If you’re reading this, I want to first wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! Brandon and I celebrated our Christmas on Christmas eve together in our quiet south Florida apartment. Although we didn’t have a white Christmas, the tree was lit with presents underneath and a fabulous dinner was being served at the table. Most folks have traditions during the holidays of what protein to serve commonly turkey or ham. For two chefs living under the same roof we like to get a little insane.
Our menu that I prepared consisted of: Truffle butter broccoli, seared brussels sprouts, garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, spiced cranberry sauce, and cider brined pork which is why I’m writing this post. It is probably too late to include in your holiday menu, however this pork is great to make for future holiday gatherings or just for dinner one night with your family. Make the cranberry sauce (which I have a lack of pictures for) to add on top of the pork. The spice of the cranberry sauce matches well with the vinegar taste of the pork.
For the Pork:
Active Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 4 Hours
Mise En Place:
-4 Each Pork Chops (Bone in) Feel free to use pork loin!
-3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
-3 Garlic Cloves
-1/3 Cup Cider Vinegar
-3 Sprigs Rosemary
-3 Cups Water
-Salt & Pepper, TT
Other Tools:
-Large Bowl
-Food Processor
-Plastic Wrap
-Sheet Tray
-Roasting Rack
Method Of Preparation:
-Add garlic and rosemary into food processor and pulse 10 times so garlic and rosemary are chopped well.
-In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, water, and rosemary/garlic mixture.
-Season each chop on both sides with salt and pepper.
-Place chops in bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
-After a few hours, turn oven to 325 degrees. Place chops on roasting rack on top of sheet tray and roast in the oven for 6 minutes.
-Check to see if meat is done to your liking, if not place back in the oven and continue to cook until ready.
-Pull from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. You can serve as is or cut in slices around the bone as we did.
–Enjoy!
For the Spiced Cranberry Sauce:
-12 Ounces Cranberries
-14 Ounces Granulated Sugar
-2 Oranges
-2 Cinnamon Sticks
-1 Star Anise
Other Tools:
-Sauce Pot
Method Of Preparation:
-Place cranberries, sugar cinnamon sticks, and anise in pot. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
-Squeeze both oranges into pot. Place orange peels into pot to cook with sauce.
-Stir frequently and cook over medium low heat until reduced and cranberries are soft (cooked).
-Season if needed. Scoop on top of pork.
–Enjoy!
