Smokey Mesquite Pork Chops Recipes

SMOKEY MESQUITE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine orange juice, bourbon (if using), brown sugar, and mesquite seasoning in a shallow bowl or zip lock bag.
• Add pork chops, cover or zip and marinate in refridgerator a minimum of 1 hour.
• Grill or broil pork chops over medium heat for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

MESQUITE PORK LOIN NORMANDY

Steps:

• Rinse pork loin to remove residue and pat dry with paper towels. Rub with the mesquite seasoning. Then combine the ground cloves, cinnamon, allspice and sugar and rub onto pork as well. Let sit refrigerated for at least 2 hours.
• Place dried shiitakes into a small bowl and cover with hot water for about 20 to 30 minutes to re-hydrate.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan with oven safe handles. Sear pork loin on all sides and roast in oven until fork-tender, about 1 hour. Remove from oven, transfer pork loin to a cutting board, and let rest.
• In the last 30 minutes of the cooking time for the pork loin make the sauce. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saute pan with a cover. Add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent. Add the apples and pour the sherry over, cover and let cook until the apples begin to soften, about 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the mushrooms through paper towels and reserve the soaking liquid in a small bowl. Whisk the cornstarch into the soaking liquid along with mustard powder, salt and pepper. Add the soaking liquid mixture to the apples and stir to coat. Let cook for a few minutes to let flavors integrate, then remove from heat, adjust salt and pepper as needed, and keep covered in a warm place.
• Slice pork loin down and transfer to a serving dish. Spoon sauce and apples over the meat and garnish with parsley sprigs.

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.

MESQUITE GRILLED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Place mesquite chips in water and let soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Set pork chops out at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before grilling.
• Combine all paste ingredients.
• Spread paste mixture on pork chops covering all sides completely using all of the mixture.
• Drain mesquite chips and place in a small disposable aluminum foil pan.
• Preheat gas grill on high until hot using both burners.
• Lift up grate on one side and place aluminum foil pan directly on fire.
• Sear the pork chops over direct heat for about 6 minutes turning once halfway through searing time.
• Turn fire down to medium heat under aluminum foil pan hodling mesquite chips and turn off fire on the other burner.
• Place pork chops on grill side with no heat.
• Continue to cook with lid closed over indirect medium heat until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.