Tropical Grilled Pork Chops

Marinated pork chops are grilled to perfection and topped with a spicy salsa starring pineapple, mango, and applesauce.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 269 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 pinch white pepper
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
• 6 pork chops
• ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 mango - peeled, seeded, and chopped
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, minced
• 3 pineapple rings, chopped
• ½ teaspoon water, or as needed
• 1 pod cardamom seeds
• ½ teaspoon cilantro

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

With a mortar and pestle, mash together the garlic, chili powder, cayenne, and cardamom seeds. Mix in enough water to form a paste.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in spice paste, and cook until it begins to bubble, about 30 seconds. Stir in vinegar; cook without boiling for 2 minutes. Stir in sugar until it dissolves. Mix in mango, salt, cilantro, lemon juice, and jalapeno; simmer 20 minutes. Stir in applesauce and pineapple; simmer 10 minutes more. Season with white pepper. Place in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 3

To prepare marinade, mix 2/3 cup of the salsa with soy sauce and 1/3 cup vinegar. Place pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag, and pour marinade over chops. Seal tightly, and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 4

Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Drain marinade from bag, and heat in a saucepan until boiling.

Step 5

Lightly oil grill grate. Place pork chops on the hot grill. Cook 10 minutes, or to desired doneness, turning once and basting occasionally with the boiled marinade.

Step 6

Warm remaining salsa over medium-low heat. Serve pork chops topped with the salsa.