These free -range pork chops bought at a Farmers’ Market were simply and quickly cooked and tasted delicious. The meat was very tender and extremely flavourful. I used sage, thyme and juniper berries and these are Northern Italian flavours.
This Berkshire pork comes from Brooklands Free Range Farms in Blamfield, in the central highlands of Victoria.
If you live in Victoria, the pork is sold in some of Farmers Markets – see list on the photo below, it is on the back of their business card.
WHY GIN OR DRY VERMOUTH TO DEGLAZE?
When I use juniper berries I like to deglaze the pan either with dry vermouth or gin rather than white wine. Juniper berries are a spice used in a wide variety of culinary dishes and best known for the primary flavouring in gin – you will not need much and it will enhance the taste of the sauce.
Add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil to a frying pan, then place the meat, a pinch of salt, herbs and juniper berries. I used approximately eight juniper berries. The pork is lean and pink, just how I like it.
Turn them over when coloured on one side, cover and cook on low heat for approximately six minutes.
Turn again, deglaze. Turn off heat, rest for a few minutes before serving.
Thank you Brooklands Free Range Farms for producing top quality produce and what i particularly like is that these pigs not only frolic on rich volcanic soils but that other local producers contribute to feeding these pigs- local grain, vegetables and whey. The pigs also eat seasonal acorns…very European.
Sicilian recipes for pork:
BRACIOLI DI MAIALI O’ VINU (Sicilian for Pork Chops Cooked In Wine)
PORK IN RAGUSA (I Ragusani mangiano molto maiale)