Crumbed Pork Loin Chops

What's a quick and easy way to turn a couple of pork chops into a delicious meal?  Crumb them!  Use thick bone-in pork loin chops and all the seasonings they need go into their coating.  I always have a bag of breadcrumbs in the freezer saved and processed from odds pieces of stale bread which is handy for many recipes.  Be bold with the herbs and spices you add to flavour the crumbs.  I go for fresh parsley and sage, smoked paprika, garlic granules, chilli powder, salt and pepper.  You can try other creative combinations. The chops are shallow fried in a pan until lightly brown on both sides and then finished in the oven. They will be beautifully crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy inside.  Serve with lemon wedges, a salad, and baked potatoes on the side if you like.

Makes 4

INGREDIENTS

• 4 pork loin chops, bone-in, about 200g / 7oz each
• 2 eggs, whisked
• ¼ cup plain flour
• 1 cup fine dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon sage, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic granules or powder
• ¼ teaspoon chilli powder
• a pinch of sea salt
• a few turns of freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup olive oil
• lemon wedges, to serve

METHOD

1. Trim off excess fats from the pork chops and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Season the breadcrumbs with chopped parsley, sage, paprika, garlic granules, chilli powder, salt and pepper.  Mix to combine.
3. Place the eggs, flour and seasoned breadcrumbs into three separate dishes.
4. Working one at a time, dredge the chop first in flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the eggs, and press it into the breadcrumbs until well coated on both sides.  Transfer to a large plate and repeat the process with the three other chops.  Let them firm up in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with baking paper.
6. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.  Place 2 chops in the pan and shallow fry for 1 minute on each side until lightly brown. Remove and place on the baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining 2 chops.
7. Bake the chops in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on the outside and just cooked through on the inside.
8. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes and serve with lemon wedges.