Cornmeal Fried Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Garlic Cream Gravy
Cornmeal fried chops served with mashed potatoes and cream gravy with quick pickle relish on the side
Prep Time 8 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
For the chops:
- 4-6 boneless pork chops trimmed, halved if needed, pounded to about 3/4 inch thick
- 1 cup buttermilk
- oil for frying
- 2 tsp salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 cups yellow cornmeal seasoned with salt and pepper
For the Roasted Garlic Cream Gravy:
- 2 heads garlic
- olive oil
- salt
- 1/4 cup butter or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk whole or 2 percent
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 4 russet potatoes peeled and cut into pieces
- 4 tbsp butter
- salt
- milk and cream
For the Relish:
- 2 mini cucumbers diced
- a few green tomatoes diced
- a few hot peppers diced
- 1/4 red onion diced
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp mustard seed
- 2 tbsp sugar
For the chops:
Coat the pounded out chops with the buttermilk, salt and spices and allow to brine for 6 hours or overnight. Mix the cornmeal with salt and pepper in a bowl.
Heat half an inch of oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat until it is nice and hot. Remove chops one at a time and coat in the cornmeal and place into the oil. Only fry 2-3 chops at a time. Fry without moving for about 1-2 minutes. Fry until golden brown (about 4 minutes depending on your heat). Flip and fry another 3-4 minutes until brown and crispy. If you have a meat thermometer check the temp to be sure they are done.
If your oil gets too full of burnt cornmeal, discard the oil, wipe the pan and start with fresh oil for remaining chops.
Drain on paper towels.
For the Gravy:
Heat oven to 450. Cut the tops off the heads of garlic and place on some heavy duty foil. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Close the foil and roast 1 hour. After the heads cool a bit, squeeze out the roasted garlic and mash with a fork.
Heat oil/butter in a sauce pan over medium. When it is melted add the flour and stir, cooking until the roux is thick and starting to color.
Slowly whisk in the milk and roasted garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Keyword Main Dish, Pork, Side Dish