Maple Brined Granola Pork Chops

I received complimentary product from Golden Girl Granola in order to create this recipe. All opinions and experiences are my own.

I love pork chops! Okay, I don't ever remember my Mom making them while I was growing up. Maybe that is why I love them so? I know the running joke about pork chops for dinner. Dry, leathery chops have never crossed my lips. No, all of my pork chop memories have been delicious ones.

In fact, I have quite a few recipes that I enjoy, but now I have a new one to introduce you to. I think you are going to really love these Maple Brined Granola Pork Chops!

Yes, you heard me. These chops are brined ahead to stay nice and juicey. Then they are encrusted in Golden Girl Granola for a wonderful crunchy texture. You may never want to touch bread crumbs again after trying these.

To get started you need thin cut pork chops.

I put my pork chops in a simple brine overnight. This extra step is definitely worth it!

The fun part of this recipe is using granola in a whole new way. Granola in a dessert? Sure! But, for dinner as the main course? That is something I haven't seen as often.

Golden Girl Granola is a family based granola business from Shirley, MA. You can see all 7 of their fun granola flavors and order your favorites from their site. Be sure to check out their recipes, too. You might find even more new ways to look at granola.

These pork chops are juicy on the inside, crunchy outside and slightly sweet from the maple syrup. Truly a surprising and enjoyable dish. We enjoyed ours over a bed of couscous and a side salad and roasted asparagus.

What would you pair these Maple Brined Pork Chops with?

Maple Brined Granola Pork Chops

You will need:

• 4 c. cold water
• 2/3 cup kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 6 thin-cut pork chops
• 2 c. Golden Girl Forest Maple Granola
• 1/4 c. canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c. flour
• salt and pepper
• fresh chopped parsley to garnish *optional

In a glass dish, combine the water, salt and maple syrup. Make sure all porkchops are submerged in the brine. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

In a food processor, pulse the granola till it is in uniform crumbles. Set aside.

Create a dredging station. In one container add the flour and liberally season with salt and pepper. Whisk up the eggs in the middle container and add the processed granola to the final station.

Heat a cast iron pan on medium high heat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Dredge each pork chop in flour, dip in egg wash and then cover with granola. Brown on both sides and then set aside. Repeat with all the pork chops, then arrange them in oven safe dishes and bake till the internal pork chop temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Enjoy! 

More Nature Valley Options for On the Go!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.

I enjoy variety, so having a few different, but fast and easy, breakfast options is important to me.

I want to stick with smarter choices, but I also don't want to skip my morning meal. Decisions, decisions! So learning that there were some new Nature Valley products on the shelves, I knew I had to try them out for myself. You can find all three products at a great savings at your local Target right now.

I already am a fan of Nature Valley granola bars, so it was worth a try.

Granola is one of my morning favorites. A little bit of oat and crunch in my morning bowl helps to make me feel complete. The Nature Valley Protein Crunchy Granola has 10 grams of protein per serving and makes for an easy and delicious fruit  and yogurt parfait.

I like to use vanilla or maple yogurt and pair it with rotating fruit favorites like blueberries, strawberries or banana slices. Then I top my parfait with granola for a little crunch and added texture.

This new product is also just fun to munch by the handful, or mixed in with some nuts and dried fruit for an easy breakfast trail mix.

The Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits were great with a bit of almond butter smeared on top and then loaded with banana slices. They are also great for eating plain while waiting for my son's bus in the morning.

And then there are the Nature Valley Greek Yogurt Protein Bars which fit perfectly in the side pocket of my purse. I love the yogurt coating on the outside. These are a real treat to eat out when I am too busy to eat breakfast at home.

I tried the Strawberry version, but keep your eyes peeled for the Mixed Berry as well.

So, from granola to biscuits and bars, Nature Valley has presented 3 new ways to keep my on the go lifestyle, going!

You can stay connected with Nature Valley on Facebook to stay up on new products and promotions.

Have your tried any of the #NewNatureValley products? Which would you try first?