Lemon and thyme pork schnitzel
2 180g pork loin steaks
1 large egg
2 tbsp plain flour
75 g coarse dried white breadcrumbs (Japanese panko breadcrumbs are ideal)
finely grated zest of ½ lemon
15 g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
300 ml vegetable oil
2 handfuls watercress, to garnish
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle
flaked sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

 

Place a pork loin steak between 2 sheets of clingfilm and bash it with rolling pin or meat mallet until it is about 1cm thick all over. Remove the clingfilm and cut the flattened steak in half lengthways, then prepare the other steak in the same way. Season the steaks on both sides with salt and black pepper.
Beat the egg in a bowl. Sprinkle the flour on to a plate. Mix the breadcrumbs, lemon zest, Parmesan, thyme and a good pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. Take a piece of pork and dredge it in flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, and lastly in the breadcrumb mixture until it is completely coated. Repeat with the other pieces of pork.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns golden-brown when dropped into it. Take care: hot oil can be dangerous so don’t leave the pan unattended. Add 2 of the schnitzels to the pan and fry for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until the pork is cooked through and the coating is crisp and golden brown.
Remove them from the pan and set aside on a warmed plate lined with kitchen paper. Keep them warm while you cook the other 2 schnitzels.
Serve garnished with watercress and drizzled with a little olive oil. Some potato salad on the side is just right with these.