Monday, August 2, 2010

Grilled Pork and Fontina Sandwiches

Grilled Pork and Fontina Sandwiches


Last weekend was the second in a series of shows at the Hollywood Bowl that I am attending this summer. It's been so much fun to not only see a great show under the stars, but to picnic with fabulous people beforehand. Last time I made blueberry crumb bars, but this time I decided to go the savory route. I'd had this episode of open mouth chewer, Giada's show saved since last fall because I could not get these sandwiches out of my mind. They are perfect picnic food and can be made beforehand which was great for me since I had a busy day leading up to the festivities. These sandwiches are so easy and packed with flavor. The herbes de provence pork chops are a wonderful compliment to the lemon basil mayonnaise and crunchy romaine. The creamy Fontina brings it all together. I used a bit more pork than what is written below so I used the leftovers in hearty salads with spinach, sliced grape tomatoes, feta, and lemon vinaigrette. Excellent for a weekday work lunch!



Grilled Pork and Fontina Sandwiches
(From Giada De Laurentiis)



Makes 8 sandwiches

4 (8-ounce) 1-inch thick, boneless pork loin chops
Olive oil for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 teaspoons herbes de Provence
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh basil leaves
4 teaspoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 (1 pound) loaves ciabatta bread, cut in half horizontally
8 romaine lettuce leaves
8 ounces fontina cheese, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the pork chops on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of herbes de Provence over each side of the pork chops. Brush the grill with oil and grill the pork chops for about 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Transfer the pork chops to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes. Slice each chop into 1/4-inch thick slices.

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, basil, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

To assemble the sandwiches: Lay the bottom half of the bread on a work surface and spread with some of the mayo.  Add the lettuce leaves then arrange the cheese over the lettuce. Top the cheese with the pork slices. Spread the top half of the bread with more mayonnaise and cover the sandwiches. Slice each loaf into 4 pieces and serve.

Printable Recipe

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23 comments:

Erica said...

Perfect for a picnic. Giada has lots of great ideas for food that travels well. I know you're not a HUGE fan of hers ;), but I do really enjoy the way she cooks. Most of her recipes are simple, but delicious!

Gaby @ What's Gaby Cooking said...

omg I have I ever told you how OBSESSED I am with fontina. we need a fontina party. asap

Maria said...

I love fontina cheese. Perfect sandwich for a hot day!

Becca said...

Love fontina! This sounds delightful!

Becca

Joanne said...

This is definitely some killer picnic fare! Love the flavorful pork AND fontina. Double bonus.

Sonja said...

This looks so delicious! I have to try it.

I just started my own blog, stop by and check it out sometime if your interested.http://asmallsliceofheaven.blogspot.com/

marla {family fresh cooking} said...

I bet everyone wanted to be on your picnic blanket at the Hollywood Bowl! This grilled pork with the herbs de provence & fontina sounds so tasty.
I agree with Gaby, a fontina party would be a blast!

Diana said...

Hahaha does Giada really chew with her mouth open? I'm going to have to go watch an episode tonight to see!

vanillasugarblog said...

you find the best recipes! this is a friggin sandwich. have i ever had grilled pork in a sammie, no. but hot damn do i want to now.
cheesecake all gone momma; you gotta call dibs fast around here. i gave it to my skinny ass friends at the gym so they can get fat while i get skinny. see, i'm always thinking. lol

Esi said...

Gaby and Marla, um yes! Fontina party is a fab idea.

Diana, yes she does and it's vile. It's getting worse too.

Dawn, you are evil woman!

Memória said...

Oh, these are some serious sandwiches!!! I wish I could have have partaken in the festivities with you just for those sandwiches haha. I rarely eat pork chops, but I would have torn these up!

BTW, I'm moving back to LA soon! You're the first of the bloggers to know! :)

Marisa said...

This would make a mean lunch! Would you send some over here please?

Kelly said...

Yum. This reminds me a bit of a cuban, which I LOVE.

Joy said...

That looks so good. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Unknown said...

ok, picnic. now. :)

Pam said...

Perfect picnic food and fontina is a wonderful thing for sandwiches. It looks great!

The Duo Dishes said...

Fontina is one of the best cheeses out there. It must be the melty characteristic of it. Great sandwich to pack up for a picnic.

Lisa said...

Outside of bacon, Canadian bacon, ham,'pulled' pork and sausage, I rarely think of unadorned (unsauced, unsmoked, not ground and.or spiced) on a sandwich. You sold me. It looks delicious, especially with the fontina, Esi. Giada can pull out some goodies, but I bet your take is better :)

UrMomCooks said...

I have made these as well, and I luv the picnic idea! Giada is the one who got me hooked on fontina and now I am always on the lookout for recipes that use it!

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said...

this is totally my kind of sandwich

M. said...

if it's Giada's, it has to be delicious!!!
I'm so hungrrrry right now :)

Kerstin said...

These do look perfect for a picnic or any meal! My hubby would especially love them!

Chef Fresco said...

I love ciabbata sandwiches - looks delicious!