Glazed Pork Chops with Apples is a sophisticated yet easy-to-make menu that is perfect for celebrating a cool, crisp fall evening with friends.
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Yields: 4 Servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 loin pork chops, 1-inch thick
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 sprigs fresh thyme
1 orange, halved
1 tablespoon cognac
3 crisp cooking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼ inch slices
1 teaspoon sugar
Directions
1Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 2 sprigs thyme on each pork chop, and add to the skillet. Sauté until browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
2Turn chops over, and squeeze the juice from half an orange over the pork. Reduce the heat to medium, and squeeze the remaining orange half over the pork. Cover, and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer reads 160° F, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a platter, and cover to keep warm.
3To prevent a flare up, remove skillet from heat, then heat cognac. Return the skillet to medium heat, and cook for about 1 minute. Add apples, and cook until caramelized and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with sugar. Stir well to coat apples.