I love pork and I love pork with apples - it's simple, it's elegant and it's classic. This dish is very comforting during a long cold winter. All it needs is a simple green salad and it can satisfy every hungry stomach.

recipe adapted from Chef at Home

for 2 portions

For apple stuffed pork chops

• Fresh Italian sausage, chopped - 1
• Onion, sliced - 1
• Apples, cored and chopped - 1
• Apple cider - 1/8 cup + 1/2 cup + more if needed
• Wholegrain bread, toasted and cubed - 2 slices
• Grainy mustard - 1/2 tablespoon
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Center cut pork chops, 1 and a half inch thick - 2
• Salt, pepper

- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions, cover with a lid, and cook for 5 minutes, until onion has softened.
- Add apples, 1/8 cup of apple cider and let simmer until apples have softened. Add more cider if needed to soften the apples.
- Add bread and stir until it's moistened and absorbed the liquid.
- Cut a deep pocken into the side of each pork chop and fill with stuffing. (Reserve any leftover stuffing for apples)
- Place a large skillet over high heat and add olive oil.
- When hot, season the chops with salt and pepper and then sear them for 3 minutes on each side.
- Cover the pan with a lid, turn the heat down to low and cook for 5 additional minutes.
- Remove the chops and rest on a plate.
- Reheat the pan and deglaze it with the remaining 1/2 cup (or more if desired) of apple cider, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Let it boil and reduce until thichened.
- Stir in grainy mustard and serve over pork chops.

For stuffed apples
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C)
- Slice the tops off 2 apples and scoop out much of the flesh.
- Fill with leftover stuffing.
- Place the tops back on and put into a baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until apples are softened and the filling heats through.

Comments

- I found that there's too much stuffing, so it might be reduced, or more chops and apples can be used for it. Although the stuffing by itself is delicious.
- The mustard-cider sauce is amazing and I highly recommend making more of that delicious goodness.