The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

BBQ Smoked Pork Chops

Blaise Doubman

During the start of the pandemic in 2020, I would visit Cutshaw’s in Cambridge City to stock up on my groceries. I would refuse to visit the bigger places, out of sheer fear of contacting the virus if nothing else, plus I always found Cutshaw’s fully stocked full of everything I needed. During my visits there I discovered white chocolate peanut butter fudge, yes, I duplicated the recipe, and it is delicious and can be found on my website, but perhaps the most interesting find was these super thick smoked pork chops that they were known for in the area. This recipe originated with those very pork chops. The pork chops themselves have a delicious smoky flavor and really do not need much flavor addition, but the BBQ sauce here really puts them over the top. This recipe, like many of my other recipes, can very easily be tailored to tastes.

More times than not, I will follow this recipe exactly, without the addition of anything. However, I have been known to sprinkle over a little brown sugar, cracked black pepper and a can of crushed pinapple. Sometimes, not often because I am the only one who enjoys this particular taste and flavor, I will throw in a few pieces of clove. I think I love clove so much because I associate the smell and flavor with both of my Grandma’s. My Grandma Deloris because she would always use clove her in ham and pork chop recipes and my Grandma Barbra because of how much she loved clove hard candy and clove flavored chewing gum. I have found, over the years, that the addition of clove really adds to the overall flavor experience of anything and everything pork. But, if you do not enjoy it, simply do not add it to your recipe.

BBQ Smoked Pork Chops

These are best eaten the day they are made but leftovers can be kept chilled for up to 2 days.

6 smoked pork chops

1 bottle BBQ sauce

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.

Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Place smoked pork chops into the pan, evenly.

Bake, in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven. Pour over BBQ sauce and spread evenly across tops of pork chops.

Place back into the oven and bake 20 minutes.

Remove and serve hot.

Ask and Answer: Do you have a favorite cookie recipe that you would like to share with me? I’m thinking about starting some type of “great cookie search” that would run, right here in my column! I would love to hear your favorites, family recipes, newly created recipes and recipes that have been passed down for generations. Visit my website and leave me a message!