Beechwood Inn - Bed Breakfast and Wine Cellar

Brined Niman Ranch Frenched Pork Chops: Main Dish

Servings: 12

Prep time:24 Hours

Ingredients:

• 

  2 cups kosher salt

• 

  3/4 cup sugar

• 

  3 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning

• 

  2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes

• 

  2 tablespoons juniper berries

• 

  1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped

• 

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

• 

  1 dozen garlic cloves, smashed

• 

  3 bay Leaves

• 

  3 quart water

• 

  1 dozen Niman Ranch Frenched Center Cut Pork Chops, 1 1/2 inches thick

• 

  freshly ground black pepper

• 

  3 tablespoon olive oil for grilling

Step 1:

Mix all of the brine ingredients together in a large nonreactive pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and stir the brine to ensure that the salt and sugar have dissolved. Let the brine cool, then put it in the refrigerator to chill. Once it is cold, add the pork chops and submerge them with a weighted plate if necessary. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2:

Remove the pork from the brine and pat dry (without rinsing).

Step 3:

Preheat your gas grill on high.

Step 4:

Season the chops with pepper and fresh herbs (not salt — remember, the brining solution) and brush with the oil. Sear the chops directly over the hot grill for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Turn the grill to medium-low. Cook to desired doneness. Use an instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chops. Remove from heat when the chops reach an internal temperature of 140° to 145°F. This is medium rare and will give you a pink, moist chop.

Step 5:

Niman Ranch offers an online shop for its organic hormone free meats at: http://www.nimanranch.com/