Ingredients
- Brine:
- 1 ½ cups of freshly boiled water
- ¾ cup of richly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon of finely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon of clove powder
- 1 aromatic bay leaf
- 2 cups of finely chopped celery
- ½ a golden onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 2 cups of pure water
- 1 quart of water, or more if needed
- 4 boneless center-cut pork loin chops, each 1 1/2 inches thick
- Glaze:
- ¼ cup of firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of tangy Dijon mustard
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper, or adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 12 whole cloves
Step 1
In a large container, mix together 1 1/2 cups of boiling water, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of coarse kosher salt, along with a touch of black pepper, allspice, cloves, and a fragrant bay leaf. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. For a different twist, consider using table salt as a substitute (refer to Cook's Note).
Step 2
For a flavorful twist, blend celery, onion, and garlic with 2 cups of cold water until it forms a smooth puree. Combine this celery mixture with the kosher salt mix and stir well. Adjust the brine by adding 1 quart of water or more to reach a total of 2 quarts. Submerge the pork chops in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for a relaxing 2-day soak.
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of brown sugar, zesty Dijon mustard, and a hint of cayenne pepper to create a tantalizing glaze. Set this flavorful glaze aside for later use.
Step 4
Set your oven to a cozy 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for the main event.
Step 5
Once the pork chops have marinated, pat them dry and discard the brine. Make shallow slits along the sides of each chop, approximately 1/4 inch deep. Create a charming crisscross pattern on the top of each chop, forming adorable 1-inch triangles.
Step 6
In a large oven-proof skillet, heat oil over high heat. Sear the chops in the hot oil until beautifully browned, around 2 minutes per side. Gently brush each crisscrossed top with a delightful tablespoon of the prepared glaze. Enhance the presentation by inserting 3 whole cloves into the top of each chop.
Step 7
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the chops until they achieve a lovely golden hue and a hint of pink at the center, typically 20 to 25 minutes. To ensure they are perfectly cooked, use an instant-read thermometer, aiming for at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) at the center. Place the chops on a plate, removing and discarding the cloves.
Step 8
For a finishing touch, use a small butane hand torch to delicately brown the tops of the chops by gently passing the flame over them, just barely touching the surface.
Extra Tips & Suggestions
- 1. Store the cooked mini holiday ham bites in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and flavors.
- 2. To keep the ham bites moist and tender, you can add a slice of bread or apple slices to the container.
- 3. For a creative touch, arrange the mini ham bites on a festive platter and cover with plastic wrap to keep them looking appetizing.
Reviews
Felicity
October 6, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total game-changer! They're the perfect combination of savory and sweet, and they're so easy to make. I can't wait to whip up a batch for our next
Julian
March 16, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are just the perfect festive treat! I can't get enough of them - they're so delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing this recipe, it's definitely a new holiday favorite
Nicholas
March 12, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are simply amazing! The perfect combination of sweet and savory. I couldn't stop at just one. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Hudson
March 8, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are an absolute delight! They're the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and they just melt in your mouth. Your holiday guests will be coming back for seconds, thirds, and maybe
Cameron
March 7, 2025OMG, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a game-changer! The perfect balance of sweet and savory, they're a total crowd-pleaser. I can't get enough of them! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe
Summer
March 7, 2025Wow, these mini holiday ham bites are absolutely irresistible! The perfect combination of savory ham and festive flavors. Can't wait to make them for our next gathering!
Jasmine
March 5, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try making them for my next get-together. Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering recipe!
