AppleCider Braised Pork Chops with Cabbage and Apple Slaw and Roasted Sweet Potato Mash

This delightful meal highlights tender breakfast pork chops braised in a delicious apple-cider sauce, paired with a refreshing slaw and sweet, creamy mashed potatoes.

Total Time

Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes (30 minutes prep, 40 minutes cook time, with parallel cooking)

Ingredients

For the Pork Chops

• 4 thin breakfast pork chops
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1.5 cups apple cider

For the Slaw

• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced (Granny Smith works wonderfully)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Sweet Potato Mash

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup milk (or cream for a richer texture)
• 2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preparation (15 minutes):

   • Season the breakfast pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
   • Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, tossing them with olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper for the mash. Set aside.
   • Shred the cabbage and slice the apple for the slaw. Prepare the dressing by whisking together apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

2. Sear the Pork Chops and Roast Sweet Potatoes (15 minutes):

   • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
   • While the pork chops are searing, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.

3. Braised Pork Chops (15 minutes):

   • Once the pork chops are browned, remove them from the skillet. In the same skillet, add sliced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until soft.
   • Pour in the apple cider to deglaze the skillet, scraping the bottom. Return the pork chops to the skillet, cover, and let them simmer for about 10-15 minutes on low heat until cooked through. Thin chops will cook much faster, so always check to make sure they are no longer pink in the center.