Treat someone this Valentine’s Day to these perfect pork steaks served with herb & honey swede & mustard greens. An easy recipe but with delicious results so you can enjoy your partner’s company rather than being stuck in the kitchen trying to impress.
SERVES 2
- Half a swede
- 3 generous thyme sprigs
- 25g butter
- 500ml chicken stock
- 200g spring greens
- Pack of boneless pork loin steaks
- Oil for grilling and frying, e.g. sunflower or light olive
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Wash and peel the swede. Chop in half again, lengthways, then into 1cm thick slices. Pick the leaves off the thyme sprigs. Check your frying pan will fit all the swede in one layer, or cook the next step in two batches.
- Melt the butter (or half of the butter if you need to cook in two batches) in a frying pan. Add the swede in one layer. Cook on both sides, on a medium-high heat, until golden brown all over. Add the thyme leaves, most of the chicken stock and some pepper. Bring to the boil and let the swede bubble away for 15 mins (if it needs more liquid at any point, add more stock).
- Meanwhile, wash the spring greens well in a bowl of cold water. Drain and cut out the central tough ribs in a thin ‘V’ shape. Lay the leaves on top of each other and roll together in a fat cigar shape. Slice into 1–2cm strips. Once your swede is almost tender, after about 15 mins, add the honey to the pan. Give it a little mix with your spoon to amalgamate it. Cook for a further 5 mins or so, depending on thickness, until the swede is tender when pierced with a sharp knife. The stock and honey should be reduced to a syrupy glaze.
- Remove from the heat and gently reheat once you’ve cooked the pork and greens. Put your grill on to a medium-high heat. Rub the pork steaks with a little oil, and season with salt and pepper. Lay the pork on a piece of foil on your grill tray and grill for 3 mins on each side. While the pork cooks, put the greens in a wide or large saucepan. Add a splash of oil.
- Cook the greens over a medium heat, stirring often, until wilted, usually about 3–4 mins. Stir in the mustard and some salt and pepper. Serve the greens with the pork steaks and gently reheated swede (if you need to reduce the sauce down more, boil it fast for an extra couple of minutes).
Cooks notes
The braised swede in this recipe lends itself to pork, with honey and thyme adding a little aromatic sweetness. It’s great with bacon, pork chops or as part of a roast. This dish is gluten free, just check your mustard pot for anything hiding in there.