Mar 202013
 

Pork Chops growing up were part of staple in my life. It would usually be pork chops, apple sauce, some kind of potato, a green, and a salad. The pork here is amazing. So now in March and it is still cold and cloudy sometimes I want what I consider, a proper meal. I find it easy to whip up and totally satisfying. Now Applesauce is hard to find here so I will usually do something with fresh apples instead of finding applesauce or making my own. I had gone to my local Sunday Farmer’s Market in Marylebone and gotten some beautiful braeburn apples so I used one of them

Pork Chops a Classic Quick Meal

Pork Chops a Classic Quick Meal

2 or 4 pork chops depending on how hungry or how many your are feeding- seasoned with salt and pepper

2 medium size yellow onions- cut into 1/8s and then sliced about 1/4 inch

1 Large Apple- Cut into 1/8s and then slices 1/4 inch slices (I kept the skin on)

3 Tablespoons of Apricot Jam

1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

2 gloves of chopped Garlic.

2 tablespoons of Butter

3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

1/2 Cup of White Wine Optional ( I had some and I thought at then end I would deglaze the pan with it. Made for easy cleaning.)

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

In a large saute pan melt the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the garlic and onions for about 3-5 minutes. Then add the apples and 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté for about 5-8 minutes until apples have softened and cooked through. Add the Jam and Cinnamon and cook for about 1 more minute.  Add the remaining oil and cook the pork chops for about 3 minutes on each side. At the end add the wine and put a lid on and  turn off  the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

As you can see I served this with simple roasted potatoes and steamed green beans, oh and my glass of wine.

Oct 302008
 

carmel-apples.jpg

Recently, I went apple picking or should I say apple hunting there were very few apples left. But it was nice to get out of the city and I was in good company. A few weeks ago, someone brought a Carmel apple into work and it was delicious. So when I had these few precious apples I wanted to do something special with them. Carmel Apples seemed like a very good idea. I think they are fun for a few reason it reminds me of childhood, even though I only made them once as a child and there are fun variations you can do with them. Add nuts, chocolate bits, Marshmallows, raisins, cookie crumbs, what ever you like, I guess.
These were fun and simple and of course I did not have Popsicle sticks readily available.

8-10 Apples
2 Cups of Heavy Cream
1 Cup of Dark Brown Sugar
1 Cup of Sugar
4 Tablespoons of Butter
½ Cup of Light Corn Syrup
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla

In a pot mix place all the ingredients except the Vanilla and Apples. With a candy thermometer bring the mixture to 255 degrees and remove from heat. Stir for about 30 seconds and then mix in vanilla.
Place a silplat onto a cookie sheet.
Now carefully dip each apple into the Carmel. (I then place them in the freezer let harden a little and then re-dipped.
Let the apples cool and ready to eat!