Breakfast Thyme Pork Chops with Quick-Cooked Apples

If pork chops for breakfast seem uncommon, it may be time to treat yourself to a little Southern comfort! And, while warmed apples are a popular morning side, don't limit yourself to this single fruit: firm pears or nectarines will work nicely here, too.

Photo: Yvonne Duivenvoorden

By Nancy S. Hughes

Serves: 4
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 18 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

PORK

• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp safflower oil
• 4 bone-in pork chops, trimmed of visible fat (about 1 1/4 lb total)

APPLES

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 tsp raisins, cut in half
• 2 small Red Delicious apples (about 5 oz each), halved, cored and skin pierced several times
• 1/4 cup chopped unsalted pecan pieces, toasted
• 2 tsp raw honey
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 packets stevia
• Pinch sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare pork: In a small bowl, combine thyme, onion powder, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Tilt skillet to coat bottom lightly. Season both sides of pork chops with spice mixture and cook in skillet for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until barely pink in center.
2. Meanwhile, prepare apples: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp water and cinnamon and pour into a medium nonstick skillet. Sprinkle raisins evenly over top, then place apples, cut-sides-down, in skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 4 minutes or until apples are just tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Remove only apples from skillet and place, cut sides up, on a serving platter. Stir pecans, honey, vanilla, stevia and salt into skillet and spoon mixture over top of each apple half, dividing evenly. Serve with pork chops.

Nutrients per serving (3 oz pork chop, 1/2 apple, 2 tbsp topping): Calories: 320, Total Fat: 13 g, Sat. Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Carbs: 18 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 11 g, Protein: 32 g, Sodium: 206 mg