SWEET TEA-BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH PEPPER RELISH

Sweet Tea-Brined Pork Chops with Pepper Relish image

These pork chops are a great make-ahead option: You can brine them and make the relish a day before. Once you've fired up the grill, the chops will be done in about 30 minutes.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 2h35m

Yield 4 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

4 orange pekoe tea bags
1 cup sugar
Kosher salt
6 bay leaves (preferably fresh)
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
4 bone-in center-cut pork chops (2 inches thick; about 5 pounds total)
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1/2 onion, diced
2 Fresno chile peppers, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup apricot preserves
Freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for the grill

Steps:

Make the brine: Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup salt, the bay leaves and coriander seeds. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar and salt are dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour into a large heatproof pitcher (reserve the pot) and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate the brine until very cold, at least 1 hour. Pour the brine into the reserved pot and add the pork chops. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Meanwhile, make the pepper relish: Put the bell peppers, onion and chiles in a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times until slightly broken down but not pureed. Transfer to a small saucepan and add the vinegar, preserves, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until slightly reduced but still juicy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. (You can make the relish up to 1 day ahead.)
Preheat a grill to medium. Oil the grill grates. Remove the pork chops from the brine and pat dry. Season the chops with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, until well-marked, 14 to 16 minutes (rotate the chops 90 degrees if they get too dark). Flip the chops and cook, covered, until well-marked on the other side and a thermometer inserted sideways into the center registers 145 degrees F, 14 to 16 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest about 10 minutes. Serve with the relish.