Tag: 101

Breaded Pork Chops | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


Time for a fork-tender crispy breaded pork chop you will love. Done in less 30-minutes with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.

image of breaded pork chop on blue plate



Nothing beats a well-done pork chop. And a breaded pork chop is classic. Everybody loves a well done breaded pork chop.

My Rating
My rating system. Great 5 out of 5


We both loved them. My wife made me promise to do these frequently.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Breaded Pork Chops

This recipe is a combination of 4-5 recipes and my take on what was really needed for flavor and ease of cooking.

What Pork Chops to Use

Graphic showing location of pork chops

I suggest a 3/4 to 1-inch boneless center cut chop. But any real pork chop will do.

With a breaded chop, you don’t want to hide a chunk of fat under the breading somebody might try to eat, so trim off that fat rim.

The bone can lead to the breading falling off some since the meat contracts during cooking. Then the coating is more likely to comes off a bit.

Thin pork chops will cook rapidly and may not even need the oven part of this recipe. Thick pork chops will be the same amount of time on the stovetop but may take up to 20-25 minutes.

The Coating

The coating is relatively simple. Some other recipes will add multiple spices or a bit of parmesan cheese. You can if you want, but it is not needed.

How to Get the Breading or Coating to Stick?

The most important part of a bread coating is to have it stick well to the pork chop. So here are the big secrets to how to get a coating to stick to pork chops.

  1. Pat dry well with a paper towel. Things do not stick well to wet things.
  2. An underlying coating of something with egg.
  3. Coat with something with some flour. When combined with the egg, it sticks well.
  4. No bone if possible. When the meat contracts with cooking, the bone will tend to break the coating.
  5. Cook in a well oiled non-stick pan.
  6. BIG SECRET #1: After coating with the flour mixture set it on a flat surface like a cutting board or plate for about 5 minutes to allow the various layers to combine and adhere better.
  7. BIG SECRET #2: Flip and move the least possible and when you do use a fork. Things like tongs will rip the breading. So use a fork and stab the edges.

Should I Brine the Pork Chops?

I don’t feel the need for a brine. It will slow you down a few hours.

But mostly this is super moist and tender. Here is a picture of me cutting with a fork with no effort.

image of breaded pork chop cut with aa fork

But if you want to brine, I suggest a brine of 2 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons table salt. Mix well and submerge the pork. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Rinse off the salt when done.

You should not use the seasoning salt in the recipe if you brine since the pork is already salted. Use 1/2 teaspoon of paprika to replace the seasoning salt in the recipe.

When is a Pork Chop Done?

The final temperature for pork chops: When I was young, the recommendations for cooking pork was 170 to kill Trichinosis. This has not been a problem in the US for decades, but old ideas die hard.

Yes, I cook my pork butt to 200 degrees plus but that is a taste thing not for safety. But not pork chops.

I like to cook pork chops to 145-150. My wife does not like any pink in pork, so I tend to go even a little higher to 155. The FDA recommends 145 minimum with a 3-minute rest.

Do You Want Gravy?

Everybody loves gravy. It will add a few minutes but is worth the little work if it fits your plans. I didn’t build it into this recipe, but you can easily add it.

Here are two references. The first is my stovetop pork chop recipe with instructions specifically for pork gravy. The second is a more general reference for making gravy.

Fried Pork Chops with Gravy

Old fashion stove top fried pork chops with gravy like grandma made in less than 30 minutes. Just follow the easy step by step photo instructions. Sometimes the old way is the best way.

Check out this recipe

30 Minute Fried Pork Chops with Gravy from 101 Cooking for Two
How To Make Gravy at Home

It’s time to learn the secrets to making gravy at home with these easy to follow photo instructions to both the slurry and the roux methods. You won’t believe how easy this can be. Get it right first time and every time.

