Allspice Pork Chops & Easy Sambal Vermicelli ®
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Additional Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
7 hrs 45 mins
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Servings
2 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Allspice Pork Chops & Easy Sambal Vermicelli ®
Description
Allspice Pork Chops & Easy Sambal Vermicelli ® features bone-in center-cut pork chops brined in a mixture seasoned with toasted allspice berries, black peppercorns, bay leaf, and fresh thyme. This brining process imparts subtle aromatic notes and helps maintain moisture during cooking. After brining and drying, the pork chops are seasoned with freshly ground black pepper and cooked in an oiled pan, then finished in the oven, ensuring tenderness and a nicely browned crust.
The accompanying vermicelli utilizes dried rice noodles quickly cooked and then combined with a dressing made from vegetable oil, low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, sambal oelek for heat, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and finely sliced green onions. The vermicelli adds a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet component that complements the pork’s savory depth.
This dish serves well as a complete meal, combining protein and noodles with layered flavors. Given the brining time, planning ahead is needed, but the result’s balance of textures and the interplay of aromatic spices and heat offer a satisfying home-cooked experience.
Ingredients
BRINE FOR PORK CHOPS
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 15 allspice berries toasted, whole
- 10 black peppercorns toasted, whole
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 thyme sprigs, fresh
- 4 cups water
ALLSPICE BRINED PORK CHOPS
- 2 pork chops 10 oz each, bone-in, center cut
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- black peppercorns freshly ground, to taste
EASY SAMBAL VERMICELLI
- 7 oz rice vermicelli noodles dried, about 1/2 package, Chinese style
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 teaspoons sambal oelek use more if you like it spicy
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted
- 1/3 cup green onions finely sliced
Instructions
Brine for Pork Chops
- In a medium saucepan, add all dry ingredients and 2 cups of water.
- Bring mixture up to a low simmer, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar.
- Remove from heat and add remaining 2 cups of water.
- Set aside and let cool down to room temperature.
Allspice Brined Pork Chops
- In a large non reactive bowl, add pork chops to room temperature brine.
- Make sure chops are completely covered – weigh down with a small plate if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours – overnight is ideal.
- When ready to cook, remove chops from brine and blot very dry with paper towel.
- Let chops come slightly up to room temperature (at the very least, remove from fridge 5 minutes before cooking to take the chill off, for more even cooking.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and have a small baking sheet (with a wire cooling rack if you have one) standing by.
- Heat a cast iron (or other oven ready) pan to medium high and add vegetable oil. Season pork chops with pepper and sear over high heat, pressing down very slightly, until lovely dark golden brown, about 5 minutes on one side.
- Flip the pork chop and place the entire pan with pork chops directly into the oven, for 10-12 minutes or until chops are cooked to desired doneness.
- Check with an instant read thermometer inserted sideways into the the thickest part of the chop – it should read 150 F – remembering that the chop will continue to cook as it rests.
- Remove chops from oven and let rest at least 10 minutes, tended with foil to keep warm, before slicing.
- To serve, slice in 1/2 inch thick pieces towards bone, leaving a nice piece remaining on the bone (that’s the cook’s treat!) Serve warm with Easy Sambal Vermicelli.
Easy Sambal Vermicelli
- In a large bowl, place dried vermicelli and pour over enough boiling water just to cover. (Push noodles down slightly with tongs as needed.)
- Let stand 1-2 minutes, then drain well and rinse with plenty of cold water.
- Drain again and spread now cooked noodles on a clean tray.
- Toss lightly with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring well to dissolve sugar.
- Add back cooled, cooked noodles and toss to evenly coat noodles with the delicious dressing.
- Serve with Allspice Pork Chops.
Notes
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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