Nonna’s Pork Chops and Polenta
A DISCLAIMER. Nonna does not tend to use exact quantities in her recipes. She cooks uses her senses, looking, smelling, tasting and touching along the way to ensure the chicken stock is properly salted, the flavors of the tomato sauce have melded, and the consistency of the risotto is perfect. I’ve added estimated quantities based on Nonna’s instructions for you to use as a guide. Taste as you go and make additions and substitutions as you see fit. That’s how I learned to cook and it’s my favorite part of being in the kitchen.
what you need:
2 pork chops (bone in)
corn oil
2 28 oz cans whole san marzano tomatoes, blended
6 oz can tomato paste
parsley (dried for convenience, fresh for flavor)
1 1/2 cups polenta
what you do:
The Marinara Sauce
heat 1 tbsp of corn oil in a pot then add pork chops and 2 roughly chopped cloves of garlic once hot. flip pork chops once brown and remove the garlic when it starts to brown (being careful not to burn the garlic). don’t worry about cooking the pork chops through, they will continue to cook in the sauce. once pork chops are brown on both sides, add blended tomatoes and one can of water into the pot. simmer for 10 mins then add in a fistful of chopped parsley and tomato paste. simmer for a few hours until the sauce has reduced and is thick and flavorful. Make sure to taste and season with s+p as it cooks.
2. The Polenta
when the marinara sauce is nearly done, brings 4 cups of water to a boil with a scant tsp of kosher salt. sift polenta into the pot. cook until thick, stirring frequently, and then add another 3 cups of water. Stir and continue to cook until thick and creamy. Add more water as necessary to get to the desired consistency. The longer it cooks the thicker it will get so don’t be afraid to repeat the add water, cook, stir process until ready. The whole process takes around 30-40 mins.
3. Serve
When polenta is ready, scoop into a wide bowl and ladle a few spoonfuls a marinara sauce on top. Serve with pork chops and freshly grated parm on top!
