Tennessee Hot Fried Pork Chop Sandwich
The concept of “Tennessee Hot” in the fried chicken world can be traced back as far as the 1930s. There are couple things that specifically makes Tennessee hot. The chicken is always marinated in buttermilk. The buttermilk acts as a tenderizer and adds a richness in flavor. The chicken is dredged in a heavily seasoned flour. The chicken is then pan fried. The chicken is then placed on top of slices of white bread. Some of the oil used in frying is mixed with cayenne, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and chili powder to create a hot sauce. The chicken is then brushed with this hot sauce, creating Tennessee hot fried chicken; served with a side of pickles.I took the concept and applied it to a fried pork chop sandwich. The chops were marinated in buttermilk, dredged in flour, fried, and brushed with the Tennessee style hot sauce. I placed them on toasted onion rolls and topped with a slice of mozzarella cheese. I served the sandwich with my pineapple coleslaw(the coleslaw helps balance the heat). You can also make this sandwich with chicken, and even a white fish fillet such as tilapia or catfish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2-6 oz boneless pork chops hammered to 1/2” thick
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 onion rolls toasted
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
- sweet pickles
Tennessee Hot Sauce
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup vegetable warm; use the leftover oil from frying the pork chops
Instructions
- Marinate the pork chops in the buttermilk for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
- Mix together the flour, cornstarch, salt, cayenne, paprika, garlic, onion, and black pepper.
- Dredge the pork in the flour on both sides, making sure that they are evenly coated.
- Heat up a 1/2” of vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Carefully lay the pork chops into the oil.
- Fry for 4-5 minutes a side.
- Lay the pork chops on the rolls.
- Mix together the hot sauce ingredients.
- Brush the pork chops with the hot sauce.
