Alright, let’s talk about something tasty – teriyaki pork chops. I tried making them the other day, and man, it was a bit of an adventure. So, I thought, why not share the whole messy process with you guys?
Getting Started
First things first, I had to decide what cut of pork to use. I went with pork shoulder chops because they looked pretty good at the store, and I like how they have a good amount of fat. They say the fat melts when you cook it and makes the meat super tasty. But, apparently, you gotta tenderize these shoulder chops, or they can be tough. Who knew? The internet said marinating is the way to go.
The Tenderizing Mission
So, I whipped up this marinade – I’ll tell ya how to make it later – and let the pork chops sit in it. I had heard that you’re supposed to marinate it overnight, but I was too hungry and only let it sit for a few hours. I read online that you can also use a meat tenderizer thingy to whack the chops, but I didn’t have one. You can also soak them in milk. What? Yes, milk can also make the meat softer. I didn’t try that, but maybe next time.
Making the Teriyaki Sauce
While the chops were getting all flavored up, I started on the teriyaki sauce. I grabbed some soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic – that’s what I saw on most recipes. I mixed it all in a pan and cooked it until it got a bit thicker. I tasted it, and it was pretty good, but I added a bit more sugar because I like it a little sweeter.
Cooking the Pork Chops
I heated up some oil in a pan and tossed the pork chops in. I cooked them for a few minutes on each side until they got a nice brown color. Then, I poured the teriyaki sauce over them and let it all simmer together. It smelled amazing, I gotta say. I was supposed to put them into the oven for a bit, but I decided to just keep them on the stove.
Side Dish Shenanigans
I also wanted some veggies with my pork chops, so I grabbed some asparagus, green onions, bok choy, and bell peppers. I just washed them and chopped them up. I didn’t do anything fancy, just cooked them in a separate pan with a little oil until they were kind of soft.
The Final Product
Finally, everything was ready. I put the pork chops on a plate, added the veggies on the side, and drizzled some of the teriyaki sauce over everything. It looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. And the taste? It was actually really delicious! The pork chops were tender enough, and the teriyaki sauce was just right – sweet and savory. Even the simple veggies tasted great with that sauce.
So, that was my teriyaki pork chop experience. It was a bit of work, but totally worth it. If you’re thinking about making it, I’d say go for it! Just remember to maybe marinate those chops a bit longer than I did, okay?
