EASY BRINE PORK CHOPS RECIPES

Steps:

• Put all the brining ingredients in a large saucepan with 1 litre of water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely. Once cooled, put the chops in the brine, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge for 2 hrs. Remove the chops from the brine, rinse under the cold tap and pat dry with kitchen paper.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat a large griddle pan over a high heat and fry the pork chops for 3-4 mins each side or until starting to char – you may need to do this in 2 batches. Transfer to a baking tray lined with foil and roast for 10-12 mins until cooked through.

Steps:

• Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator and season on both sides with salt and pepper — we use just less than 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt per pork chop. Set the chops aside to rest for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190° C).
• Heat the oil in a large oven-safe skillet — such as a cast iron pan — over medium-high heat. As soon as the oil is hot and looks shimmery, pat the pork dry, and then add the pork. Cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. While the pork sears, scatter half of the thyme over the side of the pork chops that are facing up.
• Flip the pork so that the seared side is facing up. (If there is a fattier side of the pork, use kitchen tongs to hold the chops, fat-side-down until it sizzles and browns slightly; about 30 seconds.)
• Scatter the remaining thyme over the seared side of the pork. Arrange lemon wedges around the chops, and then loosely cover with foil or tuck parchment paper around the pan. Slide the skillet into the oven to finish cooking. (If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the pork chops to a baking dish.)
• Bake 8 to 15 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 145 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the chop. (Since cook time depends on the thickness of the chops, check for doneness at 5 minutes, then go from there, checking every 2 minutes.) If you do not have a thermometer, you will know they are done, if the juices run clear when cutting into the chops.
• Transfer pork chops to a plate, then cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let the pork rest for 5 minutes. Serve with additional herbs, roasted lemon wedges, and a spoonful of pan juices on top.