Maple-Glazed Pork Chops With Pecans And Apples - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup maple syrup
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
4 pork chops (1-inch-thick)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 green apples, cut into (3/4-inch)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup finely diced crystallized ginger (optional)

Preparation

Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl.
Stir together pecans and 2 tablespoons maple syrup mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring to coat pecans. Cook, stirring often, 3 minutes or until pecans are glazed. Arrange pecans in an even layer on wax paper; let cool. Coarsely chop, and set aside.
Sprinkle pork chops evenly with 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Grill chops, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350\u00b0to 400\u00b0) 8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 160\u00b0, basting with 1/2 cup maple syrup mixture during last five minutes of cooking. (If glazed earlier, glaze will burn.) Transfer to serving platter. Cover and keep warm.
Sprinkle apple slices evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
Grill apples, without grill lid, over medium-high heat (350\u00b0 to 400\u00b0) 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with 1/4 cup syrup mixture.
Spoon remaining maple syrup mixture over pork chops. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and, if desired, crystallized ginger. Serve with grilled apples.