Cider-Brined Pork Chops with Walnut-Bacon Butter and Apple and Butternut Squash Tian

5 Reviews
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Yield
6 servings
By Joanne Weir and Joanne Weir
October 2008
RECIPE BY Cooking Light

Brining yields wonderfully moist chops. Tian, a French word that refers to shallow earthen casserole dishes, also refers to the layered vegetables that are often cooked in them. When you layer the vegetables for the tian, they should lie in flat, even layers. If you want to make the butter mixture ahead, shape it into a three-inch cylinder and wrap it in wax paper. Refrigerate or freeze it until you're ready to use it. Make extra butter, and use it to flavor rice or pasta.

Ingredients

  • Pork:
  • 5 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt
  • 6 (8-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops, trimmed
  • Tian:
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups coarsely chopped Swiss chard
  • 1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeño pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 ounces butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
  • 1 large Rome apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices (about 6 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (1-ounce) slice white bread
  • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded Gruyère cheese
  • Butter:
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Dash of ground nutmeg
  • 1 slice applewood-smoked bacon, cooked and finely crumbled
  • Remaining ingredient:
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 369
  • Caloriesfromfat 35%
  • Fat 14.5g
  • Satfat 5.9g
  • Monofat 5.2g
  • Polyfat 2g
  • Protein 28.1g
  • Carbohydrate 32.8g
  • Fiber 3.2g
  • Cholesterol 77mg
  • Iron 2.1mg
  • Sodium 840mg
  • Calcium 120mg

How to Make It

Step 1

To prepare pork, combine 5 cups apple cider, 2 cups water, and 1/3 cup kosher salt in a large bowl; stir until salt dissolves. Add pork chops to cider mixture; cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 425°.

Step 3

To prepare the tian, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chard, jalapeño, and garlic to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until chard wilts, stirring occasionally. Layer half of squash, apple, potatoes, and chard mixture in a shallow 2-quart broiler-safe baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle vegetables with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Repeat the layers with remaining squash, apple, potato, chard mixture, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Combine 1/2 cup cider and broth; pour mixture into baking dish. Cover dish with foil. Bake at 425° for 50 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Step 4

Preheat broiler.

Step 5

Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1 cup. Combine breadcrumbs and cheese; sprinkle over vegetable mixture. Broil 2 minutes or until breadcrumbs are browned. Remove from broiler, and keep warm.

Step 6

To prepare butter, combine walnuts and next 5 ingredients (through bacon) in a bowl, stirring well.

Step 7

Remove pork from brine mixture; discard brine mixture. Pat pork dry with paper towels. Sprinkle pork with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer registers 155° or until desired degree of doneness. Place about 1 cup tian on each of 6 plates; top each serving with 1 pork chop. Divide butter mixture evenly among pork chops.

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Ratings & Reviews

1cookfromBrea's Review

1cookfromBrea
January 05, 2012
Had a large jug of Cider in the fridge and went searching for a recipe that would use it up. This turned out to be a stellar dinner! Pork was tender and well-flavored. I seared the chops for just 3 minutes each side, then placed (covered w/foil) into 300 degree oven to 'finish' for about 10 minutes. The result exceeded my expectations. Tian was good, but I'll double the Chard & garlic next time. Will definitely make this for a 6-person dinner party.

Lisa2005's Review

kathysack
January 28, 2011
The pork chops came out really well. I would definitely make this again for company- the presentation is beautiful and combination of ingredients shouts gourmet. The flavors in the butter topping were perfect. I made a few changes to the butter mixture- first I sauteed finely chopped onions, celery and carrots, then I added the rest of the ingredients plus one chopped apple. I cooked the butter mixture over low heat so it became more of a sauce- a sauce with tons of vegetables and savory hints of bacon and the relish of orange zest. I want to start using this butter mixture over vegetables and as a basis for stuffing!

chrissyc's Review

Lisa2005
January 19, 2009
This was amazing....lots of different flavors that all worked really well together. I might increase the jalapeno next time for extra spice.

LisaB09's Review

chrissyc
January 09, 2009
The flavors in this recipe are outstanding. The butter, with walnuts, apple-smoked bacon and a hint of orange, is a great complement to the cider-brined pork which is very tender. Because of the number of ingredients and time involved, I consider this a special occasion dish. A great autumn treat!

kathysack's Review

LisaB09
December 06, 2008
my husband raved about the flavors. more complicated than necessary. Save your non-stick pan to reuse for many of the steps. I think I can cut the time down by half the next time I make this.
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