Grilled Pork Chops and Vegetable Gratin with Caper-Parsley Vinaigrette

This gratin was a specialty of my gran, who used to make it to serve with her pork chops. I’ve revved it up with a caper vinaigrette. Note that the caper brine acts as the vinegar here, so taste the dressing to be sure that it is sharp enough and add more brine if needed.

This gratin was a specialty of my gran, who used to make it to serve with her pork chops. I’ve revved it up with a caper vinaigrette. Note that the caper brine acts as the vinegar here, so tastethe dressing to be sure that it is sharp enough and add more brine if needed.

Caper-Parsley Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup nonpareil capers, with their brine

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Gratin and Pork:

1 yellow onion, cut into 1/3-inch-thick rounds

3 zucchini, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

4 center-cut pork loin chops (each about 8 ounces and 3/4 inch thick, frenched if desired)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)

Caper-Parsley Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup baby capers, with their brine

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Gratin and Pork:

1 brown onion, cut into 7mm-thick rounds

3 zucchini, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

250g cherry tomatoes, halved

4 centre-cut pork loin chops (each about 250g and 2cm thick, frenched if desired

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 125g)

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Directions

PREP TIME

MINS

COOKING TIME

MINS

Serves

Make-Ahead:

The vinaigrette can be made up to 4 hours ahead, covered and refrigerated. Let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature for 15 minutes and rewhisk before using. The vegetables can be grilled up to 2 hours ahead, cooled, covered, and refrigerated.

Make-Ahead:

Prepare an outdoor grill for direct cooking over high heat. Position the broiler rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler.

To make the vinaigrette:

In a small bowl, mix the capers, their brine, olive oil, and parsley with a fork to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To prepare the gratin:

Coat the onions and zucchini with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt andpepper. Grill the onions and zucchini for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until seared with grill marks and just tender. Remove from the grill and transfer to a cutting board.

Cut the zucchini diagonally in half. Very coarsely chop the onions. Toss the zucchini and onions with the cherry tomatoes in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart flameproof baking dish. Set aside at room temperature.

To cook the pork:

Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Coat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the pork for about 3 minutes per side, or until seared golden brown and barely pink when pierced at the bone with the tip of a small sharp knife. Transfer to a platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese generously over the vegetables. Broil, watching closely, for about 5 minutes, or until the Parmesan cheese has melted and is pale golden.

Divide the vegetables among four dinner plates and top each with a pork chop. Stir the vinaigrette, drizzle over the chops, and serve.

Prepare a barbecue for direct cooking over high heat.

To make the vinaigrette:

In a small bowl, mix the capers, their brine, extra-virgin olive oil, and parsley with a fork to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To prepare the gratin:

Cut the zucchini diagonally in half. Very coarsely chop the onions. Toss the zucchini andonions with the cherry tomatoes in a 1 1/2- to 2-litre flameproof baking dish. Set aside at room temperature.

To cook the pork:

Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Coat with the remaining olive oil and season with saltand pepper. Grill the pork for about 3 minutes per side, or until seared golden brown andbarely pink when pierced at the bone with the tip of a small sharp knife. Transfer to a platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Position an oven rack about 15cm from the heat source and preheat the grill. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese generously over the vegetables. Grill, watching closely, for about 5 minutes, or until the Parmesan cheese has melted and is pale golden.

Divide the vegetables among four dinner plates and top each with a pork chop. Stir the vinaigrette, drizzle over the chops, and serve.