Italian porchetta is a special dish of spit-roasted pork flavored with herbs, fennel and garlic. It’s delicious, but much too involved for a weeknight dinner. To give pork chops the same flavor profile with less work, we narrowed the ingredients to those best suited for searing on the stovetop.
In this recipe from our book “Tuesday Nights Mediterranean,” which features weeknight-friendly meals from the region, we blend together salt, black pepper, rosemary, fennel seeds and red pepper flakes in a spice grinder, then rub the seasoning blend on bone-in center cut pork chops before searing them until well browned.
Once the chops are cooked through, the pan is deglazed with a bit of water to release the flavorful browned bits. The liquid is enriched with butter and flavored with lemon juice to create a simple bright and rich pan sauce for finishing. A fresh fennel and herb salad balances the richness of the meat.
Don’t discard the fennel fronds if your bulb has them attached. Chop about ¼ cup and add them to the bowl with the fennel. When shopping, try to choose chops that are close in size so they cook at the same rate.
SEARED PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND HERB SALAD
Start to finish: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Four 8-ounce bone-in center cut pork chops, each about 1-inch thick, patted dry
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons salted butter, cut into 2 pieces
3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
1 large fennel bulb, halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced crosswise
3 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
In a spice grinder, combine 1½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, the rosemary, fennel seeds and pepper flakes. Process to a fine powder, about 10 seconds. Measure ½ teaspoon into a medium bowl and set aside. Sprinkle the remainder onto both sides of the pork chops, then rub the seasonings into the meat.
In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of oil until barely smoking. Add the chops and cook until well browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook until the centers reach 135°F, another 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil. With the pan still over medium-high, add ¼ cup water and scrape up any browned bits. Add the butter and whisk until incorporated, then stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
To the bowl with the spice mix, whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add the fennel, scallions and parsley, then toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chops and serve with the fennel salad.
This image released by Milk Street shows a recipe for seared pork chops with fennel and herb salad. (Milk Street via AP)
This image released by Milk Street shows a recipe for seared pork chops with fennel and herb salad. (Milk Street via AP)
This image released by Milk Street shows a recipe for seared pork chops with fennel and herb salad. (Milk Street via AP)
This image released by Milk Street shows a recipe for seared pork chops with fennel and herb salad. (Milk Street via AP)
SEATTLE (AP) — Ryan Gauld scored on a penalty kick in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, and the Vancouver Whitecaps salvaged a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night.
Gauld’s tying goal came following a lengthy video review where referee Victor Rivas and video official Pierre-Luc Lauziere determined Seattle defender Nouhou committed a handball inside the penalty area in the 90th minute.
Gauld sent Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei the wrong direction with his left-footed shot for his fourth goal of the season. Gauld also scored against the Sounders in a 2-0 win last month.
Seattle’s Jordan Morris scored his second of the year in the opening minutes of the match but the Sounders will feel it was a harsh penalty decision that cost them the chance at three points. Seattle was trying to complete a six-point week and pick up wins over its two Cascadia rivals after winning in Portland last weekend.
Instead, the Sounders remain with just one victory at home so far this season.
The Sounders nearly picked up a late winner as designated player Pedro de la Vega had a shot hit the post in the final seconds of the match. De la Vega entered in the 76th minute for his first appearance since March 2 when suffered a hamstring injury against Austin FC. He also had a header hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
Morris’ goal came off a scramble in the penalty area in the ninth minute. Alex Roldan’s initial shot was saved by Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, but was pushed right toward Morris and his left-footed shot found net. His only other goal this season came on April 6 against Montreal.
After losing its last two league matches, both on the road, the Whitecaps earned a point with the late draw. But Vancouver has not won since beating Seattle on April 20 and scored just two goals in its last five MLS games.
While Vancouver gets to go home this week, it doesn’t get much easier. After a midweek home game against Calvary FC in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals, the Whitecaps host Lionel Messi and Eastern Conference-leading Inter Miami next Saturday.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, right, and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Javain Brown pursue the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini argues with an official as midfielder Ryan Gauld lies on the ground during the first half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon blocks a shot from Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas (18) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo reacts to an official calling possession for the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Javain Brown, top, collides with Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák while going up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Javain Brown, top, collides with Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák while going up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, right, reacts with midfielder Albert Rusnák, center, after scoring against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris reacts after scoring against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