Check out this recipe

How to Make Gravy at Home from 101 Cooking for Two

ingredients for breaded pork chops

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

image of pork chops trimmed on red cutting board

Trim pork chop of the fat rim. Pat dry with a paper towel.

image of mixing coatings in metal pans

Prepare two trays. First with one egg whipped with a teaspoon of water. Second with 1/4 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs, 1/4 cup flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (Lawry’s is my choice) and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

image of pork chop coming out of egg wash

Dip a pork chop in the egg mixture. Be sure to cover all surfaces. Remove with a fork and allow to drain for a moment.

image of pork chop coming out of flour mixture

Dip the egg coated pork chop in the flour mixture. Coat all sides, remove with a fork and shake to remove extra flour.

image of pork chop coated resting on cutting board

Set the chop on a plate or chopping board. Repeat for next chop.  We want to coat to set up for a few minutes.

image of adding pork chops to pan with fork

Over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil to an oven safe, non-stick pan. When hot and the oil is shimmering, with a fork, move the pork chops to the pan.

image of browning pork chops in black pan

Brown each side of the pork chop for 2-3 minutes until almost the final color you want. Use a fork to flip by poking the meat and not anything to grab the meat and pull off the coating.

image of breaded pork chop on a fork

Do one last flip on the pork and place in the preheated oven until the internal temperature you want. For us, that is about 5 minutes for 155. This will vary a lot in time so you must use a meat thermometer and get the final temperature you want. Allow to rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cutting.

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Breaded Pork Chops

Time for a fork-tender crispy breaded pork chop you will love. Done in less 30-minutes with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time22 mins

Author: Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Servings/Adjustment: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless pork chops
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup Panko Bread CrumbsItalian or Plain
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Lowry’s Seasoning Saltdifferent seasoning salt may be used
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Trim pork chop of the fat rim. Pat dry with a paper towel.

  • Prepare two trays. First with one egg whipped with a teaspoon of water. Second with 1/4 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs, 1/4 cup flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (Lawry’s is my choice) and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.≈

  • Dip a pork chop in the egg mixture. Be sure to cover all surfaces. Remove with a fork and allow to drain for a moment.

  • Dip the egg coated pork chop in the flour mixture. Coat all sides, remove with a fork and shake to remove extra flour. 

  • Set the chop on a plate or chopping board. Repeat for next chop. We want to coat to set up for a few minutes.

  • Over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil to an oven safe, non-stick pan. When hot and the oil is shimmering, with a fork, move the pork chops to the pan.

  • Brown each side of the pork chop for 2-3 minutes until almost the final color you want. Use a fork to flip by poking the meat and not anything to grab the meat and pull off the coating.

  • Do one last flip on the pork and place in the preheated oven until the internal temperature you want. For us, that is about 5 minutes for 155. This will vary a lot in time so you must use a meat thermometer and get the final temperature you want.

  • Allow to rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cutting.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. I believe a well-trimmed boneless pork chop is the best here. A bone-in pork chop will tend to make it harder for the breading to stick.
  2. Dry the pork chops well before proceeding with the coating.
  3. After the pork chop is breaded, let it sit for about 5 minutes for the coating to combine and attach firmly to the pork.
  4. The pan needs to be non-stick and oven safe.
  5. Be sure the oil is hot before adding the chops.
  6. Only touch the pork chops with a fork during the breading and cooking to prevent disturbing the coating.
  7. Thicker chops will take longer. A thinner chop may be to your desired temperature even before the oven so you MUST use an instant-read thermometer.
  8. If you are interested in brining or gravy, see the discussion in the post above.

Nutrition Facts

Breaded Pork Chops

Amount Per Serving (1 pork chop)

Calories 344 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 18g 28%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 171mg 57%

Sodium 673mg 28%

Potassium 530mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%

Protein 32g 64%

Vitamin A 2.4%

Calcium 2.9%

Iron 8.9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

 

Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Published March 20, 2019
Molly and Lilly Dogs running in the yard

Time for a fork-tender crispy breaded pork chop you will love. Done in less 30-minutes with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.#BreadedPorkChops #CrispyPorkChops

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Easy Mac and Cheese | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


Put that blue box away. This mac and cheese recipe is one pot stove top easy. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions. Let’s kick it up a few notches.
Easy Mac and Cheese on a white plate


Editor’s Note: Originally Published December 20, 2012. Updated with expanded explanation and updated photos.

Whether it is the main part of the meal or just a tasty side dish you can easily do better than a box mac and cheese. Now you can do a whole lot better.

There must be a million mac and cheese recipes on the internet. Why do you need this one? You want great results without a lot of fuss and mess — a very good reason.

I had seen this technique/recipe around several places, but I’ll give the inspired by to Stephanie at Plain Chicken with her One Pot Mac and Cheese which was adapted from whiteonricecouple.com.

The basic idea is to use milk with the spices to cook the pasta. When done, mix in the cheese, and you have tasty goodness. Like I said, easy.

My Rating
My rating system of a 4 out of 5 so very nice.


