Roasted Garlic Mash & Pork Chops with Apple Puree

What Dinner Plans? ... You're making this now. 

This meal is amazing. The pork chops are moist, and the pairing with the sweet and tangy apple puree tops off the classic combination of pork chops and applesauce. The other side is simply steamed broccoli. 

But man... the cauliflower mash... I won't even miss mashed potatoes after this! I cannot believe it took me this long to try cauliflower "mashed potatoes". When I say you need to try these, I mean like right this second. This dish is perfect for anyone trying to find a sneaky way to add more vegetables to their meals. It's also great for anyone trying to lower their carbohydrate intake. 

Note: Save the leftovers and toss the pork and apple puree with salad the next day.

Leftover pork chops and apple puree over a salad 

*Each part of the recipe can be made on its own, but if you are going to prepare the meal as a whole be sure to allow about an hour - conduct the recipes below as followed:

• Preheat oven for pork chops
• Prep and cook the apples
• Prep and cook the cauliflower
• Puree the apple mixture
• Pan sear the pork chops
• Bake the pork chops with the apple and onion mixture, covered
• Puree the cauliflower and add to an oven-safe dish
• Change the oven to broil 
• Broil both the cauliflower mash and pork chops at the same time (and steam the broccoli if desired)

For the Cauliflower Mash:

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash

(serves 4)

*Note: this recipe can be added to any meal as it makes a great substitute for mashed potatoes on any occasion

time start to finish: about 50 minutes

• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 1 tbs of high heat cooking oil
• 2 tbs to a 1/4 cup of whole milk
• 2 tbs to a 1/4 cup of chicken stock
• 1 tbs grass-fed butter
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Pull apart the cauliflower into large chunks, discarding the stem and leaves

2. Boil the cauliflower in a pot of water or steam until fork tender, about 20 minutes

3. Heat 1 tbs olive oil or avocado oil in a pan

4. Roast 4 smashed garlic cloves in a pan with 1 tbs avocado oil

4. Strain the cauliflower if boiled or remover from steamer

5. Place roasted garlic and cauliflower in food processor with milk, stock, butter, salt, and pepper
*start out with 2 tbs of milk and 2 tbs stock to prevent being over liquidy*

6. Puree until smooth *here you can decide to add up to 2 tbs more of milk and 2 tbs of stock*

7. Place puree in baking dish and broil on high for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top

For the Pork Chops:

Pork Chops with Tangy & Sweet Apple Puree

(serves 4)


time start to finish: about 60 minutes

• 4 thick cut, bone-in pork chops
• 1/2 yellow or white onion
• salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

*Prepare Apple Puree Recipe below before moving on*

2. In a Dutch oven, lightly salt and pan sear pork chops until brown on each side (about 2 minutes per side)

3. Stir onion into apple puree, add to dutch oven with pork chops

4. Cover the dutch oven with a lid and bake 40 minutes

5. Remove the lid and broil on high for 10 -15 minutes until sauce has thickened and is nicely browned

For the Apple Puree:

Tangy and Sweet Apple Puree

(makes 4 servings)


time start to finish: about 25 minutes

• 2 small apples (honey crisp, pink lady, or similar sweet red apple will work here)
• dash of Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbs apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbs dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Core and chop the apples, leaving skins on

2. Cover apples with 1/4 cup of water and bring to a boil

3. Add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, and cinnamon

4. Lower heat and simmer until soft, stirring often to prevent burning (about 15-20 minutes)

5. Puree the apple mixture in a food processor

*Note: This sauce can be added to any protein or dish of your choice - it's not only for pork chops!

Enjoy Your Delicious Meal! 
You've earned it ;)