Ingredients:
(serves 4)
For the drizzle and salad:
- 250ml (1 cup) buttermilk
- 60ml (1/4 cup) mayonnaise
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice
- a few drops of Tabasco sauce (optional)
- a few dill sprigs, finely chopped (plus extra for serving)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 fennel bulb, finely sliced
- a few crisp green salad leaves
- 2 oranges, skinned and sliced/segmented
For the crumbed chops:
- 3-4 slices of white bread
- 125ml (1/2 cup) cake or white bread flour
- 2.5ml (1/2 teaspoon) smoked paprika (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 eggs
- 4 large (or 8 medium) pork loin chops
- canola oil for frying
Method:
For the drizzle: Place the buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Tabasco, dill and salt and pepper in a small blender and blitz to a smooth sauce. Set aside.
For the salad: Heat a griddle pan over very high heat, then grill the fennel in a single layer until lightly charred on both sides, then remove and set aside. On a platter, arrange the salad leaves, fennel, orange and dill, then serve with the freshly fried pork chops (see below) and a drizzle of buttermilk dressing.
For the pork chops: Process the bread to fine crumbs, then transfer to a wide bowl and set aside. In another wide bowl, mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper and set aside. In a third bowl, whisk the eggs lightly and set them aside. Place the 3 bowls next to each other to form a prepping station, then dip each pork chop one at a time first into the flour mixture, then the eggs, then the crumbs, covering it on all sides. Place the prepared chops on a tray and heat about 0.5-1cm (deep) of oil in a wide pot or pan. When the oil is hot enough for frying, place the chops in the oil and fry on both sides until golden – about 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove from the oil and drain on kitchen paper, then serve hot with the salad and dressing.
The wine: The Spier Signature Shiraz is the ideal choice to treat yourself and your lucky dinner guests. It pairs perfectly with tender and juicy pork chops, coated in a mouth-watering golden crumble. Thanks to the gentle tannins and creamy aftertaste, Spier’s Signature Shiraz will instantly become your go-to red wine.
Spier Signature wines can be tasted and purchased at the farm in Stellenbosch and are widely available at retail outlets and supermarkets and online at shop.spier.co.za
For more information on Spier Wine Farm, contact 021 809 1143 or visit www.spier.co.za