Recipe: Five Spice Pork Chops & Ginger Sesame Slaw

INGREDIENTS 

• 4 boneless pork chops, 1 inch thick 
• ½ cup tamari or soy sauce 
• ½ cup water 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar 
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 
• Black pepper to taste 
• 2 teaspoons five spice powder 
• Avocado oil spray 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel on both sides. 
2. On one side of each pork chop, score diagonally about halfway through the meat. Repeat at an angle in the opposite direction to create a crosshatch pattern.
3. In a baking dish, whisk together the remaining ingredients until well combined and the sugar has dissolved. 
4. Add the pork chops, scored side down, into the baking dish and press them down a bit to make sure the slits open up. Marinate in the fridge for 3 hours. 
5. Flip over and marinate in the fridge for 1 more hour. 
6. Remove the chops from the marinade and blot dry with a paper towel. Lightly spray all sides with avocado oil. 
7. Heat a skillet with a bit more avocado oil spray and add your pork chops, scored down. 
8. Cook for 8 minutes on each side, then sear the narrow sides of the chops until they are caramelized. 
9. Remove the chops from the pan and let them rest under loose foil for 10 minutes.
10. Slice thinly and serve with ginger sesame slaw and/or steamed rice. 

*Ginger Sesame Slaw

INGREDIENTS

• ⅓ cup rice vinegar 
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 
• 1 clove garlic, minced 
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt 
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 3 cups finely shredded red cabbage 
• 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage 
• 1 cup shredded carrots 
• 4 medium scallions, green parts only, thinly sliced 
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves 
• 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Whisk first 8 ingredients together in a large bowl, add remaining ingredients, tossing well to combine. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.