Grilled pork chops on a wood cutting board, on a wood table.

Smoky Hot Chops with Cool Cucumber-Tomato Salad

Name: Smoky Hot Chops with Cool Cucumber-Tomato Salad
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: Pork
Ingredients: 4 New York pork chops (thick-cut boneless, top loin, about 1 1/2-inches thick); 2 tablespoons smoked paprika; 4 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco, plus more for serving); 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 cucumber (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice); 1/4 red onion (halved and thinly sliced); 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped); 1/4 cup blue cheese dressing (or more to taste); salt; pepper

Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Pork Checkoff

Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 - 40 minutes
Cook Time: 10 - 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4 New York pork chops (thick-cut boneless, top loin, about 1 1/2-inches thick)
2 tbsp smoked paprika
4 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco, plus more for serving)
1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cucumber (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice)
1/4 red onion (halved and thinly sliced)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
1/4 cup blue cheese dressing (or more to taste)
salt
pepper

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, hot sauce, cayenne, salt, garlic powder and onion powder, stirring to make a paste. Divide paste into two small bowls, with about 2/3 of paste in one bowl, and 1/3 in another. Arrange pork on a plate or platter and use a butter knife to thinly spread about 2/3 of the spice paste from one bowl over both sides of the meat. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Prepare a grill to medium-hot heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill pork until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. (medium rare) to 160 degrees F. (medium), 4 to 5 minutes per side. (It’s okay if some of the spice paste sticks to the grill.) Transfer chops to a platter and spread remaining spice paste from second bowl on top, and set aside to rest 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the Cool Cucumber-Tomato Salad: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, parsley and salad dressing, tossing gently. Add more dressing and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve chops with cucumber-tomato salad alongside. Pass additional hot sauce at the table.