Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pound pork chops on both sides with rough-textured side of meat pounder until 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Season with salt and pepper and cut into 3-inch pieces.
  3. Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish.
  4. Whisk together egg, 3/4 cup milk, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in another shallow dish.
  5. Dip pork pieces in egg mixture to coat, then dredge in flour.
  6. Transfer pork as coated to a large rack set on a baking sheet.
  7. Let pork stand, uncovered, at room temperature 15 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 250°F.
  9. Heat oil in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over high heat until thermometer registers 375°F (see cooks' note, below).
  10. Fry pork in batches, turning over once, until golden, about 4 minutes per batch, transferring to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 375°F between batches.
  11. Keep pork warm on a clean baking sheet in oven.
  12. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons oil into a heatproof bowl, leaving any brown bits in bottom of skillet, then add remaining 3 tablespoons flour to skillet and cook roux over moderate heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.
  13. Bring to a boil and whisk in remaining 2 1/2 cups milk.
  14. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  15. Season gravy with salt and pepper (to taste) and serve over pork.
  16. ** Note:
  17. To take the temperature of a shallow amount of oil with a metal flat-framed deep-fat thermometer, put bulb of thermometer facedown in skillet, resting other end (not plastic handle) on rim of skillet. Check temperature frequently.
  18. Makes 4 servings.