Italian-Inspired Baked Pork Chops with Potatoes
These slow-cooked pork chop, inspired by a restaurant in Florence, Italy, are roasted over a bed of potatoes, onions, fennel, garlic, and plenty of herbs.
Serves4
Prep15 minutes
Cook1 hour 30 minutes
During a trip to Florence in 2018, I managed to secure a lunch reservation at Trattoria Sergio Gozzi, a bustling trattoria just around the corner from The Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the city’s largest churches and many Medicis’ final resting place. The heavy wood tables were packed in closely, so I was able to scope out what those nearby were eating. At one of the louder tables, I noticed two men sharing a pork chop that smelled so outrageously delicious I needed to try it. So we ordered it, even though I’d already ordered two other courses, because this was Tuscany and I usually listen to my gut.
Most pork chops rely on that caramelized sweetness you get when pork fat meets the proper heat. But the chef, who I asked to come out so I could interrogate him about his method, explained to me in broken English this was a slow-cooked pork chop. By gently cooking the pork over aromatics like onion, garlic, white wine, fresh herbs, and more, he was able to get the bone-in chop both tender and golden. He served it simply on a slick pool of gravy heady with Tuscan herbs and, no doubt, some patina from the ancient oven.
When I returned home, I decided to attempt a version with thick-cut, bone-in pork chops I purchased from a local pork farmer I love. I also added French-style Boulangere potatoes to capture all of the good drippings and to add heft. After much trial and error, I’ve gotten as close I can get without going back to Gozzi for another bite. Make it as is, or use what you have on hand: The herbs and aromatics are a great area to use up that half-piece of onion, those wilting fresh herbs, or that last glass of wine. Either way, I guarantee you’ll fall as in love as I have.
Italian-Inspired Baked Pork Chops with Potatoes
These slow-cooked pork chop, inspired by a restaurant in Florence, Italy, are roasted over a bed of potatoes, onions, fennel, garlic, and plenty of herbs.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 1 hour 30 minutes
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon
plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 2
medium yellow onions
- 6 cloves
garlic
- 1
small fennel bulb (about 10 ounces)
- 4
(1 to 1 1/2-inch thick) bone-in pork chops
- 3 1/2 teaspoons
kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
- 2 pounds
medium or large Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 tablespoons
mixed fresh herbs, such as thyme, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, or poultry mix
- 1 cup
low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup
dry white wine
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350ºF. Meanwhile, coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Prepare the following, placing them in the same large bowl: Halve and thinly slice 2 medium yellow onions. Thinly slice 6 garlic cloves. Trim the leafy tops from 1 small fennel bulb, then halve and thinly slice the bulb.
Season 4 bone-in pork chops with 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the pork chops in 2 batches: add to the pan and sear until golden-brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Add the onion mixture to the pan and season with 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and golden-brown, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and slice 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place in the baking dish, season with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and toss to combine. Arrange into an even layer. Coarsely chop 2 tablespoons fresh herbs until you have 2 tablespoons.
When the onion mixture is ready, remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the onion mixture on top of the potatoes in an even layer. Pour 1 cup dry white wine into the now-empty pan, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, and pour into the baking dish.
Place the pork chops on the onions in a single layer, and pour any accumulated juices from the plate over them. Pour 1 cup chicken broth over everything. Sprinkle evenly with the herbs.
Bake uncovered until the pork chops register at least 140ºF on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part and the potatoes are cooked through, about 1 hour.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 4 days.