Pork Chops with Apples & Shallots

A quick pan-sear, followed by oven roasting brings out the best in these tender, juicy pork chops. Top with sweet, savory apples and tangy Carolina-style barbecue sauce.

Ingredients:

Natural cooking spray
3 large shallots, thinly sliced
1 large Gala or Granny Smith apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 bone-in, center-cut pork loin chops
2/3 cup barbecue sauce, such as original or hot Bone Suckin’ Sauce, divided

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Lightly grease a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Layer shallots and apples in dish, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper and cook, flipping once, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Arrange pork chops on top of shallots and apples. Pour half of the barbecue sauce over the top.
3. Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375ºF. Bake for 15 minutes, then spoon remaining barbecue sauce over the top and bake until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork chops registers 160ºF to 165ºF, about 15 minutes more.