Maple-Brined Pork Chop with Pan Sauce

and Brussels sprouts / bulgur

Brining pork chops in maple syrup and salt infuses them with a balance of sweet and salty flavors and tenderizes the meat before cooking.
Smarts: This is the first time we've tried brining in a meal plan, but it can be a great tool. An hour of brining should be about right for most pork chops, but feel free to adjust the time if using very thin or thick chops. It's important to rinse the pork chops well after brining to remove any excess salt before cooking, so don't skip that step. If you're short on time, just skip the brine and season the pork with some salt and pepper.