Center cut pork chops with a brown sugar and applesauce reduction plus other yumminess...

The weekends always seem to go by so quickly around here.  Perhaps it's because I work at the MP on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Marc and I only share Sunday as a day off.  On Sundays, we try to do all of our laundry and errand running.  It makes the day seem so very short, but I am glad we get to do these things together.  We enjoy doing our grocery shopping together.  Today, we went to Whole Foods in search of a very specific chipotle salsa that they carry, and they were all out! (boo, hiss!)  I use the chipotle salsa in several dishes and sauces that I make, and we're completely out of stock here at the house.   I usually buy 10-12 cans when I go to Whole Foods.  I'll have to see if I can get back up there later this week.  After we ran errands today, we came back to the house and put stuff away and I got started making dinner.
Tonight's menu was: Pan grilled center cut pork chops with an applesauce and brown sugar reduction served with oven roasted new potatoes & shallots and fresh steamed broccoli with garlic butter and sea salt.  It turned out so fantastically well! The pork chops were tender and juicy.  I HATE when meat is over-cooked.  (I used to work in a steak house and people would order a steak well done, I would want to ask them "why don't you just gnaw on my shoe order a piece of leather!")

Here are some of the recipes from dinner tonight and some pictures to boot!

Oven Roasted New Potatoes & Shallots
Baby red or "new" potatoes, as many as you plan on making, washed and quartered
1 Large or 2 small shallots, diced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
granulated garlic , kosher salt and pepper, to taste

once both the potatoes and shallots are quartered and chopped, put them in a mixing bowl and drizzle 1 Tbsp of olive oil over them, toss to coat completely.  spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray and pour the potato mixture on the sheet, spreading out into an even layer.  Season with garlic, salt and pepper to taste.  Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached.

Applesauce and Brown Sugar Reduction
1c. Applesauce
1/2-3/4 c. brown sugar, depending on how sweet you want it to be
1/4 c. apple cider or apple juice
3 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced

Melt butter in a small saucepan, once melted, add the garlic and cook for about a minute.  DO NOT LET GARLIC BURN, it gets bitter.  Add the brown sugar and melt.  Add the apple sauce and apple juice.  Bring to a boil and let simmer until reduced by half.  Brush on pork chops and enjoy!

Here are a couple of other pictures from tonight's dinner.  Enjoy!

 Dinner was delicious! If you want any more of the recipes, Just leave me a comment and let me know; I'll be happy to provide them for you.

Marc is now full and doing laundry.  He's such a good housewife husband.

Cheers!!
Kelli