Pork Chops, Golden Apple and Raisin Sauce, Whole Wheat Pasta Mac-n-Cheddar

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1/2 pound whole wheat shells or penne pasta
• 4 golden apples, cored and chopped
• 1 cup cloudy apple cider
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• A handful golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 large center cut pork loin chops, 1 1/2-inch thick
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 rounded tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 pound extra-sharp white cheddar
• A few grates nutmeg, to taste
• Dash hot sauce
• 2 cups broccoli tops, cut into small florets
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown or grainy Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

Heat a large pot of water for pasta. Season water with salt and cook pasta to al dente.

Add apples to a medium pot and stir in cider, sugar, raisins, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Place pot over medium-high heat and cook until tender, about 12 minutes.

Season chops with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chops and cook 6 to 7 minutes on each side.

While chops cook, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a sauce pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook a minute then whisk in milk and season with salt and pepper. Grate cheese and stir into sauce and season with nutmeg, to taste, and a dash of hot sauce. Reduce heat to low.

Add broccoli to pasta last 2 minutes of cook time. Drain and return to pasta pot. Add cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Add mustard and syrup to chops and glaze, 1 minute.

Serve pork with apple sauce, macaroni and cheddar with broccoli along side.