Pork Chops with Apples and Thyme

Ingredients

• 4 or 5 fresh sprigs of thyme
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 large tart apples like Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 4 center-cut pork loin chops
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• salt and ground (fresh) pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1/4 cup of heavy cream

Instructions

1. 1
   In a frying pan large enough to hold all four chops, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add apples and sauté, shaking often (the pan, though if you've got the DT's this dish might help. Just pour yourself an extra glass of cider.). When apples have some lovely browning to them, remove them from the pan and transfer to an awaiting bowl.
2. 2
   Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Put the flour on a shallow plate and place chops in the flour. Coat on both sides of the pork, shaking off any excess flour.
3. 3
   Return your pan to medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is very hot but not smoking, add the pork chops and brown evenly on both sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per sides, but no more than that, please. Add cider and vinegar, then turn heat to low. Add garlic and thyme.
4. 4
   Cover tightly to cook. turning them once half way through the process. Cook until done, of course, which will take you anywhere from 14 to 18 minutes, depending upon the thickness of your chops. A slight rosy pinkness in the center is idea. In the center of the pork chop, that is.
5. 5
   Transfer the chops to a plate and keep warm. I suppose that might relate to both you and your chops. Remove thyme from the pan. Raise the heat to high, scraping the bottom of the pan to dissolve any caramelized bits, and add the cream. Boil until the liquid in the pan is reduced by half. Stir in the apples. Taste and adjust your seasonings.
6. 6
   Spoon apples and sauce over the pork chops and serve immediately.