The spicy sweetness of the chipotle pepper blends beautifully with the figs to give a little kick to the pan gravy which is also flavored with onions, garlic, and thyme. However, you may omit the chipotle pepper if you wish. Prepare all your ingredients in advance. This goes together quickly.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 (about 8 ounces each) boneless pork top loin chops, 1-1/2 inches thick
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle peppers, or to taste (see Notes)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 large cloved garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup diced fresh figs
Preparation:
Place each pork loin chop between sheets of plastic wrap and pound down to a 1-inch thickness. Season with salt, pepper, and ground chipotle.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Sear pork loin chops until golden brown on each side, turning only once. Remove to a platter and keep warm.
Reduce heat, add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute an additional 1 minute. Carefully pour in red wine and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Cook 1 minute, then add chicken broth, thyme, and figs. Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring often and mashing the figs until the sauce is thickened.
Return pork loin chops to the pan, along with any juices that have accumulated on the platter, and coat both sides with sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve pork loin chops with the fig sauce.
Yield: 4 servings
Notes: Ground chipotle pepper is available in the spice aisle of most major grocery stores.
Pork Loin Chops with Fig Sauce Recipe Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Sear pork loin chops until golden brown on each side, turning only once. Remove to a platter and keep warm.
Reduce heat, add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute an additional 1 minute. Carefully pour in red wine and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Cook 1 minute, then add chicken broth, thyme, and figs. Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring often and mashing the figs until the sauce is thickened.
Return pork loin chops to the pan, along with any juices that have accumulated on the platter, and coat both sides with sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve pork loin chops with the fig sauce.
Yield: 4 servings
Notes: Ground chipotle pepper is available in the spice aisle of most major grocery stores.
Pork Loin Chops with Fig Sauce Recipe Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.
