Several years ago
I posted one of my favorite recipes for a Baked Cabbage Soup; it is an
addictive combination of pancetta, bread, cabbage, and cheese.
More recently,
Susan (from the Provence WineZine) shared a recipe for Pork Chops Gratinée,
which really reminded me of the soup. I was eager to make it.
She got the
recipe from Susan Tipton, co-proprietor of Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, who got it from
Linda, an Acquiesce wine club member, who got it from her parents’ restaurant
in France. It’s like the story of Chicken
Little without the sky falling…
This is straight-up comfort food. And that makes most people think of winter. But I made – and relished
it – on a bright, sunny, 95° day, and served it with a bottle of Acquiesce
Winery’s 2015 Belle Blanc, their homage to a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. To read
more about the pairing, visit the Provence WineZine.
Yes, this is
comfort food, and well-timed for readers south of the equator, but as it turns
out, I would eat this any day of the year! It is year-round comfort food.
The recipe was
written the way many handed-down recipes are: some of this, a little
of that, add a bit more as you need… While that method works for some, I know
many home chefs who would prefer a bit more precision.
That is what I
have done here. I have tested and codified the amounts, times, procedures. (Confident
free-hand cooks can tinker at will.)
I may never have
the opportunity to eat this dish at Susan or Linda’s or Linda’s parents’ tables,
thus I may never know if this is how theirs turned out. (I’m guessing it is
pretty close…) Whatever the case, I do hope I have done justice to their
recipe.
Sure, it’s
summertime, and it might be hot where you are, but don’t let that stop you from
trying these chops!
Côtelettes de Porc Gratinées
Pork Chops
Gratinées
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Design by Themeshift.
Unknown
June 3, 2017 at 1:40 pmGod this sounds good. I adore your cabbage soup so will be making this recipe as well!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:11 pmPam – this is a really nice way to make that cabbage soup into a fancy dinner! You will love this!
Susan Manfull
July 14, 2017 at 6:13 pmPam, shall we make it when I am in your neck of the woods?
Cocoa & Lavender
July 15, 2017 at 9:21 pmYuo should!!
Cheri Savory Spoon
June 3, 2017 at 3:27 pmOh does this look like heaven on a plate with the creamy cabbage. Recipes that have been handed down are pretty special and this one is no exception. So nice that you include a wine pairing, very nice David.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:12 pmI agree, Cheri – recipes that have a lineage are so nice to have. This one in particular!
Liz (Good Things)
June 3, 2017 at 4:19 pmA truly delicious dish, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:12 pmThanks, Liz!
John | heneedsfood
June 3, 2017 at 8:08 pmIt may be on the verge of sweltering here in Antigua, Guatemala, but nothing would stop me from trying these little beauties. This is my kind of food, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:12 pmI thought of you when I made this, John – it definitely has your name on it! Stay cool down there!
Unknown
June 4, 2017 at 3:58 pmOh my – I want this now, for breakfast!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:13 pmIt would be the breakfast of champions, Peg!
Sue/the view from great island
June 4, 2017 at 4:57 pmThis looks insanely good, and I am always up for a bit of out of season comfort food! I'm definitely going to try this!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:16 pmFirst, Sue – thanks for visiting Cocoa & Lavender! When I saw Great Island, I immediately though of New Castle but thought, "No way – there must be numerous Great Islands out there." But it is New Castle!
I am curious if you found me through Susan at the Provence WineZine?
Either way, I just signed up for your blog, and look forward to getting to know you better through our mutual love of food!
Sue/the view from great island
June 9, 2017 at 7:06 pmHow do you know New Castle David? And I'm not sure how I found your blog, but I'm so glad I did!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 9, 2017 at 7:18 pmWe lived in Portsmouth/Kittery for 10 years from 1995-2005. Loved it but am glad we found the Sonoran Desert!
Sippity Sup
June 5, 2017 at 12:57 amI too would eat it any time of the year. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:17 pmAnd you should, Greg!
Provence WineZine
June 5, 2017 at 1:45 amYou captured the spirit of this dish and my mouth is watering…I can't wait to make it again! And, of course pair it with the Belle Blanc!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:17 pmThanks to you for sharing it with me, Susan! A new favorite in our family!
Gerlinde de Broekert
June 5, 2017 at 4:05 amPork chops and cabbage are some of my favorite foods. Thanks for posting this delicious looking dish. A dish you can eat any time of the year.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:18 pmIt definitely has a Germanic feel to it, doesn't it, Gerlinde? But the cheese and cream give it that French feel, too! Love it either way!
Nutmeg
June 5, 2017 at 8:28 amI HAVE to make this soon!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:18 pmNow that you are out of the desert, you should, Carolyne!
All That I'm Eating
June 5, 2017 at 10:09 amWhat a great sounding recipe, comfort food indeed. I have never thought of cooking pork chops this way, I bet the cabbage has so much flavour!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 5, 2017 at 8:19 pmI love Savoy cabbage, Caroline. It adds great flavor and texture to soups and casseroles such as this.
Frank
June 6, 2017 at 10:58 amActually, temperatures around here have been unseasonably cool, so a pork chop like this would hit the spot quite nicely.
And your baked cabbage soup also looks incredible—I was meaning to blog on a very similar dish from Piedmont this winter (zuppa alla canavesana) but never got around to it.
Cocoa & Lavender
June 6, 2017 at 2:36 pmFrank – my soup may be from the Piedmont region, considering the cheeses used. I will look forward to yours whenever you post it!
Glad you are having cool weather up there = it has soared into the 100s for us!
Ngeun
June 8, 2017 at 6:41 amThis looks comforting and delicious indeed! Perfect for our cold and wet weather atm. I love cabbage, especially Savoy – so pretty and flavourful. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
June 8, 2017 at 1:33 pmIt is winter down there, isn't it? I do think Savoy cabbage is one of the most beautiful vegetables to photograph! Stay warm, Ngeun!
Unknown
June 10, 2017 at 9:30 am…food is mouthwatering of course, but… that Mauviel pan! steals the show for me — stefano
Cocoa & Lavender
June 10, 2017 at 12:24 pmStefano – I was so excited to get that pan when we visited Dehillerin in Paris at Christmas. Mark knew I was dreaming of owning a pan like that and he insisted I buy it! (He also knew that he would benefit from my having it!)
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
June 16, 2017 at 3:42 pmThis will be a must-make come fall when I am buried in cabbage. I've always liked pork and cabbage together in the first place–and cream and Gruyere make everything better!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 16, 2017 at 4:43 pmI can assure you, Inger – you will love this!
Marcelle
June 22, 2017 at 4:07 pmWell, here's another one added to my "must-try" soon list. Evan will just love this one! I agree about adding a little Dijon mustard sounding like a wonderful addition 🙂 YUM!!
Cocoa & Lavender
June 26, 2017 at 1:48 pmI can't wait for the temperatures to go below 110° so that I can make this again! Even I have limits!