Chop Chop, Pork Chops

Pineapple combines with cilantro to add a sweet-savory accent to these succulent thick-cut pork chops.

Ingredients

Brine

• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup water
• 6 ounces pineapple juice (3/4 cup)
• 3 cups cold water

Pork and Pineapple

• 4 (12 ounce, 1 1/2 inches thick) bone-in ribeye (rib) pork chops
• 1/2 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 4 long pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 serrano chiles or jalapeno chiles, thinly sliced
• 4 small green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Brine

1. Stir together salt, brown sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally, until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in 3 cups cold water and pineapple juice; let cool.

Pork and Pineapple

1. Place pork in large, resealable bag. Pour brine mixture over pork; close bag to seal. Turn bag to evenly coat pork with brine. Refrigerate for 3 hours, turning bag occasionally.
2. Remove pork from brine; discard brine. Pat pork chops with paper towels, then brush with olive oil.
3. Prepare a medium-hot fire in grill. Grill chops, uncovered, over direct heat for 12-16 minutes or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145 degrees F, turning chops over halfway during grilling. At the same time, grill pineapple (if fresh pineapple is unavailable, use a 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained (do not grill) until slightly golden and caramelized, turning over often.
4. Transfer chops to cutting board. Loosely cover with foil; let rest for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, for salsa, finely chop pineapple. Place chiles, pineapple, green onions, lime juice, cilantro, maple syrup and salt in medium bowl. Gently toss until mixed.
6. Serve salsa with chops.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: National Pork Board

Recipe courtesy of Bob Blumer, The Surreal Gourmet.