3900. PORK CHOPS with CORN, BACON and MARSALA

Yield: Serves 4


4 fat boneless pork chops
Salt and freshly ground pepper
24 oz / 700 mL chicken stock or broth
2 ears of corn, kernels sliced off, cobs reserved and cut into 3" lengths
2 small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into small 1/2" chunks
6 pieces bacon
3 large shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red chili pepper, seeds and veins removed, chopped
4 oz / 118 mL marsala wine
2 tsp chopped fresh sage (optional)
2 oz / 60 mL half and half
Handful parsley, chopped

Remove pork chops from fridge and season with salt and pepper about 30 minutes before cooking.

In a medium saucepan, combine stock, corn cobs, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer. Check after about 8 minutes to see if potatoes are done. As soon as they are tender, strain broth into a bowl, discarding corn cobs and reserving potatoes in a separate bowl.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon til crisp. Remove from skillet and chop roughly.

Pour most of the fat from the skillet, reserving it in a bowl. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook pork chops, 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

Wipe out any burnt bits from skillet, and add a drizzle of bacon fat if the pan is too dry. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook shallots, garlic and chili til softened, about 2 minutes. Pour in the marsala, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Increase heat to medium-high again. Pour in stock, then gently stir in sage, corn and potatoes.

Simmer sauce til slightly thickened and reduced, about five minutes. Turn off heat and swirl in half and half. Add a bit more if you like a creamier sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

To serve, pile some corn, bacon and potatoes on the plate along with a generous pour of sauce.  Top with a sprinkle of parsley, then place a pork chop on top with another drizzle of sauce. 


bacon recipe source: Borrowed Salt (@BorrowedSalt), October 12, 2014