When you need a restaurant quality dish that is way easier than it looks or tastes, ask a pro! Lidia Bastianich’s Pork Chops with Capers and Lemons are all that and more!
I used to work downtown, in a big office on the 11th floor of a big building. One day, a new gym opened up about a block from the office. They offered a “New Member Special” complete a few personal training sessions, just to get people in the door. A few colleagues and I decided to spend a few lunch hours a week there. After all, what else were we doing with that that time? Feeding our faces? (Never mind we still had to eat after working out – try to fit that in after spending lunch hour doing something else!) Anyway, they assigned me to this trainer named Vincent.
A few days after Vincent had shown me this special machine designed to tone the backside, I asked him, “How long before I can expect to see results of doing this?”. His reply, “Well, Is that really important to you? Because in order to maintain a result, you really have to keep doing this for the Rest. Of. Your. Life.” That answer stopped me in my tracks. Made me think. Made me realize that if you make a change for the better, you need to keep up with that change. Crap. He was right. I can’t tell you how many years later, but I still do that exercise. And how did that story lead me to these magnificent Pork Chops with Capers and Lemons?
Many of us, after, let’s face it, a couple of months of indulgence – because the “Holidays” pretty much started at Halloween, didn’t they(?), aim for a bit of a re-set. Some of us even make a resolution to eat healthier, exercise more or just generally rein things in a bit. I’m not really a resolution maker because: a) I realize that I won’t stick with them, and, b) Vincent made me realize a resolution is no good unless you continue it, like, forever. I like to think that I maintain a good, healthy lifestyle most days of the year, so a bit of indulgence doesn’t really hurt. (Whether that’s true or not is up for debate.)
So, last Sunday, when my friend Teresa came over to cook, I was fresh out of ideas. I was really wanting something easy and impressive with flavor greater than the amount of work required, just like with that weight machine. Teresa let me know this particular recipe was one of her favorites, and now it’s mine, too! Probably one of my all-time favorites! You really need to cook this Pork Chops with Capers and Lemon from the incomparable Lidia Bastianich. You WILL keep making it, probably for the rest of your life! It’s bound to be one of your all-time favorites, too!
This particular recipe is from Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy. But there are some good photos and directions on Cooking from Books. We followed it pretty much to the word, and it is a keeper for sure! The perfectly cooked pork chops, along with a delectable silky sauce of caramellized lemon, caper and pepperoncini pepper – if your mouth isn’t watering just at the thought of all of that in one bite – I’m not sure I can help you. Just do it! It’s THAT great!
Besides Pork Chops with Capers and Lemons, other great pork recipes I’ve posted include this flavorful Posole Rojo, this amazing Cajun Jambalaya, and this elegant Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Pork Loin. All good choices!
Enjoy!
Pork Chops with Capers and Lemon
Succulent Pork, adorned with caramellized lemon, capers and peperoncini peppers is so flavorful, you will make it again and again.
You can make this recipe with pork loin chops or bone-in pork chops, but since loin chops are often leaner, be careful not to overcook or they will be dry. Bone-in chops will be more forgiving.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 chops 1x
- Category: Pork
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in pork chops, about 1 1/2” thick (ok to substitute boneless loin chops, but see Note)
- 1 t Kosher Salt
- 2 T Butter
- 2 T Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 Garlic Cloves, peeled, crushed
- 1/2 c AP Flour
- 1 Large Lemon, thinly sliced
- 6 Whole Pepperoncini, drained
- 3 T Capers, drained
- 3/4 c White Wine
- 1 T Lemon juice
- 2 T chopped Flat-leaf Parsley
Instructions
Brown the Chops
- Salt the chops. In a heavy-bottomed pan (cast-iron is ideal), over medium-low heat, add the butter and olive oil. Salt the chops. Place the flour in a dish and dredge the chops, shaking off any excess flour. Add the garlic to the pan.
- Let garlic sizzle a bit (10-20 seconds, making sure it doesn’t burn), then place chops into the hot oil/butter. Begin to brown them. Place the lemon slices on top of the chops, and nestle the pepperoncini peppers between them.
- After about 5 minutes, turn chops, letting the lemon slices fall into the pan. Continue to brown and turn chops about every 4-5 minutes. Maintain the medium-low heat.
