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 Recipe
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 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, to taste; Pepper, to taste; Additional Items:; 3 Small Bowls; Large Bowls

Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Pork Checkoff

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

Ingredients:

New York Pork Chops (thick-cut boneless, top loin, about 1 1/2-inches thick)
Smoked Paprika
Hot Pepper Sauce (such as Tabasco, plus more for serving)
Cayenne Pepper (or to taste)
Salt
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
Cucumber (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice)
Red Onion (halved and thinly sliced)
Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Blue Cheese Dressing (or more to taste)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Additional Items:

• 3 Small Bowls
• Large Bowls

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℉ (medium rare) to 160℉ (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.