
Smashed Hit
Lemon-Marinated Pork Chops with Crispy Italian Smashed Potatoes
55 minutes
Serves 4
DinnerItalian
Herb's take
Inspired by rustic Italian trattorias, this dish turns humble ingredients into a showstopper: juicy, lemon-bright pork chops and golden, herby smashed potatoes. You'll master pan-searing, potato smashing (which is more fun than bubble wrap), and the art of letting lemon do the heavy lifting.
Ingredients
Yield
4
Instructions
- 01Combine the potatoes, 2 tsp kosher salt, and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart.
- 02While potatoes cook, whisk together the juice and zest of 2 lemons, rosemary, thyme, 3 tbsp olive oil, garlic, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper in a shallow baking dish.
- 03Add pork chops to the marinade, turning to coat. Marinate at room temperature for at least 20 minutes, flipping once.
- 04Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 05Drain potatoes and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to the baking sheet and gently smash each potato to about 3/4-inch thick using a flat-bottomed glass or potato masher.
- 06Drizzle smashed potatoes with remaining 3 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 3/4 tsp black pepper.
- 07Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are golden and crispy around the edges, turning once halfway.
- 08While potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Remove chops from marinade, letting excess drip off. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned.
- 09Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the pan and spoon the melted butter over the chops for 1-2 minutes, until internal temp reaches 140°F.
- 10Transfer chops to a plate and tent with foil to rest for 5 minutes.
- 11Arrange crispy potatoes on plates and top with pork chops. Optionally, drizzle with any buttery pan juices and a final squeeze of lemon before serving.
Want your own batch?
I don't run a recipe search engine—I invent dishes from what you tell me. Toss me some ingredients on the home page.