Apple & Onion Pork Chops

When Fall rolls around there are certain combinations that I crave and this is one of my favorites. Sauted Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples & Onions. This dish is full of savory, delicious flavors and its a great meal to warm you up when the weather gets chilly!! 

What you will need: Butter, Olive Oil, 1 Medium Onion, 1 Apple, Salt, Pepper, Sage, Bay Leaf, Flour, Thin Cut Pork Chops, Chicken Stock & Parsley or Scallions.

To start, I put a pat of butter and a little olive oil in a cast iron skillet. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, any large, oven safe skillet will do.

Place the onions in first and allow them about 5 minutes to themselves. Then bring the skinned, sliced apple to the party!!!(Any type of apple will do, remove the flesh & cut into nice thick pieces.)

Salt, Pepper & dried Sage (about 1 T)....stir the apples & onions until soft but not mushed. Remove the mixture and set aside.

Add a little more butter and oil to the pan. Give it a swirl!! 

Coat the thin cut pork in some flour that is seasoned with a little salt and pepper. I was able to find these thin cut pieces at my grocery store. If can't find any...get some thick cut ones, slice them in half & give them a little pound with the meat mallet. 

Before placing them into the skillet, make sure you shake off any extra flour. Once they are in....leave them alone!!!! Allow them to get an awesome brown crust! Once you achieve crispy crusty deliciousness, you are free to flip them onto the other side. 

Remove from the pan when they are golden and set aside with the onions. 

When all the chops are done, its time to make the pan sauce. If there is not enough liquid, add a pat or two of butter :)

Now its time to make a roux! Sprinkle in a 2-3 T. of flour. (keep in mind that the 2-3 T. is just an estimate, I eyeball it and then adjust if necessary.) Whisk, whisk, whisk!!! Make sure that you allow enough time for the flour to cook. Your looking for a deep brown color.

Add your chicken stock. I either use homemade or low sodium from the store. Again, I don't measure this out. Add some, whisk, allow it to come up to a bubble & check the thickness. You are going to want it more on the thinner side. The apples, onions & pork will suck up some of the juices and you don't want to it dry out in the oven.

Once you have reached the right consistency, add the onion mixture back in. Then nestle the pork chops into the sauce. 

Tuck a bay leaf inside & place in an oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes. 

AHHHHHH.....IT SMELLS SO GOOD IN THIS KITCHEN!!!

Top with some finely chopped parsley or scallions & serve with your choice of starch. I used mashed red skin potatoes but whole grain rice, polenta or sweet potato would be nice too. 

Open up a bottle of Hard Cider or your favorite seasonal beer and enjoy this ultimate Fall comfort dish!

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Cook with Love!