Brothy Sherried Pork Chops with Butter Beans and Almond Gremolata

A feast of bones, beans, and fortified wine commingle in this tender, deeply-flavored dish from Nigel Slater.

Serves
4
Time
2 hours 30 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN LOVEKIN

Published on March 9, 2023

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Bones are synonymous with feasting. All that goodness and savor, the way their presence turns a meal into something altogether more memorable–a celebration. Whether it is a twee little lamb rib chop or a chunky beef rib, I will always pick them up, chew, and suck, winkling the last little nuggets and meat juices from every crack and crevice.

Ingredients

For the pork:

4 thick bone-in pork rib chops (9 oz. each)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more as needed
4 small onions, peeled and halved
⅔ cup oloroso sherry, or other dry or off-dry fortified wine
2½ cups chicken stock
4 rosemary sprigs
1 bay leaf
One 15½-oz. can butter beans, drained and rinsed

For the almond gremolata:

¼ cup blanched almonds, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley leaves

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Instructions

Step 1

Make the pork: Season the pork generously with salt and black pepper and set aside. To a large pan set over medium heat, add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the onions cut-side down and cook until deep golden brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a large plate.

Step 2

Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Turn the heat to medium-high and add more oil if the pan looks dry. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the pork and cook, flipping halfway through cooking, until browned on both sides, about 7 minutes total. Transfer to the plate with the onions.

Step 3

To the empty pan, add the sherry and continue cooking over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits, until reduced by about half, 2–3 minutes. Return the pork and onions to the pan, then add the stock and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and add the rosemary and bay leaf. Cover and cook until the pork is softened and nearly falling off the bone, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Season with salt, then add the beans. Turn the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes more.

Step 4

Meanwhile, make the almond gremolata: To a small dry pan set over medium heat, add the almonds and cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the oil and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon zest, then scrape into a small bowl and stir in the parsley.