PORK CHOPS WITH VINEGAR AND SWEET PEPPERS

PORK CHOPS WITH VINEGAR AND SWEET PEPPERS image

Categories Pork

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup table salt
2 quarts of water
4 loin pork chops Each 3/4 to 1 inch thick
Course ground black pepper
2 T. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1 large yellow pepper, cut into strips
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp cold butter
Chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

1. Dissolve sugar and 1/2 cup table salt in 2 quarts water in large container; add pork chops and refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove chops from brine; thoroughly pat dry with paper towels, season with 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and set aside. 2. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in heavy-bottomed ovensafe 12-inch nonreactive skillet over medium-high heat until oil begins to smoke; swirl skillet to coat with oil. Place chops in skillet; cook until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes, using spoon or spatula to press down on center of chops to aid in browning. Using tongs, flip chops and brown lightly on second side, about 1 minute. Transfer chops to large plate; set aside. 3. Set skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add peppers, anchovies, and rosemary; cook, stirring frequently, until peppers just begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water and 1/2 cup vinegar and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until liquid is reduced to about 1/3 cup, 6 to 8 minutes. Off heat, discard rosemary. 4. Return pork chops, browned side up, to skillet; nestle chops in peppers, but do not cover chops with peppers. Add any accumulated juices to skillet; set skillet in oven and cook until center of chops registers 135 to 140 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 8 to 12 minutes (begin checking temperature after 6 minutes). Using potholders, carefully remove skillet from oven (handle will be very hot) and cover skillet with lid or foil; let stand until center of chops registers 145 to 150 degrees, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer chops to platter. Swirl butter into sauce and peppers in skillet; stir in optional 2 tablespoons vinegar and parsley. Adjust seasonings, then pour or spoon sauce and peppers over chops.