Balsamic Glazed Pork and Peaches

Balsamic Glazed Pork and Peaches

Pork and Peaches

I’m always trying to find new and different flavors to combine with pork chops, other than the traditional apple. So, I reached for my ever trustworthy and inspirational book, “The Flavor Bible“. It had all of these ingredients listed in the “affinities” section. And I actually did get the thumbs up from my hyper-critical-foodie-son to add it to my blog. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 4 Pork loin chops
  • 3 organic peaches or 1 bag frozen peaches (thawed), chopped into 1/2″ chunks
  • 12 fresh sage leaves, fried
  • 12 leaves, small slices
  • 2 tbsp of butter (if Paleo and avoiding dairy, use olive oil)
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Drizzle of balsamic reduction (recipe here)
  • salt and pepper to taste

In an iron skillet, on high heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Salt pork chops. Add the pork chops and cook 5 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees. Remove pork chops and let rest. Add in 1 tbsp butter, balsamic vinegar and reduce down, cooking about a minute. Add in the chopped peaches, and sliced sage, stir around to cover and cook until semi-soft, approximately 3 minutes. Remove peaches and place on top of pork chops. Drizzle balsamic reduction over peaches and pork. Add salt and pepper to the dish and place 3 fried sage leaves. Serves 4.

Bresaola Arugula Panini with Balsamic Reduction

Bresaola Arugula Panini with Balsamic Reduction

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So I finally purchased my first Panini press, and it has transformed my world of sandwiches! My son returned from his month away at camp and asked me to make him lunch… so out came the press that we have both wanted forever, The Brevile Panini Duo! This creation of came together with the help of the balsamic reduction I made for my Buffalo burger.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces of white sandwich bread
  • 8 thin slices of Bresaola
  • 4 slices of manchego cheese
  • 4 slices of gouda
  • ½ cup of baby arugula
  • 1 tsp. balsamic reduction + ⅓ cup for dipping
  • 1 fried egg

Directions:

Be sure to butter your bread on the outside so it gets a nice crispy and moist exterior. Place the cheese closest to the bread one type on either side, and layer the arugula and bresaola on top of the cheese. Drizzle the 1 tsp. of the balsamic reduction. Merge the 2 halves and place on the panini press. Close the lid and slide the setting to toast. Meanwhile fry one egg in a non-stick skillet. Cook so whites are fully cooked, but the yolk is still runny.

Remove the melted sandwich after 4 minutes and cut in half. Place egg on top, and serve with the side of balsamic reduction.

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Gourmet Buffalo Burger with Balsamic Reduction

Gourmet Buffalo Burger with Balsamic Reduction

Buffalo Burger with Balsamic reduction and fried egg

Buffalo Burger with Balsamic reduction and fried egg

I can honestly say I think my son should be a food critic. My 16 year old, came up with this masterpiece and it’s probably one of THE best burgers I have ever tasted. It has the peppery taste from the Arugula, the sweet from the balsamic reduction, the fruity and nutty taste of parmesan, and then… there’s the fried egg! Seriously?

Make Balsamic reduction – Cook 1 cup of good quality balsamic vinegar + 1 tbsp sugar on medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to simmer (low heat with small bubbles along the edges) and let simmer for about 10 minutes until vinegar has reduced down. Stir occasionally. It should be able to stick to a spoon, with it’s thick consistency. Let reduction cool and serve. Save the remaining sauce in a Tupperware and store in refrigerator. If reduction hardens after being in refrigerator for too long just place container in a bowl filled with warm water to soften it up.

INGREDIENTS (per serving)

  • 6-8 oz ground buffalo meat
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 6-8 leaves of arugula
  • 6-8 slices of parmesan
  • 1 fried egg
  • 1 brioche bun
  • 1 tbsp of softened butter

DIRECTIONS

Turn on your grill or grill pan on high. Make the buffalo patty by gently working in the Worcestershire, salt and pepper to the buffalo meat. (Do not compress, or smack the buffalo patty). Make the center of the patty thinner than the edges, and place on the grill. Cook the buffalo until the internal temperature is 130 degrees. Remove and let sit. Meanwhile, add your egg to an small non-stick skillet and cover. Flip over without breaking the yolk, and be sure to not overcook, as you want the egg yolk still runny. Remove from heat. Add the butter to all side of the brioche bun and grill for 10 seconds on each side. Assemble the burger onto the bun, adding the patty, the egg, arugula, parmesan cheese, and finally drizzle on the balsamic reduction onto the burger and the top half of the bun. My husband actually had a dish of the reduction to dip in the burger into. Enjoy!

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