it's going to cook really fast.  Trust me...this is one worth trying!


Pork Paillards
Ever so slightly adapted from The Obsessive Chef
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
1 lb. pork loin chops
smoked paprika
black pepper
salt (I used sea salt)
all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
2-3 cups Panko bread crumbs
vegetable oil

Directions:
One by one, put the pork pieces into a freezer bag and pound them very thin, less than ¼” if you can manage it. (I actually cut mine from a pork loin roast, so I cut them really thin so I didn't have to pound them flat)

Once flattened, season the pork with salt and pepper. Press it with your fingers to help it adhere.  Season one side with smoked paprika. (smoked paprika can easily hijack a dish so seasoning one side is the way to go). Using a sieve, sprinkle both sides with flour.  Dredge the pork in the egg and then the panko, pressing to get a good coating. When finished put the rack on a plate and refrigerate. This can be done way ahead, just be sure to take the pork out 30 minutes before cooking.

In a large skillet heat 1/8” maximum of cooking oil (I added 1/2 tablespoon of bacon grease then added the oil to reach the max level) over medium-high heat (7 of 10 on my burner dial) until very hot. The oil is ready when a pinch of flour sizzles energetically when dropped in.  Carefully lay in the breaded pork (in batches as necessary, keeping cooked pieces in a warm oven until everything's done. Cook 45 seconds to 1 minute only. Turn with tongs. Cook another minute more. Remove to a plate covered with paper towel to drain for 1 minute. Serve immediately and enjoy!

8 comments:

Cranberry Morning said...

I'll try this. We rarely have pork. This would be a nice change from the usual chicken.

Angie's Recipes said...

I love to use panko to make the crust...so crisp and addictive!

Yenta Mary said...

Your pork, my risotto ... a match made in Milan!!! :)

Unknown said...

My husband just said he needs this!

Mary Bergfeld said...

We love pork and have it often. Your recipe is lovely and will be put to use here. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

LOVE! Pounding the meat thin and then frying, oh man I'm in heaven!! I love how crispy and crusty the bread crumbs get on a thin piece of meat. YUMMMMMY! I have chops here, maybe I'll butterfly then & make this for dinner tonight. Sounds delicious!

StephenC said...

Good to see your lovely paillards! Good to been an inspiration for it.

Anonymous said...

My husband loves that dish and I haven't made it in ages.

I had to smile because from about Memorial Day on, most of my meals are done on the grill too. This one might bring me back to the kitchen!