Iowa is obsessed with pork. Maybe that’s why (at least in terms of cuisine) Puerto Rico and Iowa are like long lost cousins? Maybe? I’ll take it. While the Midwest is obsessed with casseroles, I haven’t done that as much. Now, 1 inch pork chops or “Iowa Chops”? I’m all over that.

I tried my first pork tenderloin at Caseys, which is apparently the most Iowa thing I could do. If you do not know Casey’s its a gas station that is everywhere in Iowa. Every single town has Casey’s. They also have AMAZING pizza. And breakfast pizza? Yeah. That’s a thing. And it is pretty awesome. Ironically, I tried my first breakfast pizza at a Casey’s in Illinois. Back to the pork tenderloin. It is pretty awesome. You can do whatever you want to it. But in true ‘Murika fashion, all I did to it was season it, cover it with Panko breadcrumbs, and pan fry it. Everything was done in less than 30 minutes (depending on how many pork tenderloins you are cooking).

This is how to do it!

Ingredients:

• 6 pork loin tenderized

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup of Panko bread crumbs (I had g free)

• Peanut oil (allergic to peanuts, use a high smoke oil like Avocado oil)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Brioche bread

How to make it!

1. In a 4.5 quart pan or a pan deep enough, add some peanut oil. You should have enough so that you have a decent amount in the pan. You’re will be pan frying these quickly so they will be crispy and juicy. Heat the pan in medium heat and add the 2 garlic cloves.

2. Add salt and pepper to the tenderized pork loin.

3. In a bowl crack the 2 eggs and whisk them. You should have a station of pork, eggs, panko, hot pan.

4. In batches, I did 2 batches of 3 pork loins, add the loins to the hot pan. Once the first batch is done, let it rest on top of a rack, so that the grease can fall off. The panko does not soak up that much grease, so in my mind, this is healthier than any take out option!

5. After you finish cooking the pork, serve with some hamburger buns. I went to whole foods and found some brioche buns for 3 bucks. Sold! You can serve it with anything as far as condiments or sides. I personally just wanted the pork itself and was craving some chips!

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