When the leaves begin to fall and it’s dreary, dark, and damp outside sometimes we need a truly comforting meal to bring our thoughts and minds out of the impending winter doldrums. Ellie Krieger’s simplistic Sage Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple Slaw requires minimal kitchen efforts especially if you take advantage of the sacks of pre-shredded Cole Slaw readily available in your grocery store. Not that shredding cabbage is particularly difficult, but after sloshing home from a long day at the office in the rain any steps I can streamline in the dinner making process are generally appreciated. Plus, the smell of sage cooking creates such a calming space that you might just want to trade in that evening glass of Pinot Grigio for a tender and juicy pork chop instead. Now don’t get hostile…it was just a suggestion!
 Season |
 Slice |
 Cut a Few Corners |
 Brown |
 Rest |
 Soften |
 Add the Slaw |
 Bury the Pork |
 Warm |
 Warm Up & Cheer Up |
Sage Rubbed Pork Chops with Warm Apple Slaw (Originally published by Ellie Krieger)
NOTE: To make this quicker and easier you can use one 16-ounce bag of pre-shredded carrots and cabbage, called “Slaw Mix” instead of starting with whole cabbage and carrots. This dish can also be a one-pot-meal if you need to swap around. Just serve with some nice brown bread or whole-grain or whole-wheat bread.
4 teaspoons chopped fresh sage or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried
1 large clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
4 (3/4-inch) bone-in pork loin chops (about 8 ounces each)
1 large onion
1 large Granny Smith apple, cut in 1/2, cored
1/2 head green cabbage, cored
3 large carrots
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Combine the 3 teaspoons of the fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork chops and let the chops sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, thinly slice the onion, apple and cabbage and julienne the carrots (very thin sticks).Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large nonstick frying pan until hot but not smoking. Add the chops and brown on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove.
Carefully wipe out the pan. Heat the remaining teaspoon oil over moderate heat and add the onion, apples and remaining teaspoon fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon dried. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is soft and golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the cabbage, carrots, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt and continue cooking until the cabbage and carrots begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and return the pork chops to the pan burying them in the vegetable mixture. Cover and cook just until the pork chops are just slightly blush in the center, 5 to 7 minutes longer.
To serve, arrange the warm slaw on individual plates and top with a pork chop and pan juices.