We were bowled over by Miraglia Eriquez's mother's method for grilled breaded chops—it truly combines the best of both worlds, with the crumbs toasting and crisping up while taking on a hint of smoke. Meanwhile, the meat inside couldn't be juicier. A light, peppery salad gives the chops a freshness that tastes just right at a cookout.
·You can substitute boneless 1-inch-thick pork chops for the veal chops; reduce grilling time to 6 minutes total.
·Bread-crumb mixture can be made 1 day ahead and chilled.
·Chops can be pounded and coated 2 hours ahead and chilled.
Recipe information
Total Time
45 min
Yield
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
For salad:
For veal chops:
Preparation
Start salad:
Step 1
Whisk together oil, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper in a large bowl until combined, then stir in tomatoes and onion.
Make Veal:
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Step 3
Gently pound chops (avoiding bone) to 1/8 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with flat side of a meat pounder or with a rolling pin.
Step 4
Toast bread crumbs in a large 4-sided sheet pan in oven, stirring once or twice, until dry but not golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Cool completely.
Step 5
Stir crumbs together with cheese and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Sprinkle chops with 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper.
Step 6
Line a large baking sheet with wax paper. Put oil in another shallow bowl or pie plate. Dip each chop in oil, letting excess drip off, then dredge both sides of chop (and bone) in bread-crumb mixture, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere. Transfer to baking sheet.
Step 7
Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).
Step 8
Oil grill rack, then grill chops, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, until just cooked through and golden brown and grill marks appear, about 8 minutes total.
Finish salad:
Step 9
Just before serving, add arugula and basil to salad and toss, then season with salt and pepper. Serve over chops.
