Ep 24. Pork Two Ways

In this episode of America's Test Kitchen, season 19 episode 24, the focus is entirely on pork. The hosts try and test various ways to cook pork, and they do it with great expertise and professionalism. The show is all about presenting the experiments and methods used by experts to make cooking both more accessible and more exciting, and this episode is no exception. The hosts, Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison, explore various aspects of the pork, from its different cuts to varied cooking techniques. They employ different cooking methods such as slow cooking, pressure cooking, and stir-frying to create tasty and great cooked pork dishes.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share their experience on how to make the best pork dishes with their audience. They explain how to differentiate between different pork cuts, such as the pork butt and the pork loin, and how each piece offers unique flavor differences. Moreover, the hosts also explain different cooking techniques, such as dry roasting, brining, and deglazing, which all lend themselves well to well-seasoned and flavorful pork dishes.

One of the main dishes featured in this episode of America's Test Kitchen is pork steaks. The hosts present two variations of the dish, one that has been brined and another that hasn't to highlight how much difference brining makes. They marinate the unbrined pork steaks with a combination of herbs and garlic to create a flavorsome dish. Viewers can learn how to create great-tasting pork steaks at home by following their instructions and experiment with varying flavor combinations.

Additionally, the episode also covers stir-frying pork, where the hosts show the difference between the tough and tender cuts of pork for stir fry. The hosts stir fry pork with various sauces to demonstrate a range of flavor profiles that viewers can easily make at home. They explain how to use cornstarch to thicken the sauces, thereby creating a dish with a nice, smooth texture.

Finally, the hosts also present a low and slow roasted pork recipe. They demonstrate the simple steps needed for achieving a juicy and flavorful pork dish without much effort. They recommend slow-cooking the pork while seasoning it with a balanced spice blend to enhance the flavor profile without overpowering the natural pork's taste. The result is a delicious, tender, and succulent roast that anyone can create at home.

Overall, this episode of America's Test Kitchen is packed full of cooking tips and techniques for an exciting pork adventure. The engaging hosts provide detailed and enthusiastic instructions and demonstrations on how to achieve the perfect pork dishes, suitable for any home cook of any level of experience. The use of varied cooking methods provides viewers with a range of pork dishes to try out at home for any occasion and is sure to impress even the most discerning diners.