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BBQ & Grill

Griddled pork chop with fennel salad and charred orange vinaigrette

Pork chops, summer style. Marcus Wareing serves his barbecued pork with a quick fennel salad and a vibrant, caramelised orange dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large pork chops (about 900g/2lb in total), rind removed
  • few sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced (fronds reserved)
  • 100g/3�oz pitted green olives, halved
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 orange, cut into 4 thick slices
  • 100ml/3�fl oz extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for the oranges
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, plus extra for the oranges
  • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  • If using the oven, preheat it to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. If using a barbecue, allow the flames to die down until the coals are just glowing.
  • Drizzle the orange slices with a little oil, salt and pepper and grill or bake until charred on both sides. Once caramelised, put the slices onto a baking tray. Season again with a pinch of salt and pepper, then drizzle with more oil and a splash of white wine vinegar. Set aside.
  • For the dressing, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, mustard, honey and a pinch of salt and pepper in a jug. Use a stick blender to blitz together. Once the oranges are cool enough to handle, halve each slice and then finely chop. Add a few pieces at a time to the vinaigrette and blitz until fully combined, adding a little more olive oil to loosen if needed.
  • Season the pork on both sides with salt, pepper and some thyme sprigs. If using a barbecue, place the chops directly onto the grill and flip once one side begins to char and the fat starts to drip through (about 4�5 minutes on each side). Once cooked, set aside on a tray to rest.
  • If not using a barbeque, start by bringing the pork chops to room temperature. Heat the vegetable oil in a griddle pan or frying pan set over high heat. When the oil is almost smoking, add the chops and fry them for about 3 minutes on each side, in batches if necessary. Place the seared chops on a baking tray and transfer to the oven to cook for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Put the fennel slices onto a plate or dish. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss together. Add a sprinkling of fresh thyme and the olives, then toss together. Garnish with leftover fennel fronds.
  • To serve, divide the fennel salad between four plates and place a pork chop next to it. Drizzle with more vinaigrette and a few more olives, if you like.