Columbus’s Pork Chops
When I worked at Macy’s Marketplace in New York City years ago, we had a huge Italian import sale in honor of Columbus Day weekend. As part of the promotion, we handed out cookbooks entitled Columbus’s Menu, given to us by the Italian Trade Commission. The book listed adaptations of recipes as old as Columbus sailing the ocean blue. One of my favorites was a roast pork loin with balsamic- and basil-macerated strawberries. Here’s how you can make it in less than 30. Serve with salad and crusty bread.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the chops with salt and pepper and let them come to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with the basil and vinegar and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 3
Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the EVOO to the skillet and sear and caramelize the meat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 10 to 12 minutes, until the juices run clear and the meat is firm but not hard. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes.
Step 4
Mound the macerated berries on top of the chops and serve.
Tidbit
Step 5
Look for balsamic vinegar that has been aged for at least 6 years. You can really taste the difference.
