Savory Herb-Infused Pork Chops with Pan Sauce
Indulge in a gourmet-style pork dish that strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and elegance. These herb-infused pork chops are seared to perfection, enhancing their rich flavors. Accompanied by a luscious pan sauce, this dish seamlessly transitions from a weeknight meal to a sophisticated dinner party centerpiece. Choose from a zesty lemon sauce, a sophisticated white wine reduction, or a creamy tarragon-based variation for a truly customizable dining experience.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
pork loin chops
2 lbs (about 1 inch thick)
fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons (none)
water
6 tablespoons (none)
thyme or rosemary
1 teaspoon (crumbled)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2
Add the pork loin chops to the skillet. Cook them until they are golden brown on both sides, approximately 2 to 4 minutes.
3
Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking, turning the chops frequently, until they are cooked through. This should take about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the chops from the pan and keep them warm.
4
To the same skillet, add the lemon juice, water, thyme (or rosemary), salt, and black pepper.
5
Increase the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan, until the sauce has thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
6
Serve the chops topped with the sauce.
7
Variation 1: For a more refined sauce, replace the lemon juice and water with 3/4 cup of dry white wine. This will create a tangy and flavorful sauce.
8
Variation 2: For a creamy and luxurious sauce, substitute the lemon juice and water with 3/4 cup of heavy cream and 3/4 cup of chicken broth. Replace the thyme with dried tarragon for an aromatic twist.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Savory Herb-Infused Pork Chops with Pan Sauce.
How many servings does this pork chop recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What cut of pork is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of pork loin chops.
How thick should the pork loin chops be?
The pork loin chops should be about 1 inch thick.
What type of oil is used for searing the pork?
Use 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for searing.
What temperature should I use to heat the vegetable oil?
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
How long should I sear the pork chops initially?
Cook them until they are golden brown on both sides, which takes approximately 2 to 4 minutes.
What should I do after the initial searing?
Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the chops, turning them frequently.
How long does it take to cook the pork chops through?
It takes about 10 to 12 minutes on low heat until they are cooked through.
What ingredients are in the basic pan sauce?
The basic sauce consists of lemon juice, water, thyme or rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
How much fresh lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
How much water is added to the sauce?
Add 6 tablespoons of water to the pan sauce.
Which herbs can be used for the infusion?
You can use either thyme or rosemary for this dish.
How much salt and pepper should be added?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How do I prepare the herbs?
The thyme or rosemary should be crumbled before use.
What do I do with the pork while making the sauce?
Remove the chops from the pan and keep them warm while you prepare the sauce.
At what heat should the sauce be cooked?
Increase the heat to high to bring the sauce mixture to a boil.
How long does the sauce take to thicken?
The sauce should thicken in about 1 to 2 minutes.
What is the secret to a flavorful pan sauce?
Stir the mixture to scrape up any browned bits from the pan while it boils.
What is Variation 1 for the sauce?
Replace the lemon juice and water with 3/4 cup of dry white wine for a tangy and refined flavor.
What is Variation 2 for the sauce?
Replace the lemon juice and water with 3/4 cup of heavy cream and 3/4 cup of chicken broth.
Which herb is used in Variation 2?
Variation 2 uses dried tarragon instead of thyme or rosemary.
What is the texture of the sauce in Variation 2?
It creates a creamy and luxurious sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a dinner party?
Yes, it is described as a sophisticated dinner party centerpiece.
Can I make this on a weeknight?
Absolutely, it transitions easily from a quick weeknight meal to a gourmet dish.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe falls under the Pork category.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include pork, herb, lemon, wine, creamy, dinner party, main course, quick, and sauce.
How should I serve the dish?
Serve the pork chops topped with the prepared pan sauce.
What type of skillet is recommended?
A large skillet is recommended for cooking this recipe.
Is there nutritional information provided?
The provided data does not include specific calorie or fat counts.