Pork Chops Stewed with Apples and Prunes, with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 (1 1/2-inch thick) center cut pork chops
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup julienned yellow onions
• 2 large golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Calvados or brandy
• 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup quartered pitted prunes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes, recipe follows

Directions

In a large deep saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Add to the pan and cook until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to rest.

To the fat in the pan, add the onions and cook, stirring, until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add the apples, rosemary, and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the sugar and stir. Add the Calvados and bring to a boil, stirring to deglaze the pan. Add the stock and prunes and bring to a boil. Return the chops and any accumulated juices to the pan, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the pork and fruit are very tender and the pork reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 30 minutes.

Remove the pork to a plate and cover to keep warm. Add the cream to the pan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and adjust seasoning, to taste. Pour any accumulated juices from the meat into the pan.

To serve, place the sweet potatoes in the middle of 4 plates and top with the chops. Spoon the sauce over the chops, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

• 4 large sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a roasting pan and roast until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. Peel the potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mash with a potato masher or heavy fork. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

Yield: 4 servings