pork chops & sauteed apples

I live for summer. In m opinion, it’s the best time of year, usually the least stressful of seasons – full of beach days, picnics, hiking, BBQs, camping, gardening, etc. Pretty much, all the things I consider fun. The fall is a bit more stressful, as we go into a holiday season. However, based on facebook status updates, I know that many people actually love this time of year.  This year, instead of immediately getting the winter blues as soon as the weather drops below 60, I decided to embrace some of the things people love about fall. I kicked it off with the below recipe. I will admit, there was something really cozy about filling the house with the smell of apples and cinnamon, on a crisp, but clear fall day. Btw, this was a couple of weeks ago because right now, it’s been warmer all week than it was all summer.

Pork Brine

Ingredients
4 bone-in pork chops
*16 ounces apple cider
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 bay leaf
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1/2-1 teaspoon red chili flakes

*I actually couldn’t find apple cider at the store I went to, so I used this instead & it worked pretty well. The honey in it gave the pork a nice flavor.

1. If you’re using apple cider, use 12 ounces and add 4 ounces of water.
2. If using the above apple cider vinegar drink, don’t need to add water, it’s already diluted.
3. Add salt, bay leaves, garlic, and chili flakes to your liquid of choice and mix well. Pour over pork chops, cover bowl, and chill, for at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. I did 24 hours, and the pork turned out really tender.

Cooking Pork

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Remove pork chops from the brine and blot dry.
2. Melt 2 tbsp. butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add pork chops and cook until browned on both sides.
4. Lay chops in a single layer in a baking pan and bake until barely pink in the center. Mine took 15 to 20 minutes.

Sauteed Apples

3 to 4 apples, tarter varieties would be better
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 1. Cut the apples into thin slices, remove core and seeds.
  2. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat, when pan is warm add coconut oil.
  3. As soon as the oil is melted, add the apples, and toss to coat evenly with oil
  4. Sprinkle with cinnamon and add vanilla, and toss again.
  5. Saute until apples are soft and lightly browned.
  6. Serve over pork.