Pork Chops in Beer with Aromatic Herbs

It’s a pleasure to share the recipe for pork chops in beer with aromatic herbs, a tasty way to cook this cut of meat, which lends itself well to marinating and slow cooking. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops (about 200g each)
• 500 ml of dark or amber beer
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of honey (for a slightly sweet variant)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the beer with the garlic, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Place the pork chops in the bowl with the marinade and let them rest for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, turning them occasionally.
3. After marinating, heat the oil in a large pan and sear the chops on both sides until they are well browned.
4. Reduce the heat and add the strained marinade to the pan, cover and let simmer slowly for about 1 hour or until the meat is tender. If desired, add the mustard and honey to enrich the flavor of the sauce.
5. If the cooking liquid reduces too much, add a little water or more beer to prevent the chops from drying out.
6. Once the chops are cooked and the sauce has reduced to the desired consistency, remove the aromatic herbs and serve.

Curiosity

Beer is an excellent ally in the kitchen: besides giving a characteristic taste and a certain softness to the meats during cooking, it can also enrich sauces with nuances. The type of beer chosen will significantly influence the flavor of the final dish: while a dark beer will provide more intense and malty notes, an amber beer will have a more delicate and fruity effect.