Spice Rubbed Pork Chop with Blueberry Maple Rosemary Sauce

By Irvin Lin

Blueberries are a surprising complement to the spice rubbed pork chops. There’s a subtle sweetness to the blueberry sauce, but don’t expect it to be overpowering. It’s more savory-salty than sugary-sweet. Don’t skip the brine, as it insures a super juicy pork chop.

  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Course: Dinner
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INGREDIENTS

Brine:

3 cups cold water

3 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

4 thick-cut pork chops


Spice Rub:

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

4 tablespoons olive oil


Blueberry Maple Rosemary Sauce:

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

2 tablespoon maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the brine by pouring the water, salt and sugar in a gallon zip-top plastic bag. Seal and shake until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Add the pork chops and seal. Let the pork chops sit on the counter for 30 minutes to come to room temperature in the brine. Or refrigerate for up to 4 hours, taking the pork chops out 30 minutes before you make them to come to room temperature.


2. Once the pork chops are done brining, preheat the oven to 400˚F. Make the spice rub by combining the brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and coriander in a small bowl. Take the pork chops out of the brine and dry them by patting them down with paper towels. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of the olive oil on one side of all the pork chops. Sprinkle half the rub over the pork chops and rub in. Flip the pork chops and repeat with more olive oil and the rest of the rub.


3. Pour the remaining olive oil (you should have a little more than 1 tablespoon left) into an Anolon® Advanced 14-inch French Skillet. Heat on medium-high heat until the oil starts to shimmer, then place the pork chops on the skillet. Sear the meat for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom has formed a golden brown crust. Flip the pork chops and repeat. Once both sides are seared, move the skillet with the pork chops still in it, into the oven. 


4. Roast the pork chops in the oven for 6 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 140˚F. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and place back on the stove. Move the pork chops to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.


5. Make the blueberry sauce by adding the blueberries, maple syrup, rosemary, coriander, salt and pepper to the skillet with the pan drippings. Heat on medium-high until a few of the berries start to burst and the sauce starts to thicken a bit, about 5 minutes. Mix the balsamic vinegar with the cornstarch and add to the pan, stirring until the sauce thickens, an additional minute. Serve the pork chops with the blueberry sauce drizzled over it.


Eat the Love Blurb

AJ was incredulous when I told him that I was making pork chops with blueberry sauce. Sure he was excited about pork chops. The man loves a juicy cut of meat. But the blueberry sauce gave him pause. I told him to trust me on this one, as the spices in the rub and the touch of maple syrup in the sauce will add just a tinge of sweetness that will work well with the pork. Making the pork chops in Anolon’s 14-inch French skillet was great because I could fit all the thick cut pork chops into the pan, and once I moved them to a plate to rest, I could easily deglaze with the blueberries and maple syrup. The blueberries have an earthier flavor than a lot of other berries and works well with the rosemary and coriander. I told him to expect more of a savory sweetness, perfect to go with the pork. And with one taste, he agreed with me. Get the recipe for these pork chops over at the Anolon site!


I’m teaming up with Anolon for the next three months to create recipes for their site for the fall and winter! Follow their hashtag #HASHTAGTOCOME for more recipes and fun! A special thanks to Anolon for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for developing the recipe on their site as well as this post and all Anolon products were provided by them. However all opinions above are totally my own and are not endorsed by Anolon.