Thursday, October 8, 2009

Apple Porkchop Bake

This is what I served for dinner on Wednesday night. It is easy and oh so delicious. I loved it and hubby not only loved it, he requested that I set aside the leftover apples for him. He doesn't usually like leftovers so that was a pretty big thing for him. The pork chops were moist and the apples were delicious. This recipe is my own but it is roughly based on a recipe by Bisquick called Fall Pork Dinner (Cooking for 2).

Here's what I did:

2 1/2 inch thick bone in pork chops (the ugly ones that my mother-in-law calls baking pork chops)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon butter (or Smart Balance 50/50 butter blend sticks)
1 tablespoon olive oil

4 large apples use what you like
1 tablespoon butter (or Smart Balance 50/50 butter blend sticks)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
big pinch nutmeg
big pinch all spice

1. Combine flour, seasoned salt, pepper and garlic powder on a plate. Dredge pork chops in flour on both sides and shake off excess. Set aside.

2. Heat oil and 1 Tablespoon butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops to skillet and brown on both sides until crispy.

3. Place pork chops in a 9X13 inch glass baking dish. Blot off excess oil with a paper towel.

4. Peel, core and chop, slice or cube apples (whichever you prefer). Place in 9X13 inch dish on top of and around pork chops.

5. Dice the remaining Tablespoon of butter and combine with brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and all spice to form large crumbs. Sprinkle on top of apples.

6. Cover the 9X13 inch pan with foil and bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until pork chops are fully cooked and apples are soft.

Now a side note: I have been using the Smart Balance 50/50 butter blend sticks that I got for nearly free a few weeks ago exclusively since then. My husband is a butter fiend and he hasn't noticed. I have used them for toast, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, in baking and in this recipe. I highly recommend this product and will continue to buy it. Smart Balance doesn't know who I am or that I am writing this. I just like to share products that I love. :-)