- After chops are beginning to be golden brown on both sides (a total of 18-20 mins), add the capers and gently shake down into the pan.
Make the sauce
- Clear a small space in the pan, preferably right above the flame or “hot spot” of the stove. Pour the wine and lemon juice into this hot spot and let it reduce a bit. Sprinkle in remaining salt, and let sauce thicken. Turn chops occasionally so they get coated on both sides with the thickening sauce. Check for doneness, and, if done, remove the chops to the serving plate while the sauce thickens.
- If chops are not yet done, continue to check for doneness while the sauce thickens. After about 10 minutes, sauce should be syrupy. and chops should be completely cooked through. Toss in the chopped parsley, coat the chops in the sauce on both sides. Remove chops to serving plate and pour thickened sauce over them. Serve.
Notes
I used boneless pork loin chops in this recipe, but I feel like bone-in pork chops, as they are less lean, would work better, as they are less likely to dry out. If using a boneless chop, be sure it is on the thicker side, as it needs to spend a bit of time in the juice.
Be sure to reduce times given if your chops are less than 1 1/2” thick. Continue to check for doneness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
Pin for Later ->
Real talk – you had me at pork chops, capers, and lemon. Holy crap what an amazing trifecta of flavor! Pinning for later! And dude, TOTALLY With you on the diet reset. I’ve done a decent job avoiding refined sugar this month. So much in fact I want to expand my challenge into February with a few allowances. Good for you for keeping up with your exercises! I did my Turbo Jam DVD for the first time in a loooong time the other day. Holy freaking crap am I sore, but it was worth it 😉
Thanks, Christina! I’m glad you enjoy this trifecta as much as we did! And congrats on getting back together with Turbo Jam! Not sure I could exercise to a DVD! Props to you for that! I like to tell myself that being sore is proof that it’s working! And thanks for the pin!
I absolutely knew I shouldn’t visit your blog before bed but I did and now I am starving and only pork chops with capers will satisfy it! I am not a resolution maker either 🙂
Thanks, Ruby for your kind words! And thanks for visiting any time of day – glad you like the look of the chops! Maybe to eat one is the only appropriate resolution, eh?
You know, you are totally right about that resolution/change thing. We don’t do resolutions around here, but we do lean on the side of making more long-term changes. Like working out. Umph. Back when Robbie was born, we got equipment so we could work out here at home, and we’re still at it…as much as I don’t like it. 🙂 But let’s talk about these chops. They look amazing! I feel like pepperoncinis are underused in cooking, and I love how flavorful these chops look. I definitely need to try this recipe soon!
Oooh, yes! I totally agree with you about peperoncini. I use them for awhile then sort of forget about them. But now that I have a big jar in the fridge, they will go on pizza and in salads and casseroles. So I guess my resolution, er.., life change, will be to keep them on hand a bit more! Thanks for visiting!
I don’t make any resolutions as I prefer to follow my plans throughout a year. If by some reasons you cannot make it work, any resolutions will help, right? And those pork chops look phenomenally delicious and succulent. We rarely eat pork (maybe few times per year), but this kind of recipes make you run in the kitchen. Well, there’s my 2018 resolution – I should make pork chops at least few times this year 😉
That’s a great resolution, Ben! You could probably make this with chicken too! Thanks for visiting!
I love capers and lemon both. Like, LOVE! These sound fantastic! Have a great week, Laura!
Capers and lemon are a great combo – Thanks, Kelsie! And thanks for visiting!
I love your story about Vincent. It’s so true, but I think it’s fair to want to know how long before you expect to see results, but I wonder if he realizes how profound his comment was and how it stuck with you? It is true with anything, isn’t it? I love your pork chops and I’m pretty sure I can commit to eating them from now on. 😉 Then again, I am a total sucker for lemon and capers! Thanks!
Thanks, Tonia! And you’re right, some of the most profound moments to us, are just off the cuff comments or actions by someone else. I’m pretty sure he has no idea how I’ve returned to his comment many many times since. I agree, Lemon and capers is a match made in heaven! Add peperoncini and WOW! Thanks for visiting!
this sounds so good!! i always forget how easy pork chops are.
Thanks, Heather! They are easy, aren’t they? Thanks for visiting!