Monday, February 6, 2012

James Beard - Smothered Pork Chops






From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...How can you not love a man who when asked about cannibalism said, " I might manage if there was enough tarragon around."

I wanted to take some time this week to focus on another gentleman who was instrumental in the careers of many of the women who are on the Gourmet Live list of Women Game Changers in Food. James Beard is considered by many to be the father of American cooking. Even his detractors will admit he was a champion of American food and his writing reflected his delight in its abundance and variety. He was born in Portland, Oregon to an English mother who ran the Gladstone Hotel and his experience there certainly influenced his love of food and the theater. He went to England at the age of 19 to study opera and then came to New York City to become an actor. He opened a catering shop to keep from starving. The business was successful and three years later he published his first cookbook. He was able to channel his love of food with a flair for the dramatic and used his talents as a showman to bring drama to the American table. He also is credited with being the first food personality to introduce French food to the American middle class. He went on to publish more than twenty books, as well as writing numerous articles for newspapers and magazines. He became a leading food expert, championing American cuisine and helping to place it on a par with the foods of Europe. He was one of the first food writers to appear on television and he opened a new-type of cooking school whose goal was to teach home cooks to enjoy and take pleasure in the food they prepared. He effectively taught Americans, who had survived the Depression and the austerity of war, to have fun with their food and enjoy the abundance of the land in which they lived. His meals were eclectic because he believed that cooks, not culture, made food interesting. In 1986, his house became the headquarters for the James Beard Foundation, a place where chefs from around the world came to showcase their skills. Julia Child, a good friend, assisted by Peter Krump of cooking school fame, spearheaded the effort to raise funds needed to create the foundation. The mission of the foundation is to celebrate, nurture and preserve America's diverse culinary heritage and future. Through events such as the annual celebration of Beard's Birthday and the prestigious Beard Awards for members of the food industry, his foundation has established a generous scholarship fund and a national network of chefs, writers, and restaurateurs. Despite changes in the way America eats, the Beard Awards keep his name alive and within the food community he is remembered with great fondness and respect.

Because he was such a champion of American food, I wanted to feature a recipe that epitomized his style. These pork chops came to mind. They are simple, easy to prepare and decidedly American. When the onions are properly cooked, this recipe is delightful. They should be cooked until they have softened and browned without becoming mushy. The onions should hold a recognizable shape. I found mine needed 15 minutes to cook and release their sweetness. I know that those of you who make the pork chops will be very pleased with the results. Here's the recipe.

Smothered Pork Chops...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of James Beard

Ingredients:
4 pork loin chops or 4 pork chops, 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon oil
salt & freshly ground black pepper
3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup Madeira or dry sherry wine

Directions:

1) Combine 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a large heavy skillet. When sizzling add chops and brown well on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
2) Season chops with salt and pepper. Remove to a platter while onions cook.
3) Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to pan. Add onions and cook until soft and golden brown, turning as necessary to prevent burning.
4) Return chops to pan and arrange onions on top of them. Reduce heat, cover pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Add wine and simmer until chops are tender, about 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.


Be sure to stop by tomorrow. I'll be featuring the dish voted to be the most delicious in the world.









One Year Ago Today: Cranberry Apple and Walnut Salad














Two Years Ago Today: Coconut Cloud Pudding

25 comments :

Chiara said...

What a tasty recipe Mary, thanks for sharing..Have a good day, blessings...

kelly said...

i think i will stop surfing this it makes me hungry waaa.
btw good post .. haha

Kim said...

Pork chops and onion, these two are pairing so naturally. I love this simple recipe!

Tanna said...

James Beard is a favorite of mine... he definitely embraced life and food whole-heartedly. These sound delicious. blessings ~ tanna

Unknown said...

A perfect tribute to such a great foodie!! Looks amazingly good!!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Thanks so much for sharing all that information about James Beard. I love this recipe. Simple enough for the end of a long day, but sounds delicious.
Laura

Shug said...

My hubby would jump over the moon for this dish!!! Looks so delicious! Can't wait for the visit tomorrow...
Hugs..
shug

From the Kitchen said...

James Beard's "American Cookery" was the third cookbook to go on my shelf as a young bride. Dog-earred, grease splattered and written in, it's still there!

I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight wondering what your recipe for tomorrow will be!!

Best,
Bonnie

Claudia said...

It's so important to reach back in time and celebrate the cooks that made today's chefs possible. A perfect recipe - one I am saving for pork chop night.

Clint said...

YES! YES! YES! Put that in front of me with some mashed spuds and maybe some green beans and we got ourselves the makin's of a stupendous evening.

Mary rules!

Lenia said...

It sounds really tasty!xxx

Angie's Recipes said...

What a mouthwatering combination!

Big Dude said...

I've rarely met an onion I didn't like and this dish sounds awesome and looks even better.

Juliana said...

Wow Mary, your pork chops topped with onions look amazing...delicious dish.
Hope you have a great week ahead :)

AllThingsYummy said...

Love anything smothered in onions. Delicious!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I will definately try JB's pork chop recipe...easy & perfect comfort food. Also, Mary, the snickerdoodle blondies sound yummy & lots easier than making cookies. I love a good bar cookie, that's for sure.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks so good, and so does the lovely coconut pudding!!!

The Kaizen Project said...

These look delicious!

Jo-Lyn's Cup Cakes N' Candies said...

These look so good! My mouth is watering just looking at them! =)

Joanne said...

You just can't beat delicious caramelly onions!

susan said...

Awesome flavours nd varieties make my mouth watering. I will definitely try this dish.. it’s so testy.
http://all4payday.com

Gloria said...

Mary, I love pork chops and I love caramelized onions, but I never thought to add in the wine or sherry! I think I will give it a go. One shouldn't go against James Beard now, should they! Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Gloria

grubarazzi said...

These look simply to die for. James Beard is a miracle man.

Catherine said...

Dear Mary, James is one of my favorite cooks. Great looking pork chops. Blessings my friend, Catherine xo

Jenn said...

These looks so good! I have a freezer full of pork just waiting for a lovely recipe like this one. We will be having this Thursday evening!

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