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