Pumpkin apple pork chops

Everyone I know hates pork chops; most people were scarred as children by dried-out pork chops topped with cold apple sauce. These pork chops have converted one person, so I hope these will help with the pork hater in your house.

You might be able to tell from this picture that I didn't brown my chops enough. The texture was not quite right this time, but they were still tasty.

Pumpkin Apple Pork Chops

Ingredients

2 pork loin chops

1 onion, chopped

1 apple (I used Gala), chopped

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground dried mustard

hefty sprinkle of cinnamon

tiny dash of cloves cloves

1/4 c stock

1/4 c apple cider

Oil and butter

Salt and pepper

A heavy, lidded pan

Method

-Dry your pork chops between sheets of paper towel, season with salt and pepper.

-Over medium-high heat, brown the pork chops in oil; about 5 minutes each side. Do not cook through. Remove the pork, cover, and set aside.

-On medium heat, sautee the onion in melted butter, salt lightly. Cook until softened and translucent

-Add apple. Cook until fragrant.

-Add the pumpkin and spices; stir until hot.

-Add the juice and stock; stir until hot.

-Add the pork back into the pan. Top each piece of meat with the apple pumpkin topping.

-Put the lid on the pan, simmer until the pork chops are cooked through.

-When the pork is the correct temperature, remove, cover and rest the pork chops again (for about 5 minutes)

-If necessary, reduce the amount of liquid in your pan over medium heat. If the apple pumpkin mixture looks thick enough, just put the lid on until your chops are rested and ready to serve. Keep tasting the mixture until it's right - add salt, pepper to your desired amounts.

The recommended temperature for pork chops is 160. If you aren't afraid of trichinosis (read about modern pork and parasitic infections. There's little reason to fear pork), cook the pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. It will taste better and be very moist, and delicious.

My pork chops were served with a sweet potato and potato mixture, whipped with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and served with a side of green beans.