Sweet Heat Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork chops
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large clove garlic finely minced
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp red pepper flake
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• splash of Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl or ziplock bag, add all of the ingredients except the brown sugar and allow to chill, covered, in the fridge for 1 hour to overnight.
2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat and drizzle liberally with oil.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Once the skillet is hot, remove pork from the fridge and place in the skillet, searing all sides of the chops. Remove from heat and sprinkle with brown sugar.
5. Cover the skillet with a baking sheet or foil (carefully!) and place in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Uncover and increase heat to 400°F. Bake an additional 5–10 minutes or until the thickest chop reaches 165°F and the sugar has caramelized.
6. Remove from oven and cover again, allowing to rest for 5 minutes.