Chocolate Spiced Pork Chops

When I saw these pork chops on Paula’s Best Dishes; she was doing a chocolate episode so I was already interested since I’m a huge chocoholic but when she said she was making chocolate spiced pork chops I was glued to the t.v. because it sounded very interesting.  After I saw her make these I knew I had to try them, there isn’t a lot of chocolate in the recipe so don’t be worried about them being over chocolatey, but there is just enough to add a different depth of flavor.  The rub itself was incredible, it had all the different flavor elements; sweet, salty and spicy and they blended together perfectly and created a wonderful flavor.  The rub would be great not only on pork, but we inted to try it on some red meat as well as chicken.  This has quickly become one of our favorite recipes; it’s easy and the ingredients are ones that most people usually have on hand at all times.  

Everyone was very intrigued by the recipe when I first told them about it, mainly because of the chocolate.  Spencer was very skeptical, and at first he wanted me to omit the chocolate from the rub but when I started mixing it up he had a change of heart and decided it would venture out of his comfort zone and give it a try.  He was very pleasantly surprised with the end result, and he couldn’t get enough.  My parents were over at our house the night I made these and my dad tried a little bite of mine because his curiosity got the best of him since there was chocolate in it and he loved them.  A few days later they asked if we could eat together and asked if I would make the pork chops again, and I gladly did so!  Needless to say these are definitely a crowd pleaser and they are also wonderful for week night meals since there isn’t a lot of prep time.

Chocolate Spiced Pork Chops

    

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 Teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons unsweetend cocoa powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons garlic powder
1 Teaspoon paprika
1/2 Teaspoon ground red pepper flakes
1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon fresh, ground black pepper
4 (1 1/2 inch thick) bone-in pork chops
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil