Grilled Pork Chops with Sweet & Sour Pineapple Sauce certainly sounds like a tantalizing dish! The recipe appears to be an excellent balance of flavors and textures, combining the richness of pork with the zestiness of a fruit-based sauce. This dish combines the smoky and savory flavors of grilled pork chops with the sweet and tangy notes of the pineapple sauce. It’s a delightful recipe that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Here are some of the standout elements of this recipe:
Rub for Pork Chops:
- Spice Blend: The combination of kosher salt, ground coriander, ancho chili, cumin, and smoked paprika promises a robust flavor profile for the pork chops. The spices are likely to complement the pork’s natural flavors very well.
- Oil & Cilantro: The canola oil will help the rub adhere to the meat, while the cilantro will add a fresh herbal note.
Sweet and Sour Pineapple Sauce:
- Fruit Juice: The use of pineapple or orange juice offers a sweet-tart element that contrasts beautifully with the spiciness of the rub.
- Rice Vinegar & Soy Sauce: These two elements bring in an Asian flair, with the vinegar adding acidity and the soy sauce providing umami and saltiness.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic: These aromatics would make the sauce more complex and fragrant, elevating it from a simple fruit sauce to something more exotic.
- Cornstarch: A clever addition for thickening the sauce without altering its flavor.
Cooking Method:
- Grill Marks: The technique of turning the pork chops a half-turn on the same side will create an appealing hash mark, adding not just aesthetic value but also a bit more surface charring for flavor.
- Short Cooking Time: The quick grilling time suggests that the pork chops will be juicy and tender, not overcooked.
Here’s a breakdown of the recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Pork Chops:
- 4-6 Pork Chops
Rub:
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tbsp Ground Coriander
- 1 tbsp Ancho Chili
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 3-4 tbsp Canola Oil
- 2-3 tbsp Cilantro, chopped
Sauce:
- 1 cup Pineapple or Orange juice
- ¼ cup Rice Vinegar
- ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Fresh grated Ginger
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1-2 tbsp Corn Starch
- ¼ cup Water
- Cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
For the Sauce (prepare in advance):
- In a saucepan, combine the pineapple (or orange) juice, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, fresh grated ginger, minced garlic, and soy sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a slow boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water together to create a slurry.
- While stirring the sauce, slowly add the cornstarch slurry and bring the sauce back to a slow boil for an additional 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to keep the sauce warm. You can also stir in some chopped cilantro for extra flavor and garnish (optional).
For the Pork Chops:
- Combine all the dry rub ingredients (kosher salt, ground coriander, ancho chili, cumin, smoked paprika) in a bowl.
- Lightly oil the pork chops and season them generously with the dry rub mixture.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place the seasoned pork chops on the grill for approximately 3-4 minutes on one side to create grill marks.
- Turn the chops a half-turn on the same side to achieve crisscross grill marks and grill for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the chops to the other side and grill for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook; you want the pork to remain juicy.
- Once the pork chops are done, remove them from the grill.
To Serve:
- Arrange the grilled pork chops on a serving platter.
- Pour the sweet and sour pineapple sauce over the top of the chops.
- Optionally, garnish with chopped cilantro for a pop of color and extra flavor.
- Serve family-style and enjoy!
Presentation:
Pouring the sauce over the chops and garnishing with cilantro makes this dish vibrant and visually appealing.
Overall, it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into crafting this recipe to create a well-balanced and flavorful dish. Whether you’re new to grilling or a seasoned pro, this is one recipe that would likely make for an excellent meal, full of diverse flavors and textures.
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