October 6, 2015

One-pot cider pork chops

The weather here (in New Jersey) has taken a decided turn.  We've pulled the comforter out and I've got my fuzzy slippers on standby.  I've been nesting a little bit, finding a lot of comfort in cooking and baking up old-favorites, recipes I've discovered thanks to this little blog.
This past Sunday, happy that the rain and stormy weather had stopped (luckily, it hadn't been too bad for us to begin with), I thought I'd try something new.  I pulled out a recipe I'd saved from a magazine for a very easy one pot meal for dinner.  Who can resist a one-pot meal?  

And I'd saved it for now because it calls for apple cider.  Since apple and apple-picking season is in full swing here, it's good timing because it isn't hard to get your hands on some apple cider right now.  My husband loves cider so I had him in mind, while my little one loves pork chops/meat.  However, I failed to remember how much the little guy does not like apple cider so he wasn't a fan of the potatoes, which had absorbed much of that sweetness from the cider.  All in all, it was still a nice change worth trying.  Just make sure you and your family like apple cider!
This meal takes little effort - not much beyond gathering the groceries for it. Everything - layers of thinly sliced potatoes and onions, 2 cups of apple cider, then the pork chops - literally gets placed in the pan with some herbs on top.  It bakes in a 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes.  Check on the pork chops and remove them by the time they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  By that time, the vegetables should be tender.  Then, just slice, plate, and serve.

Admittedly, the dish does come out rather anemic-looking but I think it's a fair trade since you don't have to turn on the stovetop to brown anything.  It's not exactly a rich dish but it made a hearty, satisfying dinner with very little hands-on work.  I've been craving my husband's grilled pork chops that we enjoyed so much during the summer and while this may not be those smoky pork chops seared on the grill, it still hit the spot on a chilly Fall night.

Everything for this one-pot meal, besides the salt and pepper for seasoning, is shown below.  I didn't have rosemary and substituted with a few sprigs of thyme instead. There's still some left in my little herb box (which is just barely hanging on to life at this point).  The parsley actually came from my gardening-neighbor.  Somehow she manages to grow everything from tomatoes to garlic, zucchini, and herbs right across the street!
Back to the pot, slice a large onion (or two smaller ones) thinly.  Peel and slice about 1 1/2 pounds of potatoes thinly.  Place half the onions in a single layer in the pot, followed by half the potato slices on top of that.  Season with salt and pepper, then repeat, seasoning again.  Next, pour in 2 cups of apple cider.  That's a generous amount of cider and it goes a long way to helping cook down and soften the vegetables.  I found that I probably could have cut down the liquid by about 1/4 cup if I wanted to.
For the pork chops, I trim away the excess fat and then season them generously with salt and pepper.  Then place them on top of the veggies.  Sprinkle chopped parsley and the thyme sprigs on top.  Then it simply goes into the oven, uncovered, for about 45 minutes.
Hands-off cooking is luxury sometimes.  I checked on the dish starting about 10 minutes beforehand so as not to overcook the pork chops.  The latest guidelines for cooking pork chops is for an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  Let the pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes or so before slicing and serving.  By the time the pork chop is done, the potatoes should be tender since they're sliced so thinly.
So this was our latest Sunday night dinner.  I'm looking forward to the next one, and to trying new recipes every so often!


Recipe:

One-Pot Cider Pork Chops

- Serves 4 - 

1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 pounds russet or yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups apple cider
2 thick (1-inch) bone-in pork chops, about 1 1/2 lbs. in total (trimmed of excess fat)
1/3 cup parsley (plus more for serving, if desired), chopped
3-4 sprigs of thyme (or rosemary, as per original recipe)
Salt and pepper, for seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a 5-quart Dutch oven, place half the onions in a single layer.  Top with half the potatoes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Repeat with another layer of onions, then potatoes; season.  Pour in apple cider.  Season pork chops generously with salt and pepper.  Place on top of the vegetables.  Top with parsley and thyme.

Place in the oven and bake, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes. Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  Let pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving with the vegetables and an additional sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.  







34 comments:

  1. Same here, Monica! The weather has taken a decided turn in Helsinki — so freezing cold. This one pot cider pork chops look divine. Sounds and looks perfect for this cold weather.

