Components
¼ c
granulated sugar
¼ c
Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 2 tablespoons desk salt), plus extra to style
1 tbsp
impartial oil, equivalent to canola, avocado, or grapeseed
2
bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick (or use 4 boneless pork chops of the identical thickness)
1 lg
fennel bulb, stalks and root finish trimmed, then minimize into ¼-inch-thick slices
1 lg
Honeycrisp apple, minimize into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp
unsalted butter
2 ½ tbsp
apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp
honey
If you happen to’re searching for a sublime one-pan meal that comes collectively in beneath half an hour, look no additional than these seared pork chops with fennel and apple. Brining the meat ensures it stays tender, juicy, and flavorful, however when you’re in a rush, be at liberty to skip this step and prepare dinner the pork chops immediately—simply observe that the meat will must be sprinkled generously with salt earlier than going into the new skillet. When the meat is finished cooking, sliced fennel and chunks of apple are added to the pan and cooked with butter till tender and golden across the edges. You’ll want to cowl the meat with foil within the meantime so it doesn’t get chilly.
Instructions
- Add sugar, salt, and a pair of cups of water to a 9-inch sq. baking dish (or one other shallow medium-size dish), then stir till totally dissolved. Add the pork chops and guarantee they’re totally submerged, then cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and as much as 12.
- When able to prepare dinner, switch the pork chops to a plate and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Warmth oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. When the pan is scorching, add the pork chops and flip each 2 minutes (taking care to sear the edges as properly) till a thermometer inserted into the thickest a part of the meat registers 145°F, about 8 to 10 minutes relying on the thickness of the pork chops. As soon as cooked, take away the pork chops to a serving platter and canopy loosely with foil.
- Add the fennel, apple, and three tablespoons of water to the pan and stir sometimes for two to three minutes or till the water has evaporated. Add the butter together with a pinch of salt and proceed to prepare dinner, stirring sometimes till the apples are tender and the fennel is starting to caramelize, about 10 minutes extra.
- Take away the pan from the warmth and stir within the vinegar and honey, then pour the combination over the pork chops. Serve instantly with crusty bread or a hearty grain equivalent to pearl barley or farro.
Zola Gregory
Zola Gregory is a author and recipe developer based mostly in Seattle. Having beforehand labored as a pastry chef and baker, she now enjoys serving to others discover success in their very own kitchens by means of her tales, recipes, and baking lessons.
