Bacon-Wrapped Pork with Spicy Mango-Basil Relish

These bacon-wrapped tropical pork chops easily make dinner a special event. Serve with grilled seasonal vegetables and steamed rice.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 boneless pork chops, 1 1/2-inch thick
8 strips bacon
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 to 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Spicy Mango-Basil Relish:
1 mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Cooking Directions:

1. Wrap 2 strips of bacon around the outside edge of each pork chop, securing in several places with toothpicks.
2. Mix together the soy sauce, lime juice, cayenne pepper and garlic. Reserve half of the mixture for basting and place half in a shallow baking dish. Add pork to dish and turn to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, turning pork occasionally. (Marinate longer for more flavor.)
3. Remove pork from marinade, discard marinade, and place pork on grill over medium coals.
4. Cook for 12 to 16 minutes total, basting with reserved marinade several times, until pork is 160°F (70°C), as measured with an instant-read thermometer.
5. Serve with a large dollop of Spicy Mango-Basil Relish.
6. For Spicy Mango-Basil Relish: In a small bowl stir together chopped mango, lime juice, chopped fresh basil and cayenne pepper.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of National Pork Board.