Apple-Plum Pork Chops with Herbs

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This blog first appeared in A Life Delicious.

Ok, here is a fun apple recipe coming your way. Even though apple season is typically as early as July – through late November. Peak season is September and October. However, due to a global marketplace there are fresh apples available year round.

So it’s safe to say, you can enjoy this recipe during the height of the fall season, or for a fun date night dinner during another part of the year. You could even try these Apple-Plum Pork Chops with Herbs out on your picky kids. You just might be surprised!

And if you’ve never prepared pork chops at home before, have no fear, my recipe is easy to follow and calls for simple ingredients.

Ingredient Notes For These Apple-Plum Pork Chops:

  • Prep Time – This includes preparing the pork chops, fruit/herbs and searing the chops on the stovetop.
  • Pork Chops – I like to rub the chops with about 4 or 5 sage leaves and 2 thyme sprigs, because it really locks in the flavors.
  • Apples – I use 1 1/2 of two large apples. If you use small apples, using both are perfect.
  • Sage & Thyme – I add a good 3-5 julienned leaves of sage and a couple sprigs of thyme to the apple-plum sauce while it cooks on the stovetop. Why? Because, you want to continue to layer the flavors.
  • Skillet – If you don’t have a cast iron skillet that is fine. Any heavy skillet will do the trick.

These Apple-Plum Pork Chops with sage and lemon thyme come together in under 30 minutes. This dish is elegant and delicious and everyone will love it.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 8 oz each Thick Chops, Pork Loin Boneless Center Cut Chops Thick
  • 1–2 Honeycrisp Apples, medium sliced
  • 2 Plums, medium sliced
  • Fresh Sage
  • Fresh Lemon Thyme
  • 4 tbsp Miyoko’s Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Unsalted Butter (divided)
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg, just a sprinkle
  • 3 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
  • Himalayan Pink Salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with extra virgin olive oil nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Pork: Rub both sides of the pork chops with large, torn pieces of fresh sage and a thyme sprig; season liberally with pepper and salt.
  3. Sear: In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add the chops and sear for 2-3 minutes, per side, until nicely golden brown. (Make sure the pan is hot!)
  4. Roast: Place the chops on a baking sheet and roast until the pork is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 140 degrees F; about 12-15 minutes.
  5. Fruit: Return the skillet to medium-high heat and melt the remaining 2 tbsp butter. Add the apples, plums, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more sage and thyme. Cook, stirring often, until apples and plums begin to soften; about 3 minutes.
  6. Stir: Add in the maple syrup, stirring often, until the sauce thickens; about 5 minutes.
  7. Put it together: Drizzle the apple-plum sauce over the pork chops and serve immediately. Garnish with a bit more thyme if desired.

Apple-Plum Pork Chops with Herbs

And, for more elegant dinner options, please give these a try: