Late Night Snacks: Pan-Seared Pork Chops

When I was in culinary school I wouldn’t get home until 11:30 p.m. at the absolute earliest—and that was only if it was a slow night and I ran to the locker room as soon as we were released by the chef. I would speed walk to the Canal street stop after changing out of my chef whites, hoping and praying to catch the express train. “Come on Q train! Big money, big money, no whammy, no whammy, stop!” was running through my mind as I headed down the subway steps everyday after class.

**rumble–rumble–rumble**

I hear a train approaching! Lights creep along the subway tunnel wall as the metal carriage approaches. A tingle runs through my veins in anticipation of being able to take a load off and sit on my couch with a glass of whiskey in hand to unwind. A sigh of relief is queued up to escape from my mouth. The train gets nearer to the station. I can almost see which one it is…

…Q!…

….to 57th and 7th…

…DAMN!

The Q train decides not to go all the way to Astoria at some point during the night, forcing Queens-goers to dismount the public transportation stallion and wait for another chariot to carry them the rest of their journey. I decide to board the train even though it would only take me halfway to my end destination. I get off at its last stop and await the N train to carry me the rest of the way. Finally it arrives and I am whisked off toward my humble abode.

It’s nearly midnight and I want some food to quell my hunger. Yes, I spent the entire evening in a kitchen making delicious food, but unfortunately some nights we were so busy that we didn’t even have a moment to eat (not a real meal at least). To my good fortune there’s a grocery store on the corner of my block full of ingredients waiting to meet their maker at the hands of The Hungry Hutch. I peruse the aisles to see what will become my next culinary victim. As an extreme carnivore, I always gravitate toward meat whenever I am hungry and crave something to feed my belly and satiate my taste buds. Burdened with student loans, I see pork chops on sale and think, “winning!” (Oh, Charlie…)

Pork chops to my stomach’s rescue! Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and whatever else your heart desires. Sear in a hot pan with oil and enjoy.