BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL

Brined Pork Chops With Fennel image

Provided by David Tanis

Time 30m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 bay leaves
6 black peppercorns, lightly crushed
6 allspice berries, lightly crushed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
2 bone-in pork chops, about 12 ounces each
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick
3 or 4 trimmed fennel bulbs, about 1 pound, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley
A few tender green fennel fronds
Lemon wedges, for serving

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.