1526. GRILL-ROASTED PORK CHOPS with BACON TOMATILLO SALSA

Brine
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground chipolte chile powder
zest of 1 lime

Salsa
4 slices of bacon
10 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
2 medium Anaheim chile peppers, roughly chopped
1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 large garlic clove
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Whisk the brine ingredients with 1 quart of cold water until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Place pork chops in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour in the brine. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Place in a bowl and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels, but leave the melted bacon fat in the skillet. Add tomatillos, chile peppers, onion, and garlic. Cover skillet and cook over medium heat until tomatillos begin to collapse and chiles are tender. Transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender. Add the remaining salsa ingredients. Process until smooth. Finely chop the drained bacon and add to salsa.

Remove pork from bag and discard the brine. Pat dry with paper towels. Lightly coat pork with oil and season evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.

Grill over direct medium heat. Turning and rotating every 10 minutes for even cooking. Remove when done. Reheat salsa and serve warm with your delicious pork chops.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Heartland Steaks, 7501 Industrial Drive, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, 1-800-365-5502