Blue Star Recipe: Spice Rubbed Pork Chop with Polenta & Romesco

When Chef Bobby Flay was designing his home kitchen he wanted to create a space that would rival what he can do in his restaurants. That is why he chose the professional-level power and performance of the BlueStar Platinum Series for his NYC home. From the searing 25,000 BTU burners to the extra-large convection oven that can fit a full-size sheet pan, he says his 60” gas range is the closest thing he can get to a professional range at home.

Bring the flavors of the Mediterranean into your kitchen with this Spice Rubbed Pork Chop with Polenta and Romesco Sauce recipe from Chef Bobby Flay’s New York City restaurant Gato. This recipe is big on flavor thanks to its unique spice blend.

Spice Rubbed Pork Chop with Polenta & Romesco

Serves: 4

Romesco

• Olive oil
• Canola oil
• 3 large roasted red peppers, peeled, seeded and chopped, drained and patted dry
• 1/3 cup marcona almonds
• Ciabatta bread, cut into small cubes
• 1/4 cup golden raisins, soaked in water and drained
• 2 ancho chiles, soaked in hot water, drained, stems and seeds removed
• 4 plum tomatoes
• 5 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Honey
• 2 teaspoons harissa paste
• 2 teaspoons Calabrian chile puree
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the peppers, cook until lightly golden brown, and remove to the bowl of a food processor. Add more oil, fry the almonds until golden brown, and remove with a slotted spoon to food processor bowl with peppers. Continue frying each ingredient separately and adding to the bowl up until the garlic cloves.
2. Add the vinegar, honey, harissa and Calabrian chile paste and process until smooth. Add more olive oil if needed and season with salt and pepper.

Polenta

• 3 cups homemade chicken stock or mushroom stock or low sodium canned chicken stock
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup medium grind polenta
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup romesco sauce, recipe above
• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Bring stock and milk to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, add the salt. Slowly whisk in the polenta and continue whisking until it begins to thicken. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until thickened and soft, about 25 minutes, adding more stock or milk if needed.
2. Remove from heat, stir in the cheese and fold in the romesco.

Gremolata

• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped to a paste
• Olive oil
• Finely grated zest of lemon
• Finely grated zest of orange
• Kosher salt and pepper

1. Combine in a bowl and season with salt and pepper

Spice Rubbed Pork

• 3 tablespoons Spanish paprika
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons ground dry mustard
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground fennel
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Canola oil
• 4 pork chops
• Chervil leaves, for garnish
• Chive oil, for garnish

1. Combine the spices in a small bowl. Remove the pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Season the pork on both sides with salt and pepper and rub one side with the spice rub.
2. Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in the pan over high heat until almost smoking. Put the pork in the pan, rub side down and cook until a crust forms, about 4 minutes. Turn the chops over, reduce heat and continue cooking to medium-well doneness, about 5 minutes longer. If pork is thick, finish in a 400 degree oven for about 8 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
3. Add polenta to plate, then place pork chop on top.
4. Place dollop of romesco sauce on top of the pork chop.
5. Garnish with gremolata, chive oil and chervil.