Pan Seared Pork Chops

Pork Chops are very rarely cooked and eaten in my home.  I think I have made them once or twice in  the entire almost fourteen years my husband and I have been married.  My husband does not like pork chops and so I haven't prepared them for dinner very often.  He usually complains they are dry and boring.  I decided to change my husband opinion of pork chops.  I have learned from my favorite chef Alton Brown to brine pork chops.  If you want juicy pork chops this is the way to go.  These pork chops really are simple, flavorful, and juicy.  Good news, my husband agreed these were the best Pork Chops he has ever eaten and not to tell anyone, so make sure and keep his secret. 

 Pork chops and applesauce, mmmm good.

Ingredients for this Recipe are:

1 1/2 Inch Thick Pork Chops (1/2 - 1 for each family member)
3 quarts Water
1/2 cup Sea Salt
1/2 cup Turbinado Sugar (Brown Sugar will also work)
4 cups Ice Cubes
Vegetable Oil

Mix salt, sugar, water, and ice in large lidded container.  Add pork chops.  Allow to brine on countertop for 2 hours.  

Drain pork chops, pat dry with paper towels.

Preheat Oven to 450 Fahrenheit

Pre-heat 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  TURN ON FANS and open a window.
This is going to smoke.

Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into skillet.  Add pork chops to pan and sear for 3-4 minutes or until
they begin to brown.

Turn pork chops and cook other side about 2 minutes until browned.  Cook chops
turning every 2 minutes for a total of 10-12 minutes.

Place pan in oven and continue cooking for about 14 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 

135 Fahrenheit.

Remove pan from oven.  Turn pork chops every so often and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Serve with applesauce of course.  Recipe for applesauce found here.

Pan Seared Pork Chops

Printable Recipe Found Here

1 1/2 Inch Thick Pork Chops (1/2 - 1 pork chop for each family member)

3 quarts Water

1/2 cup Sea Salt

1/2 cup Turbinado Sugar (Brown Sugar will also work)

4 cups Ice Cubes

Vegetable Oil

Mix salt, sugar, water, and ice in large lidded container.  Add pork chops.  Allow to brine on countertop for 2 hours.  

Preheat Oven to 450 Fahrenheit

Drain pork chops, pat dry with paper towels.

Pre-heat 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  TURN ON FANS and open a window this is going to smoke.

Pour 2 tablespoons oil into skillet, add up to 3 pork chops to the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes or until they begin to brown.

Turn pork chops and cook other side about 2 minutes until browned.  Cook chops turning every 2 minutes for a total of 10-12 minutes.

Place pan in oven and continue cooking for about 14 minutes, or until internal temperature reads 

135 Fahrenheit.

Remove pan from oven, turn pork chops every so often and allow to rest for 15 minutes.