SERVES 4
TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes
Buy chops of similar thickness so that they cook at the same rate. Cooking the chops over medium heat is crucial here or else the spice rub may burn.
SPICE RUB
|
1½ |
tablespoons packed brown sugar |
|
1 |
teaspoon ground coriander |
|
1 |
teaspoon ground ginger |
|
¾ |
teaspoon garlic powder |
|
½ |
teaspoon salt |
|
½ |
teaspoon pepper |
|
¼ |
teaspoon ground cinnamon |
|
¼ |
teaspoon ground nutmeg |
|
¼ |
teaspoon cayenne pepper |
CHOPS AND RELISH
|
4 |
(6- to 8-ounce) boneless pork chops, ¾ to 1 inch thick, trimmed and sides slit to prevent curling (click here) |
|
2 |
tablespoons vegetable oil |
|
2 |
cups pineapple, cut into ½-inch pieces |
|
2 |
tablespoons packed brown sugar |
|
2 |
tablespoons lime juice |
|
2 |
tablespoons minced fresh cilantro |
1. FOR THE SPICE RUB: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
2. FOR THE CHOPS AND RELISH: Pat chops dry with paper towels and rub evenly with spice rub. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until just smoking. Lay chops in skillet and cook until well browned on first side, about 5 minutes.
3. Flip chops and continue to cook until pork registers 145 degrees, about 5 minutes. Transfer chops to platter; tent with aluminum foil and let rest while making relish.
4. Wipe out now-empty skillet with paper towels. Add pineapple, sugar, and lime juice and cook over high heat until heated through, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in cilantro. Spoon relish over pork chops and serve.
VARIATION
SPICE-RUBBED PORK CHOPS WITH WARM CRANBERRY RELISH
This recipe makes extra cranberry relish for second helpings, but can be easily cut in half if desired. If using frozen cranberries, do not defrost them, but add about 2 minutes to the simmering time.
Omit cayenne in rub. Omit pineapple, sugar, lime juice, and cilantro in relish. While cooked chops rest, simmer 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon salt in skillet over medium heat until half of berries have popped open and sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Let sauce cool slightly before serving.