Pork chops with pineapple and thyme

Just perfect for autumn, try these pork chops with pineapple and thyme. Thyme adds bright, woodsy flavour to pork and pineapple sweetens up the dish.

 

YOU WILL NEED:

3 tablespoons pineapple or apricot jam
3 tablespoons orange juice, plus more if needed
2 teaspoons stone-ground or Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
4 fresh or canned pineapple rings, cut in half, any juice reserved
2 teaspoons butter
4 boneless pork loin chops, trimmed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

1. Combine jam or marmalade, 3 tablespoons orange juice, mustard, ginger and curry powder in a small bowl; set aside. Pour pineapple juice into a measuring cup; if necessary, add enough orange juice to equal 1/3 cup total. Set aside.

2. Heat butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add pork chops, sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Immediately turn them over and sprinkle with another 1/2 tablespoon thyme and the remaining salt and pepper. Cook the chops, turning occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add the reserved juice to the pan. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until the chops are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and keep warm.

4. Add pineapple, the reserved sauce and the remaining 1 tablespoon thyme to the pan. Cook, stirring, until hot and bubbling, 1 to 2 minutes.

To serve, spoon the sauce onto the chops and pineapple. Tip: To remove thyme leaves from the sprig, hold each sprig at the top with one hand, then run the thumb and finger of the other hand down the stem to strip off the leaves.

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