Confit is a method of preservation that generally involves cooking food in fat low and slow for a long time. While you often hear of meat prepared confit (duck confit is a delicacy that comes from cooking duck legs in rendered duck fat), vegetables are confit-able. Cooking peppers in oil over low heat transforms their texture from a crisp juicy bite to smooth and almost creamy. Adding capers lends a briny, herbal bite, and sharp-sweet sherry vinegar-soaked golden raisins make this dish dance.
Pork Chop with Peppers Confit
Inspired by a Rozanne Gold recipe
2 servings
¼ cup golden raisins
3 Tbsp. sherry vinegar, plus more to taste
4 yellow or red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 8 slices each
¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 thick-cut pork chops
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. capers
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small bowl, soak the raisins in the vinegar. Set aside.
• In a medium pot over medium heat, bring the pepper slices and and ¼ cup olive oil to a boil. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer 45 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally, but do not remove the lid.
• Generously season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a heavy, oven-safe skillet over high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the pork chops 4 minutes on each side.
• Place the skillet in the oven and bake 10 minutes. Place the chops on a serving plate and let rest.
• Remove the peppers from the oil and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the capers, raisins and vinegar and gently toss. Season to taste with salt, pepper and vinegar, then place the peppers confit atop the pork chops and serve.
Dee Ryan is a longtime contributor to Sauce Magazine and regularly pens Make This.
This article appears in April 2017.