Sesame-Crusted Pork Cutlets With Cabbage

Sesame-Crusted Pork Cutlets With Cabbage

Do you ever wish that the crackly outside of your fried cutlet tasted like — anything? Instead of throwing a bunch of garlic or even Cheetos into the coating, swap bread crumbs for a something that’s probably already in your pantry. By crusting your pounded-thin pork with crushed sesame seeds and shallow-frying for just a few minutes, each bite of juicy pork has a snap and crackle racing through, in addition to deep sesame flavor. To cut through the richness, take a cue from pork tonkatsu and serve these with extra-crisp wisps of cabbage and lemon. With such a minimalist ingredient list and process, you might think you need to add a thing or two, but everything you need is right here.
  • Total:
  • Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Submerge the cabbage in a large bowl of ice water to crisp while you make the pork.
  2. Step 2

    Place the sesame seeds in a large resealable plastic bag and pound using a rolling pin or skillet until coarsely crushed (alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle). Transfer to a lipped plate or shallow bowl.
  3. Step 3

    Working with one piece at a time, put the pork in another resealable plastic bag and pound using a rolling pin or skillet until it is 1/4-inch thick (don’t skimp on this step; it’s important that the pieces are thin). Transfer to a plate, salt lightly on both sides, then repeat until all pieces have been cooked.
  4. Step 4

    Dredge the pork cutlets fully in the crushed sesame seeds.
  5. Step 5

    In a large skillet over medium-high, heat 1/3 inch of oil until shimmering. Gently lay the cutlets in the pan, working in batches as necessary. Fry until golden brown on one side, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until golden brown and cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat until all pieces have been cooked.
  6. Step 6

    Drain and dry the cabbage thoroughly (a salad spinner works well here). Serve each cutlet with a pile of cabbage, a squeeze of lemon over everything and more lemon wedges on the side. Season with salt to taste and serve at once.