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Pork Chops with Balsamic Brown Butter, Applesauce with Thyme, Mashed Potatoes and Celery Root

Serves 4-6

An interesting combination of ingredients makes this complete meal worthy for entertaining or a family meal.

Ingredients

For the apple sauce:

  • 4-5 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cloudy apple cider
  • A little freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the mashed celery root and potatoes:

  • 1 pound celeriac (celery root), cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 2 pounds starchy potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
  • Salt
  • 1 wheel Boursin cheese
  • 1/2-3/4 cup milk
  • Pepper

For the pork chops:

  • 4 thick bone-in pork chops, about 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-inch thick
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar

Directions

  1. For the apple sauce:
    Place all the ingredients in a pot and cook over medium-high heat until the apples break down into the sauce, about 15-20 minutes. Add more cider as needed if the apples get too dry. (This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups applesauce.)
  2. For the mashed celery root and potatoes:
    Place the celery root and potatoes in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Salt the water and cook to tender, 15 minutes. Drain and return to the hot pot. Mash with cheese and milk to your desired consistency; season with salt and pepper.
  3. For the pork chops:
    Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF. Bring the chops to room temperature and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with the oil. Brown the chops well on both sides and the edges, 7-8 minutes total. Place the pan in the oven and roast the chops to finish cooking through, 10-12 minutes.
  5. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the crushed garlic. Brown the butter until nutty and fragrant; remove from the heat and add the vinegar.
  6. Spoon the brown butter over the chops and serve with the apple sauce and mashed celery root and potatoes alongside.