Description
Sweet, spicy, and spiked with sake, these boneless pork chops are bathed in a rich Mandarin sauce, making them perfect for a flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb. or 1/2 kilo of thick boneless pork filets or chops
- 3/4 cup or 200 ml. fresh squeezed Mandarin juice (used 4 small)
- 14 cup Sake
- Mandarin zest from 1/2 a Mandarin
- 1 medium onion, cut into 1/8ths
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) light soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
- 1 tsp. ground ginger powder
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne
- 1/8 tsp. ground white pepper
- 1 tbsp. granulated garlic
- 3 whole cloves
- 8 whole allspice, bruised
- 1 tsp. red chile flakes
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) olive oil
- optional: dried figs cut in half
Instructions
- Peel and cut the onion into eighths, then set aside.
- Juice the fresh Mandarins until you have 3/4 cup of juice. Do not strain the pulp, as it will be used in the sauce.
- Remove all visible fat from the pork, pat dry with paper towels, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Pour in the Mandarin juice, Sake, and add the Mandarin zest. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, turning the pork halfway through, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the pork is cooked through.
- If using, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the pork for a spicy kick. Serve immediately, spooning the sauce and onions over the pork.
Notes
- This dish can also be made with chicken breast or turkey for those who do not eat pork.
- The sauce pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently to avoid drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 75