Pepperoni Pork Chops Food

PEPPER PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine the vegetable broth, 1/2 cup kosher salt, brown sugar and peppercorns in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Cook just until the salt and sugar dissolve, and then remove from the heat and add the ice. Place the pork chops into a 2-gallon zip-top bag along with the brine and seal. Place in a plastic container and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove the chops from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Sprinkle on both sides with the remaining 2 teaspoons kosher salt and set aside.
• Place the apples in a 5 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 12-inch stainless steel saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute the pork chops on both sides until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Once browned, place the pork chops into the slow cooker atop the apples. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, followed by the onions, and saute until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth to the pan to deglaze. Add the black pepper and thyme and stir to combine. Transfer this to the slow cooker, set to high, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Decrease the heat to low and continue cooking until the pork is tender and falling away from the bone, another 4 hours and 30 minutes.

PORK CHOPS STUFFED WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE AND POBLANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a container, mix 2 tablespoons salt with 4 cups cold water. Stir to dissolve salt. (The brine and chops can be placed in a Ziploc bag, removing air to completely submerge chops.) Place pork chops in the brine and refrigerate for an hour. Then remove them from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Lay out the chops on a clean plate to allow them to come to room temperature.
• Using a small knife, make a small incision in the side of the chop, pushing the blade into the center of the chop and moving the blade side to side to create a pocket while keeping the "mouth" as small as possible.
• Create a filling by combining the poblano, cheese, salt and pepper. Stuff about a tablespoon of filling into each pork chop. Rub the outside of the chops with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat to the point where a droplet of water skitters around the pan. Place chops in the pan, cook about 5 minutes per side. The internal temperature should register about 145 degrees. Remove chops from the pan and allow them to rest for 5 minutes. Good served with rosemary mashed potatoes.