Kotlet Schabowy: Breaded Pork Loin Cutlet / Pork Chop

This recipe makes four enormous pork cutlets - roughly the size of a large dinner plate. If your appetite isn’t as great, simply divide the meat into 8 portions instead - that way you’ll end up with 8 smaller 'Schabowy' cutlets. The recipe involves brining the meat in milk with onions - ideally overnight, but 3-4 hours should be enough as well.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 lb (900 g) boneless pork loin (pork chops / steaks)
• 2 cups (475-500 ml) milk
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 onion, yellow or red
• 3 dried bay leaves, optional
• 3 all-spice berries, optional
• 2 tbsp salt
• 0.5 tbsp black pepper, ground
• 1+1/4 cup (160 g) flour, all-purpose
• 1 cup (110 g) plain breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Pork lard or clarified butter, for frying
• Lemon wedges, for serving, optional

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Divide the meat into four (or eight) cutlets...: Divide the meat into four (or eight) cutlets of equal thickness.
2. 2Trim the exterior of any fat and sinew....: Trim the exterior of any fat and sinew. If you leave it, it will cause the meat to shrink and curl during frying.
3. 3Place the meat on a cutting board, one...: Place the meat on a cutting board, one cutlet at the time. Cover it with a layer of cling film (plastic wrap) and pound it with the flat side of a meat tenderizer. The thickness will depend on individual preferences. Personally, I like them when they are roughly ¼ inch (5-6 mm) thick. Repeat with all the remaining cutlets.
4. 4Pour the milk into a bowl, large enough...: Pour the milk into a bowl, large enough to hold all the meat.
5. 5Add in two garlic cloves (peeled and lightly...: Add in two garlic cloves (peeled and lightly crushed with a knife), thinly sliced onion, salt and pepper. If you have dried bay leaves and all-spice berries in your pantry, add them as well. Stir everything together with a fork.
6. 6Place the cutlets into the milky bowl. If...: Place the cutlets into the milky bowl. If they’re not covered well enough, you can top up the milk.
7. 7Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (cling film)...: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (cling film) and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, and ideally overnight.
8. 8Before continuing, pat the meat dry (using a...: Before continuing, pat the meat dry (using a paper towel), to remove any excessive moisture.
9. 9Set up a breading station - for this...: Set up a breading station - for this process I use soup plates, but wide and shallow bowls are great too. Flour goes into one bowl, raw egg (whisked) into another, and the breadcrumbs into the last one.
10. 10We’ll be working in batches: bread, fry, repeat....: We’ll be working in batches: bread, fry, repeat. My cutlets are enormous, therefore I have to fry them one by one.
11. 11Heat up the lard in a large frying...: Heat up the lard in a large frying pan (skillet) on medium-high heat.
12. 12Firstly, dredge both sides of each cutlet in...: Firstly, dredge both sides of each cutlet in flour, then dip in the beaten egg mixture, allowing the excess egg to drip. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumbs, turning over to cover all sides. I’m using a fork for the whole process (it’s easier and cleaner).
13. 13Sauté each cutlet for 3 to 4 minutes...: Sauté each cutlet for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. If it’s browning too quickly, reduce the heat. If the frying pan becomes too dry, add more lard. Repeat the process until you’re out of cutlets.
14. 14To keep fried cutlets warm until you’re done...: To keep fried cutlets warm until you’re done with them all, you can cover them with aluminum foil, or keep them in a warm oven.
15. 15Before serving, pat each cutlet with a paper...: Before serving, pat each cutlet with a paper towel to remove any excessive fat.
16. 16Serve while hot, with a lemon wedge on...: Serve while hot, with a lemon wedge on the side (optional)