An idea for grilling: Brining Chops or Chicken

Smithhound

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Some of you may know this, many may not. Ever go to a good restaraunt, have some pork chops or chicken that is just out of this world good? Here's a secret on how they do it, one of the best ways to grill chicken or chops or a pork loin without drying it out.

Take 1 gallon of cold water in a big pot, dip out 2 cups and put that in a small pot, bring that 2 cups to a boil. While waiting take paprika (good Hungarian, not cheap stuff), garlic powder, minced dried onion, thyme, crushed black pepper corns, crushed dryed basil and any other herb or spice you want (experiment) and put that into the big pot of cold water, the idea is to put alot in there to give the water a good dark hue.
Now when the small pots is boiling take 2/3d cup of sugar and 2/3 cup of coarse ground salt and add that to the boiling water, stir untill dissolved.
Take the solution and add it to the big pot of cold water, wait untill that cools down. Stir this occasionally.
Once it is cool, place your meat into a deep dish glass bowl and pour enough of your brine solution in to cover. Place this in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours, longer if you want.
Get your grill good and hot, oil the grate, and cook the meat untill crispy, golden brown.
When you cut into that it will be done perfectly, outside nice and caramelized, inside just as flavorful and juicy as you can imagine.
After the first time you try this you'll never want to grill chicken, porkchops or white meats any other way.
Take the leftover brine from the pot and put it into containers and refrigerate or freeze it for next time.
Enjoy!
RD
 
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An old secret of chefs. I even brine whole turkeys (They're Great). You can put it inside a big trash bag, into a cooler and keep iced down overnight or up to 24 hours. The turkey turns out very, very juicy. The turkey is even better if you Deep Fry it. A person who eats a thick Pork Chop that's been Brined will never eat one any other way, as it is just fabulous.
 
Do you reuse the brine even if you had pork the last time and won't chicken this time??
Thanks,

Never. Even though microbial growth is inhibited in salty solutions, this is still a bad scenario for cross contamination and potential food poisoning.

Got a pork shoulder in a brine right now -- it will be in the smoker at noon!
 
For clarity I should have stated to discard the brine you poured onto the chicken or pork and just freeze what is left in the big pot. You'll probably spend some quality time in the bathroom or the Emergency room if you reuse the brine you soaked chicken in. eehhhh.
RD
 
An old secret of chefs. I even brine whole turkeys (They're Great). You can put it inside a big trash bag, into a cooler and keep iced down overnight or up to 24 hours. The turkey turns out very, very juicy. The turkey is even better if you Deep Fry it. A person who eats a thick Pork Chop that's been Brined will never eat one any other way, as it is just fabulous.

Most trash bags are coated inside with anti-bacterial toxins that make it similar to spraying Raid on your food. I would use a food bag big enough for a turkey. They are available at restaurant supply houses.
 
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