It’s good, and it’s easy.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Easy Mac and Cheese

Stir a lot

This is NOT a mix and come back later recipe. You need to be there to stir frequently.

But by the time you precook the pasta for other recipes, the hands-on time is not much difference. I can easily find things to do in the area for the short cooking time.

If in doubt, stir more.

The Pasta

I believe almost any dry pasta should work except ones that are very quick cooking. You need time for the milk to cook and absorb.

The cooking time can vary due to pasta variations and your definition of simmer.

To Rinse or Not to Rinse the Pasta

The model recipes for this recipe do rinse the pasta. I now consider it useless fuss and have removed it for the process.

The Cheese and Milk

Use the milk or alternative milk of your choice. If it can stand up to boiling, it should work.

The cheese is not even cooked, just melted, so use the cheese of your choice.

Image of ingredients for one pot mac and cheese

Everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand.

image of adding pepper to the black pan

Mix in a medium nonstick saucepan 2 cup milk, 1 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard. Add 2 cups (about 8 oz of pasta).

mixing the macaroni the black pan

Bring to a light boil over medium-high heat stirring frequently as soon as it starts to boil. Reduce heat to simmer uncovered.

Continue to stir frequently. The milk will absorb and cook away in about 15-20 minutes. As you approach this point, test pasta for tenderness. It will probably not be done yet. Add 1/4 of milk and continue to cook and frequent stirring. You may need to repeat this. I took 25 minutes and a total of 2 1/2 cups of milk total to finish the pasta.

adding the cheese to the cooked macaroni

When the pasta is tender, and the milk mostly absorbed, add 1 cup of cheese (your choice), remove from heat and cover for minutes.

image of mixing mac and cheese_

Give a good stir before serving.

image of mac and cheese on a plate

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Easy Mac and Cheese

Put that blue box away. This mac and cheese recipe is one pot stove top easy. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions. Let’s kick it up a few notches.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time35 mins

Author: DrDan

Servings/Adjustment: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pasta
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 cup shredded cheeseyour choice

Instructions

  • Mix in a medium nonstick saucepan 2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

  • Add 2 cups (about 8 oz of pasta). Bring to a light boil over medium high heat stirring frequently. As soon as it starts to boil. Reduce heat to simmer uncovered. Continue to stir frequently.

  • The milk will absorb and cook away in about 15-20 minutes. As you approach this point, test pasta for tenderness. It will probably not be done yet. Add 1/4 of milk and continue to cook and frequent stirring. You may need to repeat this again. I took 25 minutes and a total of 2 1/2 cups of milk total to finish the pasta.

  • When the pasta is tender, and the milk mostly absorbed, add 1 cup of cheese (your choice), remove from heat and cover for minutes. Give a good stir before serving.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. This should work with alternative milk products.
  2. Most dry pasta should also work except for rapid cooking varieties.
  3. The end point of cooking the pasta is tender but not over done pasta.
  4. If there is still significant fluid when the pasta is tender, drain most of it.
  5. If the pasta is not tender and the fluid is mostly gone, add more milk per the instructions.
  6. Use the cheese of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Mac and Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 428 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 11g 17%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 33mg 11%

Sodium 623mg 26%

Potassium 271mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 61g 20%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 7g

Protein 19g 38%

Vitamin A 16%

Calcium 31%

Iron 13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

 

Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Published December 20, 2012

Molly and Lilly say enjoy your friends and family.

Molly and Lilly say enjoy your friends and family.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes | 101 Cooking For Two by Gordon Ramsay


A great side dish for everyday or special meals. If you can boil water, you can do this. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
image of a smashed potato on a white plate


/

Editor’s Note: Originally Published July 4, 2012. Updated with expanded discussion and updated photos.

Crispy… Tasty… Simple… Some of my favorite words. My type of recipe. An easy potato side dish that will become one of your all-time favorites.

Smashed potatoes have been around for quit a while but many people have forgot about them.

Most recipes for smashed potatoes are very simular and I’ll pick a Pioneer Woman recipe as the inspiration recipe, but it could have been many others. I’m simplifying as much as possible with easy step by step photo instructions.

My Rating
My rating system of a 4 out of 5 so very nice.


This is a solid 4.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Crisp Smashed Potatoes

The basic idea is to boil some smaller potatoes in salt water until soft. About 30 minutes. Smash them on an oiled pan, top with oil, salt, pepper and anything else you want. Then bake them at a relatively high temp until browning and crunchy. About 20 minutes.

