Pork Chops And Padrón Chiles En Escabèche Recipes

MEXICAN CHILE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan set over high heat, add 1 cup water, the agave, 2 tablespoons salt, the cumin, cracked black pepper, garlic, oregano, 2 of the anchos, 1 of the chipotles, 2 of the guajillos, the beer and limes. Cook, stirring, until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat, add the ice, and stir until cool. Pour the brine into a large, resealable plastic bag and add the pork chops. Seal the bag and refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
• Preheat the grill to high heat and wipe the grates down carefully with some oiled paper towels to clean and create a nonstick surface.
• In a dry skillet set over medium-high heat add the remaining 1 ancho, 2 chipotles and 1 guajillo chile. Cook the chiles until fragrant and lightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the chiles in a spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. In a small bowl, add the chile powder, cumin, granulated garlic, sugar, paprika, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, the mustard and ground black pepper. Mix to combine, and set aside.
• Remove the pork chops from the brine, then pat dry and brush with the canola oil. Coat evenly all over with the spice rub. Grill the pork chops for 2 1/2 minutes. Rotate the chops 90 degrees and cook another 2 1/2 minutes to create crosshatch sear marks. Flip the chops over and repeat the same process on the second side. Move the chops to an area of the grill with medium heat and continue cooking until cooked through and an internal thermometer inserted in the chops reads 145 degrees F for medium doneness, 7 to 8 minutes. Rest the chops for 5 to 7 minutes for the juices to redistribute.
• Serve the pork chops with the Grilled Green Chile Sauce spooned over the top and garnish with Pico De Gallo.
• In a large bowl, add the hatch chiles, Anaheim chiles, jalapenos, poblanos, onions and scallions. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the salt, and mix to coat. Grill the chiles, onions and scallions until charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the scallions and onions aside; place the chiles in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam for 6 to 8 minutes. Once the chiles cool, carefully scrape away and discard the charred skin, then remove the stems and seeds, and roughly chop. In the bowl of a food processor, add the chiles, onions, scallions, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the vinegar, garlic, lime juice, zest and cilantro. Process until smooth and bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in a bowl, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a small bowl add the tomatoes, lemon juice, jalapenos, celery juice, cilantro, oil, salt, garlic and onions. Mix to combine, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the excess liquid before serving.

GRILLED PORK ESCABECHE

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill (or preheat broiler) until fire is moderately hot. Meanwhile, combine all ingredients except pork (including a pinch of salt and at least 1/2 teaspoon pepper) in a medium saucepan with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer about 5 minutes, until onion softens. Pour into a deep platter large enough for pork.
• Sprinkle pork liberally with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides until nearly cooked through (150 degrees on an instant-read thermometer inserted into meat), about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove pork, let cool a few minutes, then place in marinade.
• If time allows, marinate for a couple of hours (or overnight, refrigerated). Slice, and serve at room temperature, spooning marinade (with onion) over each slice. To serve more quickly, marinate at least 10 minutes, then cut pork into 1-inch slices, and marinate for 15 minutes before serving.