Caramel Apple Pork Chops (Return of the unbeatable fruit-meat combo)

Materials

• 4 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops (I like the boneless center round cut)
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 trp ground nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tart apples - peeled (optional), cored and sliced
• 3 Tbsp. pecans, chopped (optional)

Methods

(You can try doing this all at once in two pans - one for the meat, one for the sauce, but if you're preparing alone, this is easier)

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees F. Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
3. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in the hot pan. 
4. Cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done (cut to see even white/pink color through thickness). 
5. Transfer pork chops to the warm dish in the oven. 
6. Using the same skillet, melt butter. 
7. Add in apples and sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. 
8. Cover pan and let the apples cook until just tender.
9. If desired, you can remove apples here and place on top of pork in the oven. 
10. Continue to cook the sauce, with or without apples, until thickened. 
11. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. 
12. Enjoy!

Irish-ish Soda Bread

Materials

• 3 c. flour (I like to use half whole wheat)
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/3 c. white sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 c. buttermilk
• 1/4 c. butter, melted
• 1/4-1/3 c. raisins

Methods

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
   
2. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. 
4. In a separate bowl, blend egg and buttermilk. 
5. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until roughly moistened.
6. Add in butter and raisins and stir until just moistened throughout.
7. Pur into prepared pan.
8. Bake for 65-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. 
9. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.