Seared Pork Chops and Apples with Roasted Potatoes

I was watching TV today and one of the shows was featuring meals you could make out of stuff you already had in your pantry.  It was so brutally cold outside and I didn't really feel like going out to the store, so this idea inspired me.  Digging through my freezer I found pork chops.  In the fridge there was some oranges, apples and fresh thyme.  The pantry has one sweet potato and one russet potato.  "This is going to be interesting", I thought.  Pork and apples go together.  Apples and sweet potatoes are a no-brainer.  So, here's what I came up with.

Here's what you'll need
2 TBSP olive oil, divided
1 tsp butter
1 russet potato
1 sweet potato
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
6 sprigs fresh thyme, divided
2 pork chops
1/4 c orange juice
2 apples, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450.
Cut each potato into wedges.  Place in baking dish.

Drizzle with 1 TBSP olive oil, stirring to coat well.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with thyme leaves from 3 sprigs.

Bake at 450 for 35-45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, stirring once.

While potatoes bake, heat 1 TBSP olive oil and 1 tsp butter in heavy skillet over med-high heat.

When it's really hot, add the pork chops and sear 1-2 mins.  Turn and sear the other side.  Reduce heat to med-low.

 Add the orange juice and remaining 3 sprigs of thyme.  Cook until the pork is done, 5-7 minutes.

Remove the meat from the pan, increase heat to medium and add the apples.  Cook until the apples are semi-tender, and the sauce has reduced.

Return the pork to the skillet to heat and coat with the sauce.  Serve with the potatoes.  Serves 2.

Enjoy!

Ginger-sesame Pork Ribs

Bar-b-Que pork ribs are a favorite of mine all year long.  I love the smoky flavor and the tender meat.  But sometimes I get tired of the usual BBQ sauce.  So, this week I tried glazing the ribs in an orange-ginger-sesame sauce.  They were SO delicious!

 Here's what you'll need:
3-4 lbs pork ribs
salt and pepper
1/4 c ginger balsamic vinegar*
2 TBSP sesame oil
1/2 c orange juice
1 TBSP brown sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
pinch red pepper
sesame seeds

Heat over to 325.  Place ribs in a baking dish that is just big enough to hold them.  They will shrink as they cook.  Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

In a small sauce pan, combine remaining ingredients except sesame seeds.  Whisk to combine, then bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook until thick and reduced by half, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Pour over the ribs.  Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Cover tightly with foil and bake 1 1/2-2 hours, until tender.  They are ready to eat now, but I usually heat up the grill to get the sauce caramelized on the outside.  Cook the ribs on the hot grill, basting with the sauce they baked in, until brown.

*Ginger balsamic vinegar is a white balsamic vinegar that has been infused with ginger.  It's available at the olive oil and balsamic stores that are popping up all over.  If you don't have access to flavored balsamic, simply use white balsamic and ad an extra 1/2 tsp of ginger.

Enjoy!