Sweet & Spicy, Brown Sugar Pork Chops (slow-cooker)

Pork is one of those things that people either eat or don’t, there’s not much in between. At our home we partake in our fair share of pork, mainly sausage and bacon though. Pork chops are an occasional treat.

Since' we’re at home and social distancing, I figured I’d make some tangy, sweet and spicy pork chops for a few nights dinner. They barely made it 3 days. Here’s the recipe:

• Pork Chops (your choice of cut)* see recipe notes for my chop choice & prep

• Drizzle olive oil or pat of butter (amount varies based on your pan size/used to coat the pan)

• 1/2 onion (diced)

• 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)

• 1/4 cup yellow mustard

• 1/4 cup dijon mustard

• 1/4 cup orange juice (optional)

• 4-5 dashes of Worchestershire sauce

• 1/3 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1/3 tablespoon onion powder

• 1/3 tablespoon crushed red pepper (decrease for less spice)

• pinch black pepper

• Cajun seasoning (Slap Ya Mama, Tony’s, Zatarains, Lawry’s etc.)

Instructions:

1. Add small drizzle of olive oil/ small pat of butter to pan and heat on medium heat until melted.

2. Cook diced onions until they being to look slightly translucent (be sure not to overcook on this step)

3. Sprinkle cajun seasoning onto both sides of chops and place them in the pan with onions (move cooked onions to the edges of the pan and place chops in center)

4. Get a sear on both sides of chops BUT DO NOT COOK FULLY. This step mainly creates a nice seasoned crust on the surface.

5. While chops are searing cut baby red potatoes into fourths and place into slow-cooker.

6. Removed seared chops and place them atop the raw potatoes in the slow cooker.

7. Make sauce by combining mustard, brown sugar, crushed pepper, black pepper, worchestershire sauce, orange juice, onion powder and garlic powder. Be sure to taste and add more of any ingredient until tase is sufficient.

8. Pour liquid into slow-cooker and set to High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours

Since you’re cooking potatoes with the chops, be sure to include any choice of additional green side to avoid such a starchy and protein filled meal. I baked some asparagus, but you could choose broccoli, a fresh green salad, or brussel sprouts.

Recipe notes:

1. Much of my cooking is done by taste, adjust measurements as needed for your desired flavor.

2. I used three thick cut boneless pork chops and cut them in half lengthwise. This gave me 6 thinner sliced chops that cooked beautifully in the slow-cooker and fell apart with a fork.

3. Orange and pineapple juice can be interchanged. The citrus of both juices helps to break down the meat and give good flavor throughout.