Date Night Pork Chop

A romantic dinner featuring a perfectly cooked bone-in pork loin chop served with a sophisticated endive and apple salad, topped with hazelnuts and Parmesan. The honey-glazed pork is complemented by a bright citrus dressing and crunchy nuts.

2 servings
1 hr 35 min

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bone-in pork loin chop
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 3 tsp honey
  • 5 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp skin-on hazelnuts
  • 1 medium shallot
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1 small Pink Lady apple
  • 1 large endive
  • 1 oz Parmesan
  • shaved
  • broken into small pieces

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Pat pork chop dry with paper towels; season generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour.

    60 min

  2. 2.

    Heat a medium skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium. Drizzle 1/2 tsp. honey over 1 side of pork chop, then drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil. Rub all over; repeat on the other side. Cook until deeply browned, about 3 minutes per side. Turn upright onto fat cap and hold with tongs; cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; cook 1 more minute on each side (an instant-read thermometer inserted about 1/2" from bone should register 130°F; cook another minute if needed). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Add hazelnuts and 2 Tbsp. oil to same skillet; cook over medium-low heat, tossing, until nuts are golden, about 3 minutes. Add shallot; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until shallot is softened and browned, about 2 minutes. Add remaining 2 tsp. honey and squeeze in juice from a lemon half; toss well. Remove from heat.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Cut around apple core to remove flesh in 3 lobes. Thinly slice 2 lobes (do as you will with remaining apple). Toss apple slices, endive, and Parmesan in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, squeeze in juice from remaining lemon half, and toss again.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Cut bone away from pork chop and slice meat 1/2" thick. Arrange on a plate and drizzle juices over. Mound salad alongside and spoon hazelnut mixture over.

    5 min