FOOD + DRINK
AN APPLE A DAY
APPLES COME INTO THEIR OWN THIS SEASON ; SO WHETHER YOUR PERFECT PAIRING IS PORK , CHEESE , CINNAMON , TOFFEE , CUSTARD , OR PEANUT BUTTER , DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO HAVE YOUR DAILY DOSE .
One Pot Pork Chops with Apple and Cider Recipe by insideKENT ’ s editor Samantha Ready
I love a recipe that utilises as much local Kentish produce as possible ! For this dish I used pork from Macknade , Kentish apples from Foodari , potatoes and onions from Perry Court Farm , garlic and herbs from Watts Farm , and of course some local cider - this time courtesy of our neighbours , Curious Brewery .
Prep time : 10 minutes Brine time : 2 - 24 hours Cook time : 20 - 30 minutes Serves : 4
Ingredients :
• 4 good-size , bone-in , pork chops ( whichever size will fit in your pan !)
• Maldon salt
• 330ml of cider - I used Curious Apple or you can use apple juice !
• 100ml cider ( optional )
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 300ml chicken stock
• 1-2 teaspoons Dijon or wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Black pepper
• 1 small red onion - thinly sliced
• 2 - 3 medium apples - thinly sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh sage - chopped
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary - chopped
• 1 / 2 tsp fresh thyme ( can use dried ) - chopped
Method :
First you need to brine your pork chops - add 330ml ( 1 bottle ) of Kentish cider to a dish / tupperware 2- 3 tsp of salt and 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar - and leave covered in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours but overnight is ideal .
To make the dish :
1 . Once brined , season both sides of the chops with black pepper . Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a heavy bottom cast iron or similar pan and heat over a medium-high heat . Add the pork chops , leaving space between each one , and sear for approximately 3-5 minutes each side ( depending on the thickness of your chops ) until they are nearly cooked through , then remove from the pan onto a plate .
2 . In a jug mix together your chicken stock and 1 tsp of mustard - you can replace 100ml of stock with 100ml of cider at this stage depending on your tastes - and leave to one side .
3 . Add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the pan , add your sliced onions and smashed cloves of garlic , stirring for 1-2 minutes , then add your sliced apples and cook for 4-5 minutes . Season with pepper , sage , rosemary , thyme , and salt if needed , and stir .
4 . Add your stock . Use a wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan before placing your pork chops back into the pan in between the apples . Add another tsp of mustard if you prefer a deeper flavour .
5 . Cook for a further 3-4 minutes until the pork chops are cooked through and the cooking liquid has reduced by half .
6 . Serve with steamed green cabbage and either crispy roasted potato wedges or creamy smooth mash depending on your preference , and enjoy !
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