10.1.4 Pork chops and pork loins
--------------------
[I've toughened up many a pork chop over the past year. Can anyone tell
me how to slow smoke cook pork chops?]
Ed Pawlowski--
Pork chops are lean and that makes them touchy. A little too much heat
and they are tough. I use chops at least 3/4" thick, an inch or a little more is even
better. Keep an eye on them and take them off as soon as the internal temperature is high
enough for them to be cooked. I go no more than about 155 to 160F.
==============
Harry Jiles--
Thicker is definitely better for pork chops, especially loin chops. Ed
is 100% correct about not over-cooking them. Pork chops are not forgiving about cooking a
little longer than necessary. If you do as Ed says and monitor them closely as they
approach getting done and take them off as soon as they are done you should get some great
chops. Another trick you can try is to place them on a rack over a pan of water or other
liquid. A broiler pan will work well for this. They will not take on as much smoke, but it
will help keep them from drying out.
==============
Kurt Lucas--
A simple but very tasty way to do pork chops is to get 3/4" thick
chops and marinate them in olive oil, lots of sliced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs. Let
them marinate for 24 to 48 hours. Remove from olive oil and wipe off the oil, thyme sprigs
and garlic. Smoke at about 250-275F until just done (160F internal temperature). Once you
try this you'll never want to do it any other way. I promise.
-------------------
[How do I smoke a pork loin without making it dry?]
Bill Wight--
Give the pork loin a good dry rub for pork and add a good amount of
paprika for a nice color. Wrap it in clear plastic and let it sit overnight in the
refrigerator. Give the roast another sprinkling of the rub. Smoke it at 240-250F for about
3-4 hours. Use hickory, pecan or other strong-flavored wood for the smoke because the meat
will not be in the smoker long. I use a Polder digital thermometer and take the meat off
when it reaches 150F internal temperature. Let the meat sit on the counter for about 10
minutes before slicing and it will continue to cook to about 155F. At a temperature above
160F you've got yourself some dry pork.
==============
Jeff Lippsit--
Honey, Mustard and Rosemary Pork Marinade
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
3/4 |
cup |
beer |
|
1/2 |
cup |
Dijon mustard |
|
6 |
tablespoons |
honey |
|
1/4 |
cup |
olive oil |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
rosemary, fresh |
chopped |
2 |
tablespoons |
garlic |
chopped |
2 |
pounds |
pork loin |
|
Whisk marinade ingredients and pour into a plastic
freezer bag with the pork. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator.
Smoke the meat anyway you like it best. Take it out of the smoker at an
internal temperature of no more than 150F. Let the meat stand for 15 minutes.
Heat the remaining marinade to a slow boil to thicken. Season with salt
and pepper if desired. I cracked some pepper in it. Pour on the meat.
-------------------
[Any good recipes for grilled pork chops?]
Danny Gaulden--
I saw the Grillin' and Chillin' show and decided to try this recipe. It
came out very tasty.
Grilled Pork Chops Adobo With Spicy Apple Chutney
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
3 |
cups |
adobo marinade |
|
3 |
cups |
spicy apple chutney |
|
8 |
|
loin pork chops, |
cut 1-inch thick |
The day before serving, pour the marinade over the pork
chops, cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook the pork chops, prepare a wood
or charcoal fire and allow it to burn down to embers. Remove the chops from the marinade
and reserve the marinade. Grill the chops for 5 minutes on each side, brushing with the
marinade, until brown. Remove the chops to a serving platter. Serve immediately, topped
with chutney to taste. Do not overcook!
Adobo Marinade
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
2 |
cups |
canned tomatoes |
drained |
3 |
tablespoons |
Ancho chile powder |
|
3 |
tablespoons |
New Mexico chile powder* |
|
1 |
can |
chipotle chiles, canned |
seeded and diced |
1 |
tablespoon |
honey |
|
1 |
tablespoon |
dark brown sugar |
|
3 |
tablespoons |
red wine vinegar |
|
1 |
teaspoon |
cayenne pepper powder |
|
1/4 |
cup |
garlic |
chopped |
1/4 |
cup |
olive oil |
|
Puree the marinade ingredients in a food processor.
Yield: 3 cups
* Editor--The original recipe called for 3 tablespoons of Ancho chile
powder and 3 tablespoons of Pascilla chile powder. There is some confusion in the world of
chiles regarding the Ancho chile. Chileheads recognize the Ancho chile as the dried form
of the red Pascilla chile. So following the original recipe would be just doubling the
Ancho chile powder. New Mexico chile powder will give this recipe a nice blend of chile
flavors. Adjust amounts of chile powder to suit your heat-level tolerance.
Spicy Apple Chutney
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
2 |
medium |
oranges |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
unsalted butter |
|
1/2 |
cup |
red onion |
coarsely chopped |
1 |
tablespoon |
jalapeno |
minced |
2 |
tablespoons |
ginger |
finely diced |
2 |
cups |
orange juice, fresh |
|
2 |
tablespoons |
vinegar |
|
1/2 |
cup (packed) |
light brown sugar |
|
3 |
tablespoons |
honey |
|
8 |
|
Granny Smith apples |
peeled, cored, sliced thinly |
2 |
tablespoons |
cilantro |
finely chopped |
2 |
tablespoons |
red bell pepper |
finely diced |
1 |
pinch |
salt |
|
1 |
pinch |
black pepper to taste |
freshly ground |
Peel the oranges, reserving the zest, and cut the flesh
into segments. Set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté
the onion and jalapeno until the onion is translucent. Add the ginger, orange zest, orange
juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and honey and cook until the sauce is reduced by half and has
a glazed appearance. Reduce heat to low, add two thirds of the apple slices, and cook
until the fruit is just tender. Turn off the heat and gently fold in the remaining apples
and the orange segments. Pour the chutney into a bowl and allow to cool. Mix in the
cilantro, red bell pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.
Source: TV Food Network GRILLIN' & CHILLIN' SHOW GR3626
-------------------
[Does anybody out there know how to make smoked Canadian bacon]
Brian Shafer--
Canadian Style Bacon (recipe will cure up to 25
lbs.)
Amount |
Measure |
Ingredient |
Preparation Method |
5 |
quarts |
ice water 38-40F |
|
6 |
ounces |
dextrose |
|
2 |
ounces |
Prague Powder #1 |
|
8 |
ounces |
salt |
|
25 |
pounds |
pork loins |
|
Processing: Dissolve all the ingredients in water. The
loins are then spray pumped to 10% of their green weight. Loins are then placed into the
leftover brine and placed into cooler for 4-6 days at 38-40 F. Remove loins from the
cooler and wash under a shower of cold water.
Smoking: Place in the smoker and smoke at 160F until an internal
temperature of 142F is reached. Remove from smoker and cool with tap water until an
internal temperature is reduced to 110F. Hang at room temperature until dry. Remove to
cooler overnight before using.
Pea meal bacon: After curing, the loins are dried somewhat and coated
generously with yellow cornmeal. They are then sliced and fried.
