Porchetta Pork Chops
- 2 bone-in pork chops, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus a pinch
- 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
- Large pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Pat pork chops dry and, using a very sharp paring knife, cut a large pocket into the fat-covered edge of each chop.
- Season chops all over with 1 teaspoon salt, including inside pockets.
- Finely grate zest from lemon and put in a small bowl.
- Cut lemon lengthwise in quarters for serving.
- Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife, mash garlic with a pinch of salt until you get a paste.
- Add to the bowl with the lemon zest and stir in rosemary, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, 2 tablespoons fennel fronds and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Divide filling between pork chops, stuffing some inside pockets and rubbing the rest on the outside.
- Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Sear pork chops on one side for 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Gently turn over chops and cook for another minute, then transfer skillet to oven.
- Cook until meat is just done, about 5 to 10 minutes longer (internal temperature should read 135 degrees on a meat thermometer).
- Transfer pork chops to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fennel fronds and lemon wedges.
pork chops, coarse kosher salt, lemon, garlic, rosemary, red pepper, fennel seeds, fennel, olive oil
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014884 (may not work)