pork essentials: oven-baked spicy cutlets

Name: Pork Essentials: Oven-Baked Spicy Cutlets
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ## PLAN/PURCHASE; 2 medium boneless pork chops, or tenderloins, 1 inch (2.5cm) thick; ## THE RUB; 2 tablespoon(s) paprika, sweet or hot, your choice; 1 tablespoon(s) coconut sugar; 2 teaspoon(s) white pepper, freshly ground; 1 teaspoon(s) salt, kosher variety; 1 teaspoon(s) dried thyme; 1 teaspoon(s) mustard powder; 1 teaspoon(s) dehydrated onions, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried sage; 1/8 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper, or to taste

17 Pinches 13 Photos

Andy Anderson !

Wichita, KS

Updated on Jan 7, 2019

Okay, here is the deal, I am home alone, not much happening on this lazy, cloudy, rainy Sunday afternoon. I did not wish to leave the house to get something for dinner, so that meant I needed to go on a hunting expedition. Halfway through my search in the walk-in, I spotted some nice pork tenderloins Back in the test kitchen… what to do with them? Well, I do not want egg-coated, Panko-crusted, deep-fried chops… Not on this chef's watch. I wanted oven-baked chops, sprinkled with some nice spices, and served with rice. So you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Rate

prep time 1 Hr 30 Min

cook time 20 Min

method Bake

yield 2 - 3

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
2 medium boneless pork chops, or tenderloins, 1 inch (2.5cm) thick
THE RUB
2 tablespoons paprika, sweet or hot, your choice
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
2 teaspoons white pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon salt, kosher variety
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon dehydrated onions, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

How To Make pork essentials: oven-baked spicy cutlets

Step 1

PREP/PREPARE

Step 2

In the last 20 or so years, pork has become gradually leaner; even tender loin cuts can end up tasting dry and bland. However, a quick bath in a brine solution can go a long way to solving that problem Dissolve 1/4 cup salt into 4 cups, (1 quart) of water. Then, place the chops in a shallow dish and pour the brine solution over top. Let this sit for anywhere from 1/2 hour to 2 hours in the fridge before cooking. FYI: Make sure the water is nice and cold before adding the chops.
Step 3

After the chops left the oven, I served them with this yummy sauce. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/sauce-essentials-asian-style-bbq-sauce.html
Step 4

Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
Step 5

Mix the rub ingredients together, and reserve.
Step 6

If you used a brine solution, remove the chops from the brine, and pat with a paper towel.
Step 7

Take a nice sharp knife, and cut each one of the chops in half, lengthwise, then take a meat mallet and, using the spikey side pound them to an even thickness. Sprinkle generously on both sides with the spice mix, and allow them to rest on the countertop for about 30 minutes.
Step 8

Chef’s Note: Do not go too crazy with the mallet, we want cutlets, not shredded pork. With that said, this is a great way to take out your frustrations.
Step 9

Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 400f (205c).
Step 10

Place the chops on a parchment-lined baking sheet, fitted with a wire rack, and sprinkle a bit more of the spice mixture over just the tops of the chops.
Step 11

Place into the preheated oven, and cook until the chops are cooked through, about 18 – 20 minutes.
Step 12

PLATE/PRESENT
Step 13

Serve while nice and hot with your favorite sides, and maybe a nice sauce. Enjoy.
Step 14

Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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