Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. coarse kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. black peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf (dried)
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 4 bone-in pork chops (natural, cut ¾ inch thick, 8-ounce each)
• vegetable oil
• 3 peaches (ripe, firm, halved and pitted)
• arugula and peach salad (for serving, see recipe, below)

Instructions

1. In a 2-quart saucepan combine water, maple syrup, salt, peppercorns and bay leaf. Heat and stir just until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in ice. If necessary, cool brine to 45°F.
2. Place pork chops in a large resealable bag. Pour brine over pork; close bag. Place bag with chops in a large baking dish or on a rimmed baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat for direct grilling. Remove pork chops from brine; pat dry with paper towels. Discard brine.
4. Brush grill grate with vegetable oil. Place pork chops on center of grate; place peach halves, cut sides down, on outer edge of grill. Grill, covered, for 8 to 12 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F and peaches have grill marks, turning chops over halfway through grilling.
5. Transfer pork chops to a platter. Loosely cover with foil; let rest for 3 minutes. Cut peaches into wedges; serve with pork or, if desired, use peaches in salad.
6. Arugula-and-Peach Salad: In a large bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves. Whisk in ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil. Add 6 cups loosely packed baby arugula and the grilled peach wedges. Gently toss until evenly coated. Serve with the grilled pork chops.