BACON + APPLE SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

BACON + APPLE SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS image

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

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3 slices thick cut bacon, cut into ¼ inch slices
2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
1½ cups bone broth or chicken stock
1 teaspoon fish sauce
5 (¾-inch-thick) bone-in pork chops (about 2 pounds total)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ghee
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 apple, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 fresh thyme sprigs

Steps:

Start by rendering the bacon drippings by frying the bacon in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Once crisp, spoon out and place on paper towel. There should be about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings left in the saucepan. Over medium-low heat, whisk the arrowroot powder into the drippings to form a smooth roux. Then, pour in the broth and fish sauce and stir until incorporated. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the sauce to a boil. Cook until it's thickened (around 3 minutes). Cover the saucepan and set it aside. Season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chops and cook on each side for 1 minute or until golden-brown. Transfer the chops to a plate Toss the onions and apple-along with a sprinkle of salt-into the empty skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are browned on the edges (about 5 minutes). Be sure to scrape up as much of the browned porky bits on the bottom of the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Transfer the chops back into the skillet, and smother 'em with the cooked onions and apple. Pour the reserved sauce onto the chops and add the thyme sprigs or until the pork chops are fork tender. Plate the chops, and top them with gravy and the reserved bacon bits.