CHOPS****Slow Cooker Pepper Pork Chops (Alton Brown)

By Unblond1

Super for both. Not a last minute choice, though.

n.b. 18/10/10 - tried these for a second time but didn't brine the chops because I forgot - It wasn't anything special so if you try this again, BRINE the chops

Ingredients

• FOR THE BRINE:
• 4 servings
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 tbsp. Splenda brown
• 1/2 tbsp. black peppercorns, slightly crushed
• 2 Boneless butterfly Chops, halved (about 10 ounces)
• FOR THE CHOPS:
• 1 oz. dried apple slices
• 1 tbsp. EVOO
• 1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
• 6 tbsp. chicken broth
• coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

FOR THE BRINE:

Combine the broth, salt, brown sugar and peppercorns in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Cook just until the salt and sugar dissolve, then remove from the heat and cool to room temperature (or add ice if you're in a hurry). Place the pork chops into a zip-top bag along with the mixture and seal. Place in a plastic container and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

FOR THE CHOPS:

Remove the chops from the brine, rinse, and pat dry. Season on both sides with freshly ground pepper and set aside. Do NOT salt as the brine was salty.

Place the apples in the slow cooker. Don't skip these, they were great.

Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute the pork chops on both sides until golden brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. Once browned, place the pork chops into the slow cooker atop the apples.

Add the onions and saute until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth to the pan to deglaze. Try adding a tablespoon or so of dijon at this point. Add the black pepper and thyme and stir to combine. Pour over the chops in the slow cooker.

Set the cooker to high, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Decrease the heat to low and continue cooking for another 4 hours and 30 minutes or until the pork is tender.

Alternately, you could probably cook them for 7 - 9 hours on low and skip the high bit.

NUTRITION:

Calories - 254.5
Fat - 7.2
Sat Fat - 2
Carbs - 27.4
Fibre - 2.2
Protein - 23.2