MasterChef Junior has started up again and I’m super excited. These 9-13 year olds put me, and probably everyone I know, to shame in the kitchen! I don’t watch the adult version of the show, but have been sucked into the miniature talent. This season I was actually on top of it enough to know it was happening before it started and set the DVR accordingly. It’s been two weeks and I’m already behind. Figures.

But! I did catch the first episode and 4 of the contestants had to cook a dish using “the most cooked protein.” Flip to commercial break. I spent the time it took to fast forward commercials trying to guess what would be under the cloche. The answer? Pork chops. I was wrong.

We do cook pork chops fairly often. Once upon a time it was the only protein my Firecracker would eat. Now that his all time favorite is Chick-fil-A (or any fried) chicken, it’s been harder to get him to voluntarily eat pork. After getting him to try a bite, however, he’ll finish his portion. Insert frustrated-relieved sigh here.

Shelby from Grumpy’s Honeybunch is hosting this week’s Sunday Supper event all about easy pork chop recipes. Be sure to scroll past my recipe to see a fantastic collection of recipes for your next weeknight pork dinner.

Using thick-cut chops is not something I typically do. I always prefer the thin cut because they’re quick. These thick pork chops might change the way I buy pork from now on! They’re brined for 1-3 hours (I think I landed somewhere around 2:30) yielding plump and juicy pork. A sear in cast iron helps keep that moisture in, and then into the oven underneath a blanket of brown sugar.

I served these pork chops with grilled cabbage (stay tuned) and mashed sweet potatoes.

This recipe serves 2-3.

Quick Brine Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2-3 C water
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• ice, if needed
• vegetable oil
• 2 1 1/2-2″ thick bone-in pork chops
• 2-3 tbsp brown sugar

Steps:

1. Bring 1 C water to a gentle boil. Stir in the sage and salt. Allow to cool slightly. Add 1 C cold water. Allow brine to get to room temperature. Add ice if needed.
2. Place pork chops in a bowl, cover with the cooled brine. Add more water if needed to cover the pork. Cover and refrigerate 1-3 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove pork chops from the brine and pat dry.
4. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brush pork with vegetable oil and season with S+P. Sear both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Spread brown sugar over the pork chops in a thin, even layer and place the skillet in the oven. Cook 5-10 minutes to desired doneness, registering at least 145 degrees F in the middle. Remove pork from the pan and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

*This recipe is adapted from Emma at http://www.thekitchn.com/dinner-for-two-recipe-sage-brined-pork-chops-with-brown-sugar-glaze-recipes-from-the-kitchn-180424#*

Pork Chops

• Braised Orange Tomato Pork Chops by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Braised Pork Chops with Country Gravy by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Breakfast Chops by Palatable Pastime
• Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops by My Sweet Savings
• Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Apricot Ginger Glaze by Life Tastes Good
• Cider Braised Pork Chops with Apple and Rutabaga by Caroline’s Cooking
• Creamy Apple Pork Chops by Savory Experiments
• Easy Cilantro Lime Pork Chops by Cooking Chat

Pork Chops

• Easy One Pan Oven Roasted Pork Chops by Pies and Plots
• Easy Oven Baked & Breaded Pork Chops by Hardly A Goddess
• Fontina Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce by Soulfully Made
• Fried Pork Chops by Bottom Left of the Mitten
• Grilled Boneless Pork Chops with Broccoli Rabe by Simple and Savory
• Grilled Pork Chops with a Strawberry Balsamic Glaze by Recipes Food and Cooking
• Indian-Spiced Pork Chop Potato Skillet by Sunday Supper Movement
• Japanese-Style Pork Chops Tonkatsu by Asian In America
• Mom’s Cornflake Pork Chops by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops over Noodles by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

And More Pork Chops

• One Pan Pesto Pork Chops by Cricket’s Confections
• Pork & Peppers Stir Fry by Wholistic Woman
• Pork Chops Dijonnaise by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Pork Chops with Dirty Rice by Turnips 2 Tangerines
• Pork Chops, Peperoncini and Potatoes by Tramplingrose
• Prosciutto Wrapped Brie and Onion Stuffed Pork Chops by The Freshman Cook
• Quick Brine Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Glaze by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Quick Easy Maple Glazed Pork Chops by Sprinkles and Sprouts
• Skillet Tuscan Pork Chops by A Mind “Full” Mom
• Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops by Big Bear’s Wife
• Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Spicy Maple-Glazed Pork Chops with Jalapeno Cheese Grits by The Weekend Gourmet
• Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chop by Brunch-n-Bites

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

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