Grilled Husker Chops with Spicy Beer Mustard Glaze
Grilled Husker Chops with Spicy Beer Mustard Glaze
How To Host a Labor Day Celebration with a Blue Ribbon
The earth whirls
summer spins away
on Labor Day
Labor Day weekend is set-aside to honor You and Me– US, The People for the delicate and ordinary and tedious and amazing work we accomplish in the U.S.A. and in the world.
Labor Day Holiday also softens the harsh thoughts of “no-vacation-until-_____time,” and gives permission to rest in the shade of a cottonwood tree and linger in the closing moments of summer. And to invite young and old, football fans and not – to enjoy great food in a simple setting with low-lift prep. and short clean-up.
We are grilling Husker Chops (In Nebraska meaning- 1 inch thick pork chops) to send playful summer on her way and transition into Hurly-Burly Autumn.
See the menu I selected to celebrate Labor Day with my friends and family. I plan first for flavor because I relish (pun intended) spice, heat, meat, and fresh flavors, then I plan for simple so I feel comfortable and at ease enjoying friends and listening and laughing and telling my stories too.
I thank https://www.Maille.com website for their original brine, grill and glaze recipe.
- Husker Chops on the Grill with Spicy Beer Mustard Glaze
- Spicy Beer Mustard Potato Salad
- Grilled Sweet Corn (fresh from the field or not at all)https://www.Buzzsavoriesllc.com
- Late Season Sliced Tomatoes and Onions
- Baguettes of Sour-Dough Bread Baked in a Brick Oven at the Back Alley Bakery (ideally) https://www.backalleybakery.com
- Chunks of Farmer’s Market Melon (juicy and full of flavor now)
This menu is tried and true for me, and I promise that guests will rave and you will smile as they heap praise on you the Grill Master. The menu works for you and me because prepping and grilling this Labor Day Feast feels effortless.
Twenty-four or even 48 hours before Labor Day Celebration, buy the chops and place them in the brine and refrigerate. One day prior to the Celebration gather ingredients and make the potato salad recipe. Brining the chops guarantees moist and a salty, sweet, thyme and garlic flavor in every slice. Extraordinarily delicious!
The Buzz
Edward Espe Brown, a former Chef at Tassjara Zen Center and teacher writes, “I want people to be happy. Not the happy of getting what you imagined wanting, but the happy of kind mind, joyful mind, big mind; the happy of a day of peace, a day of tending, of attending; the happy of being with, not being boss, of greeting, meeting, patience, warmth, generosity.”
I like thinking and believing that our days and especially Labor Day will be peaceful, and a day of tending and attending , greeting, meeting, patience, warmth and generosity. Thank you for opening this space and time in your life for Spicy Beer Mustard and Buzz Savories Honey Mustard and for me to share recipes and thoughts with you.
Grilled Husker Chops with Spicy Beer Mustard Glaze
Equipment
- meat thermometer
- grill
- 2 1 gallon zip lock bags
What You'll Need:
For Mustard Brine
- 4 cups water
- 4 Tb Honey Mustard
- ½ cup kosher salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
- 10 springs fresh thyme
- 4 cups ice cubes
Spicy Beer Mustard Grilled and Glazed Pork Chops
- 4 1" thick bone-in pork chops
- 2 T olive oil
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 Tb Buzz Savories Honey Mustard
- 4 Tb rice vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
How To Prepare:
Mustard Brine
- Combine water, Buzz Savories Honey Mustard, salt, brown sugar, garlic, and thyme in a sauce pan. Heat until the sugar and salt are dissolved. No need to boil. Remove from heat and stir in the ice cubes to cool the brine before you pour the cooled brine over the pork chops
Brine the Pork Chops
- Place 2 pork chops per zip lock bag and divide the brine between the 2 bags, seal and refrigerate for up to 2 days or at least overnight. Turn occasionally so that the chops brine throughout and evenly.
Make ahead Buzz Savories Honey Mustard Glaze
- Anytime that fits your schedule prior to grilling, make the glaze. In a bowl you will take to the grill, whisk together the remaining ingredients, Honey Mustard, brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon each of oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper.
Grilling the Pork Chops
- Remove the chops from the brine, drain them, and pat dry. Allow the chops to return to room temperature prior to grilling.Grill on med/high heat. Place the chops on the grill and brush the tops with some of the glaze. Close the grill - cook for 3-4 minutesFlip the chops with tongs, and brush again with glaze. Close the lid and cook for about 3 minutesTurn once more brushing glaze on each sideCook each turn of the chop another 2-3 minutes145 Degrees - interior temperature of the chops when doneRemove chops cover with foil and let them rest for about 5 minutes before servingSlice thin slices across the grain and serve.