Smokin' Flavor

Not the best photo, but you get the idea...slow, tangy, smoky, tender, juicy, satisfying.


Beer & Chipotle Braised Pork Chops
4 pork chops, trimmed of excess fat
2 TB olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 tsp each of dried cumin, coriander, oregano
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup dark/amber beer
1 chipotle pepper, finely diced
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
salt & pepper

Place a medium fry pan over high heat. When hot, add the olive oil. Season the chops with salt and pepper. Gently place in the fry pan, careful not to splash hot oil. Allow to sit for a few quick minutes until the chops develop some color and crust. Flip. Repeat until the second side is browned. Remove to a plate.

Add the onions and stir to pick up the left over oil and they start to become translucent, two or three minutes. Add the herbs and spices, allow to toast for a minute, stirring frequently. Pour the beer, stir to pick up all the bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the tomato sauce and finely diced chipotle pepper. Stir to incorporate. Place the pork chops back in the pan, nestle them down into the sauce, cover and simmer over the lowest heat for 45 minutes to an hour for tender, fall apart chops. Check every 15-20 minutes, move the chops around so they or the sauce don't burn.

I served with rice and steamed corn; a good dinner.