BUTTERMILK AND LEMON BRINED PORK CHOPS

Ingredients

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp grated lemon peel
• 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp sage, crumbled
• 4 bone-in pork loin chops, 1 inch thick

Directions

1. To prepare brine, combine buttermilk, kosher salt and sugar in a bowl; stir to dissolve salt and sugar. Stir in lemon peel, rosemary, pepper and sage. Pour into a heavy zip-lock plastic bag. Add pork and squeeze bag to coat pork with brine. Seal bag and place on a plate. Refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 20 - 30 minutes.
3. Remove pork from brine; discard brine. Grill pork over low heat on natural gas barbecue until done, about 30 - 35 minutes.