FIRECRACKER PORK CHOPS

FIRECRACKER PORK CHOPS
4 bone in center cut pork chops
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon Mexican seasoning blend (see below)
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup Wondra flour
1 recipe RED HOT Aioli (see below)
1 scallion, finely chopped
Italian parsley, chopped for garnish

  • Whisk together the buttermilk and half the Mexican seasoning. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the flour with the other half of the Mexican seasoning.
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Dredge the pork chops one at a time in the buttermilk mixture and then press into the flour mixture, shaking off excess before doing it ALL AGAIN to double coat each chop before adding to the skillet.
  • Sear pork chops 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Remove chops to a plate and immediately coat with the aioli, turning to coat both sides.
  • Sprinkle with scallions and parsley.

RED HOT AIOLI
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Frank’s Original hot sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon QUALITY honey
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
PINCH FRESH ground sea salt

  • Whisk ALL the ingredients until smooth.

MEXICAN SEASONING BLEND
4 tablespoons chile powder
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon ground red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Blend together and store in an airtight bottle.

 

APRICOT PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS with SWEET & SOUR RED CABBAGE

APRICOT PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS with SWEET & SOUR RED CABBAGE

PORK CHOPS
4 boneless pork loin chops (no thicker than 1/2 inch)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup Smucker’s Apricot Pineapple jam
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously season pork chops.
  • Using the pan you cooked the bacon in, heat over medium high heat.
  • Add pork chops and sear for 2 1/2 minutes per side. Remove to baking sheet. Keep warm in pre-heated oven for 7 minutes.
  • In the same pan add onions to remaining bacon drippings and saute’ until soft.
  • Add jam and continue sauteing until heated through and slightly reduced.
  • Add pork chops to pan, turning to coat well.
  • Serve with a small amount of sauce over each pork chop.

SWEET & SOUR RED CABBAGE
3 slices bacon, chopped, cooked crisp (save bacon drippings)
1/2 head red cabbage
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 small red onion
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cup + 1 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  • Wash and shred cabbage.
  • Cut onion into thin rings.
  • In a dutch oven bring 1 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup white vinegar to a boil.
  • Add shredded cabbage and onion rings.
  • Cook until tender, but still crisp. DRAIN.
  • Add 4 tablespoons bacon drippings, 1 cup water and apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and flour whisking until well blended.
  • Add the cabbage and onions, coating well.
  • Heat through.
  • Top with crumbled bacon before serving.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & RASPBERRY BBQ SAUCE

When I went to the grocery store February 25, 2010 I ran across some awesome meat deals and these pork chops were perfect for a new BBQ sauce I wanted to try. Dave over at My Year on the Grill has been raving about a raspberry chipotle sauce that I can’t get here either, but left me craving raspberries and at $4.99 a small box that craving was going to go unsatisfied until I ran across this raspberry vinegar at $3.99 a bottle – a much better deal and it made an awesome sauce. So this recipe was developed on February 26, 2010, but is so worth the rerun!

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & RASPBERRY BBQ SAUCE
6 tablespoons Alessi raspberry blush vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons grandma’s molasses
1 teaspoon Frank’s Red Hot Pepper Sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 thin pork chops
skewers

  • Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
  • Whisk all the ingredients (except pork chops) together until well blended over a medium heat.
  • Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened and reduced to 1/2 cup.
  • Skewer each pork chop with 2 skewers (this helps them lay flat).
  • Generously salt and pepper each side.
  • Bring your grill to temperature.
  • Brush each side with sauce.
  • Spray grill surface with PURE.
  • Place chops on grill, grilling uncovered for 2-3 minutes total, turning once.

 

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Linking to FULL PLATE THURSDAY at Miz Helen’s Cottage.