Zhu Pa (Hong Kong-Style Baked Pork Chops)

🧂 Ingredients

• 4 Bone-in pork chops(About 1-inch thick)
• 2 Yellow onion(Medium-sized)
• 3 tbsp Soy sauce(Preferably light soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 4 cloves Garlic(Minced)
• 1 tbsp Cooking oil(Optional, for greasing the dish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, five-spice powder, and minced garlic until the sugar is dissolved. This is your marinade base.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes
2. 2

   Marinate the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Place them in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the prepared marinade over the pork chops, ensuring each chop is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes (active) + 4 hours (marinating)
3. 3

   Preheat the oven and prepare the onions: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the onions into thin wedges or rings. Lightly grease a baking dish (approximately 9x13 inches) with cooking oil if desired, or the marinade residue from the pork chops will help prevent sticking. Arrange the sliced onions in an even layer at the bottom of the baking dish.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
4. 4

   Assemble the dish: Remove the pork chops from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Arrange the marinated pork chops on top of the layer of onions in the baking dish. Ensure they are not overcrowded.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
5. 5

   Bake the pork chops: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and the edges are nicely caramelized. The onions should be soft and slightly browned. Internal temperature of the pork should reach 71°C (160°F).

   ⏱️ 35-40 minutes
6. 6

   Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender meat. Serve the pork chops hot, spooning the softened, caramelized onions alongside.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓For deeper flavor, marinate the pork chops overnight.
• ✓Ensure the onions are sliced thinly enough to become tender and slightly caramelized during baking.
• ✓The caramelization of the onions is a key indicator of doneness and flavor development.
• ✓Serve this dish with steamed white rice to soak up the delicious juices.

🔄 Variations

• Add a layer of cooked white rice to the bottom of the baking dish before adding the onions and pork chops for a one-dish meal.
• Stir in a tablespoon of ketchup into the marinade for a slightly sweeter, tangier profile, common in some variations.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving