STOVETOP PORK CHOPS WITH CABBAGE AND APPLES

Stovetop Pork Chops with Cabbage and Apples image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 55m

Yield 5 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
2 teaspoons crushed coriander seeds
2 small heads savoy cabbage, cored, leaves cleaned of ribs and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper, plus more for seasoning
2 knobs fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
1 teaspoon dry ginger
1 small can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 poblano pepper, washed, cored and seeded, cut into thin slices
3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves
5 pork loin chops (bone-on), about 1 1/2 inches thick
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 green apples, washed, cored, halved and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 to 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Steps:

In a large saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the cumin, caraway and coriander seeds toasting them slightly for 30 seconds. Do not let them turn dark brown.
Immediately add the cabbage. Toss to coat with the butter and spices. Season with salt, white pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste, for seasoning.
Add the fresh ginger, dry ginger, tomatoes, and poblano pepper and stir to blend. Taste for seasoning and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.
Lower the heat and add the cilantro. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Remove from the heat and keep warm while cooking the pork chops. Note: I find the cabbage tastes even better the next day when all of the flavors have had time to meld together.
Heat a skillet large enough to hold the pork chops in a single layer. Season each chop on both sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with paprika. Pour oil in the skillet. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, remove the pan from the heat and gently arrange the pork chops in a single layer. Immediately return the skillet to the heat and brown on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a pair of tongs or a spatula to turn the chops on their second side. Brown about 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Turn the chops back to the first side and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Season them again, lightly, with salt and pepper.
Heat the cabbage, stir in the apple slices and add the red wine vinegar. Arrange cabbage on the bottom of a serving platter. Remove the pork chops and place them on top of the cabbage.