Almond crusted pork chops with apples

3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (reserve the orange)

4 (1-inch-thick) boneless pork chops (about 8 ounces each)

5 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

 

3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (reserve the orange)

4 (1-inch-thick) boneless pork chops (about 8 ounces each)

5 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 shallots, sliced

2 golden delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chicken stock

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. To make the pork chops: In a food processor, pulse the almonds to coarse crumbs, about the size of the panko. Mix together the panko and almonds in a shallow dish and stir in the orange zest. Season the crumbs and pork chops with salt and pepper. In another small dish, mix the mustard and egg yolk together. Brush the chops with the mustard mixture, then dredge all over in the crumbs. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, brown the chops on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove them to a plate. To make the apples, wipe skillet clean and set over medium heat. Melt the butter. Add the shallots and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the apples and cook and toss until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the rosemary and season with salt and pepper. Add the brown sugar, orange juice and chicken stock and bring everything to a boil. Cook just until the sauce comes together, then put the chops on top of the apples and bake until the chops are just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.