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Pork chops make a great base for any meal. The preparation is key when it comes to making an elevated dish that will suit the tastes of your family members.
Although there are many ways to prepare pork chops, it is not every type of preparation that earns the name ‘divine’. Let’s find out more about how to make this dish and what all the fuss is about.
Pork Chops and Cranberries
The two main ingredients of this dish are pork chops and cranberries. The cranberries give the meal a fruity, tangy taste that takes it to the next level. It also makes it a perfect holiday meal.
To make the recipe, start by browning the pork chops in a non-stick skillet for about 3 minutes on each side.
Then melt butter in another skillet or saucepan. Add 1/2 pound fresh cranberries and cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir in ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tbsp. butter.
Continue cooking until sauce is heated through stirring occasionally so it doesn’t scorch.
Pour sauce over pork chops and keep cooking until tender. Serve chops topped with sauce.
The chops can be served with a variety of sides. Rice is one option that will work well as it will absorb any excess cranberry sauce nicely infusing the dish with the fruity, tangy taste. If you are not a fan of rice, potatoes, veggies or a nice light salad will also do the trick.
But whatever side you choose, you really can’t go wrong when you start your meal with a pork and cranberry base. Not only is pork delicious, but it’s also a great source of protein and other vitamins and minerals. Depending on how it is prepared, it can also be low in fat and calories.
And did you know cranberries are considered a superfood? Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they are known for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, slowing the progress of cancer, improving oral health and helping in the management of UTIs.
Pan-Fried Pork Chops
There are many ways to prepare pork chops, but pan frying is a favorite for many home cooks. It elevates the pork to make it more like a steak and it gives it a great outer sear with a nice juicy center.
Here are some tips for making pan-fried pork chops to perfection.
Tenderize it with a Fork: Especially effective with a thicker chop, this process of pricking the meat with a fork will help the butter and other flavorings seep in while cooking. To properly tenderize the chop, be sure to get all sides with the fork making incisions that are 1/8 inch deep.
Brine with Brown Sugar: It is always a good idea to brine pork chops. It adds moisture and works to season both the inside and outside of the chop. Brown sugar is recommended because it helps the exterior caramelize in the pan.
The best way to brine pork chops is to put them in a bag with a mixture of ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup kosher salt, and 3 cups water. Lay flat on a baking sheet and refrigerate for anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours.
Cook in a Cast Iron Pan: A cast iron pan puts the best sear on meat.
Flip Repeatedly: This ensures that your pork chop will be cooked evenly with golden color on the outside and a rosy color on the interior. Cook times will vary depending on the thickness of the chops but most will take 8-10 minutes with chops being flipped every minute.
Finish with Butter: Before removing the chops from the pan, add a few pats of butter and use a large spoon to coat the chops. This is a great way to enhance the flavor. During this basting process, you can also add seasonings of your choice. Thyme and garlic are recommended.
Keep flipping chops while basting them with a butter and seasoning mixture for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
Pork makes a terrific part of every meal and pan-frying it can make it absolutely delicious. The addition of cranberries ups the health factor giving it a unique taste your family is sure to love. At this point, it should be no wonder why they call this recipe divine!
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Maple-Pecan Pork Chops and our Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Stir-Fry.
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Pork Chops Divine Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
Pork makes a terrific part of every meal and pan-frying it can make it absolutely delicious. The addition of cranberries ups the health factor giving it a unique taste your family is sure to love. At this point, it should be no wonder why they call this recipe divine!
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- Salt and pepper for taste
- 3 Tablespoons butter – divided
- ½ pound fresh cranberries
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Brown chops in non-stick skillet, about 3 minutes each side, until brown. (Resist crowding the skillet because the chops will steam in their own juices if they’re too close. For best results brown in batches.)
- Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in another skillet or saucepan.
- Add cranberries and cook over medium-high heat cover for 10 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar.
- Add 1 Tablespoon butter.
- Continue cooking until sauce is heated through.
- Stir occasionally so sauce doesn’t scorch.
- Pour sauce over chops in non-stick skillet and continue cooking until chops are tender.
- Serve chops topped with sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pork chops and cranberries, pan-fried pork chops