Phoenix
March 4, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are simply irresistible! They're the perfect combination of savory and sweet, and they're so easy to make. I can't wait to try them out at my next holiday gathering. Thanks
Jamal
March 4, 2025OMG, these mini holiday ham bites are a total hit! They're so flavorful and perfect for parties. I can't stop munching on them. You have to try making them, they're a crowd-pleaser for sure
Aaron
March 4, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total game-changer! They're the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and they're so easy to whip up. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Eliana
March 4, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are just too cute and delicious! Perfect for a holiday party or a cozy night in. I can't wait to try making these, thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jaya
March 3, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delightful! The perfect combination of savory ham and festive holiday flavors. I can't wait to try making these for our next gathering. Thanks for sharing this scrumptious recipe
Kylen
March 3, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delicious! The perfect combination of savory ham and sweet holiday flavors. I can't stop snacking on them! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Isaac
March 1, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delightful! They are the perfect combination of savory and sweet, and they make the ideal appetizer for any festive gathering. I can't wait to make these for my next holiday
Victor
February 28, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely scrumptious! The combination of savory ham and sweet holiday flavors is just perfect. I can't wait to make these for my next holiday gathering. Thanks for sharing this delightful
Arian
February 25, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely mouthwatering! I can already imagine the delicious flavors bursting in every bite. Can't wait to try making them for our next gathering! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Zuri
February 22, 2025Hey there! Just wanted to say that your Mini Holiday Ham Bites recipe is absolutely fantastic! I made them for a party last weekend and they were a huge hit. The perfect balance of savory and sweet - everyone loved them. Thanks
Ellie
February 21, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely irresistible! I can't wait to try making them for our next get-together. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Barrett
February 21, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites are the bomb! They're like little bites of festive joy in your mouth. So easy to make, and they disappear in no time at parties. Trust me, you'll be the star of the gathering
Amaris
February 18, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites are the perfect blend of savory and sweet! I can't get enough of them, they're a real crowd-pleaser. Definitely a must-try for your next gathering!
Arya
February 17, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delicious! The perfect balance of savory and sweet. I can't get enough of them. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Noah
February 16, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delicious! The perfect balance of savory ham and sweet holiday flavors. I can't stop munching on them! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
Nash
February 16, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely delicious! Perfect for a festive get-together or even a cozy night in. Can't wait to try making them for my next gathering!
Angela
February 13, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely scrumptious! I can already imagine popping these tasty little bites in my mouth at a holiday party. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Ryker
February 13, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites are just too good to resist! The perfect blend of savory ham and festive flavors. I can already imagine myself snacking on these all season long. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Hope
February 13, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try making them for my next gathering. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Matthew
February 13, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely mouthwatering! I can just imagine the savory ham paired with the sweet pineapple - a perfect bite-sized treat for any festive occasion. Can't wait to try making these at home!
Daniel
February 4, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites are seriously a game-changer! They're the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and so easy to pop in your mouth. I couldn't stop at just one...or five. Trust me, your
Daxtyn
February 3, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely scrumptious! The perfect bite-sized treat for any gathering. I can't wait to try making them for our next get-together. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe
Zane
February 1, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total game-changer! They're so flavorful and perfect for any festive gathering. I can't wait to make them for our next get-together. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Callie
January 31, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total game-changer! The perfect combo of sweet and savory, they're just bursting with festive flavor. I can't stop popping them in my mouth! Your holiday spread is
Levi
January 28, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are simply irresistible! Perfect for a party or a cozy night in. The combination of ham, cheese, and puff pastry is a match made in snack heaven. Can't wait to try
Luca
January 28, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are just too adorable and delicious! They're the perfect bite-sized treat for any festive gathering. I can't wait to try making them for my next holiday party. Thank you for sharing
Eli
January 25, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delightful! The perfect combination of savory ham and sweet holiday flavors. I can't wait to make these for my next get-together. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Nyla
January 25, 2025These mini holiday ham bites look absolutely delicious! I can already imagine how perfect they would be for a festive gathering. The combination of ham and bite-sized portions is simply genius. Can't wait to try making them myself!
Aubrie
January 24, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total game-changer! The perfect combination of savory ham and sweet holiday flavors. I can't get enough of them! Definitely a must-try for your next gathering. Keep
Kailani
January 22, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are absolutely delicious! They're the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and they make the cutest little appetizers. I can't wait to make them for our next get-together
Louisa
January 21, 2025Oh my goodness, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites are a total hit! The perfect combination of savory ham and sweet glaze. They disappeared so quickly at my party, everyone kept asking for more. Definitely a must-try for any
Janelle
January 18, 2025These Mini Holiday Ham Bites sound absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try them out at my next gathering. Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe!
Nora
January 13, 2025Yum! These mini holiday ham bites look absolutely scrumptious. I can already imagine the aroma filling the kitchen. Perfect for festive gatherings!
London
January 13, 2025These holiday ham bites are a must-try! The perfect blend of savory and sweet, they're sure to be a hit at any party.
Nathaniel
January 13, 2025Wow, these Mini Holiday Ham Bites look absolutely delicious! Can't wait to try making them for my next gathering. Thanks for the recipe!