Orange Blossom Honey-brined Pork Chops

By exdircomp

Ingredients

• 8 cups cool water
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 cups orange blossom honey
• 1 orange, cut in half
• 1/2 bunch of thyme
• 1 tablespoon, plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Four bone-in pork chops, about 12 ounces each

Preparation

Step 1

Place the water, salt and honey in a large bowl. Squeeze the juice from the oranges and
add the peel, thyme, pepper, onion, cloves, onion and salt. Submerge the pork chops in the brining liquid and marinate for 6 hours, refrigerated. Remove from the refrigerator and pat the chops dry with paper towels. Discard the brine.

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Place the chops on the grill and leave them undisturbed for 7 minutes. Turn the chops and continue cooking an additional 7 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop registers 150 degrees F. Remove to a warmed plate and cover with foil. Let side for 10 minutes before serving.