Pork is such a wonderful and versatile protein to work with. The taste is inherently mild so it takes on the flavors of whatever it is paired with quite nicely. Let’s explore 3 iconic dishes from around the globe that you can make with pork.

Pork Milanese

This classic Italian dish is also referred to as breaded pork cutlets. It is simplicity at its best and makes for an easy and tasty weeknight meal.

Lean pork loin chops are pounded to a thin 1/3 of an inch. They are then dipped in beaten eggs followed by a coating of seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. The cutlets are fried in a little olive oil until golden and crispy.

Pork Milanese cutlets are often served over a simply dressed salad of bitter greens, such as arugula, and blistered cherry tomatoes. It is customary to add a lemon wedge to the plate. Enjoy with a glass of Italian wine. Barbaresco or Pinot Grigio both pair nicely with breaded pork.

Pork Chile Verde

An authentic pork chili verde recipe requires cooking pork loin or shoulder low and slow until quite tender. This is a traditional Mexican dish.

The pork is trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes. It is then browned in oil with aromatics that generally include onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano. The meat is then simmered in broth for 2 to 4 hours. What makes this verde (green) is the sauce it is served with. The sauce is made with roasted poblano chilis and jalapeno peppers, tomatillos, and cilantro. This is both refreshing and spicy.

This authentic pork chili verde recipe is most often served with soft tortillas and side dishes of seasoned rice and braised pinto or black beans. To complement the meal, have an icy cold bottle of cerveza.

Red-Braised Pork Belly

Red-braised pork belly (hong shao rou) is a customary dish served for Chinese New Year. It is definitely a crowd-pleaser, especially popular with children. It is both sweet and savory.

Pork belly is boiled and then simmered for an hour in a sauce of sugar, scallions, fresh ginger, garlic, star anise, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. The belly is very tender and the sauce is a little sticky and festively red in hue.

Red-braised pork belly is often served over steamed white rice. Traditional sides include Prosperity Salad of raw fish and sliced vegetables and shrimp dumplings. The entire meal is prepared to be eaten easily with chopsticks. This is yummy with Chinese rice wine or sake.

Final Thoughts

We have just circled the globe with 3 delicious pork dishes. While these may sound exotic, they are all quite easy to prepare. They are enjoyed equally by adults and children.