Pork With Apple and Sage

KitchenManiac's Note:

Top a seared pork chop with a baked apple, and you have instant HEALTHY applesauce on the plate. Looks great too. My family enjoyed this meal. from Simple Food by Jill Dupleix.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1/2 onion, peeled finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 13 sage leaves
• 4 crisp tart apples (eg. granny smith)
• 250 ml dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 thick pork loin chops
• sea salt (to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mash 1 tablespoon butter with the chopped onion, sugar and 4 sage leaves.
3. Core apples from the bottom, leaving the stalk intact at the top.
4. Stand the apples in a small baking tin, add the white wine, then pour enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the apples.
5. Bake for 45 minutes, or till soft and squishy.
6. Heat olive oil and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy-based frying pan, with 5 sage leaves.
7. Add the pork chops and cook over moderate heat for around 8-10 minutes.
8. Season well with sea salt and pepper.
9. Turn the chops and cook for another 5 minutes, or till tender.
10. Place the pork chops on warmed plates, top with the baked apples, and tuck in with the remaining sage leaves.