Black Barbecue Pork Chops with Thumbelina Carrots Recipe

Black Barbecue Pork Chops with Thumbelina Carrots Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onion (about 1/2 pound)
  • 7 garlic cloves, 5 chopped and 2 left whole, divided
  • 1 fresh jalapeño, finely chopped, including seeds
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1/4 cup cola
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses (preferably blackstrap)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Korean black bean paste
  • 1 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70% cacao), chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot smoked paprika (pimentón picante)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
  • 6 (1 1/4-to 1 1/2-inch-thick) bone-in rib pork chops (about 4 pounds total), frenched if desired
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 12 Thumbelina carrots or other baby carrots (2 bunches; about 1 pound), trimmed
  • 1/4 cup dry vermouth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Kosher salt to taste
  1. Heat butter and olive oil in a 4-to 5-quart pot over medium-low heat until foam subsides. Cook onion, chopped garlic, jalapeño, and raisins, covered, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown, 7 to 9 minutes.
  2. Add bourbon (use caution; alcohol may ignite) and boil, scraping up any brown bits, until most of liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in coffee, then boil until most of liquid has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with cola.
  3. Add ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, black bean paste, and chocolate and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
  4. Add spices and 1 teaspoon pepper and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until very thick, about 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and cool 15 minutes. Purée sauce in a blender with remaining 2 garlic cloves, lime juice, and sesame oil until smooth and thick.
  6. Rub 6 tablespoons sauce all over pork chops and marinate, chilled, in a large shallow baking dish at least 1 hour.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
  8. Rub off excess marinade from chops with a paper towel. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then brown chops in 2 batches, turning once, about 2 minutes total.
  9. Transfer to a 4-sided sheet pan (reserve skillet) and roast chops in oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of chops registers 148 to 150ºF for juicy pink meat, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest while cooking carrots.
  10. Melt butter in reserved skillet over medium heat, then cook carrots, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add vermouth and lemon juice and cook, covered, 2 minutes. Uncover and simmer until most of liquid has evaporated and carrots are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Halve carrots lengthwise, then return to pan and keep warm.
  11. Serve pork chops with carrots and remaining sauce on the side.