Sesame Pork Chops with Orange and Radish Salad
SERVES 4
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS To liven up our boneless pork chops for an exciting weeknight dinner, we decided to coat them with crunchy, nutty sesame seeds. With our limited ingredient list, we didn’t have room for the typical flour and egg coating to keep the meat moist and help the sesame seeds adhere. We tried brushing Dijon mustard on our chops to get the seeds to stick, but tasters found the flavor overpowering. Looking for a different “glue,” we decided to try a few Asian condiments. Oyster sauce was too salty for the mild pork, and Sriracha sauce was too spicy and harsh. A light coating of sweet chili sauce did the trick, providing a subtle sweetness and plenty of sticking power. A refreshing salad of oranges, radishes, and more sweet chili sauce made the perfect bright and lively counterpoint to our sesame seed–encrusted pork chops. See the Test Kitchen Tip that follows the recipe.
|
8 |
radishes |
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5 |
oranges |
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2 |
tablespoons sweet chili sauce, plus extra for serving |
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½ |
cup sesame seeds |
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6 |
(3- to 4-ounce boneless pork chops, ½ inch thick |
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¼ |
cup vegetable oil |
1. Thinly slice radishes. Cut away peel and pith from oranges, then quarter them. Slice each quarter crosswise into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Toss radishes, oranges, 2 teaspoons chili sauce, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper together in bowl.
2. Spread sesame seeds in shallow dish. Cut 2 small slits, about 2 inches apart, through fat and silverskin on side of each pork chop. Pat chops dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Working with 1 chop at a time, coat evenly with remaining 4 teaspoons chili sauce, then dredge in sesame seeds, pressing on seeds to adhere.
3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry chops until golden on both sides and meat registers 145 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to carving board, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then slice into ⅓-inch-thick pieces. Arrange salad and pork among 4 dinner plates and serve with extra chili sauce.