Recipe Details

This one-pot dinner is sure to be a hit with your family, and you'll like how simple it is to make. You can use loin or shoulder pork chops, which are then browned in a large cast-iron skillet. Then you take the chops out and add butter to sauté the onions and apples in the same pan. Add your choice of braising liquid (apple cider, beer, wine, or water), and return the chops to the pan. Then everything simmers together for just 15 minutes more, and this cozy fall dinner is ready.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in pork chops (loin or shoulder), cut ¾ inch thick

• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 large white onion, sliced

• 2 to 3 apples, cored and sliced (about 3 cups)

• 1 cup beer, white wine, cider, or chicken broth

Description

1. Trim excess fat and season chops:

   Trim the chops of excess fat. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper on both sides.

   If you don’t have a 14-inch cast-iron skillet, cook the chops in batches in a smaller skillet. Do not crowd the meat in the pan as it will steam rather than brown.

2. Sear chops:

   Heat a 14-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat, and then swirl in the olive oil. Lay in the pork chops and don't move them for a few minutes, to assure a good golden sear forms.

    

3. Turn and brown on other side:

   Turn and brown well on the second side for a total of about 10 minutes. Transfer the chops to a warm plate.

    

4. Add butter, then onion and apples and cook:

   Swirl the butter into the pan. Add the onion and apples. Saute until the onion slices are lightly caramelized and the apples have begun to soften, about 8 minutes.

    

5. Add beer:

   Stir in the beer or other liquid.

    

6. Return chops to pan:

   Return pork chops t

7. Cook until pork is tender:

   Cook until the pork is tender, about 15 more minutes (depending on the size of the chops), turning halfway through and covering the chops with the apple mixture. If the apple mixture needs a little thickening, transfer the chops to the warm plate again and simmer the mixture on high for a few minutes to reduce.