Recipe

Smoked Pork Chops

Name: Smoked Pork Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6 smoked pork chops; 1 onion, in rounds or in fine julienne; ¼ cup oil or lard; 4 medium potatoes; Salt, to taste; Oregano, to taste; Pepper, to taste

Golden smoked pork chops pan-fried with sweet onion and oven-baked oregano potatoes. A simple Cuban recipe ready in 40 minutes.

CiberCubaMarch 16, 2019

CiberCuba

Preparation10 min
Cooking30 min
Total time40 min
Servings4 servings
DifficultyEasy

The smoked pork chop is a fillet prepared in brine and with a touch of smoke, as its name indicates. This meat is very popular in Cuba and various preparations are made with it. Here we propose it pan-fried golden, with sweet onion and oregano-baked potatoes: a simple, delicious and easy recipe to make.

Method

Start with the potatoes, which take the longest. Wash them and cut them into rounds.
Grease a baking tray so they don't stick and place the potatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper and add oregano to taste. If you like, drizzle a little oil over them so they brown and become shiny.
Bake at 200 °C (392 °F) for about 20 minutes, until golden.
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Meanwhile, put a little oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Do not use too much, because the meat releases its own fat.
Pan-fry the smoked pork chops for about 3 minutes on each side. Repeat if necessary, until they are well cooked and have an appetizing golden color.
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Remove the chops and, in the fat remaining in the pan, add the onion cut into rounds or in fine julienne. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, without burning, until golden and sweet.
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Serve the chops with the sautéed onion on top and the baked potatoes on the side. ¡Bon appétit!]
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Tips and variations

A bit of history: In Europe, the smoked chop can be bought in butcher shops under the name Saxon chop or fillet. It is believed that this way of preparing pork comes from the Hesse region in Germany, where it is known as Kasseler. Some say it was the idea of a German butcher with the surname Cassel and that the name is in his honor.

Better bought: In Cuba, some people know how to smoke meats at home, but hygienic measures and the exact dosage of nitro salt and other components are not always guaranteed. That is why this recipe was made with smoked chops bought from a butcher shop, which is the safest for your health and that of those eating with you.

Little oil: this meat releases its own fat, so you don't need much. With the ¼ cup on the list, you have enough for the potatoes and for the meat.

The oven rules: the 20 minutes for the potatoes are indicative; they may vary depending on your oven and the quantity of potatoes.

Side dish: if you want a more complete side dish, serve them also with a hot vegetable salad.