Pork, Apples, What would you make?

[Morganna]

I have lovely, thick center cut boneless pork loin chops, four of them. I have wonderful, fresh Vermont apples. I also have a fully stocked pantry and some Cabot extra sharp cheddar that needs to be used. I'd like to use all or some of this (pork and apples definitely) in dinner tonight. I wouldn't like to spend a whole lot of time in prep or cooking because I'll be tired from work.

What would you make?

[Morganna]

I was feeling a little lazy... :)

I cut up sweet potatoes into chunks and lined the bottom of my baking dish with them. Put the pork on top, then added some onions, and slices of tart apples and a bit of salt and pepper. After it had baked through and was mostly cooked, I topped it with sharp cheddar cheese. My husband didn't like the apple/onion combo, and would have preferred it without the onions, but I thought it was pretty tasty. :)

[sixelagogo]

I made a cooks illustrated recipe for pork tenderloin in apple sage cream sauce that was THE BOMB.

1/3 1/3 c.dry white wine with 2 T. sugar
3 tablespoons applejack or brandy
1/2 cup chicken stock or low-salt canned broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves
1/4 cup heavy cream
Table salt and ground black pepper

.Melt butter in pan. Add apple and onion; sauté until apple starts to brown. Add white wine, sugar and applejack or brandy, bring to boil to reducel liquid to a glaze,. Increase heat to high; add stock or broth, sage and boil until liquid reaches consistency of maple syrup. Finish with cream; boil until reduced by half.

[LoN]

I mix up sliced apples with brown sugar, cinammon, a tablespoon of flour and a handful of dried cranberries (many times I'll use frozen if I have them)...spread around the pork and bake covered....then uncover for a bit to brown. It's pretty simple, but tasty and colourful!

[Ldychef2k]

Hmm. Well, I like to paint my double cut chops with dijon mustard, then press into that mustard a combo of fresh breadcrumbs, fresh sage, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh parmesean which I grate fine with the Microplane. Quickly brown on both sides in an oven proof pan, then pop in the oven as you please. I actually prefer a lower temperature and a longer time, but that's just personal taste.

With the apples, I might make a salad with sweet onions and fennel and dress it with a lemon based dressing.

Not sure how I would use the cheese. Would probably save it for another night when I had more time.

[Morganna]

Ooohh great suggestions! I might go with the stuffing one, I haven't stuffed pork chops in a long long time :)

[JungMann]

Make a pocket in the middle of the pork chops. Dice apples and saute in butter. Toss with crumbled cornbread, diced jalapenos, cheese, paprika, thyme. Fill pork chops with this stuffing. Season meat. Brown. Finish in a covered dish with some water and vinegar in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

[danna]

Possibly simpler than you want, but my Mom used to pan fry pork chops, then finish them in the oven while sauteing sliced apples in the same pan w/ the pork drippings. You could add a little butter and maple syrup if you were so inclined. Mom just served the pork chops w/ the apples, but you could also deglaze w/ some wine or apple cider after the apples are cooked and make a little pan sauce.

[chowser]

This is so good. I love the salty sweetness of it. At the end, I add a little butter to the sauce.

[Ruth Lafler]

Yeah, I often do something similar -- very easy to just improvise. Another possibility would be to thinly slice the apples put them in a roasting pan with a little liquid (white wine or apple cider) and then roast the chops on the bed of apples. Thyme (fresh if you have it) is really good for pork and apples if you want a more savory touch.

[weezycom]

Add a bit of horseradish to this and it takes it to a completely different level (but I'd leave out the maple syrup in that case).

[danna]

I dunno... Have you ever made Bobby Flay's very simple maple-horseradish glazed grilled pork chops? I think it's a great combo.

[crosby_p]

Last night the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) had a Halloween dinner...she had a pork rack which she rubbed with a rub of rosemary, garlic, oil, and something else...she also made an easy baked applesauce. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_...