Pork chops are a commonly consumed meat dish that is usually served in an individual portion. Chops are one of the most frequently consumed meats in the world wherein this cut of meat accounts for 10 percent of the total pork consumption in the United States alone. Chops are cut from the pork loin taken perpendicularly to the spine of the pig and sometimes may contain a part of a vertebra or a rib. It is also leaner compared to other cuts of pork and is not processed.
Pork chops may be used boneless or bone-in and are usually cut from 1/2 inch to 2 inches thick. They are suitable for frying, grilling, or roasting, but is not only limited to that. Chops are versatile that they can also be cooked as a stuffed pork chop. Due to better and refined breeding techniques for hogs, it is now possible to cook pork at a lower temperature. Cooking it this way will help the meat to remain juicy while still being safe to eat. The recommended minimum temperature for cooking pork chops is now at 145° F / 63° C as per the government guidelines.
You can watch Chef Gordon Ramsay cook the most appetizing pork chop in this video. In the video, there is a cooking tip from him teaching us the method of properly slicing a bell pepper. The sweet and sour bell peppers in this pork chop recipe call for long and skinny sliced bell peppers. That is why it is good to be able to learn how to properly slice bell peppers.
How to slice bell peppers
Cut the tip of the bell pepper and place it on the chopping board in a stand-up position. Slice it down from top to bottom like you are peeling an orange.
Place the pepper strips flat down on a cutting board while using your pinky and thumb to press the pepper down. Also, use the 3 finger rule which is 1 finger in front and 2 finger behind.
The flatter the peppers are on the cutting board, the easier you can slice them. Don’t worry about speed, take your time and let the knife do the work. Remember, the most important thing when slicing bell peppers is not the speed but the technique.
Ingredients needed for Pork Chops with Sautéed Sweet and Sour Bell Peppers:
For the pork chop:
- 2 pork chops
- Olive oil, for frying
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed with skin on
- Small bunch of thyme
- A few knobs of butter
For the sweet & sour bell peppers:
- Olive oil, for frying
- 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 red peppers, thinly sliced
- Sea salt
- Ground pepper
- 1 tbsp. caster sugar
- 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Small bunch of basil leaves, shredded
Directions
Instructions for the sweet & sour bell peppers:
- Slice the red onion and the bell peppers.
- Heat a little bit of olive oil in a pan and sauté the peppers and onion. Add sugar and continue sautéing until the sugar caramelizes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the red wine vinegar and the extra virgin olive oil and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Chop and add a bunch of fresh basil and keep cooking for a minute more before transferring it to a bowl.
Cooking tip
To be able to perfectly and evenly cook the chops in the pan, use a knife and cut into the pork rinds before placing them in the pan. This method will help the pork chops lay flat on the pan and avoid curling up.
Instructions for the pork chop:
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper and fry them with some olive oil.
- While the chops cook on 1 side add a bunch of fresh thyme and a knob of garlic to the pan. You do not have to slice or peel the garlic. Just crush them with a knife.
- Add in the butter and flip over the pork chops once to cook the other side.
- Using a spoon, baste the pork chop with the butter in the pan.
- To reduce the fat and make the pork chops crisp, turn them over on the fat side.
- Once the pork chops are cooked, set them aside and start plating.
Serve the pork chops together with the bell peppers and the crispy garlic from the pan.
This appetizing, colorful, low carb, high protein pork chop recipe comes from Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen. The sweet and sour flavor of the bell peppers goes nicely with the moist and delicious pork chops. It is a great dinner recipe that is perfect for everyone. Even for someone who is on a high carb diet but wants to eat healthily.
Recommendations:
Click HERE for the complete recipe and cooking method on how to make Pork Chops with Sautéed Bell Peppers.
Click HERE to watch Gordon Ramsay make the Perfect Steak and to learn other cooking tips. This lean Ramsay steak recipe also includes a secret method of preparing evenly done, tender and juicy pork chops.
For a quick dinner recipe, you may check out a short and simple preparation of a one-pan pasta dish, HERE.