Santa's Going South

Feliz Navidude!

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

Happy Hula Days... we're headed south to St. Somewhere for Christmas! Wouldn't you like to spend Christmas way down south... maybe in the islands? Oh come on... it'll be fun. 

Just think citrus glazed entrees with a cool island style libation and funky tunes. Well, maybe just a warm up for Christmas. It doesn't look like Santa's ready anyway. 

So grab your "Sea Breeze" and flip flops... we're headed south.

The pots are on! 

The Plate...

Orange Glazed Double-Cut Pork Chop

This is not your mama's pork chop. I promise. Forget everything you know about those old thin rubbery pork chops. This is real manly man stuff... Double cut, bone in and juicy. The orange glaze is just a little wow factor that we added.

First, I have to warn you that this is not a spur of the moment kind of meal. We are gonna start by brining the pork for three days. Yep, that's right three days. Trust me on this one... it makes all the difference in the world.

I think you gonna like this one. So let's get grilling.

What you need...  

4 (8oz, center-cut/bone-in) Pork loin chops
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup orange marmalade
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 tbsp vegetable oil

The brine-

1/2 cup kosher salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp coriander seed

1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 rib of celery chopped

4 cloves of garlic

Enough water to cover the pork

What you do...

Mix all the ingredients for the brine and add to water in a large container.

Put pork in the container, seal and refrigerate for three days.

Day three- In a small bowl, mix together the orange juice and marmalade.

Set your grill to medium high (about 450)

Meantime mix orange juice and marmalade in a small pot. 

Simmer low until the sauce is reduced and slightly syrupy.

Take the pork chops out of the marinade and pat dry. 

Place on the "hot" part of your grill (about 5 minutes per side).

Transfer to the "cooler" part of the grill and baste with the Orange glaze.

Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. 

Plate your pork chops then drizzle with some of the sauce. 

Now grab your cocktail and let's eat!

The Playlist...

Santa's Going South

Not your average Christmas playlist, but hey we're just getting warmed up for Christmas.

Blame it on Sammy and Toby, they're the ones that said Santa is heading south for Christmas. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Anyway, this is a nice selection to listen to while you're busy decorating the tree and hanging those lights.

I really like Los Lonely Boys on "Feliz Navidad"... cool updated version. Also check out Jack Johnson on "Someday at Christmas", nice laid back tune to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Lot's more... just don't ask where Santa is. I think he's busy.

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

Christmas Island Sea Breeze

What you need...

2 oz vodka

1 oz grapefruit juice

1 oz tonic

2 oz soda water

12 pomegranate seeds

3 mint leaves

ice

What you do...

pour all the ingredients in a cocktail glass filled with ice

garnish with mint leaves

Feliz Navidad

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!