Brined And Smoked Pork Chops Food

SLOW-COOKER PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour, mustard, garlic pepper and seasoned salt. Add pork chops, one at a time, and dredge to coat. In a large skillet, brown chops in oil on both sides. , Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Pour broth over chops. Cook, covered, on low for 2-3 hours or until meat is tender. , Remove pork to a serving plate and keep warm. Whisk remaining flour into cooking juices until smooth; cook, covered, on high until gravy is thickened.

PERFECT SMOKED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Start your work at least 8 hours before you want to eat.
• Brine the meat. In a bowl or pot large enough to hold chops and 1 gallon of water, combine brine ingredients. Start with 2 cups of hot water to dissolve salt and sugar. After salt & sugar are completely dissolved, add more cold water and some ice to bring volume to 1 gallon. Make sure the brine solution is cold and add chops -- they should be completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.
• Smoke the chops. Smoking methods can vary. I use a barrel-smoker with an external firebox. Other methods will work, but be sure your temperature stays in the range of 175-200 F and never expose the chops to direct heat . When fire/smoke is ready, remove pork from brine and pat dry with paper towel. Place in smoker. Use hickory, mesquite or apple wood (or combinations), smoke for 1 hour. At this point, the chops can be cooked or reserved in refrigerator for several hours.
• Cook the chops. Just before cooking, apply about 1 tablespoon of the rub to both sides. Grill on direct heat. This will take about 30 minutes. Be prepared to move the chops to indirect heat for a while of they are getting too brown prior to being done. Cook to an internal temperature of 140°F Remove from grill and rest 5 minutes before serving. Meat will be pink and very juicy -- don't worry about the pink! As long as you achieve a temperature of 140 in the thickest part of the chop, it's safe to eat (the trichinosis bug dies at 137 F). If you prefer a more well-done chop, cook to 150 before removing from heat.
• But, in my opinion, at that temperature, you've just wasted a day's work.

SMOKED BROWN SUGAR-BRINED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In 2-gallon-size heavy-duty resealable plastic food-storage bag, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, the salt, bay leaves, garlic, peppercorns and 4 cups water. Seal bag and squeeze to mix until sugar and salt have dissolved. Place pork chops in bag of brine; seal bag. Refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 8 hours.
• Cover wood chunks with water; soak at least 30 minutes.
• Drain wood chunks. Prepare and heat smoker using wood chunks and adding water to water pan following manufacturer's directions.
• Meanwhile, remove pork chops from brine; discard brine. Blot pork chops dry with paper towels. In small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, the garlic powder, black pepper and red pepper. Rub each side of pork chops with slightly less than 1 teaspoon brown sugar mixture.
• Arrange pork chops 1 inch apart on top and bottom smoker racks. Cover and smoke about 1 hour 30 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of pork reads 160°F (pork will remain pink when done). If smoking stops, add additional wood chunks through side door of smoker.

ULTIMATE GRILLED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine salt, sugar and 2 cups water; cook and stir over medium heat until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 2 cups ice water to cool brine to room temperature., Place pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag; add cooled brine. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat chops. Place in a 13x9-in. baking dish. Refrigerate 8-12 hours., Remove chops from brine; rinse and pat dry. Discard brine. Brush both sides of chops with oil. In a small bowl, mix rub ingredients; rub over pork chops. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes., Grill chops on an oiled rack, covered, over medium heat 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.