Dear Customers,
The thing about legends is that they’re usually at least a little bit based in fact, though often embellished to make them more interesting. In grade school, we listened to the Legend of Johnny Appleseed who traveled throughout the Midwest, particularly Pennsylvania & Ohio and is attributed with planting numerous apple orchards.
His real name was John Chapman, from Massachusetts and he actually was an orchardist and nurseryman. To this day, whenever I see a random apple tree in a field I wonder if it might have been put there by Johnny! More likely the seed was “deposited” there by an animal or bird.
October, in addition to being National Apple Month, is also designated as National Pork Month! It’s easy to see why October was chosen for apples, but October was usually the month when hogs were brought to market, hence its connection to the 10th month.
Finding a recipe that incorporates both apples and pork wasn’t hard at all. Apparently, many people find them a perfect compliment to each other. I’ve been dipping my pork chops in applesauce since I was a kid! Dee-lish-us!
CARAMEL APPLE PORK CHOPS
| 4 – ¾” THICK PORK CHOPS | 1 TEASPOON VEGETABLE OIL |
| 2 TBS BROWN SUGAR | 1/8 TSP GROUND CINNAMON |
| 1/8 TSP GROUND NUTMEG | SALT TO TASTE |
| PEPPER TO TASTE | 2 TBS UNSALTED BUTTER |
| 2 MED. TART APPLES, PEELED & SLICED | 3 TBS PECANS (OPTIONAL) |
- Place a medium baking dish into the oven and preheat to 175° F
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place into the hot pan. Cook until no longer pink in the center, 5 to 6 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F Transfer to the baking dish in the preheated oven to keep warm.
- Stir brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in apples and brown sugar mixture. Cover and cook until apples are just tender, about 5 minutes. Leaving the sauce in the skillet, remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange over pork chops; keep warm in the oven.
- Continue to cook sauce, uncovered, until thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove pork chops from the oven. Spoon sauce over top and sprinkle with pecans.