What Potatoes to Use?

There are several hundred types of potatoes, but I like to divide them into russets potatoes and thinner skin types. Russets are picked when mature and tend to have more starch and thick skins, great for baking.

The potatoes for this recipe need to be a thin-skinned potato. Also, big enough for a nice serving but not too big. This puts the choice right on medium-size red potato.

I think any thinner skin potatoes like Yukon Gold, young or baby potatoes would be fine also.

Cooking the Potatoes

The potatoes need to be fully cooked to smash well. I will define that as “fork tender” which means if you stick it with a fork, it will come out easily. If you don’t “get it” about fork tender, you can use a thermometer. I like to use 210. Cook’s Illustrated recommends 205 to 212.

For these potatoes, it will be about 30 minutes simmering in boiling water. But will vary some with size of the potatoes.

What Oven Temperature?

While I wrote the recipe to cook at 425 convection or 450 conventional oven, it will work with a wide range of oven temperatures. You are cooking to an endpoint of nicely browned and crispy.

Options:

Make them “loaded smashed potatoes” with bacon and cheese.

I used my 7:2:1 seasoning for that garlic taste.

adding salt to water on stovetop

In a pan big enough to hold the number of potatoes you want, add water and some salt. Here I have 3-4 cups of water, I added one tsp of salt and brought to a boil over high heat.

image of rinsing and scribing a red potato under running water

Scrub some smaller potatoes. These are about 1 1/2 inch red potatoes.

red potatoes in a pan of boiling water

Add the potatoes to the water. Be sure you cover the potatoes with the water. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes until “fork tender”. This is when you can stick it with a fork and meet only a little resistance, and it comes out easily — Preheat oven to 425 convection or 450 conventional.

image of smashing red potato with potato smasher

Add olive oil to a non-stick baking pan with an edge. Use enough to have it “pool” a little, not just a coat. Add the potatoes and “smash” to about 1/2 inch thick. I used a potato masher, but the bottom of a large glass would work also.

brushing a smashed potato with oil

Brush top with more olive oil.

seasoning smashed potato

Sprinkle with salt, pepper and anything else you want. I used my 7-2-1 seasoning mix which also has garlic in it.

a smashed potato on a spatula

Bake until brown and crisp. About 20-25 minutes.

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Crispy Smashed Potatoes

A great side dish for everyday or special meals. If you can boil water, you can do this. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time55 mins

Author: DrDan

Servings/Adjustment: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 red potatoes 1 1/2 inch
  • olive oil
  • salt and water
  • 7:2:1 or 7:2:2 seasoningor kosher salt and pepper

Instructions

  • In a pan big enough to hold the number of potatoes you want, add 3-4 cups of water and about a teaspoon of salt.

  • Scrub some smaller potatoes. I suggest 1 1/2 inch red potatoes.

  • Add the potatoes to the water. Be sure you cover the potatoes with the water.

  • Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes until “fork tender”. This is when you can stick it with a fork and meet only a little resistance, and it comes out easily.

  • Preheat oven to 425 convection or 450 conventional. You can use lower temperatures and bake a bit longer.

  • Add olive oil to a nonstick baking pan with an edge. Use enough to have it “pool” a little, not just a coat. Add the potatoes and “smash” to about 1/2 inch thick. I used a potato masher, but the bottom of a large glass would work also.

  • Brush top with more olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and anything else you want. I used my 7-2-1 seasoning mix which also has garlic in it.

  • Bake until brown and crisp. About 20-25 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. I like red potatoes that are about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. That is small enough to cook easily but big enough for a reasonable serving.
  2. I do not suggest russet potatoes for this.
  3. I have recommended a relatively high baking temperature here, but a lower temperature would work but just take longer to cook.
  4. The endpoint of baking is browning and crispy.

Nutrition Facts

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 166 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Sodium 38mg 2%

Potassium 969mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 33g 11%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 2g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 0.3%

Vitamin C 22.2%

Calcium 2.1%

Iron 8.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.

Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Do you want more recipes from 101 Cooking for Two? Sign up for the newsletter and get all posts delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to 101 Cooking for Two

Originally Published July 4, 2012

Molly and Lilly dogs enjoying the first snow of the year.

A great side dish for everyday or special meals. If you can boil water, you can do this. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions. #CrispySmashedPotatoes #SmashedRedPotatoes #SmashedPotatoes #EasySmashedPotatoes

Incoming search terms:

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