Virginia Willis shared this summery recipe in her Good and Good For You newsletter. Want more? Subscribe at virginiawillis.com for healthful recipes, best-life living tips, self-care techniques, and ideas and inspiration.
A Southern chef with French training, Virginia focuses on the intersection of wellness and good food based on her love of market-driven Southern dishes. Based on her weight loss journey – losing 65 pounds and keeping it off – she’s “lightened up” one of our all-time favorite cookbooks, the James Beard award winning Bon Appetite Y’all.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup kosher salt 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 cups boiling water 3 cups ice cubes 4 bone-in pork loin chops (about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds) nonstick cooking spray (EVOO) 1 medium Vidalia onion finely chopped 1 clove garlic minced 1 one-inch piece ginger peeled and grated 1 ½ cups no salt reduced sugar ketchup ½ cup peach jelly 2 ripe peaches peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
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In medium heatproof bowl, dissolve salt and sugar in boiling water, stir in ice cubes to cool. Add the pork chops, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate to marinate, about 30 minutes. Remove from brine, rinse well, and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Heat a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 45 to 60 seconds.
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Add the ketchup, peach jam, and peaches. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce thickens, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar, season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, set aside to cool.
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Pour half the barbecue sauce into a shallow baking dish, reserve remaining sauce. Add pork chops, turning to coat both sides.
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Prepare a medium-hot grill or grill pan. Grill chops until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, basting chops with barbecue sauce. Remove from grill, let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the remaining sauce.
Nutrition
The nutritional information may seem a little high — it is calculated for 4 people, assuming each person eats about 1/2 cup of sauce. Enjoy less sauce for less fat and calories.