Category
Dinner / Pork Chops
Servings
6
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Author:
Christi Flaherty
This wonderfully flavorful pork chop recipe is Christi's ode to the incredible coffee culture found in Miami's Little Havana. If you want to learn more about the Cuban Coffee Culture and how it influenced Christi's cooking, head over to her website, Healthy Happy Real.

Ingredients
2 Cups brewed espresso (see below for more information)
1 Cup apple juice
1 tsp. garlic
1 Tbsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 bay leaves
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6 organic pork chops
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. Ancho chile powder
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. granulated onion
1 tsp. finely ground coffee or instant espresso
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
For the Brine
For the Rub
Directions
Mix together the brine ingredients and add enough ice cubes to make it very cold to the touch.
Add pork chops. Brine for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 12 hours in the fridge.
Mix together the dry rub ingredients.
When ready to cook, remove from the brine and pat dry.
Thoroughly coat the pork chops on all sides with the rub.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat until smoking.
Add some avocado oil to coat the bottom of the skillet.
Cook on one side until the bottom is golden (you will see it on the edges) then flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes or until the pork registers 145 degrees.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with pan juices or chimichurri sauce.
Recipe Note
Wondering what kind of espresso to use? For this recipe, you want a French roast or other dark roast espresso. You can use finely ground, unflavored coffee, you can buy espresso powder, or you grind your own espresso (finely ground). But do not use instant coffee, it is not the same thing! If using finely ground coffee, add 2 Tbsp. coffee to 2 Cups of boiling water and let sit for several minutes. Strain, then use as directed in the recipe.
Christi Flaherty is a a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a Certified Whole30 Coach. She's been cooking her entire life and worked as a private chef in both Napa Valley and Texas before shifting her focus to combining her culinary expertise with science-based nutrition. Today her Healthy Happy Kitchen Virtual Cooking School is helping people across the country create healthy, flavorful meals. If you want to learn more, head over to her website Healthy Happy Real, and be sure to follow her on Instagram (@healthyhappyrealcf).