Boneless pork loin is naturally very lean and very easy to overcook, so watch it carefully. The apple stuffing nicely compliments the relatively mild flavor of the pork. Serve with roasted sweet potato wedges, sugar snap peas, and cranberry sauce. Note: This recipe requires some advanced preparation.

Ingredients

1 (2 1/2-pound) boneless pork loin roast
1 cup apple stuffing (see recipe)
2 tablespoons Cajun spice
1 1/2 tablespoons apple wood shavings

Instructions

Lightly trim any fat on the roast and score any remaining fat; butterfly the pork loin and lightly season the inside surfaces with Cajun spice. Spread stuffing inside the butterflied loin, fold the top section over the stuffing and tie the sections together with several pieces of butcher’s twine.
Season the outside of the loin with Cajun spice.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare the stovetop smoker with 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple wood shavings under the drip pan. Position the drip pan and rack in the smoker. Place the roast on the cooking rack, fat side up, and cover all but one corner of the smoker with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Place the smoker on the stovetop over medium heat. After smoke develops, tightly seal smoker and smoke for 30 minutes. Carefully transfer the smoker to the oven and continue cooking another 45 minutes.

Remove the aluminum foil and reserve. Continue cooking until the roast has an internal temperature of 155 degrees F., about another 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the roast from the cooker, tent with reserved aluminum foil, and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 4 servings
Heat Scale: Mild

This recipe combines a marinade, an injected marinade, and a stovetop smoker to create smoked pork chops that equal what comes out of the offset smoker in warmer months. Leave the cover slightly open until a light smoke develops (about 10 minutes or so) then slide the cover completely closed and smoke the chops for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 400 degrees F.  Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans.  Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

2 double-thick pork chops, about 12 ounces each
1/2 cup apple juice or cider
1/4 cup clover honey
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground dried ginger
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons apple, cherry, or hickory shavings
Apple honey marinade (recipe follows)

Instructions

Evenly trim any fat on the pork chops to a 1/4-inch thickness. Score the fat along the edges to prevent the chops from curling as they cook.

Prepare the marinade by combining apple juice, honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper and ginger in a mixing bowl. Strain 1/4 cup of the marinade into another bowl and reserve.

Using the strained marinade and a “Cajun Injector” kitchen syringe, inject the pork chops with the reserved marinade and place the chops in a resealable plastic bag. Add the remaining marinade to the bag and marinate the chops, refrigerated, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Remove the chops from the marinade and pat them dry. Brush with olive oil and season with coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Prepare the stovetop smoker by placing 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple, cherry, or hickory shavings (or any combination) into the smoker and adding the drip pan and rack. Position the chops on the cooking rack, slide the cover almost closed and place the smoker on a cooling rack. If desired, use the pan drippings to make a brown sauce for the chops.

Carefully place the smoker in the preheated oven and bake the chops for 8 to 10 minutes or until the chops reach an internal temperature of 155 degrees F. Allow the chops to rest for 5 minutes before serving. 

Yield: 2 servings
Heat Scale: Mild

Extra stuffing may be put in a buttered casserole dish and baked, covered, at 350 degrees F. for about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

3 cups prepared stuffing mix
1 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup chopped celery (about 2 ribs)
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small onion)
1 tart apple (Granny Smith), cored and finely chopped
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the celery and onion; sauté for 5 minutes. Add the chopped apple and minced jalapeño; cook until the apple is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.

Prepare the stuffing according to package directions, substituting apple cider for an equal amount of water. Stir in the sautéed fruit mixture and stir to combine. Allow the stuffing mixture to cool completely. (The stuffing may be prepared 1 day ahead and held refrigerated.)

Yield: About 5 cups
Heat Scale: Mild

The combination of sharp mustard and rich, mellow pure maple syrup creates a unique flavor for these juicy bone-in pork chops. Be sure not to overcook the chops or they will become tough and chewy. Use an instant-read thermometer for perfectly cooked chops. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/3 cup coarse-grain Dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 (8-ounce) bone-in pork chops, trimmed
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix together well.

Arrange the chops in a shallow casserole dish. Spread the mustard mixture over the chops and marinade, refrigerated and covered, at least four hours, turning often. Remove chops from marinade, reserving marinade. Season chops to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat the grill for medium high direct cooking and grill the chops six to eight minutes per side or to an internal temperature of 155 degrees F. Tent with foil and keep warm in a low oven until service.

Yield:  2 servings

Pork tenderloin, which has very little fat, can be made more flavorful by marinating and seasoning before cooking. Remember when cooking pork not to overcook the meat. These medallions, marinated with mustard and chile powder, have a sweet-hot taste and light glaze from the honey. Note:  This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

1 (9-ounce) pork tenderloin chateaubriand
1/4 cup clover honey
1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon Ancho chile powder

Instructions

Using a sharp boning knife, remove silverskin from tenderloin. Slice the tenderloin into 1/2-inch medallions.

In a large bowl, stir together the honey, mustard, salt, pepper, cloves, and chile powder. Add the meat and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate, turning the meat occasionally, for at least four hours.

Prepare the grill for medium-high direct cooking. Cook medallions, covered, about two to three minutes per side or to an internal temperature of 155 degrees F. Remove medallions from the grill, tent with foil, and keep warm in a low oven until service. (These medallions could also be broiled five to six inches from the heat source for two to three minutes per side.)
Yield:  2 servings
Heat Scale: Mild