Ingredients:
- Pork chops or pork cutlets: 4
- Tea Rubs: 2 tablespoons (a blend of black tea leaves, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of sugar)
- Butter: 20g (0.7 oz)
- Grapeseed or sunflower oil: 1 tsp
- Lemon juice: A squeeze (to prevent apple browning)
- Apples: 4 (Golden delicious or similar), peeled, cored, and finely sliced
- Additional butter: 30g (1 oz)
- Medium dry apple cider: 150 ml (5 fl oz)
- Heavy cream: 100 ml (3.4 fl oz)
- Calvados (optional): 1-2 tsp
- Salt and pepper: To season
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tea Rubs: In a small bowl, mix the black tea leaves, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sugar. Crush the tea leaves lightly with a mortar and pestle or use a spice grinder to create a fine blend.
- Season the Pork Chops: Season the pork chops with a few pinches of salt.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 70°C / 158°F.
- Cook the Pork Chops: Heat the butter and oil in a frypan or skillet on medium heat. When the butter starts foaming, place the pork chops in the pan and cook for around 5 minutes on each side. Then cook for a further 5 minutes on the first side to ensure the chops are cooked properly and create lots of caramelized meat juices on the bottom of the pan.
- Make the Apple Garnish: While the chops are cooking, peel, core, and slice the apples, then place them in a bowl of water mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice. Rinse and pat dry the apple slices before adding them to a hot pan (on medium-high heat) with the additional butter. Season with salt and pepper and cook for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until they are a golden-brown color. Set the apple garnish aside until the chops are ready to be served.
- Prepare the Sauce: Once the chops are cooked, place them in a tray covered with foil and keep them warm in the preheated oven while you make the sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: Serve the pork chops with the apple garnish and a drizzle of the pan sauce.
Tips:
- The tea rubs add a unique aroma and depth of flavor to the pork, complementing the traditional flavors of the French dish.
- For a more robust flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the sauce.
- This French Sweet Pork Chops with Tea Rubs recipe is perfect for a special dinner or a cozy evening in. The addition of tea rubs creates a memorable and aromatic dish.