Cuban-Style Pork Chops
- 8 to 12 thin center-cut pork chops, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
- 2 to 4 cloves garlic, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup fresh bitter orange juice, or 1/4 cup regular orange juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup dry sherry or vino seco (Cuban dry cooking wine)
- 1/4 cup Aceite de Achiote (Achiote-Flavored Olive Oil), or 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 teaspoon bijol (annatto seed seasoning)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste (optional)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced into rings
- Place the pork chops in a nonreactive baking dish.
- Crush the garlic in a garlic press, then mix it with the oregano and cumin to form a paste.
- Rub the paste over the chops.
- Add the bitter orange juice and sherry.
- Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for 1 to 4 hours.
- Remove the chops from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
- Reserve the marinade.
- Place the Aceite de Achiote in a large skillet over medium-high.
- When it is sizzling hot, add the chops in small batches and sear until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- As they are browned, remove the chops to a dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, if using, and set aside.
- Add the onion to the skillet and saute over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the reserved marinade and return the chops to the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, turning the chops once or twice, until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the chops to a warm platter and spoon the onions and pan juices over them.
- Serve.
center, garlic, oregano, ground cumin, fresh bitter, sherry, aceite de achiote, salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/cuban-style-pork-chops (may not work)