Big, juicy pork chops packed with fall flavors
Here, big, juicy pork chops are stuffed and sauced with a flurry of fall flavors — and it’s all cooked in a single pan. They are filled with a savory-sweet mixture of sautéed apple, onion and kale, done just enough so the apple becomes tender, the onion mellows and the kale wilts a bit.
The sauce is made in the same pan by simmering a fruity riesling wine and flour-thickened broth, then spiking that with Dijon mustard and a sprinkle of paprika. Viewed together — the amber-colored sauce, the golden-brown chops, the bursts of red apple and green kale from the stuffing — the colors on the plate celebrate the season and its wonderful flavors.
APPLE- AND KALE-STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH RIESLING MUSTARD SAUCE
4 servings ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 small red apple (unpeeled), cored and cut into ½-inch pieces 1 large clove garlic, minced 3 cups lightly packed fresh baby kale leaves, stemmed and coarsely chopped ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Four ¾-inch-thick center-cut, bone-in pork loin chops (about 8 ounces each) 2 teaspoons flour 1 teaspoon sweet paprika ¾ cup riesling 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Preparation: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the apple and cook about 4 minutes, stirring, until tender.
Add the garlic and kale; continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the kale is just wilted. Season with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper, then transfer to a bowl.
Cut each pork chop horizontally to the bone, making a pocket for the stuffing. Stuff the apple-kale mixture into the pockets in the pork chops. Season the outside of the chops with the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over mediumhigh heat in the same skillet you used for the apple-kale mixture. Put two pork chops in the pan, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until browned. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Repeat with another tablespoon of the oil and the remaining pork chops, transferring to the plate and covering them.
Carefully wipe out the skillet with a paper towel. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat, then stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux that is a shade darker. Stir in the paprika, then add the wine, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil. Allow the wine to reduce by about half, then whisk in the mustard and the broth, return to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and thickened.
Divide the chops among individual plates. Pour the sauce over each portion and serve.