Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples and Onions plus Parmesan-Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I came across this recipe and was a bit skeptical at first. There aren't a lot of ingredients (which is good) but I was also afraid that meant there wouldn't be a lot of flavor (which is bad). I couldn't have been more wrong!! This dish came together within minutes and I was able to throw it in the oven and forget about it for a while. The result was fork-tender pork chops with incredible flavor. The apples and onions were amazing and the brown sugar mixes with the juices to create a sweet and savory sauce. It also pairs really well with Parmesan and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Bonus recipe below!)



Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples and Onions

4 bone-in pork loin chops (at least 1/2-inch thick)
2-3 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
2 Onions, sliced
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
Salt
Black Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, optional

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 X 13 inch baking dish. Place the onion slices in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Top the onion slices with the apple slices. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the apples and onions. Season the pork chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the chops in a single layer on top of the apples and onions. Sprinkle with a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes. Cover tightly with foil and bake in the oven for 3 hours. Serve each pork chop topped with the apples and onions. Enjoy!



Parmesan and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs. potatoes (Yukon Golds are a great choice here!)
2 tsp. salt
1 Cup grated parmesan cheese
4 T. butter
3/4 Cup milk
Salt
Pepper
4-5 cloves roasted garlic

To roast garlic: trim the pointy end off a whole head of garlic. Place sprout-side down on a piece of foil and drizzle with 1 Tb. of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the sides of the foil up to enclose the garlic completely and cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the garlic is tender. The cloves squeeze right out of their skins when they are ready!

In a large pot, place the potatoes and cover with water. Add the salt. Bring to a boil and cook the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Begin mashing the potatoes. Add the butter and mash into the potatoes. Add the milk, cheese, roasted garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Mash until the potatoes are smooth. Serve hot!