Smothered Pork Chops with Cider and Apples
Why I Love This Recipe
This is a Gluten-Free recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
2 tablespoons gluten-free flour
1 3/4 cups apple cider
canola oil
4 bone-in pork loin chops -- 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
Ground black pepper
1 medium yellow onion -- halved and and sliced thin (about 3 1/2 cups)
1 large Ginger Gold Apple -- peeled cored and cut into 1/3-inch wedges
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tablespoons water -- or chicken broth
2 medium garlic cloves -- pressed through garlic press or minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves -- minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves -- minced
3 slices bacon -- cut in 1/4" slices
Directions
Fry bacon in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and fat is rendered, 8 to 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate, leaving fat in saucepan (you should have 2 tablespoons bacon fat; if not, supplement with vegetable oil). Reduce heat to medium-low and gradually whisk flour into fat until smooth. Cook, whisking frequently, until mixture is light brown, about the color of peanut butter, about 5 minutes. Whisk in apple cider in slow, steady stream; increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil, stirring occasionally; cover and set aside off heat.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over high heat until smoking. Meanwhile, dry pork chops with paper towels and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Brown chops in single layer until deep golden on first side, about 3 minutes. Flip chops and cook until browned on second side, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer chops to large plate and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon oil, onions, apples, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and water to now-empty skillet. Using wooden spoon, scrape up browned bits on pan bottom; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and browned around edges, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Return chops to skillet in single layer, covering chops with onions and apples. Pour in warm sauce and any juices collected from pork; add bay leaves. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until pork is tender and paring knife inserted into chops meets very little resistance, about 30 minutes.
Transfer chops to warmed serving platter and tent with foil. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer sauce rapidly, stirring frequently, until thickened to gravy-like consistency, about 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, stir in parsley, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Cover chops with sauce, sprinkle with reserved bacon
