Kathie Oh's Recipe

Communes (Atlanta Georgia) Maple-glazed Pork chops with Apple and Pecan

Category: entrees

Ingredients
1 cup maple syrup
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
4 (1-inch-thick) pork chops
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 green apples, cut into (3/4-inch) slices
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup finely diced crystallized ginger (optional)
Preparation
Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl.

Stir together pecans and 2 tablespoons maple syrup mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring to coat pecans. Cook, stirring often, 3 minutes or until pecans are glazed. Arrange pecans in an even layer on wax paper; let cool. Coarsely chop, and set aside.

Sprinkle pork chops evenly with 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Grill chops, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350°to 400°) 8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160 degrees basting with 1/2 cup maple syrup mixture during last five minutes of cooking. (If glazed earlier, glaze will burn.) Transfer to serving platter. Cover and keep warm.

Sprinkle apple slices evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.

Grill apples, without grill lid, over medium-high heat (350 to 400 degrees) 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with 1/4 cup syrup mixture.

Spoon remaining maple syrup mixture over pork chops. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and, if desired, crystallized ginger. Serve with grilled apples.