D.25NOPA_004_CAG.JPG The pork chop served at Nopa. Nopa is the hot new restaurant North of the Pan Handle. It's been open less than two months but is already packed. For food: vegetable flatbread vegetable tagine ricotta with walnut toasts Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle Photo taken on 6/1/06, in San Francisco, CA, USA Ran on: 04-15-2010 Photo caption Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here. Dummy text goes here.<137,1970-12-18-17-21-52,><252>###Photo: faves15_phJon<252>1149033600<252>The Chronicle<252><EP>###Live Caption:<EP><EP>###Caption History:<EP>D.25NOPA_004_CAG.JPG__The pork chop served at Nopa. Nopa is the hot new restaurant North of the Pan Handle. It's been open less than two months but is already packed. __For food: __vegetable flatbread__vegetable tagine__ricotta with walnut toasts__Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez-The San Francisco Chronicle__Photo taken on 6-1-06, in San Francisco, CA, USA<EP>###Notes:<EP><EP>###Special Instructions:<EP>MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE-NO SALES-MAGS OUT<137><252> (Photo By Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
FOOD NEWS
The 2-Step Method To Make Sure You Don't Overcook Pork Chops
By Carly Weaver
Pork chops might be a fantastic go-to meal for their easy availability, affordability, and quick preparation time, but they are also notoriously easy to overcook. However, you can cook these pork chops in two simple steps to reach the perfect tenderness without crossing that dreaded line.
Start by searing the chops on the stove to lock in those essential juices while giving them a nice brown, flavorful crust. A hot, preheated pan paired with room temperature meat ensures a good, effective sear, and try brining the meat anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours beforehand to tenderize the meat even further.
Once the chops are added to the hot, oiled pan over medium-high heat, sear them untouched for about three minutes until that crispy outer layer forms. Then flip the pork chops, and transfer them from the pan to the oven, which should be preheated to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The oven's even, slow heat cooks the pork chops with more control, helping to prevent overcooking the meat and allowing the inside to cook as much as the outside as opposed to the high, often uneven heat of the pan or skillet. They should be ready in around eight minutes, depending on the pork chop's size.