Pork Chops with Roasted Apples and Onions

Photo: Johnny Autry, Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr, Lindsey Lower

Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 chop, about 1 tablespoon sauce, and 3/4 cup apple mixture)
Recipe from Cooking Light

Ingredients

2 1/2 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1 1/2 cups frozen pearl onions, thawed

2 cups Gala apple wedges
1 tablespoon butter, divided 

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

4 (6-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork loin chops (about 1/2 inch thick)

1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth 
1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Pat onions dry with a paper towel. Add onions to pan; cook 2 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring once. Add apple to pan; place in oven. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until onions and apple are tender. Stir in 2 teaspoons butter, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add pork to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove pork from pan; keep warm. Combine broth and flour in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add broth mixture to pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook 1 minute or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Stir in vinegar and remaining 1 teaspoon butter. Serve sauce with pork and apple mixture.