Versatility. The
ability to adapt, to change, to evolve.
To be resourceful enough, and flexible enough, to know when a set course
may not be the best one, at least not for now, and the ability and chutzpah to
roll with the punches and see alternate routes…some maybe even better than what
you initially planned. The clouds hide
some very lovely silver linings for those brave enough to persist through them.
ability to adapt, to change, to evolve.
To be resourceful enough, and flexible enough, to know when a set course
may not be the best one, at least not for now, and the ability and chutzpah to
roll with the punches and see alternate routes…some maybe even better than what
you initially planned. The clouds hide
some very lovely silver linings for those brave enough to persist through them.
Keep your eye out for those silver linings! They are there for the taking for those who
have eyes to see them. And let our ears
not be too proud for alternatives.
have eyes to see them. And let our ears
not be too proud for alternatives.
Let me never be too old or feel too all-knowing to shift
my sails to suit the winds, even as I have my eye out to find currents of my
own. Let me be brave enough to take that
first leap, but wise enough to know when I shouldn’t throw all my caution to the wind.
my sails to suit the winds, even as I have my eye out to find currents of my
own. Let me be brave enough to take that
first leap, but wise enough to know when I shouldn’t throw all my caution to the wind.
That is my wish for myself. For my daughter. And for us all.
Evolve. Unlike the
dinosaurs. Because we all know what
happened to them.
dinosaurs. Because we all know what
happened to them.
Ok, enough philosophizing for now and onto the more basic
business of sustenance. Fried pork steak
– as familiar and homely as it is divine and fortifying. And this humble mushroom sauce that is as
versatile as even the loftiest of ideals.
business of sustenance. Fried pork steak
– as familiar and homely as it is divine and fortifying. And this humble mushroom sauce that is as
versatile as even the loftiest of ideals.
Pork Steak with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- Olive oil for sautéing the mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 200 grams baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
- 200 grams fresh button mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, loosely packed, plus more
for garnish - 250 ml cream
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Optional: a couple of spoonfuls of water or stock, if
needed - Canola oil for frying the pork steak
- 6 pieces pork steak or pork cutlet
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon sea salt, depending on taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
– Heat a wok or skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is hot add a couple of generous
glugs of olive oil. Add the garlic and
onions and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
glugs of olive oil. Add the garlic and
onions and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
– Add the mushrooms to the pan and toss until turned
thoroughly in the oil and softened onions.
Add salt and pepper and sauté until the mushrooms have softened,
released their liquid, and the majority of the liquid has cooked off. Add the parsley and mix well. Add the cream and mix, continuing to cook for
about 3-5 minutes more until the cream has taken on the tan mushroom color and
been infused with its earthy aroma.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Set
aside to cool a bit.
thoroughly in the oil and softened onions.
Add salt and pepper and sauté until the mushrooms have softened,
released their liquid, and the majority of the liquid has cooked off. Add the parsley and mix well. Add the cream and mix, continuing to cook for
about 3-5 minutes more until the cream has taken on the tan mushroom color and
been infused with its earthy aroma.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Set
aside to cool a bit.
– Once the
mushroom mixture has cooled somewhat, place it in a blender or food processor
and process until you reach your desired consistency for the sauce. I like my sauce thick and chunky. Thin with water or stock if needed. Set aside.
mushroom mixture has cooled somewhat, place it in a blender or food processor
and process until you reach your desired consistency for the sauce. I like my sauce thick and chunky. Thin with water or stock if needed. Set aside.
– Mix the flour, salt, and pepper on a plate. Dredge the pork steaks in the flour.
– Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add enough canola oil to coat the bottom of
the pan in a thin layer. When the oil is
hot, place the flour-coated pork steak pieces in the oil (carefully!). Fry until golden brown, then flip and do the
same with the other side. Do not crowd
the pan – fry the pork steaks in batches if necessary.
the pan in a thin layer. When the oil is
hot, place the flour-coated pork steak pieces in the oil (carefully!). Fry until golden brown, then flip and do the
same with the other side. Do not crowd
the pan – fry the pork steaks in batches if necessary.
– Serve the pork steaks with the mushroom sauce and
garnish with more chopped parsley if you’d like.
garnish with more chopped parsley if you’d like.
If you like a chunkier sauce, you can set aside some of
the creamy mushrooms before placing the rest in the blender, and mix it back in
after your sauce is to your liking. This
is something that C prefers.
the creamy mushrooms before placing the rest in the blender, and mix it back in
after your sauce is to your liking. This
is something that C prefers.
If you can find them, add some dried poricini or morels,
which have been rehydrated in hot water, to your mushrooms for sautéing. They have a stronger flavor and will really
add depth to your sauce. Save the liquid
you’ve rehydrated them in and use it if you need to thin the sauce…or freeze it
for a mushroom soup in your future.
which have been rehydrated in hot water, to your mushrooms for sautéing. They have a stronger flavor and will really
add depth to your sauce. Save the liquid
you’ve rehydrated them in and use it if you need to thin the sauce…or freeze it
for a mushroom soup in your future.
As I mentioned, this mushroom sauce is the very picture
of versatility. I love it with these
breaded pork cutlets but they also make a good sauce for a steak or a
burger. You can also toss this through
pasta for an easy sauce or coax it into some softly scrambled eggs at the last
moment. I imagine it will also do well
tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich.
It can also be used as a base for a quick mushroom soup.
of versatility. I love it with these
breaded pork cutlets but they also make a good sauce for a steak or a
burger. You can also toss this through
pasta for an easy sauce or coax it into some softly scrambled eggs at the last
moment. I imagine it will also do well
tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich.
It can also be used as a base for a quick mushroom soup.
Wishing you exciting changes and the courage and ingenuity
to make the absolute most of them!
to make the absolute most of them!
Tasty! A mouthwatering combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
Joey – is that pork belly I spy with my little eye…?
I have a pork steak in the freezer, and mushrooms in the fridge. I shall proceed accordingly.
Definitely a gorgeous thing to eat on a rainy evening!
(Oh, and I think I really needed to read this blog post today. Am on the verge of a major turning point and am making the jump from PR to full-time writing and cooking soon – and, most likely, not here in the Philippines. ;))
Thanks Rosa 🙂
Hi Ling! It's a cut they call pork steak or pork cutlet at my grocery…basically a pork chop without the bone (but with the fat as you so cleverly noticed!), and a bit thinner. Fat-trimming is not too big over here…hehehe! Hope you enjoy this!
Hi Midge! Thanks! Glad this blog post was meaningful for you today! 🙂 What exciting news! Where will you be off to? 🙂
That wish I wish for myself! Sigh. I like chunky sauces. That looks good. 🙂
Another great looking pork dish. We eat a lot of pork… And anything with a mushroom cream sauce
This post is a breathe of fresh air. It was a delight reading your "philosophizing" and that pork steak appears to aspire mouth watering goodness. I look forward to the next post and trying your recipe out.
Hi Shalum! Sigh…don't we all? 🙂 Love chunky sauces too!
Hi Katiez! We eat a lot of pork over here too!
Hi Billy! Thank you for that nice comment! 🙂
Hi there! I just discovered your amazing food blog, and I love it! There are so many recipes I want to try!
Yummy! This I should try at home. Thank you for this blog!