Best Grilled Fennel Spiced Pork Chops With Sage Lemon Vinaigrette Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel seed, sugar, bay leaf, and salt until thoroughly combined. Rub both sides of the pork chops with the herb mixture, and coat them with olive oil. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Grill the chops until they are browned, show good grill marks, and the meat is no longer pink inside, about 4 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chop should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

SPICY GRILLED PORK WITH FENNEL, CUMIN AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Season pork lightly with kosher salt and put it in a bowl or resealable bag.
• Juice the lime into a blender or food processor and add cilantro, fish sauce, garlic, jalapeño and honey. Blend until the jalapeño and garlic are puréed, then add fennel, cumin, coriander seeds and pulse four or five times to bruise the spices and mix them in.
• Pour mixture over the pork, tossing to coat the pieces. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you heat the grill, or up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat the grill or broiler with a rack positioned 4 inches from the heat source.
• Thread the pork onto skewers, leaving a little space between cubes. Grill over the highest heat possible, or broil on high, for 2 to 5 minutes, then flip the skewers and continue cooking until the meat is browned all over and charred in spots. It should be just cooked through: A little pink is OK, but there shouldn't be any red spots.
• Serve the pork with cilantro sprigs and onion slices on top, and lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS, THREE WAYS

Steps:

• For the pork chops: Season four 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops on both sides with salt, then rub all over with vegetable oil. Sprinkle with your choice of spice rub (recipes follow). Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through and a thermometer inserted into the centers registers 145˚ F, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• To make Sichuan Peppercorn Rub: Pulse 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns in a spice grinder with 4 teaspoons cumin seeds, 2 teaspoons sesame seeds and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes until cracked. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in 1 teaspoon each Chinese five-spice powder and light brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
• To make Barbecue Rub: Mix 1 tablespoon each paprika and light brown sugar in a small bowl with 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon each mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.
• To make Fennel-Coriander Rub: Pulse 1 tablespoon each fennel seeds and coriander seeds in a spice grinder until roughly ground. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

GRILLED FENNEL-RUBBED TRIPLE-CUT PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Prepare grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Combine kosher salt, pepper, and ground fennel in a small bowl. Rub each pork chop all over with 2 tablespoons oil, followed by spice mixture, patting to adhere. (Save any extra rub to use on chicken, lamb, or more chops another time.) Grill chops over direct heat, turning often and moving to cooler side of grill as needed to control flare-ups, until deeply browned on all sides, 10-15 minutes total.
• Move chops to indirect heat, placing bone side down, and grill, turning every 20 minutes or so, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of chops registers 118°F, 45-60 minutes. (Check after 30 minutes-once thermometer registers 100°F, the temperature will climb much faster.) This cooking method and target temperature yield juicy chops with still-pink flesh.
• Transfer pork chops to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes (temperature will rise about 5°). Cut loin on each chop from the bones in one piece. Slice between bones to separate and grill over direct heat, turning often, until crisped and well charred, about 5 minutes.
• Grill loins over direct heat, cut side up, just to reheat slightly, about 2 minutes. Slice loins 1/2" thick and transfer to a platter. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt and fennel pollen. Serve with bones alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Pork can be rubbed with oil and spice mixture 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Pork caxn be grilled 2 hours ahead. Do not cut meat from bones; hold at room temperature. Grill over high to reheat, about 2 minutes, before finishing as directed above.

GRILLED LEMON HERB PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large resealable bag, combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, oregano, and pepper. Place chops in bag, seal, and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Turn bag frequently to distribute marinade.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Remove chops from bag, and transfer remaining marinade to a saucepan. Bring marinade to a boil, remove from heat, and set aside.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill pork chops for 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting frequently with boiled marinade, until done.

BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Make the brine: Put salt, sugar, bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice and fennel seeds in a bowl. Whisk in 4 cups water to dissolve salt and sugar.
• Put pork chops in one layer in a glass or plastic container. Pour brine over to completely submerge chops. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably longer, up to overnight. Remove chops from brine and pat dry. Discard brine.
• Cook the chops: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Set a wide, heavy skillet over high heat and add olive oil. When oil is wavy, add chops in one layer and let brown for about 3 minutes per side.
• Remove chops from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium-high and add sliced onion and fennel, stirring to coat with oil. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and crushed fennel seeds and turn off heat.
• Lay the chops on top of the onion-fennel mixture (alternatively, transfer all of it to a baking dish) and place pan, uncovered, in oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the internal temperature of chops is 140 degrees.
• Remove chops and let rest for about 5 minutes. Transfer onion-fennel mixture to a platter and keep warm. Cut chops into 1/8-inch slices and add to platter. Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with fennel fronds. Serve with lemon wedges.