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    1. Wow, from New Jersey to Helsinki! How fabulous is that! : ) It is really chilly...I will need to up my dinner game because it's that time again when we're constantly hungry!

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  2. Love a 1 pot meal and this looks wonderful. The pork looks so tender - what a great weekend meal. Glad the weather got-out-of-town - now let's do gorgeous fall colors! Have a wonderful week :)

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    1. It's fun to try something different, especially something simple! : ) So relieved about the storm and glad you're well too. The sun is out and I'm loving this chilly week.

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  3. Love one pot meal and your pork chops look very succulent and delicious. I wonder if I use tenderloin, will it be still looking this tender..

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    1. Thank you - I'm sure it would work...just need to watch the meat carefully not to over cook it. Could always take it out first and let the veggies finish.

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  4. This really is the perfect fall meal!! Pork chops and apple cider make me feel all cozy :)

    Sues

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    1. That's the idea I had in mind when I saved the recipe. Thank you.

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  5. Hi Monica. I just discovered your blog through Anu's blog and I love your recipes. I had a quick look through your categories and already pinned quite a few recipes. :)

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    1. How nice of you to stop by, Adina. Welcome! : ) I appreciate your kind words.

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  6. Ha! I just took out my slippers too! I love pork chops but rarely make them at home ... I need to change that! I love that this uses apple cider!

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    1. Gotta have my "winter" slippers which comes out whenever the temps dip near 50 degrees! I've gotten used to it. : )

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  7. One-pot meals are the best, and I don't know why but when I think of them I think of autumn. Great recipe and flavours!

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    1. So true...it makes me think of turning the oven on for long braises and the house smells wonderful.

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  8. It's been cold here too and we've definitely been craving for more hearty and comforting meals like this. Love this one pot meal, Monica! The pork chops looks so juicy and flavorful and I can just imagine how much flavor the apple cider adds!

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    1. Isn't it crazy how our cravings turn decidedly when the season changes! : )

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  9. One pot suppers really are the best, especially during the fall and winter months! This post made me realize I've never cooked with apple cider. I'll have to change that this apple season! :)

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    1. So true...I find myself home more and wanting to turn on the oven and have something cooking away! I've never cooked with apple cider either but if you find yourself with some extra, it's good to know some ways to use it up... : )

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  10. What a delicious pot of comfort! LOL fuzzy slippers are on standby, our outdoor pools are still open in HK.

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    1. haha - I can't imagine the pool right now. I just hope to hang on to the sunshine for a bit longer. It will soon be dark by 4pm!

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  11. I am so done with the cold weather Monica, but your beautiful pork chops make me think of winter comfort and cosy nights. It looks like a pot of flavours. Love the fresh herbs on top!

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    1. Ahh....you are enjoying Spring...but you know what I mean about the seasons and trying to make the most of each. : ) Once we get into the swing of winter - the snow, the storms - I will be pleading and yearning for spring!

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  12. This looks so good, Monica! One pot meals are my favorite kind! I love how wholesome this is! <3

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    1. It's so convenient, isn't it. Thanks, Samina.

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  13. I have a hot pot coming up that is similar to this, I like to do them in my slow cooker, it makes it so easy!

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    1. I am ready to take out my slow cooker, Sue! I've got all kinds of meaty dishes I want to cook up right now. : )

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  14. Love one pot meals Monica, I bet your home smelled incredible.

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    1. It did smell nice...and was really easy and worth a try. Thanks, Cheri.

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  15. This looks so easy to put together and delivers such an awesome punch of flavours!

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    1. The ease of making pork chops for dinner this way really drew me in. Thank you!

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  16. We went apple picking last Saturday, and we now have a gallon of cider at home. I'm planning to use some to make pulled pork. I will do yours next week. Fresh apple cider is the best. :)

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    1. Pulled pork with cider makes total sense. I have a hankering to make a big pot of pulled pork, too! Must do...

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  17. Ooh cider pork chops sound so delicious and perfect for the fall season (: Simple too -- always a plus!

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    1. This was really easy dinner to try out. Thanks, Monica.

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