Pork Chops Normandy Style / Côtelettes de Porc Normande

2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
4 pork chops, about 1 inch thick
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium-sized onion, thinly sliced
1¼ c. apple cider
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1½ tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1 large tart apple, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
2 tbsp. brown sugar
3 tbsp. whipping cream

1. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet. Add chops and brown over medium-high heat. Reduce heat slightly and cook chops 6 minutes on each side.
2. Remove chops from the skillet and place on a serving platter. Pour off all but 3 tbsp. fat from the skillet.
3. Put garlic and onion in the skillet and sauté until onions are tender but not browned (about 5 minutes).
4. Add apple cider. Simmer sauce, covered, for 5 minutes.
5. Return pork chops to the skillet. Sprinkle with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Arrange apple slices over pork chops and sprinkle chops and apples with brown sugar.
6. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chops and apples are tender.
7. Stir cream into the skillet with a whisk. Simmer 5 minutes, uncovered.*
8. Spoon apple slices and sauce over pork chops when you serve them.

Preparation time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Serves 4

*Fat-conscious cooks can make this dish without the sauce. The pork chops are quite tasty when made with just apples.

These pork chops Normandy style are a rich, delicious dish that may be served as a main dish at a family meal.