Pyramid Steak

Pork Chop with Hedgehogs and Potato and Mushroom Side Dish

Introduction
I invite you to discover a delicious and impressive recipe, perfect for a festive meal or a family lunch. This marinated pork chop, accompanied by 'hedgehogs' made of sausages and aromatic side dishes, blends tradition with innovation, offering an unforgettable culinary experience. This recipe will not only satisfy your taste buds but will surely become a topic of conversation at your table.

Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Marinating time: 2-4 hours
- Baking time: 1 hour
- Total: Approximately 4 hours (including marinating)
- Number of servings: 11-12

Ingredients
For the Chop
- 1.5 kg pork chop
- 1 medium onion
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup semi-dry red wine
- 100 g butter
- 4-5 Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon hot chili
- Salt to taste
- Thyme and tarragon (a little of each)

For the Hedgehogs
- 1 kg Oltenian sausages (5-6 pieces)
- 7-8 large potatoes
- 3-4 eggs
- 150-200 g flour
- 150-200 g parmesan

For the Side Dishes
- 11-12 large mushrooms
- 7-8 large potatoes
- 1 red onion
- 4 cloves of garlic
- Oil, salt, pepper
- 1 lettuce
- 100 g parmesan
- 1 red bell pepper

Nutritional Information
This protein-rich recipe offers a balanced meal, being an excellent source of iron, B vitamins, and antioxidants from vegetables. Each serving contains approximately 600 calories, depending on the individual serving and ingredients used.

Recipe Story
This recipe pays homage to culinary tradition, inspired by dishes that have been cooked for generations. The pork chop is a versatile ingredient, and marinating it makes it extremely tender and aromatic. The hedgehogs, a creative culinary invention, bring a touch of originality, combining textures and flavors.

Step by Step for a Perfect Chop
Marinating
1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by peeling and dicing the onion into small cubes. Crush the garlic cloves with a knife or a garlic press.
2. Preparing the marinade: In a bowl, combine the onion, garlic, red wine, thyme, tarragon, Sichuan peppercorns, chili, and salt. Mix all the ingredients well.
3. Marinating the chop: Wash and dry the pork chop, then rub it with melted butter. Season the meat with salt and pepper, then place it in a marinade bag. Add the marinade mixture, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. This step is crucial to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Baking the Chop
1. Preparing the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Preparing the tray: Grease a tray with butter and remove the chop from the marinade. Place it in the tray and use a thin knife to make a few holes in the meat, into which you will insert long, thinly cut carrots.
3. Adding the liquid: Pour a little water into the tray to prevent the meat from drying out. Cover the tray with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
4. Baking: Bake the chop for 45 minutes, basting it every 15 minutes with a mixture of sauce from the tray and honey. This step will add a sweet note and create a delicious glaze.

Preparing the Hedgehogs
1. Frying the sausages: Cut the sausages into 3 cm pieces and fry them until golden. Place them on absorbent paper to remove excess fat.
2. Preparing the potatoes: Peel and grate the remaining potatoes on a fine grater. Drain the excess water well, then mix them with the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.
3. Forming the hedgehogs: Wrap each piece of sausage in the potato mixture and fry them in hot oil for 4-5 minutes until golden.

Potato and Mushroom Side Dish
1. Preparing the potatoes: Peel the remaining potatoes, cut them into pieces, and place them in a greased tray. Add the julienned onion and crushed garlic.
2. Seasoning: Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Add a little water and bake for 20-30 minutes.
3. The mushrooms: Clean the mushrooms and place them on the preheated grill. Add a little butter to each cap, salt, and pepper.

Assembling the Dish
1. Slicing the chop: After the chop has been in the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it into pieces about 1.5 cm thick.
2. Assembling: Use skewers to alternate pieces of chop, hedgehogs, and mushrooms. Put everything back in the oven for 5-10 minutes, sprinkling parmesan on top.

Serving
Place the roast on a platter in the center, and around it, place the potato side dish. Garnish with finely chopped lettuce and slices of red bell pepper for a splash of color. Serve immediately and enjoy the compliments from your loved ones!

Practical Tips
- Marinating: The longer the chop marinates, the more flavorful it will be. Ideally, leave it overnight.
- Alternative to meat: You can replace the pork chop with chicken or turkey breast for a lighter option.
- Variations: Add some fresh herbs to the marinade for an extra touch of freshness. Rosemary and sage are excellent choices.
- Drinks: This dish pairs perfectly with a semi-dry red wine or a flavorful blonde beer.

Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of meat can I use? You can also use beef or chicken, but the baking time will vary.
- Can I prepare this recipe in advance? Yes, you can marinate the meat a day ahead and bake it on the day of serving.
- How can I avoid drying out the chop? Use aluminum foil in the first 30 minutes of baking and baste the meat periodically.

Conclusion
This pork chop with hedgehogs and potato and mushroom side dish is a recipe that blends tradition with culinary creativity. With a little patience and love, you will create a memorable meal that will impress everyone. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: Ingredients for the steak: 1.5 kg of pork chop, 2 long and thin carrots, pepper, butter, 100 ml of honey. Ingredients for Hedgehog: 1 kg of Oltenian sausages (5-6 pieces), 7-8 large potatoes, 3-4 eggs, 150-200 g of Parmesan cheese, 150-200 g of flour. Ingredients for side dishes: 11-12 large mushrooms, 7-8 large potatoes, 1 red onion, 4 cloves of garlic, oil, salt, pepper, 1 lettuce, 100 g of Parmesan, 1 red bell pepper. * The dishes serve 11-12 portions.