View source for Easy Pan-Fried Pork Chops

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[[File:Pork.jpg|thumb|296x296px|Pork Chops]]

=Ingredients=
'''2''' bone-in pork chops, preferably rib chops (1<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub> inches thick, 8 to 10 ounces each)

'''3''' cups room-temperature water

'''<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub>''' cup kosher salt

'''<sup>1</sup>/<sub>4</sub>''' cup packed light or dark brown sugar

'''2''' tablespoons unsalted butter

'''4''' sprigs fresh thyme

'''2''' cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

=Instructions=

==Step 1==
'''Cut''' slits every 1 inch along the ''fatty edge'' to help prevent ''cupping''.

'''Place''' the pork chops on a ''large plate'' or ''baking sheet''. ('''''Optional''' — place a wire rack on a baking sheet''.)

'''Prick''' the chops all over with a fork, about <sup>1</sup>/<sub>8</sub> inch deep.

'''Flip''' the pork chops and '''repeat pricking''' the other side.

==Step 2==

======Brine the pork chops.======
'''Place''' the '''''water''''', '''''salt''''', and '''''brown sugar''''' in a ''gallon zip-top bag'' and '''stir''' to dissolve the ''salt'' and ''sugar''.

'''Add''' the pork chops and '''seal''' the bag.

'''Place''' the bag on a ''rimmed baking sheet'' and arrange so that the pork chops are sitting in a '''''single layer'''''. 

'''Refrigerate''' for ''30 minutes'' and up to 8 hours.

==Step 3==
'''Remove''' the ''pork chops'' from the brine and '''pat dry''' with ''paper towels''.

==Step 4==
'''Heat''' a large ''cast-iron skillet'' over ''medium-high'' heat until hot and just beginning to '''''smoke'''''.

'''Add''' the pork chops and '''cook''' for ''1 minute'' on '''each side''' — ''they should begin to brown and release some fat into the pan''.

'''''Continuing''''' '''flipping''' and '''cooking''' for 8 to 10 minutes.

'''Reduce''' the heat to '''medium'''.

'''''Continue''''' to '''cook''' for 8 to 10 minutes more, '''flipping''' the chops every '''minute''', until they register '''''135°F''''' in the thickest part.

'''Remove''' the pan from the '''heat'''.

'''Add''' the '''''butter''''', '''''thyme''''', and '''''garlic'''''.

Use a ''large spoon'' to '''spoon the melted butter''' over the pork chops.

'''Flip''' the pork chops and '''baste''' again. 

Let the pork chops '''rest''' in the pan until they reach '''''140°F''' to '''145°F''''', 5 to 7 minutes.

==Step 5==
'''Slice''' the pork chops ''across the grain'' and serve with the ''butter sauce''.
[[Category:Pork]]