Homesteader Cider Brined Pork Chops W Pan Gravy Forevermama Recipes

CIDER BRINED GRILLED STUFFED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• For the brine:
• Combine all ingredients in a large container with a tight fitting lid.
• Take the pork chops and insert a fillet knife into the side of each pork chop. Create a 2-inch slice along the side moving your knife along the inside of the chop creating a pocket. Be careful not to pierce the outer sides of the chop. Place the pork chops in the brine for anywhere from 1 hour or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• For the reduction:
• Add the cider to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook the cider, skimming off any scum that comes to the surface, until is becomes syrupy and is reduced to about 1/4 cup.
• For the stuffing:
• Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
• Preheat grill to high.
• Remove the pork chops from the brine, rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff the cavity with the apples and grill for about 10 minutes on each side. Remove from grill to a serving platter and let rest for about 10 minutes. Brush with the cider reduction, sprinkle with the chopped caramelized pecans and enjoy!
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, cook the sugar and water until the temperature reaches 275 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Add the pecans and stir to coat with the sugar. Once the sugar begins to caramelize add the vanilla extract and stir gently but constantly until fully caramelized. Pour onto a silpat lined baking sheet to let cool, then sprinkle with the red chili powder.

CIDER-BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH PERFECT PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the brine: combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, coriander, mustard seeds, allspice berries, bay leaves, thyme and 1 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour in the cold cider. Let the brine cool to room temperature.
• Put the pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in the brine. Press out excess air and seal tightly. Put the bag in a shallow container so it can lay flat and refrigerate for 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Drain the chops, rinse and pat dry. Discard the brine.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chops (work in batches if necessary; do not crowd the pan) and cook, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through, 13 to 14 minutes. (If the chops are browning too quickly or the pan drippings start to burn, lower the heat.) Remove to a plate.
• For the sauce: Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and place over medium heat. Add the garlic, rosemary and thyme and cook until sizzling, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to make a paste. Whisk in the cider and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer until very thick, about 1 minute. Add the stock, bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the cream and simmer to bring the sauce together, about 1 minute. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, vinegar and parsley. Season to taste with salt. Add the chops to the pan and simmer, turning occasionally, until just heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve garnished with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs.

FAVORITE BRINE FOR PORK/CIDER MAPLE

Steps:

• Stir the hot water and salt together until the salt is dissolved. Add the apple cider, syrup, sugar and pepper. Cool to below 45 degrees F. in the refrigerator.
• Trim any excess external fat from the meat. Submerge the pork in the brine in a large bowl or small crock; make sure the meat stays under the surface during curing by using a heavy plate to weight it down. Refrigerate the pork in the cure. The chops should take 4-6 hours in the brine; the tenderloin, 6-8 hours; and the loin, 1-2 days. (Bone-in pork can take a day longer in the brine because of the bone, which gives it a larger diameter.) If marinating for a day or longer, stir the brine daily and turn the pork occasionally.
• To test flavor of brined pork, cut a small piece off the meat, pat it dry and pan-fry it. If the meat is sufficiently flavorful, remove it from the brine, let it come to room temperature and grill. If not, leave it in the brine and test again later.
• I usually do a 4-6 lb pork loin and marinate 24 hours. I have cooked in oven, indirect heat on grill and rotisserie. They have all turned out fabulous! This makes a VERY moist piece of meat when brined this way.

HOMESTEADER CIDER BRINED PORK CHOPS W/ PAN GRAVY-FOREVERMAMA

Steps:

• Brine:.
• Place black peppercorns in a plastic zip-top bag and seal. With a meat mallet, crush peppercorns slightly. Note that not all peppercorns should be crushed, but only a few to release flavor.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the cider and salt until the salt dissolves.
• Place the brine in a large zip-top bag (or if the bag isn't large enough to fit all the pork chops, divide the brine into 2 zip-top bags).
• If using 2 bags, add to each bag half the peppercorns, 1 bay leaf, and 3 garlic cloves. If using 1 large bag add the full amount of the peppercorns, bay leaf and garlic. Mix to incorporate seasonings evenly.
• Place chops evenly in bag(s), seal and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or brine overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Set oven rack to the middle position. Drain the chops well and discard brine, blot dry if desired. Remove the whole peppercorns that are stuck to chops and discard.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and depending on the size of your skillet, add 2 to 3 pork chops. Cook until browned on each side, 3 - 5 minutes. Turn the chops and cook until browned on the other side, 3 - 4 minutes more. Repeat with remaining chops. Set the skillet aside and DO NOT drain off butter and brown bits in the skillet.
• Layer the chops in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and bake until pale pink in the center for 15 - 20 minutes, being careful not to overcook to prevent them from drying.
• While pork chops are in the oven or before placing chops in oven, prepare your sauce:.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat and add the cider. As it bubbles, use a wooden spoon to scrape up brown bits on the bottom of skillet. Add the chicken broth, turn the heat to high, and boil until the liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, 8 - 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in cream and mustard. Season with salt and freshly grated black pepper to taste.
• Once chops have completed cooking, remove from oven and place in serving tray. Pour sauce over the chops and serve immediately.
• NOTE: If using bone-in, they may take longer to cook. Also depending on the thickness of your chops, keep a close eye on the cooking time.